Rims: Am I Looking for the Impossible?

[NoControl]

I'm going insane.

My current build is a 1947 Columbia, and I'm nearly done with the frame. Meanwhile, I'm sourcing wheel components. I have a sweet re-chromed Bendix hub for the rear, and I'm looking for a front hub to match. The problem is that I'm hitting dead ends at every turn when I look for a pair of nice rims.

What I want do build is a nice pair of wheels with some heavy-duty, double-wall POLISHED alloy rims with chrome spokes, chromed brass nips, and wide enough so that a pair of Schwalbe Fat Franks fit nicely. I would be looking at 60-559 (26 x 2.35) for the tire.

I'm at my wit's end. It would seem that I can't even find a low-end steel rim that's any good. Are there any chromed steel rims out there that are double-walled construction? For that matter, where is a good place to even look for the low-end rims? Everyone wants to sell me a complete wheel. Am I mad? Do I need a pill? Help!

 

[Wildcat]

Here's more than you can shake a stick at:

https://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/wheels/rims/26/26-x-1-5-2-125-rims

 

[NoControl]

I didn't mention it, but I'll also need 36H. I went to Niagara. Specifically to the pages in your link. The closest I can find is the Sun 26x2.00, which is still a wee bit narrow for my tastes. That, and its silver but not polished. Is there any such thing as a really good steel chromed rim?

 

[user 135]

Not much for 26" polished or chrome doublewall rims.
- Felt has some http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2016/Parts/Cruiser/Wheels/26-Cruiser-Wheel.aspx
- 3G has some annodize ones. https://www.3gbikes.com/parts/wheels/

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

You are not crazy. No one really makes wide polished rims anymore. Two of the older ones I have on two bikes are the Araya 26x2.125 36hole Tandem rim in chromed steel. You don't see them often, but some Ratter here may have a pair. Ukai made a polished aluminum fatty in the 70's, but you never see them. You could polish one of the newer linked aluminum rims above as well.
If someone made a good double wall aluminum rim with a 2" outside measurement, welded, polished and eyeleted, they could sell as many as they wanted, but surprisingly no one has figured this out yet... skpc

 

[NoControl]

I found and ordered these: https://www.bmxguru.com/collections...racing-double-wall-rim-26-36h-silver-anodized

lol, it would appear that I bought the last two.

 

[RustyGold]

Those are probably the same as the ones on planetbmx...
https://www.planetbmx.com/shop/26-se-racing-double-wall-rim-in-anodized-colors.html

Jason

 

[Bike Bum]

I found and ordered these: https://www.bmxguru.com/collections...racing-double-wall-rim-26-36h-silver-anodized

lol, it would appear that I bought the last two.

Cool. I was just going to suggest BMX Guru or Porkchop BMX. I've bought many parts from both companies and they are top notch! Let us know the quality when they come in, even though I'm sure they'll be great.

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

Nice rims but no eyelets and only 29mm wide! Sun CR18 Rynolite XL is same width, welded with eyelets and easy to find..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sun-Ringle.../122807498229?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c1

 

[NoControl]

Nice rims but no eyelets and only 29mm wide! Still waiting for wider with spoke hole eyelets.

Yes, I agree that they seem a little narrow, but as long as it'll fit a 2.125 then I'm good to go. I found these: http://www.alexrims.com/products/zuma-1-0/ but I can't source them anywhere. Perhaps you all can try and report back here. Its so disappointing to know in your head what you need, but manufacturers have decided that there's no $$ in it for them to supply you with what you need. Maybe we're (the cruiser/rat crowd) just need to yell a little louder. The squeaky wheel gets teh grease, right?

As far as no eyelets, I agree. That part sucks, but at least I'll build the wheels using nipple washers.

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

Those Zuma's look great! WTB makes a 40-mil wide 26 alu rim called the Scraper for Plus tires that would look killer on old 26" bikes. It has a thicker material at the spoke holes, and wide for sure. If it was polished and $50, it may be worth it, but $100?.
Get the wallet out!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WTB-Scrape...931299&hash=item2f08f1aee5:g:W-MAAOSwI8laHKZO

 

[us56456712]

I'm going insane.

My current build is a 1947 Columbia, and I'm nearly done with the frame. Meanwhile, I'm sourcing wheel components. I have a sweet re-chromed Bendix hub for the rear, and I'm looking for a front hub to match. The problem is that I'm hitting dead ends at every turn when I look for a pair of nice rims.

What I want do build is a nice pair of wheels with some heavy-duty, double-wall POLISHED alloy rims with chrome spokes, chromed brass nips, and wide enough so that a pair of Schwalbe Fat Franks fit nicely. I would be looking at 60-559 (26 x 2.35) for the tire.

I'm at my wit's end. It would seem that I can't even find a low-end steel rim that's any good. Are there any chromed steel rims out there that are double-walled construction? For that matter, where is a good place to even look for the low-end rims? Everyone wants to sell me a complete wheel. Am I mad? Do I need a pill? Help!

I have 25 on my 26er with 2.35 and they look good and work perfectly. I race with them and they corner and climb well. Wide rims will change the look a little but not much. Show us a picture
I have probably the same Columbia all in parts. Spokes, hubs, truss rods, drop center rims all of it except fenders. Skip tooth or three speed? Can't decide. All stripped of paint and handing in my shop. I want to build it for a gift. It was one of my former klunkets and it survived years of abuse and racing. I would be interested to see yours for inspiration.

 

[RustyGold]

I sent an email about the zumas a couple months ago...never got a response. I have a feeling that they were an oem rim they were clearing out.

Jason

 

[idiotboy]

Sun MTX33, 33mm wide, welded, eyeleted and 35 dollars each from Niagara cycle. 36 hole, Schrader valve and a profile similar to old drop center rims. I used a pair on a build off bike a few years ago...

 

[NoControl]

Sun MTX33, 33mm wide, welded, eyeleted and 35 dollars each from Niagara cycle. 36 hole, Schrader valve and a profile similar to old drop center rims. I used a pair on a build off bike a few years ago...

Me like-um! Those fat franks have a nice stance on that rim, too.

 

[Starnger]

Robsson makes them in Europe, but polished ones are only available at 80 and 100mm width.

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

Here's another low profile wide rim you could probably remove the paint & polish... 36H, eyelets, tough....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alex-DX32-...945601&hash=item3adac90bc0:g:GqIAAOSwTuJYqjKW

 

[Indyjps]

Alex DM24 and Sun Rhyno Iite both offered in 26" silver and double wall. Not always in stock in silver, but its something to look for.

 

[Indyjps]

the polished rhyno lites are pretty bright. Heres a link to buy both.

http://www.bikewagon.com/alex-dm24-26-36h-mountain-downhill-rim-silver

http://www.bikeman.com/RM8351.html