It seemed every time I took the western flyer out for a ride it would get harder to peddle the bike. It seemed like the spokes would loosen them selves. The old rim would stretch where the nipples go, sort of pulling through the holes a little more each ride.
So I kept the original hubs and laced a mountain bike rim to them. Took it out for a ride today. This little bike was so smooth and seemed faster as well, it was a lot of fun to ride.