Buying a new wheel

[LewisLondon]

Quick question

If I buy a new back wheel, how easy is it to move over the gears (technical terminology lacking) from my old wheel to my new one? Will I need specialist tools?

 

[PatrickPending]

depends, If its a feeehub should be easy but you will need a few bits and pieces, If its a freewheel - they're a bugger to get off!

To remove a cassette - chain whip, a cassette lockring removal tool, tyre levers (should have these anyway). Should be easy though - guides on facetube...

 

[Sharky]

Unless there is something wrong with the old wheel, I would keep as is and get a new cassette for the new wheel.
Having a spare wheel is really useful for that time when you are about to go for a ride only to find it has gone flat overnight. Also useful to have a complete pair of spare wheels, one ready for winter conditions and your best wheels for the good days.

You may need a new chain as well.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Let's make the assumption it's a relatively (ie twenty-first century bike) so:

chain whip, a cassette lockring removal tool, tyre levers (should have these anyway).

Chain whip and a cassette lockring removal tool (NB the correct one: Shimano and Campagnolo are different but your LBS will sell you the right one at an entirely affordable price) (and a spanner (could be adjustable) to fit it). There are workarounds to avoid having to get a chain whip (inter alia using an old bit of chain and a vice).

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/pr..._id=20027725&gclid=CK7J8cPm2ckCFcE_GwodbAsOcA

Not clear why OP would need tyre levers: no mention of swapping over tyres. Adding to Sharky's point on a (new) chain, that'd only be needed if you fitted a new cassette to the new wheel. If you just want to swap the cassette over (and take the opportunity to give it a good clean and relube) then new chain not required or recommended.

 

[PatrickPending]

Let's make the assumption it's a relatively (ie twenty-first century bike) so:



Chain whip and a cassette lockring removal tool (NB the correct one: Shimano and Campagnolo are different but your LBS will sell you the right one at an entirely affordable price) (and a spanner (could be adjustable) to fit it). There are workarounds to avoid having to get a chain whip (inter alia using an old bit of chain and a vice).

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/pr..._id=20027725&gclid=CK7J8cPm2ckCFcE_GwodbAsOcA

Not clear why OP would need tyre levers: no mention of swapping over tyres. Adding to Sharky's point on a (new) chain, that'd only be needed if you fitted a new cassette to the new wheel. If you just want to swap the cassette over (and take the opportunity to give it a good clean and relube) then new chain not required or recommended.

Forgot to mention Tyre levers are for swapping tyres/inner tube and rim tape if required....wouldn't get very far getting a cassette off with tyre levers.....

 

[subaqua]

Forgot to mention Tyre levers are for swapping tyres/inner tube and rim tape if required....wouldn't get very far getting a cassette off with tyre levers.....

you would be surprised what you can do when you need to improvise. I havent tried it yet but sounds like a winter plan

 

[LewisLondon]

Cheers all for this! Sounds like those 2 tools then, which aren't very expensive whenI looked into it! Looking online it doesn't look too difficult. I'm considering doing as suggested and just getting a new cassette and a new chain (will I need to change the front gear set?!).

Random Q, but I have a Triban 500se (8 speed). (Very precise front and rear MICROSHIFT derailleurs enabling amazingly-smooth chain crossovers. Cassette: 12 x 25 from the website). If I buy a Shimano 8 speed cassette also 12 x 25, will that work fine with the derailleurs?

Housemate currently thinks i'm mad, as I'm waiting for a new shiny carbon bike (n+1 already), but still upgrading the wheels on the "winter bike", taht I only bought 8 months ago. The addiction is real!

 

[Sharky]

Cheers all for this! Sounds like those 2 tools then, which aren't very expensive whenI looked into it! Looking online it doesn't look too difficult. I'm considering doing as suggested and just getting a new cassette and a new chain (will I need to change the front gear set?!).

Random Q, but I have a Triban 500se (8 speed). (Very precise front and rear MICROSHIFT derailleurs enabling amazingly-smooth chain crossovers. Cassette: 12 x 25 from the website). If I buy a Shimano 8 speed cassette also 12 x 25, will that work fine with the derailleurs?

Housemate currently thinks i'm mad, as I'm waiting for a new shiny carbon bike (n+1 already), but still upgrading the wheels on the "winter bike", taht I only bought 8 months ago. The addiction is real!

Your housemate sounds like a very sensible person!

 

[Milkfloat]

Your housemate sounds like a very sensible person!

Indeed - winter destroys wheels, so it is best to destroy your current ones.

 

[Ajax Bay]

If you plan to install a new cassette on your new wheel (which will need to have an 8sp compatible freehub) and plan to use that wheel as the one you mainly use, your plan to get new chain as well (as recommended) is sound (NB an 8 sp chain). Microshift is compatible with Shimano in very many respects, including that a shimano cassette would be fine with your shifters and derailleurs - the sprocket pitch is the same. You would not need to change anything else - though since you need to feed your addiction . . . . who knows.

 

[Erudin]

I find it helps to secure the lockring removal tool using the quick release skewer/wheel nut for the initial loosening/final tightning of the lockring.

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/cassette-and-freewheel-removal-and-installation

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/change-bike-cassette.html

https://trimadnessblog.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/how-to-change-clean-a-cassette/

 

[LewisLondon]

Indeed - winter destroys wheels, so it is best to destroy your current ones.

Whilst he is probably much more sensible than me, the current wheels are so far out of true it's unbelievable, and in my head spending £100 on new wheels and a chainset is much preferable to paying £40 to get the original rubbish decathlon wheels trued up. (plus a number of spokes replaced I would imagine?)

Am I being crazy? Happy to refine the plan if opinion says otherwise....

 

[LewisLondon]

Now I have no idea what to do :s

 

[subaqua]

Whilst he is probably much more sensible than me, the current wheels are so far out of true it's unbelievable, and in my head spending £100 on new wheels and a chainset is much preferable to paying £40 to get the original rubbish decathlon wheels trued up. (plus a number of spokes replaced I would imagine?)

Am I being crazy? Happy to refine the plan if opinion says otherwise....

if you are upgrading the original Btwin wheels then not a bad shout.some of us have been lucky in that they have had decent rims. biggest problem was lack of grease in hub bearings , but as it was a known , was first thing i did when i got my bike was grease the hubs properly

 

[LewisLondon]

Thanks subaqua, I did think that I've read pretty bad things about the wheels, would love to see what even a basic wheel can offer! I vaguely understand what you mean about hub bearings, safe to say I wouldn't be attempting that myself! Learning more about bike maintenance is definitely on my to do list.