Freewheel compatibility

[johnnyb47]

Hi to all.
I'm just looking for a little advice before i go out and buy some new wheels for my bike.At the moment my bike has a set of Mavic ma2sbp wheels fitted and it's now becoming a daily ritual for checking the spokes as the keep on working loose, as well as experiencing a few snapped ones from time to time. I've spotted a pair of wheels called cfx and after doing a little research on the net they seem to be not to bad a wheel and will suit my needs well. The description of them states they will except a screw on Shimano free wheel..I was just wondering would these be compatible to take my existing 5 speed Millard screw on free wheel. As I've got an ever closer 70 bike ride coming up this year the last thing i want is the back wheel to fail ,so to be on the safe side I think it's time for a new set.
Many thanks for reading and advice given.
Johnny

 

[midlife]

MA2 are lovely looking rims . I'd get your original wheels properly rebuilt

Shaun

 

[Apollonius]

Freewheel threads are the same, so your Maillard should fit. The only problem might be the OLN. (This means over lock nuts, and is the space between your rear forks. It will probably be 125 or so, but with steel frame, you can stretch it a bit.

 

[johnnyb47]

Thanks for your advice both.
So it sounds like there compatible by the advice given. I was thinking about getting the Mavics rebuilt but was concerned about the cost. These new wheels I've spotted are selling for around £50 a pair against a goodness knows what it would cost to have mavics rebuilt with new spokes.
The jury still out there at the moment as to what to do.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd say it depends on how good the hubs are, the bearings in modern hubs are often rubbish whereas the quality that older hubs were made to meant they went on forever given decent maintenance.

 

[Cycleops]

I'd say that getting your quality wheels rebuilt against buying a pair of modern fifty quid wheels is a bit of a no brainer.

 

[midlife]

It's about 40 quid to get a wheel properly built iirc so that's 80 against 50.....

Shaun

 

[fossyant]

£50 quid wheels won't be good. If the hub is still good, and bearings run well, get it rebuilt.

 

[accountantpete]

A few points:

You may be twisting the spokes when you tighten them up - they will soon work loose if this is the case. Mark the spoke to see if this is the case.

Otherwise try a bit of threadlock between the spoke and nipple.

Spoke breakages might indicate poor quality spokes - have a look at DT Swiss or Sapim spokes.

Beware cheap wheels - rims can crack after a while and the nipples/spokes will be poor.

 

[Cycleops]

It's about 40 quid to get a wheel properly built iirc so that's 80 against 50.....

Shaun

Wow, that much. I'm a bit out of touch with UK prices, is that
universal? I know it's not comparable but my local guy who is a whizz at wheel building and truing charges me less than a fiver (using existing spokes).

 

[Ajax Bay]

Plus one for rebuilding the wheel (with new spokes qv) as opposed to buying a rubbish wheelset. But check the MA2 rims are sound, first. My Maillard hubs are as smooth now as they were in '81 and very easy to service.

try a bit of threadlock between the spoke and nipple

Don't try this - if the tension is sufficient and 'relieved' the spokes will not unscrew. Replace the spokes.

using existing spokes

Don't use the existing (original) spokes (the OP's spokes that have not already broken have done their tour of duty).

would these be compatible to take my existing 5 speed Millard screw on free wheel

While you're at it, consider replacing the 5 speed block with a 6 speed (compatible screw on and same width so no OLN issues), which will give you a 28 (say), useful for the Welsh hills.

 

[midlife]

I guess a good stainless double butted spoke is 60 odd pence so that's £20 quid plus; then the labour on top and new rim tape.

Been a while since I had some rebuilt but the above rings a bell

Shaun

 

[raleighnut]

Wow, that much. I'm a bit out of touch with UK prices, is that
universal? I know it's not comparable but my local guy who is a whizz at wheel building and truing charges me less than a fiver (using existing spokes).

The spokes are at least a quid each for good uns.

 

[Tim Hall]

The spokes are at least a quid each for good uns.

No they're not. Sapim Race (to take a randomly googled stainless double butted spoke) are 45p each from Spa cycles.

 

[midlife]

Quick check at the cycle clinic and Sapim SS Race are 70 pence each. £8.40 for a box of 12.

Spa cycles a bargain lol

Shaun