Bike Building project 01: The Wheels

You can’t get very far without these:

The tires don’t match, but neither do my socks.

In the deal with the frame, I got Mach-1 510 rims. I love black spokes and these sexy things have 32 of them each. They’re by no means the lightest rims in town, but for city riding I’d definitely take strength over weight any day. These aren’t going to get wrecked easy, and the potholes in Toronto eat bikes for breakfast. Ever ride along Adelaide? Don’t.

I ruined the rear wheel on my Peugeot on King Street in the spring. I was on my way to donate blood (for reals). A door was thrown in front of me, and rather than hit it, I decided to try to avoid it. My front wheel ended up in the street car track and I flipped into the back of a truck. I had a wicked bruise and needed a new rear wheel.
Oh and I still donated blood because I’m a badass like that. The blood clinic didn’t have any icepacks though, but they gave me plenty of Oreos. Thanks nurse!

I got a cheap replacement for $30 – fine. What really cranked my chain was that the broken wheel was an original part from the original 1976 purchase of this beautiful bike. Ever since then I’ve been afraid my wheels where made of butter.

I’m not worried about these Mach-1 510s, the feel like they could stop a bullet.

Let’s not test that theory though.

Right now it's set up with a free wheel, I haven't decided if I'm going fixed or free on the back, I just know it's going to be a single speed when it's done. I'll debate that whole thing later.

RUNNING TOTAL: $200
RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes