Since when did 700c road wheels become difficult to buy?!

[gsdavies]

Yesterday I went out in search of some standard, nice simple, cheap wheels for my old road bike. After an aborted, long and fruitless search for 126mm OLN steel knurled rimmed replacements for the knackered originals, I decided that something budget and modern would have to do. Requirements - 130mm OLN (I've come to terms with widening the frame now), screw on freewheel, narrow rims for 23c's. I didn't want to order over the net, because I fancied building the bike up and going out for a spin today and with budget stuff, I like to see what I'm getting. Sometimes, the internet just can't deliver fast enough

So, four bike shops, four 'no sorry, road stuff is special order only..' type excuses along with ridiculous road style price tags. Plenty of 140mm OLN wheels to take 28c + tyres, stacks and stacks of MTB wheels, but nowt for 23c. One place even suggested "get a new bike mate, you can't get the spares for the old stuff now.." - they had a nice line of mountain bikes they were keen to sell..

I remember years ago that this type of thing was on sale everywhere.

What's gone wrong?!

[hubgearfreak]

One place even suggested "get a new bike mate, you can't get the spares for the old stuff now.." - they had a nice line of mountain bikes they were keen to sell..

that'd be my last visit to that one

[rualexander]

What's gone wrong?!

Nothing's gone wrong, time has passed since you were last in the market obviously and, for better or worse, designs have changed and the stuff you are after is not readily available. Especially in the smaller local bike shops which have to make a living and can only do that by catering for the larger slice of the market/customer base. Screw-on freewheels are a specialist item these days I'm afraid!

[gsdavies]

Screw-on freewheels are a specialist item these days I'm afraid!

I'd have settled for a freehub and put a cassette on it - sadly none of those wheels about either. And that DID amaze me!

[rogerzilla]

The nearest bike shop to me says "we don't sell spares". They just sell £5,000 bikes and overpriced accessories.

[gsdavies]

A £5000 bike is all very well, I'd just be concerned about the quality of the engine..

[pioneer]

How about Halfords?

My local one still sells cheap wheels in both 26" and 700c size.

[George Riches]

I like to see what I'm getting. Sometimes, the internet just can't deliver fast enough
[..]
What's gone wrong?!

Credit crunch, the web?

Shops can't afford to keep stock which doesn't turn quickly. It ties up cash and space. Web shops can stock a much larger range as even obscure things sell in reasonable volume when catering for a national market.

[dan_b]

If you want cheap, I'm pretty sure Decathlon had 700c wheels with freewheel last time I was there. Not much help if you're not near one of their stores, I know.

[Tonyf33]

I think the problem is mainly due to stock holding, shops will only want to sell/hold in stock products that they feel will sell (quickly) & make money on. Cheap wheels with a freewheel hub aint one of them. The only way to go to get a cheap set of wheels is by mail order or even on ebay. (seen them £50 delivered for a new set with freewheel hub)