C77 wheel kits on Ebad.

[Downunder dream]

I have found these kits on eBay in America.
Has anyone tried these?

This auction is for a wheel kit to build two complete wheels. The kit includes: 2x 16x1.85 Union Cycle chrome rims with 36 inner and 36 outer Takasago chrome spokes and steel nipples.
The seller is 'apexcycle'

As I live in Australia, I don't want to pay the postage if they are no good.
I've read some posts about ill fitting or bending spokes to fit.

Cheers,

Scott.

[LOUD MOUSE]

TOM DAY just posted a couple of messages to the forum.
You may look him up and ask him using the forum what the quality is like. ........lm

I have found these kits on eBay in America.
Has anyone tried these?

This auction is for a wheel kit to build two complete wheels. The kit includes: 2x 16x1.85 Union Cycle chrome rims with 36 inner and 36 outer Takasago chrome spokes and steel nipples.
The seller is 'apexcycle'

As I live in Australia, I don't want to pay the postage if they are no good.
I've read some posts about ill fitting or bending spokes to fit.

Cheers,

Scott.

[cbxmountainman]

If my memory serves me ( it does have a habit of deserting me in my old age), don't the early wheels utilize the 36 spoke design while the later uses the 40 spoke? TIA, Charlie

[LOUD MOUSE]

My parts book shows 36. ........lm

If my memory serves me ( it does have a habit of deserting me in my old age), don't the early wheels utilize the 36 spoke design while the later uses the 40 spoke? TIA, Charlie

[rrietman]

the dreams are all 36. I have used Tom's spoke sets many times, they are Asian and are just fine.
Randy

[Downunder dream]

I can't really afford to be a trial guinniepig at the moment.
I'd have to wait to see if Tom Day is as good as his word.
For me to have my wheels re-built here in Aus is about $1200.
My concern with the apexcycle kits is the nipple appears to sit hard on the inside edge of the rim and so does the spoke coming out of the nipple. The spoke seems to have a slight bend from there towards the hub. (Third image of wheel-close up).
If I was to buy this set, and hopefully receive it(!!), and my concerns are verified, and then have the originals re-chromed with new spokes ect, it would end up a $1500 exercise.
I think I'd have to wait and see if anyone has put this kit together and what their opinion is.

Scott.

[rrietman]

sorry, I misunderstood what you were looking at. Tom's spokes are fine. the Union Cycle rims are, at best, a decent alternative to OEM. the spoke angles are off and need to be tweaked to make work. I have talked with Tom about this and he and I have done this successfully on a few bikes. the finished wheel looks/works fine, but a trained eye will see the difference. the alternative, as you are finding out, is way more $$$$. I have been buying some Puch parts from Motor West and I see that they have for sale a 1.85x16 rim, but I have yet to try one. I suspect that those are also the Union Cycle rims.
good luck
Randy