My current rear wheel is 15-20 years old. It is a 3/8" nankai technolite freecoaster (48H), chrome odyssey hazard lite rim, and I believe just generic 14g spokes with 3x lacing pattern. The chrome on the rim is chipping, it's due for a rebuild soon and the wheel is heavy by today's standards so I'm starting to save up for a whole new wheel that I will have flatlandfuel build. I have never done this before instead I've always got my wheels either second hand or already prebuilt - I've never selected the parts individually myself. So while I am saving the money needed I am doing research on what I want in the meantime.I'm curious if anyone has any advice or recommendations. Here is what I'm thinking so far:Far East Cycles Freecoaster (36H)GSport Birdcage Rim14g double butted spokesBrass nipplesProbably 3x lacingI'm trying to build a light but still decently strong wheel. I only ride flatland, no street or park riding. I also use brakes so need a rim with enough surface area for the pads. A few questions:1) If I have the money, is there any reason not to upgrade the axle/driver to titanium? Like, have people had any problems with the freecoaster working properly when upgraded? Anything special I need to consider with the titanium upgrade.2) I'll probably go with 14mm since my dropouts are 14mm but my current setup uses a 3/8 axle with adapters and I like this because the adapter protects the threads of axle from damage when the integrated chain tensioner bolt tightens down on it. I'm worried that without anything to protect the 14mm axle, that the integrated chain tensioner bolt will start to damage the axle threads. Or is there another way to protect the threads? Or is the damage minimal and of little concern?3) Would you recommend anything different, like a different rim, spokes, freecoaster, 48H instead of 36H, etc?Thank you very much for any input you can provide!
Ti FEC coaster needs additional space. Dub has a video about it if you google it. I have regular FEC coaster and its great.
Thank you! I think we have a similar understanding of many things, that is why we have a good basis for discussions. I always enjoy your posts because you have clear thoughts and precise questions/remarks. I would not say that 80 g do not play a role, but one should not forget here that the steel version is also very light and your whole backwheel will be much lighter anyway! So I would start with the steel version. You can also save weight with pegs, tires, tubes for example and this is much cheaper.
Yes I bought new lighter pegs, tires and tubes a few weeks ago but didn't get around to installing them until just a few minutes ago. My bike lost decent amount of weight with this upgrade, but a big part of that is going from frequency G tires to bob hex tires which are very light, but I'm not sure how I will like them yet. Tomorrow morning I give them a test ride, so I might go back to the frequency G if I don't like them.According to my scale bike now weighs about 24.6 lbs (11.2 kg). Not super light but much better then when I first got back into riding over a year and a half ago, back then it was closer to 29 lbs (13.2 kg) if memory serves me right.
I am finally done saving for this and so I'm about to purchase a new wheelset. I still think I am going to go with 14mm FEC freecoaster probably steel not titanium but doing some last minute research on all available coasters before deciding. I'm open to any suggestions. Gonna go with either the GSport Birdcage or Sun Envy rims.I also still need to pick out a good lightweight reliable front hub, any suggestions considering what's currently available from flatlandfuel?
Thanks for the update mambocowboy!That grenade hub looks like a great option, I may decide to go with it. I have also been considering getting an FEC front hub, kinda just to 'match' the FEC freecoaster on the rear. The regular FEC front hub looks decent enough but then there is also the carbon fiber version which is very light (140g), I'm just not sure yet if a carbon fiber shell hub is a good idea as a flatland hub. Been searching around to see if I can find any reviews. Anyone here use it and have anything to say about it?