Wheels and tyres questions...

[tiermat]

I agree, Cross-tops FTW, I have them on my Inbred 29er, operating Avid BB7 discs and I would be lost without them (I use the Inbred as a tourer).

As for bars, I would agree with hamster, go for flat bars or North Road style. Again as hamster says, On-One do a nice range. I have Midge bars on my fixie and they are just brilliant, nicely halfway between flats (which I don't get on with for any distance riding) and drops.

 

[Jonny69]

First things first - braking will be much improved with an alloy rim over a chrome steel one. As soon as chrome gets wet you might as well have ice on the braking surface! I actually find those old Weinmann brakes absolutely fine. Make sure you use the older style soft rubber rectangular brake blocks (like you've got), all adjusted up nicely and oiled, and they should be fine.

That's about the right price for a budget pair of 700c wheels for a screw-on freewheel and there looks like plenty of room for 35mm tyres.

 

[MrBen]

Once again, thank you for all the info!

Good call on the cross tops - watching a few pairs on eBay now

Tyres are ordered. Will put a wanted ad up for wheels.

I think we're going to try stem shifters so I need to find some of them too.

Cheers for all the help.