Raleigh rear wheels.Oh God Why. (please recommend)

[DxMachina]

I run an old BSA MTB with the usual 26in wheels, screw on freewheels, etc

I replaced the over-a-decade-old rear wheel with a new Raleigh one last year. It was worn out (bent axle, excessive side-play that adjusting the cones didnt fix) by this spring

So I bought another Raleigh rear wheel

This ones lasted just 5 weeks. I've already got 3mm of sideplay before adjusting the cones and now the axle's BENT to the point it wont even spin straight

W.T.F ?
Are raleigh sunk so low they're incapable of making a simple wheel?

I'm trying to get a refund under the Sale of goods act. Meanwhile can anyone recommend me a simple rear wheel that will last a reasonable lifespan? The first rear wheel this bike had lasted 13 years.. something like that.... Ideally not wanting to pay more than the bike is worth for it...

Thanks in advance.

 

[albash82]

unfortunately, i don't know of many companies that do wheels as cheap as raleigh... if you need a screw-on freewheel setup, you're fairly limited for options. Have you checked in all the bike shops in your area? there may be a random wheel hanging up somewhere that someone will do you a deal on.

 

[DxMachina]

Thanks for the response

Research on eBay found plenty Claud Butler MTB rears but I can't help but wonder if everyone's OEMing from Raleigh as the wheels looked identical

Having got a refund for the just 5 week old wheel so am considering paying for new cranks, changing the old C&C BB for a new Shimano UN54, pulling my spare three-speed chain from the spares box and concerting to single-speed

Multi-speed gearing has not really served me well on this bike anyway as the hangers keep picking up mud anyway and dragging away my speed