Switching from steel to alloy rims

[Ugo51]

Hi all,

I'm considering switching the steel rims of my Peugeout to alloy ones.
The idea is to just buy the rims and switch them over, as opposed to buy new wheels.
Beside the number of holes (36), the size (622) and width (steel ones are 18mm, I'd go a tad narrower with alloy), is there any other measurement I need to check before buying?
The profile of the rim will make a difference on the length of the spokes, right?

Thanks

 

[allenh]

If you've not done this before then read Sheldon Browns excellent wheel building tutorial here and find a spoke length calculator, I use this one.

after the obvious like number of spoke holes the dimension that matters most with the rim is ERD which I think stands for effective rim diameter, and on the hub its hub flange diameter and the distance the flange is from the hub centre line which varies left to right on a hub that uses a cassette or freewheel.

I find it quite relaxing building wheels so be methodical when you do it (did I say read Sheldon's guide) and the only other thing that might catch you out is the dishing on the rear where the centre line of the hub won't be the centre line of the wheel so the spokes on one side are effectively shorter than the other to make the wheel dish to one side.

 

[hamster]

If it has steel rims it will odds-on have rustless plain gauge spokes. I'd re-spoke while rebuilding the wheels with lighter double butted stainless spokes.