My back wheel was stolen, need help building a new one

I go to school at the University of Chicago and live off campus so I ride my bike ('98 Cannondale R1000 I bought used this summer) to class. This morning I locked my bike up at 9:00, and when I got done with my classes + lab at 4:30, I returned to the bike rack only to find out the back wheel was gone. It was barely dark by the time I returned to my bike... ridiculous that someone came up in the middle of the day and stole the wheel.

Multiple people I've talked to as well as the campus police recommended a u-lock through the front wheel and frame, so that's what I did. While it prevented my whole bike from being stolen, the back wheel was vulnerable. I've learned that I need to use a cable to lock the back wheel up in addition to the u-lock.

Stolen was a Mavic CXP-30 rim with Hutchinson Carbon Comp tire as well as the ultegra rim and gears. Right now I'm just using the bike for commuting. Would it be worth it to get the same rim + tire to match the front or would it be a better idea to get a whole new set of cheaper, more rugged wheels for my commute? I do want to have a set of nice wheels for longer, exercise-oriented rides, but that can wait until it gets warm again.

Also, would I need professional help building and truing a wheel? I'm pretty handy and can follow directions such as the ones found at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html but don't know if it's just a better idea to have a shop do it. (Anyone know of any good shops in Chicago? Hyde Park only has really bad ones.)

I suppose I'll also keep an eye out on various classifieds for wheels as well.

It's such a bad feeling to have something stolen from you. What is kind of upsetting about the whole thing is that I paid $475 for the bike but it's looking like I'll have to pay more than 1/5 of that to replace one wheel (no small sum for a college student!). Live and learn. Hopefully if any of you don't lock up both of your wheels you will now!

hi attack,
I'm sorry to hear that your wheel was stolen. what we do here (at the UNM campus, reportedly the worst campus for bike thefts, and I have seen quite a few disassembled bikes at the racks just this semester, with the frames only, one seriously only was the frame and dérailleur left, quite sad but I digress) is if you have the quick release wheels, take the front off, and align it with the back and put a U-Lock through the frame, back and front wheel.

having a separate set of commuting wheels is an EXCELLENT idea, that way you don't have to worry about them at the racks, and if they get stolen it wont hurt as bad to replace them. there are also locking skewers, so that you need tools to get the wheels off, but if you get a flat on the road, it would be problematic, but still an option.

oh and also, if your seat post has quick releases, take the seat/post with you, or you can stick the U lock through your seat rails as well.

as for wheels, i haven't yet built one, but this is reportedly the bible of wheel books:

http://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Wheel-.../dp/0960723668

ironically, my boss knew the author, and said it is an excellent book.

keep an eye on sales and used LBS goods, and that will help make it easier.

if you are interested, i have a pair of ALX wheels that i have just retired, i wouldn't suggest putting any hard mileage on them (i have to say that i rebuilt the rear hub twice), i maybe put 6000 on them, but I'd be willing to sell the set for cheap. they are shimano compatible. commuter wheels? send me a pm. oh and i have an old 12-25 cassette 9 speed if you need one too, again, i'll sell it for cheap.

best of luck!!

no advice, just condolences! I'm so sorry to hear this. what jerks.

I've built a few wheels and it's pretty gratifying. Plus, once you've built a wheel yourself, truing it will never seem like a big deal again.

Don't think about it as spending a couple of hundred bucks on a $450 bike, it's not a car. Spending a little money on a frame that's structurally sound and adding to it as you go is perfectly ok.

Several months ago I was told my bottom bracket needed replaced and that I should consider just buying a new bike. I compared the price of the bracket with the price of a new bike--and how long it would take me to save up for a new bike--and what would I do if the bracket failed before I got a new bike. I chose to get a new bracket and in fact the bracket failed before the new part had come in!

Since then I've spent nearly as much money on repairs & accessories as if I'd gotten a new bike. The cost is still trivial compared to car maintenance! I'm really in tune with my bike. I know what loose bearings sound like, for example.

I wanted a new bike, and I still do (don't tell my bike I said that, her feelings would be hurt), but being forced to repair the old continually, I've learned so much more than if I'd just gotten a new bike when the bottom bracket failed.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

I have another question. My bike originally had a 12x23 cassette. Suppose I were to get a new set of wheels with a 12x25 cassette. What adjustments would need to be made? Chain length? Derailleur adjustments?

Again, I really appreciate everyone being so helpful.

Derailleur adjustment should be OK is you stick with the same number of cogs. You might need a couple more links in the chain if your current chain was set as short as possible, but it might be OK.