Replacing a wheel -- am I ordering all the right parts?

[nico demouse]

I have a new (to me) mountain bike that was a gift from a friend. It is missing the front wheel.

I'm assuming that I can learn to replace the wheel myself, if I order the right parts.

If I order a:

wheel (rim + spokes)
tire
inner tube
quick release skewer

will that be everything I need?

I feel like this should be reasonable for me to do. At the same time, I feel a little bewildered.

As a related question -- is there a consensus on a best book for bicycle repair/maintenance? I have the Bicycling magazine book on order and should have it soon. I'm also hoping to sign up for the Park Tool school at REI as soon as they list the class for spring.

Thanks!

~Nico

[lph]

Yup, you've got it covered. A wheel contains a hub as well (the spokes are attached to it), but as long as you're buying an entire wheel you just need a tire and tube. I think a QR skewer might come with the wheel, though? You might check to see if one is mentioned.

Putting a tube and tire on a new wheel is good practice for (and easier than) changing a tube in case you flat.

just make sure the tube is the right size for the tire you choose, there are a few sizes to choose from.

ps. people have posted useful links from youtube before, you might want to try a search there (fixing a flat, or similar)

[DebW]

Don't forget the rim strip to protect the tube from the rim holes and spokes. QR skewers generally come with wheels.

[radicalrye]

Don't forget the rim strip to protect the tube from the rim holes and spokes.

hahaha the first time i mounted tires & tubes i totally forgot that you needed rim tape and of course popped the tubes. good thing the bike shop was only a couple blocks from my house. i was a bit red faced when i walked in asking where the rim tape was.

[nico demouse]

Thanks for the rim tape tip -- I had no idea and would have gone ahead without it. Is this something my local shop would carry? I am planning this order through Performance and the only rim tape they offer got crummy reviews...

The wheel I am ordering comes with a hub but no quick release skewer. Are the skewers specific to specific wheel sizes or universal?

I'm super excited about getting these parts ordered and starting to work on the bike. I have a friend who works for a company that stores freight for trade show folks. Occasionally someone goes out of business and abandons their stored goods. My buddy gets to sort out the abandoned property and he found a Bianchi Denali in some of this abandoned property. Frame size was too small for him, so he gave it to me. So, for the price of replacing the front wheel, I have a nicer bike than I would have bought myself. I can't wait to get it rideable.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

[DebW]

Yes, your local shop will carry rim tape. I recommend Velox, and it comes in 3 width, so best to take the wheel with you so you get the correct size.

Front and rear skewers are different sizes, and there is variation in rear skewer sizes, but all front ones should be the same size. You probably want to look for one that matches your rear wheel skewer cosmetically. Your shop may have used ones they'll give you or sell cheap.

[indysteel]

Are you building this wheel yourself? Building a wheel is not a simple matter of assembling the parts, and you need more than just the parts to do it. It's certainly not impossible to do on your own, as plenty of people do build their own wheels, but it's generally thought to be a more advanced project as far as wrenching goes. I don't say this to be discouraging; I just wanted to give a head's up that it's an involved project.

Here's a primer from Sheldon Brown on the subject.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Edited to add: I just reread the OP's question. I'm honestly not sure if she's buying a pre-built wheel. If so, just ignore my comments. Obviously, mounting a wheel with rim strips (or Veloplugs), a tube and tire is a pretty straightforward job, and you should be able to do that iwthout too much fuss. As for bike maitenance, I use Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. There are also any number of handy videos on Youtube.

[Pedal Wench]

Dumb question, but do ALL wheels need rim tape? I got some Mavic Ksyrium SL Premiums and the spokes are under a metal piece. Nothing to rub the tube, so I didn't use the tape.

[nico demouse]

Are you building this wheel yourself?

<snip>

As for bike maitenance, I use Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. There are also any number of handy videos on Youtube.

No, I am buying a prebuilt wheel. Building a wheel is *way* beyond me at this point.

Thanks for the book recommendation, I will check that one out!