As I’m in the mood for doing a bit of re-modelling and up-grading I’ve decided to address an issue with the wheels on my ALICE. When I was building the bike I messed up when ordering the wheel-set. I ordered wheels before the frame arrived and bought a set of Hope 35W fortus wheels. These were used, although they were in perfect condition, so were non-returnable. When I tried fitting them to the frame, it turned out that the ideal tyre size for the rims was too wide to fit the frame. I had, at the same time ordered new Hope wheels for my MTB so did a quick about turn and changed that order to sizes that would fit the ALICE.

When both sets of wheels arrived and I tried fitting them it turned out that although the ALICE forks took non-boost wheels, the rear wheel should be boost. I managed to fit them using spacers on the hub but these are really difficult to hold in place while fitting the axle. A task which really needs three hands to complete as the spacers have to be held in place while the wheel is held in position and the axle fed through. It’s one thing doing this when the bike is up on a stand but I dread ever having to do it while I’m away touring and need to repair a puncture.

So I’ve decided to change the rear wheel to a boost axle one. This will make removing and fitting it a lot easier. I’ve never had a puncture yet since fitting the Schwalbe tyres but I really don’t want to chance it while touring. It’s extra expenditure but I should be able to sell the one I’m taking off as it’s still in very good condition and this will off-set the price. The two wheel hubs wont be the same colour as the rear I’ve ordered is in black but I’ll also keep an eye out for a matching front wheel at an affordable price.

UPDATE: I found a front wheel on e-bay. It’s ex shop-display so was going for almost half the price of a new one. It’s a PRO 4 rather than the PRO 5 that I bought for the rear wheel but as the main difference in the two is the ratchet for the rear one so this will suit my needs perfectly. It just meant that I bought it and a second black rotor sooner than I had expected to. It is Xmas after all so that’s my excuse!

FURTHER UPDATE: Parcelforce seem to have lost/stolen my wheel so it looks like it’s going to be a protracted fight trying to sort this out never mind getting any recompense. I may just have to go with buying a new PRO 5.

FINAL UPDATE: The parcel has finally been traced to a different building. So I can now fit the PRO 4 wheel along with the matching disc and so that will be me for now!