So I have an old 80's Caliente that I paid $20 for and have been loving ever since
Unfortunately, the original wheels were rusted and steel, so I sought out something less corroded
I ended up buying a... $45 wheel from Kraynick
I knew Gordon had one of these wheels and they sucked for him, but I thought because I probably weighed significantly less than him I would be okay. I failed to consider that I probably carry the difference in weight in my panniers. I also failed to consider that there's no way a new wheel that costs $45 isn't going to suck
So I now have a wheel that's served me well, but continues to break spokes and the rim is about as sturdy as a piece of aluminum foil
The rear wheel is spaced for 126mm.
I'm thinking I could replace it with this:
Alternatively, I could buy spokes and a rim, use the hub on the $45 wheel, and build a wheel
I could also buy some 126mm hub off eBay or somesuch
Alternatively still, I could send the hub (or another 126mm hub) to Peter White and see if he'd play ball with me. Last time I spoke with him he told me to buy a new frame 
Lastly, I could contact Marty Slaughenback and see if he'd build me a wheel; he lives on the North Shore
So, what do the masses think? I could spend $1000 on a new touring bike, but why do that when my $20 Caliente has the same functionality and its only weakness is the wheel(s), which I could replaced for $200? max
I would just go for a modern wheel spaced at 130mm. Steel is flexy...the two mm difference on each side of the drop-out really shouldn't compromise the frame at all. Most importantly, Sheldon says it's okay: http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html
enter the jono hub
in all seriousness, seems like an opportunity to find a decent used hub and have fun building yourself a wheel.
Or you could go to thick and order a rim and have them build you a new wheel or two.
For some reason I was thinking of Dirty Harry's...
Who's the wheel builder at Thick? For some reason the name Chris seems to ring a bell. Thick's location is pretty convenient for me
Buy a new wheel with a 130 mm hub. Its the fastest, easiest way to get that bike where you want it. Save the wheelbuilding for a project bike.
I always have Larry build my wheels but Chris or only of his mechanics are all more than capable.
