Wheel Advice (again!)

[mauisher]

Based on your some earlier advice on wheels, I've decided to have some custom wheels made for me. I'm probably going to use Mavic Open Pro Rims, Chris King hubs, and DT Revolution spokes. My question to you concerns what weight of spokes and, particularly the spoke count and lacing pattern to use? The people I've talked to recommend 28 hole wheels front and back with 2 cross spoke lacing patterns with 14/17 DT Revolution spokes and brass nipples. My use for these wheels will be all-around for training & events. I weigh between 140-145#. Any advice on the # of spokes front vs back and spokes? Thanks so much for your help.....

[tzvia]

I just went through the same torture. What to get, then how to get it setup. I guess you would know best how you ride and the locations you ride most. Aggressive masher riding over very poor roads? Maybe 28/28 (or even 32 rear), 2x front, 3x rear. More like me, a finesse spinner? I went 24/28, 2x 2x with Sapim race spokes, White Industries hubs and Velocity Aerohead rims, (trying to go light without being silly-light). These are tough choices, I kept building wheelsets in my head for a month (no kidding). And you know, everybody has an opinion all their own. I looked at EA-90 slx Eastons, but the low spoke count worried me. I think my custom build beats it on weight and I feel better about the spoke count. I weigh 148 and dropping to 120 (and yes I was almost 170lbs before taking up cycling again around 5 months ago.)

I almost bought the CK hubs, because they are awesome, but that angry bee noise made me change my mind. Also needs a $pecial tool to rebuild it and no that dollar sign is not a typo. Then I looked at DT Swiss hubs, but settled on WI hubs because they are made in the USA like CK and are very light and strong. When the bearings wear out or I win the lottery, I will replace with ceramics myself.

My current set revolves around old Mavic Reflex clincher rims (pre open-pro), DT spokes and Dura Ace hubs, 32/32 3x 3x. Bullet proof but on the heavy side. If you lean to the bullet proof over weight, 28/28 2x 2x is a good compromise that should last. With quality rims and spokes like Mavic/DT, you could drop the front to 24. Also, some would go radial up front, but I think that puts a lot of extra stress on the hub and on the wheel overall for really nothing more than looks. It's wise to go 2x IMO.

[mauisher]

Thanks for the reply and info Tzvia! I wasn't aware of the special tool and cost to maintain the CK hubs, so that's some new info to consider. Also, I'm not too crazy about the 'angry bee' noise of the CK hubs. Do you know of any problems with the Swiss DT hubs? (the other brand I'm considering)

I'll probably go for 28 holes and 2X lacing for front and back since I already have a lightweight Easton (Velomax) wheelset with the low spoke count you mentioned.

Thanks so much!

[DebW]

Based on your some earlier advice on wheels, I've decided to have some custom wheels made for me. I'm probably going to use Mavic Open Pro Rims, Chris King hubs, and DT Revolution spokes. My question to you concerns what weight of spokes and, particularly the spoke count and lacing pattern to use? The people I've talked to recommend 28 hole wheels front and back with 2 cross spoke lacing patterns with 14/17 DT Revolution spokes and brass nipples. My use for these wheels will be all-around for training & events. I weigh between 140-145#. Any advice on the # of spokes front vs back and spokes? Thanks so much for your help.....

I'd recommend 32 rear/28 front, though you'll probably be fine with 28/28. I'd go with the 32 spoke rear for the cross-country trip because of all the pounding you'll put these through on diverse roads in diverse conditions day after day. You can do 2x for 28 spoke wheels, 3x for 32 spoke. But if you do a 28 spoke rear, see if your builder will do 3x on the drive side, 2x on the other. I laced up one like this at UBI.

[mauisher]

I'd recommend 32 rear/28 front, though you'll probably be fine with 28/28. I'd go with the 32 spoke rear for the cross-country trip because of all the pounding you'll put these through on diverse roads in diverse conditions day after day. You can do 2x for 28 spoke wheels, 3x for 32 spoke. But if you do a 28 spoke rear, see if your builder will do 3x on the drive side, 2x on the other. I laced up one like this at UBI.

Thanks, Deb. That idea of 3x on drive side and 2x on other of a 28 spoke rear would be a compromise between the two builds.

[indysteel]

What's most important to you with respect to your hubs? Cost? Weight? Sound? Durability? Serviceability?

The DT Swiss hubs generally get good reviews and are lighter than the CKs. CKs are a great choice for MTB wheels but IMO there are cheaper and/or lighter choices for road. If you want quiet hubs that are easily serviced, I'd give some thought to Ultegras.

[mauisher]

What's most important to you with respect to your hubs? Cost? Weight? Sound? Durability? Serviceability?

The DT Swiss hubs generally get good reviews and are lighter than the CKs. CKs are a great choice for MTB wheels but IMO there are cheaper and/or lighter choices for road. If you want quiet hubs that are easily serviced, I'd give some thought to Ultegras.

The most important factors to me are weight and durability. Thanks!

[DebW]

I've got Ultegra hubs on my touring/commuting wheels. They are a good choice for serviceable bearings. I've had mine 2 seasons and have overhauled them 3 times now. I repacked after each of 2 week-long off-road tours because I felt some minor grittiness, but it was mostly in the dust caps and not in the bearings themselves, as the sealing mechanism is pretty good. Still, if you plan to ride cross-country through all kinds of weather and not service your hubs mid-trip, then sealed bearings might be a better choice. I was impressed with a DT hub we disassembled at UBI. On the other hand, Ultegra hubs are easily serviced by any shop in the country, and replacement freehubs would not be hard to find.