Custom wheels.....where to start?

[Kathi]

I can post pics of the wheelet, if you want.

[spokewench]

Ask around of cyclists in your area. There is usually a shop that has someone who does a really good job on wheels. Go talk to them. They can lead you in the correct direction. By your email, you have thought about all the things that you need to be be able to voice what you want.

Yes, Mavic SSL's are difficult to ride in a cross wind! I live in Flagstaff, ARizona where it is really windy most of the time ESPECIALLY IN THE SPRING! When I first started riding my very light Giant TCR with Mavic Ksyrium SSL's, it took me a while to get more used to the fact that I'm really light on that bike and the wheels really catch the wind! Sometimes, it still takes me for a ride!

[indysteel]

Thanks Kathi. I remember when you posted info about your Serotta and your wheels but was having trouble locating those old posts. I'd love to see pics. How much did they cost if I may ask?

I will ask around to see who does it locally. I know the LBS where I got my bike builds wheels, but I think I'd rather have someone who's a full-time builder do them.

[Kathi]

Thanks Kathi. I remember when you posted info about your Serotta and your wheels but was having trouble locating those old posts. I'd love to see pics. How much did they cost if I may ask?

I will ask around to see who does it locally. I know the LBS where I got my bike builds wheels, but I think I'd rather have someone who's a full-time builder do them.

Jeremy is well known by the guys on the Serotta forum. He often posts there. My wheelset weighs 1185 grms., less the skewers, the rear hub is made by Tune and the front hub is American Classic. Jeremy rebuilt the AC hub to his specifications. We went with the AC on front because of its light weight.

My spokes are Sapim's, 20 f, 24 r. I rode the bike in 30 mph crosswinds in N. Dakota and got some pull but nothing like I got when I had Mavic Open Pros.

The wheelset was about $800 with shipping but the cost was well worth it for the comfortable ride I get. When we rode Cycle North Carolina this fall we had some nasty chip n seal surfaces. Most riders slowed down but I didn't need to slow my pace at all. I've ridden lots of Indiana roads and this surface was as bad or worse.

I've got almost 2,000 miles on my bike and no issues so far with the wheels.

Here's pics.

[Kathi]

Here's another picture of the Tune hub. These hubs spin a lot nicer than the Campy Records that I had on the Open Pros.

[roguedog]

Wow. I learned a lot in this thread. Had no idea wheels were so or can be so customized or that there are such a thing as master craftsmen(people?) who can do just this for a living.

Very cool..

[Trek420]

r'dog, my LBS is not far from you is aptly named Robinson Wheel Works.

www.robinsonww.com

[roguedog]

huh.. i always thought you went to eden cycles... will take a look at the link.. thanks. i take it they do good wheel work?