Custom wheels.....where to start?

[SadieKate]

Kate, some technical info also:

Low profile rims produce a less harsh ride - Mavic Open Pro is probably the best known for this.

Offcenter (OC) rims offer more strength because it allows more equal tensioning of the spokes from side to side. Velocity Aerohead OC are well known for this combined with a low profile.

Hubs - a difference in flange height from drive side to non-drive side helps with spoke tensioning. That's why White Industries hubs get such great reviews and wheelbuilders love them.

Spokes - it not just the number. The number of cross, the butting, the weight of the spoke, etc., come into play. Radial spoking of a front wheel can produce a very harsh ride.

Hope this helps.

[indysteel]

Sadie Kate, great info. Thanks so much. I've been reading reviews of various hubs and rims. I keep coming back to Velocity Aerohead/Velocity Aerohead OC. That's actually what Robin at Lickbike recommended. I haven't read up on White Industries' hubs but will. Actually, I like the sound of your build quite a bit! As you might guess, I get beat up on rough roads and would love to a wheel that softens the blow. What tires are you using? Also, how did you decide between a 2x and 3x spoke pattern? Is it a function of your size and weight?

Maybe you can explain to me why Robin suggested that I use Shimano Ultegra hubs. In part, he was trying to get me into a wheel for about $400, but he also said something about Campy changing their hubs for 2007. I wasn't following him and stupidly didn't ask him to clarify. I run Campy on my bike and, while he indicated that it wouldn't be a problem to run a Shimano cassette, it is a bit of a sacrilege to me! In any event, it seems like there are hubs out there that I'd prefer over Shimano.

Kate

[SadieKate]

I went with the cross pattern John suggested. How's that for technical? Having 2 sets of wheels from him, I trusted what he was saying. I ride on a lot of chipseal and rural farm roads, plus California sends all its road repair tax money to SoCal so you can imagine what the roads are like in NoCal.

John had me take out the bike for which I wanted new wheels and swap around wheel sets to make sure that I wasn't feeling the ride harshness in the frame as this could have actually been the real cause of my unhappiness. There were immediate and noticeable differences with the Topos on the bike. Therefore, I knew new wheels would change the ride.

There are conversion kits to use Shimano on Campy-compatible hubs but not vice versa (I think I have this right). If you don't see ever using Shimano on these wheels, I don't know why Robin would recommend Ultegra except to meet a price point or if he doesn't like the new hubs from Campy. So go back and ask.

My wheels fall into 2 categories: 1) built by a full time master wheelbuilder and have never needed additional work and 2) those that were NOT built by a full time master wheelbuilder and with the exception of my Topos 100% have needed more work. Therefore, I do like the fact that you want someone who is a fulltime wheelbuilder. There are those that say "anyone can build a wheel" but I want a master craftsman building the wheels that I'm descending on at 45+ mph. A superbly built set of wheels for someone our size shouldn't go out of true forever and a day. I have wheels that are 25 years old and still perfectly true - because a truly skilled builder attuned to every nuance crafted them; wheelbuilding can be elevated to an art.

Your wheelbuilder of choice should be able to articulate to you why s/he is recommending a particular build - and explain it to you in English. Ask lots of questions until it makes sense or go find another builder.

[indysteel]

Ooooh. I just took a look at White Industries' hubs. Very, very pretty. Not that pretty is everything, but still....

[SadieKate]

WI hubs definitely have a high drool factor rating. Glad to see you have excellent taste.

[indysteel]

Ladies, thanks for your help. In a fit of upgraditis, I called Troy and Ligero Wheelworks in TN this afternoon. His name comes up a lot as being a really good builder. He COULD NOT have been any nicer or more helpful. It was a very easy process.

So on to the build:

Velocity Aerohead/Aerohead OC silver rims
WI hubs (sweet)
Black Sapim butted spokes, 24 2x front, 28 3x rear (driveside) and 2x nondriveside

He expects them to weigh in at just under 1400 grams. All for just under $500. I feel really extravagent right now, but I'm also really happy. I could not buy factory wheels at that weight for that price. I should have them by the end of next week, although I don't plan on riding them until Spring.

Thanks again,

Kate

[SadieKate]

Nice fit!

Be sure to get those veloplugs for 30 grams of weight savings! Actually the ease of tire mounting makes them worth it.

[Mimosa]

I have one set of custom build wheels, the rim is Mavic CPX33 and some reinforced round spokes on shimano ultegra hubs.

These things stay true no mather how deep the hole in the road is. These are strong wheels, have a bit of aero look, maybe not the lightest but very strong.

Here are some reviews

And I used the custom wheels of excel sports to see what they cost and in the end it said that it was about $400 (for a whole set).

When you have a campa group on your bike the stick with a campa hub (no matter what people say). If you don't you could run the risk that shifting of gears becomes hell. And the quality of a campa hub is said to be better then that of a shimano hub, though the pice if often higher.

[indysteel]

Kathi, those are gorgeous (and light) wheels. I really like the Tune hub.

I think I'll be happy with Troy's build and am really excited about them. Assuming I love 'em like I think I will, I'm going to start preaching to people about custom wheels. They just seem to be the way to go from just about every perspective--price, serviceability, performance.

[indysteel]

SadieKate, thanks for reminding me about the Veloplugs. I asked Troy about it this morning, and he confirmed that that's what he will be using.

Do you find the WI hubs to be noisey? If so, does it bother you at all? Also, what brand skewers do you use? I don't want to break the bank buying really light skewers since they don't affect rotational weight as much as, say, the rimbs, but I don't want to nullify the benefits of lighter wheels by buying "clunkers" either. Any thoughts?

Thanks again to everyone who chimed in on this thread and for your recommendations. Building these wheels was almost as much fun as getting the bike!

I ran into cyclist friend of mine last night at the Y and told him about my wheels. He got really excited when I told him that I was using WI hubs! I think he was impressed!

Kate