Custom wheels.....where to start?

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[Trek420]

roguedog "huh.. i always thought you went to eden cycles..."

huh? I go to Eden for socks, only for socks. They have the socks I like but Chris and Tim are my guys (also Bikerzs and Spazzdogs and...)

The website is not much to see but he is great. And they treat women very well, we've nominated them as honorary gals.

"i take it they do good wheel work?"

and bike fit and complete bikes and anything....tell 'em that gal on a plum Mondonico sentca'

[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

[SadieKate]

Bubba has Campy QRs on his Seven with silver WI hubs. I have FSA on my Kelly that has black WI hubs (the wheels spec'd above). My Titus mtb has silver WI hubs and has black Salsa skewers. American Classic used to make some pretty QRs. You might take a look at those (and laugh at their anniversary seatpost which must have been designed during happy hour).

I look for a quality skewer that completes "the look." They have to look right with the whole ensemble and come from a reputable manufacturer.

[indysteel]

Since so many of you helped me with my decision to buy custom wheels, I wanted to (finally) give you a ride report. After two months of lousy weather here in Indiana, I took my first test drive on Sunday.

After 40 wonderful miles, I'm in love. The wheels totally exceeded my expectations. The ride is now extremely plush, which is what I wanted most out of them. I used to feel beat up on my Mavics--even at lower psi--but these were like riding on butter. The White Industries hubs spin up very quickly and stay there. I found myself really having to watch it in our paceline.

It's hard to say what effect, if any, the new wheels have on climbs. I felt stronger, but that may have more to do with all the spinning and yoga I've been doing this winter. I did lose about 2 1/2 pounds off the bike from changing out the wheels, tires, tubes and cassette. Either way, the whole ride was sublime from beginning to end. I think the wheels were a great investment. For anyone out there, thinking of going the handbuilt route, I highly recommend it. From a cost and quality standpoint, they just make sense.

Kate

[SadieKate]

Fabulous! Glad you're happy.

[indysteel]

Fabulous! Glad you're happy.

Thanks Sadie Kate. Since your Velocity/WI wheels are very similar, I think you know what I'm talking about when I say the ride is smooth. Who knew that roughly 1400 grams of metal could make that big of a difference?