Wheel Advice (again!)

[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.

[tzvia]

I've been VERY happy with the Dura-Ace hubs on my current wheelset. They are lighter than Ultegras. Also, being cup/cone bearings (loose balls), it is easy to service and easy to adjust bearing tightness. Everywhere I went online to check out the possibilities (and get weights), I kept toying with Dura Ace again but they were the heaviest of the hubs I was considering. DT is a fine hub, and easier to service, if you are looking to do it yourself, than CK. I agree with what others here have said, 28/28 and find out about getting 3x driveside. After all, these are custom wheels, the builder should be able to do that. You could also do aluminum spoke nipples (but brass for the drive side rear). If the roads are less than nice, and saddle hours long, it's nice to know the wheels can take it.

So many choices, no wonder it took me a month to get it sorted out. Good luck!

[aicabsolut]

Yeah I'd go with Shimano hubs personally, but DT would be my second choice.

I'd do 28/28, 14/15 double butted (you could do 14/17 on the front). I'd prefer radial lacing on the front. 2x on back, or a mix of radial and 2x. there's nothing wrong with 3x, but i might rather use that for 32 spoke.

BTW, the DT white hubs and rims are hawt.

i've been playing with custom builds on excel a lot lately..