Factory vs custom built wheels

dixonpj

Merlin are doing Shimano XTR wheelsets for £399 with a further 5 per cent knocked off at the check out, and I'm sorely tempted, even though this is still £50ish more than their most expensive custom set (DT 4.2ds on DT 240s come in at around £330 IIRC).

What are the pros and cons of factory and custom built wheels? Why are factory built sets more expensive? Crucially, how difficult would it be to get hold of a replacement XTR rim in the (admittedly unlikely) event I wrote one off?

supersonic

Factory built sets tend to use bespoke parts which bumps the cost up. You could of course go for the hubs custom built into a light rim with Sapim spokes - cheaper, and not much heavier, and easy to get replacements for.

dixonpj

So you think a replacement XTR rim would be difficult to get hold of?

supersonic

Madison should be able to get one, but it wont be cheap.

newbie011

Personally I'd go with custom built having had my current Mavic XM321 with ProII's built up by the guys at Stiff which in just over 12 months of riding are still true, have no dents, dings or bent spokes.

Best thing I ever did and cost me around £250ish c/w XT cassette

Mr_Orange

I just got Merlin built XTR hubs on DT 4.2d rims. Much cheaper and about the same weight (well marginally heavier) as XTR factory set.