Handbuilts for Marmotte?

xbenhanleyx

Hi,

I need a new set of wheels and am seriously thinking about hand builts. Historically I used Ksyrium SLs, which were great on hills and cornering, but a nightmare to maintain.

Can anyone advise whether handbuilt wheels are as fast as factory built (on the hills and flat) and also, whether they perform as well on tight descents - I will be riding the Marmotte in 3 weeks time and want something that is going to be plenty stiff enough; I am not the lightlest - around 13 stone.

Thanks, Ben

Monty Dog

Depends who builds them - speak to a reliable builder like Paul Hewitt is you want to be assured of quality hoops

cougie

You can get some very lovely handbuilt sets. Does Pete Mathews still build them ?

Not sure of the lead time though.

andyp

I rode the Marmotte in 2006 on a pair of handbuilts. They are a pair of Tune hubs built 3 cross with a pair of Open Pro rims. Light, strong and easy to maintain, although I've not had to maintain them in the 2.5 years I've had them.

Monty Dog

Pete's site was taken down a while ago, but I believe he's still building wheels - somebody might post his contact number. Others to consider are Harry Rowland, Helmut at Sonic Cycles or Monty at Condor all have great reputations

Naz

I need a new set of wheels and am seriously thinking about hand builts. Historically I used Ksyrium SLs, which were great on hills and cornering, but a nightmare to maintain.

I'm surprised you had maintenance issues with your Ksyrium SLs Ben. I had mine for about 3 years and didn't touch them, still true and smooth when I sold them. I've gone for handbuilts now for extra comfort, Open Pro rims on DT240 hubs, comfy and much lighter than Ksyrium SLs.

On alpine descents, I actually find that forgiving wheels such as Open pro handbuilts handle better as they better absorb the bumps at high speed etc than race wheels such as Ksyriums. Do you mean strong or do you really want stiff unforgiving wheels for a long day in the saddle such as the Marmotte? In terms of speed, there'll be no noticeable difference unless you are comparing handbuilts with deep section factory wheels.

xbenhanleyx

Naz wrote:

I need a new set of wheels and am seriously thinking about hand builts. Historically I used Ksyrium SLs, which were great on hills and cornering, but a nightmare to maintain.

I'm surprised you had maintenance issues with your Ksyrium SLs Ben. I had mine for about 3 years and didn't touch them, still true and smooth when I sold them. I've gone for handbuilts now for extra comfort, Open Pro rims on DT240 hubs, comfy and much lighter than Ksyrium SLs.

On alpine descents, I actually find that forgiving wheels such as Open pro handbuilts handle better as they better absorb the bumps at high speed etc than race wheels such as Ksyriums. Do you mean strong or do you really want stiff unforgiving wheels for a long day in the saddle such as the Marmotte? In terms of speed, there'll be no noticeable difference unless you are comparing handbuilts with deep section factory wheels.

Thanks for the info, in terms of strong, I meant stiff - I have a set of low spec handbuilts on my winter bike and I do not have as much confidence with the cornering as with the Ksyriums. In terms of spec, I was planning on going for Open Pros, but not sure on the hubs. I will make some phone calls tomorrow and see what will best suit me.

Thanks,
Ben

harrywolper

I've done the Marmotte on handbuilt wheels from Harry Rowland. They are "only" Ambrosio rims with Durace hubs and sapim spokes - for about £230. Also had same wheels with Ultegra hubs as a first purchase. I've been very happy with them, they are good for descending and comfortable. Harry will advise on type, number and pattern for the spokes based upon what you want and weight/ride etc.

Regards, Harrywolper

xbenhanleyx

harrywolper wrote:

I've done the Marmotte on handbuilt wheels from Harry Rowland. They are "only" Ambrosio rims with Durace hubs and sapim spokes - for about £230. Also had same wheels with Ultegra hubs as a first purchase. I've been very happy with them, they are good for descending and comfortable. Harry will advise on type, number and pattern for the spokes based upon what you want and weight/ride etc.

Regards, Harrywolper

I spoke with Harry Reynolds this morning and I am going to go for Open Pro on Dura-ace. Harry did give me a few options on the spokes and I decided that given my weight (80 Kg) and tendency to do very long rides, I will go for the safe option of 28 front and 32 back with DT competition spokes.

Thanks,
Ben