Who would you prefer to build your wheels?

Larok
Larok Posts: 577
edited July 2008 in MTB buying advice
Vote here ! :)
My Ride Stumpjumper Expert 2008

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    not a difficult poll.

    it would not be merlin.
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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Me. Merlin and Roger are both good, the Merlin wheels I have had have been superb.
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  • ExeterSimon
    ExeterSimon Posts: 830
    Sidwell Cycles, Exeter.
    Whyte 905 (2009)
    Trek 1.5 (2009)
    Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp (2007)
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    had plenty of sets of Merlin wheels and they have all been spot on, I have never even had a buckled wheel with any of them, dispite my (ahem) "questionable" line choices.
  • Neilio
    Neilio Posts: 60
    I've had 2 sets of wheels off Merlin, 1st set arrived via mail order slightly bent, the 2nd i collected which again were bent, don't know why i bought of them as i've been building wheels for the last 12 years for our shop and have never had a complaint.
    Kona Caldera 08, hope, easton, SLX parts.

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  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    None of the above go on a course and learn to build your own it takes time I had to rebuild my 1st front wheel 3 times but I am beggining to get the hang of it now

    feels brilliant riding your own hoops :D
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • switchback18
    switchback18 Posts: 617
    Me! I always build my own, then I know they're built properly. I've had a few shop built wheels over the years, not many, and they've never been as good as home built ones - 1 exception was Albany Cycles in Coventry - awesome. Main thing with wheels is that they're as tight as they can be for the strength of the rim - so takes a bit of experience.
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  • Larok
    Larok Posts: 577
    3 votes to 2 so far !
    My Ride Stumpjumper Expert 2008
  • tjm
    tjm Posts: 190
    Never experienced wheelpro but I have his book and it is excellent. I have bought wheels from Merlin.

    I reckon it depends what you want. My merlin wheels had problems but their aftersales has been superb so I would be more than happy to buy from them again. Also, I don't think I could buy the hubs, rims and spokes for the price I could buy a set of wheels from Merlin. you also get a much better choice at Merlin.
    So, if you want very good value then my vote goes for merlin.

    However, from what I have heard Wheelpro wheels are truely superb and I guess there is more time put into them. But you are paying more for that. So if cost is not a big concern then go for Wheelpro.

    Personally I would probably now build my own unless I just wanted some wheels quick and without hassle - then I would go to merlin. Although I would be very tempted by wheelpro just to see how good they really are :)
  • tjm
    tjm Posts: 190
    by the way, if we are listing bike shops that build good wheels I would vote for Soens Cycles in Liverpool. I don't even know if they exist any more but I have a set of touring wheels they built. (MA40 rims and shimano 600 hubs) the front is still true and round and well tensioned despite being 20 years old - I now use it for commuting off road!
    Unfortunately the rear died when the axle snapped under all the abuse but the rim and spokes are still in use- my first ever full wheel rebuild and it and it hasn't collapsed yet ;)

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