Custom wheelset for around £900

ridieboy

I'm currently speccing up a new bike and am looking seriously into a pair of custom wheels. I've ridden factory wheels before, but I just like the idea of some custom handbuilts for once.

These wheels will be used purely for road racing. Wheel weight is definitely a factor for me, but I don't want anything too light so that stiffness if compromised. I weigh in the region of 85kg currently, so what spoke count would I be looking at?

I've been doing a lot of research over the past few days and am seriously considering some Tune hubs, namely the 'Mig 70' and 'Mag 190'. I have looked at the 'Mag Team', but it appears the only real difference is the carbon axle, which for some reason just doesn't sound as reliable as an aluminium one. Am I right to think like this? Another brand which apparently is good is White Industries. Does anyone have any experience with them?

As far as spokes go, I've heard the Sapim CX-rays are pretty much the industry standard bladed spokes for custom wheels.

I currently have no idea about which rims I want. I need them to be clinchers, but I am unsure as to what options this preference leaves me with; I've always used alu in the past, but as I understand it, the market has move on considerably since I last raced, so would carbon be any good - my understanding was that carbon can be tricky to true and are more fragile than alu - has this changed? What is the braking performance like for carbon rims these days, are they prone to wear, more so than an alu rim?

Also, after reading some forum posts, I've heard lots of users mentioning IRD NIO rims (http://www.interlocracing.com/rims.html). Can anyone recommend me some top-spec rims?

Since I'm going to be spending this much, can anyone recommend me a good wheelbuilder? I'm located in Surrey.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

giant_man

Paul Hewitt is in Leyland, Lancs but worth a trip up the M6.

http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/inde ... age=wheels

01772 424773

Chip \'oyler

Try www.wheelsmith.co.uk

He uses the IRD rims, along with CX Ray spokes. He can also get hold of Extralite hubs which are very nice.

I've had two sets of wheels built by him and he is excellent - his customer service is brilliant as well.

maddog 2

+1 for Paul Hewitt. Have a chat with him. I wouldn't get too hung up on aero and weight over everything else. You want a stiff wheel too, and that may mean using a thicker spoke, for example a DT aerospeed, rather than the aerolite (DTs version of the CX-Ray). Paul will take lots of things into account when advisiing you of a suitable build (use, your weight etc.).

ridieboy

maddog 2 wrote:

I wouldn't get too hung up on aero and weight over everything else

I probably should have explained this a bit better in my initial post. I'm not too concerned about all out aerodynamics. Like you suggest, I'd much rather use spokes that would create a stiff wheel than use the CX-rays that while being possibly more aerodynamic, may mean the wheel isn't as stiff as it could be.

Cranks

Speak to Steve at www.roadacecomponents.co.uk

Uses Royce hubs and IRD rims, nice!

chriskempton

I believe poshbikes.com do Tune hub/DT rim wheels that they'll surely custom build to your requirements for that kind of wonga.

ridieboy

Thanks for the all the replies, guys.

I've done some more research on Tune hubs and I'm not exactly sure whether I want them now...

In quite a few forum threads, I've heard people (along with pictures) complaining about cracked aluminium freehubs. The people who have had these problems recommend Ti freehubs since they are less prone to this sort of thing, but as you can imagine, hearing these stories doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, as I want these wheels to be durable too. The funky colours do look wicked though...

I'm tempted to do some more looking round for hubs. I'll look at other companies like White Industries, DT, Royce (thanks Cranks), and some others.

Chip \'oyler

Have a look at the Extralite ones that wheelsmith uses

http://www.extralite.com/Products/ultrahubs_anglo.htm

maddog 2

I've got two pairs of Tune hubs and the freehubs are alu so do chew a little. Personally, I wouldn't say it's serious enough to avoid them but having said that if I was racing and was putting in full-power sprints on them then I might have some concerns. Using spidered cassettes helps and SRAM cassettes are generally better than Shimano in terms of fit - my latest Tune hubs haven't chewed hardly at all with a SRAM OG1070 cassette on them. I've not heard about the cracking though.

The Extralite hubs look very nice, and very light. It would be interesting to see a price for them.

If you're not that fussed about superlight then the PMP hubs have a very good rep, and Paul Hewitt stocks them.

neilmacd

I've got a pair of wheels built on Hope Ti-Glide hubs with Mavic Reflex rims
Had them for years only just had them trued for the second time.
Hubs are as smooth as the day they were bought.

Never bought wheels from them myself but Wheelcraft in Milton of Campsie are really highly rated by pretty much everybody I've spoken to around here
There's a couple of threads on here mentioning them too - no website

Wheelcraft
Unit 4/Aldessan House, The Clachan, Campsie Glen
Glasgow
G66 7AB
Phone 01360 312709