What touring wheels?

harpo

Can anyone suggest a pair of strong touring wheels? I need them for my Specialized Sirrus Elite which I commute on and do some touring on. The hubs and Alex rims and spokes that came as standard seem to bee poor quality and have needed some work every 6 months. To keep them straight, replace a couple of spokes on the rear and replace the bearings and cups.

I've not been impressed with them but don't know if i have expected too much. I've covered over 4000 miles on them, 3000 of which have been since March this year when I picked up cycling seriously.

So recommendations for a set of strong but not too heavy wheels that can take a shimano 9 speed cassette.

Cheers

maddog 2

handbuilts, for sure.

depending on your weight, and the amount you intend to carry...

Light tour: Something like Ultegra hubs on Open Pro or CXP33 rims. 32h front and rear.

Bit tougher: as above but with a 36h rear

Meduim tour: a tougher, heavier rim such as the A319 or A719, again built onto Ultegra hubs and 32H f&r. This will take wider tyres too, up to 35mm easily.

Bit tougher: as before but with 36h rear or even 36h f&r

rickwiggans

Ring Paul Hewiit, Hewitt Cycles in Leyland - and get him to build you some

harpo

Cheers guys.

Not being that advanced and used to getting off the peg kit can you give me some advice on be"spoke" wheels and how to get them made? Is it best to source the hubs and rims then find a builder or just get them to do it all?

Does anyone know any good wheel builders in south east?

I'll call Hewitt cycles see what they say also?

Plus any off the peg options/recommendations.

marksteven

ring harry rowland on 01843597443 ive got some 36 dura ace on open pro blindin i also did end to end on some 32 hole open pros with full front & rear panniers also built by harry & just in case he came with us on the ride :P he is in south east ie ramsgate in kent
he's also a top bloke / wont sell you want you dont need

acorn_user

Spa Cycles in Harrogate are good too. I'd just call either a wheel builder like the ones mentioned or visit a good LBS and ask what they recommend. A lot will depend on what you want to do with the wheels. When I called Spa to get wheels for my wife's new bike, I was originally going to get Rigida Sputnik rims, but they talked me out of those in favour of Rigida Chrina rims, which are a lot lighter. Wheels are still perfect after 3.5 years of commuting.

Cranks

Steve at Roadacecomponents.co.uk is defo worth a call.

harpo

Sweet. A few options. Ramsgate is just up the road from me so I might give that a try first.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Phone Edinburgh cycles get all the bits off them you need for the wheel then get on their wheel building course and build your own.

Thats what I intend to do round about feb next year.

Harry182

+1 for Harry Rowland. He has mad skills and scary knowledge.

giant_man

+2 for Paul Hewitt, highly recommended.