Handbuilt wheels from Parker International - any experiences

Chris James

I am looking at getting some new summer wheels for my audax bike - something like 105 hubs (maybe ultegra if budget stretches) and open pro or rigida zenith rims.

I see Parker are very keenly priced (presumably through volume sales of the rims and hubs) and I am hoping not to spend too much on these wheels.

Anyone bought handbuilts from them? Any good? Any problems?

My LBS only seem to want to sell me factory wheels and so unless I trail over to Chris Marshall in Keighley then I will probably go for mail order. Also considering Byer Cycles.

prawny

I got some Rigida Chrinas on Tiagra hubs just before christmas, they looked good when they came but needed some attention after the first couple of rides which was dissapointing. I don't think they's been stressed properly.

Since then though they've been great, don't know if this was a one off, I don't know anyone else whos had any.

Chip \'oyler

I don't have experience of Parker's handbuilts.

But me and loads of others on here have used this guy

www.wheelsmith.co.uk

Chris James

prawny wrote:

I got some Rigida Chrinas on Tiagra hubs just before christmas, they looked good when they came but needed some attention after the first couple of rides which was dissapointing. I don't think they's been stressed properly.
.

Minor retrue or major retension? I don't mind fiddling occasionally but don't want to end up rebuilding the wheels!

I know about Wheelsmith from the search here and will consider him too, his prices his look to be about 10% more than Parker and might mean 105 rather than Ultegra for the hubs as I am a bit budget sensitive, but it depends on whether Parker are any good.