Powertap wheel build - advice?

G-Wiz
G-Wiz Posts: 261
edited March 2010 in Road buying advice
Decided to take the plunge and get myself a powertap, and need a bit of advice about wheels.

Is there a reason why everywhere seems to build them on mavic open pro's? Are there other options? I'm after a fairly robust training wheel ( I weight upwards of 90kg) at whatever weight I can get away with. Mainly for hilly sportive stuff, and the occasional time trial just for sharpening up.
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Comments

  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I used Derek at www.wheelsmiths.co.uk
    Excellent advice, very helpful. I'm not using Open Pro's either... :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • sward29
    sward29 Posts: 205
    I just bought one and had the hub built onto a DT 1.1 double eyelit rim. They cost about the same as the Open pro and weigh about the same. I spoke to a few wheelbuilders about the choice of rim before taking the plunge and was told that both rims are good choices. I chose the DT as I read many positive reviews about them and also had previous niggles with the Open pro's creaking.Just make sure you go for the double eyelit version.

    Other choices are the Mavic CXP 33, Ambrosio Excellight, and the Kinlin rims. The Ambrosio's come highly recommended but look a bit dull in my opinion. Not sure about the Kinlins.

    I would suggest that the most important factor is the wheelbuilder. Harry Rowland built mine and was brilliant. He gave great advice based upon his considerable experience and managed to get it back to me in a couple of days. I can't remember exaclty how much he charged for buildng but it came to about £95 including the rim, spokes, carriage.

    Give him a call. His number is 01843 597443 or you can email him on harry.rowland@yahoo.co.uk
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    Wheelsmith here too.

    http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/

    I'm using IRD Nobium (AKA Kinlin) rims.
  • G-Wiz
    G-Wiz Posts: 261
    sward and magliaceleste

    Were there any particular criteria for choosing those wheels?

    I'm not bothered how dull they look, my Planet X's are the only thing on te bike taht doesn't have their name plastered on them in 6 inch letters!

    I'm thinking of getting some custom stickers knocked up for them just for a laugh, something like 'heavyweight' or 'maverick' done in the style of lightweight or mavic :-)
  • sward29
    sward29 Posts: 205
    Not particularly. I chose the DT because three of the four wheelbuilders I spoke to said that they found them to be stronger and more reliable than the Open pro. This was important to me as I plan to use my Powertap for both training and racing so it needed to be able to withstand both. Harry Rowland said that the Powertaps are not the easiest of hubs to build up because of the narrow width between the flanges compared to normal hubs so recommended going for a stronger rather than lighter rim.

    The other thing was that I thought the DT looked better than the Mavic which is what it all comes down to at the end of the day isn't it.
  • phearnde
    phearnde Posts: 73
    +1 for www.wheelsmith.co.uk

    Brilliant service (i.e. ordered Sunday with me Tuesday week!)
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Derek @ Wheelsmith just built me a PT with matching front wheel. I went for the IRD Cadence Aero 24h front, 28h rear with Sapim CX-rays.

    Lovely looking wheels, and not too heavy coming in at about 1800g for the pair (not quite the 'about 1600' that was claimed!).

    Fantastic service from Derek as well - replied to emails promptly and kept me up to date with the the status of the order. Mine took about 3 weeks.
    More problems but still living....
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    amaferanga wrote:
    Derek @ Wheelsmith just built me a PT with matching front wheel. I went for the IRD Cadence Aero 24h front, 28h rear with Sapim CX-rays.

    Lovely looking wheels, and not too heavy coming in at about 1800g for the pair (not quite the 'about 1600' that was claimed!).

    Fantastic service from Derek as well - replied to emails promptly and kept me up to date with the the status of the order. Mine took about 3 weeks.

    Any pics? Awaiting mine at the moment :D How much do you weigh if you don't mind me asking?
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Rokkala wrote:
    amaferanga wrote:
    Derek @ Wheelsmith just built me a PT with matching front wheel. I went for the IRD Cadence Aero 24h front, 28h rear with Sapim CX-rays.

    Lovely looking wheels, and not too heavy coming in at about 1800g for the pair (not quite the 'about 1600' that was claimed!).

    Fantastic service from Derek as well - replied to emails promptly and kept me up to date with the the status of the order. Mine took about 3 weeks.

    Any pics? Awaiting mine at the moment :D How much do you weigh if you don't mind me asking?

    No pics, but I'll try to take some tonight. I'm 68kg so could have got away with 20/24, but since these are multi-purpose wheels I took Derek's advice and opted for 24/28. What did you go for?
    More problems but still living....
  • Cranks
    Cranks Posts: 129
    You could use an IRD cadence aero rim which is pretty bomb proof since you are looking for strength rather than lightness. These guys do builds with various rims inc. the cadence aero and ambrosio excellence, steve also knows his onions...

    www.roadacecomponents.co.uk
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    amaferanga wrote:
    Rokkala wrote:
    amaferanga wrote:
    Derek @ Wheelsmith just built me a PT with matching front wheel. I went for the IRD Cadence Aero 24h front, 28h rear with Sapim CX-rays.

    Lovely looking wheels, and not too heavy coming in at about 1800g for the pair (not quite the 'about 1600' that was claimed!).

    Fantastic service from Derek as well - replied to emails promptly and kept me up to date with the the status of the order. Mine took about 3 weeks.

    Any pics? Awaiting mine at the moment :D How much do you weigh if you don't mind me asking?

    No pics, but I'll try to take some tonight. I'm 68kg so could have got away with 20/24, but since these are multi-purpose wheels I took Derek's advice and opted for 24/28. What did you go for?

    Cheers. I'm 73kg and Derek had said either the Cadence Aero in 20/24 or the Excellights in 28/32, for multi-purpose use as well. Decided to go for Cadence Aeros. Slightly anxious now as you are lighter and have gone for more spokes, but i suppose he knows what he is doing. Replacements/rebuild cheap if need be i guess.
  • grim3ur
    grim3ur Posts: 46
    Been looking at a powertap build myself, Steve (Roadace) has been extremely helpful in helping me decide which system to go for, gone for sl+, and next pay day goes on this. getting just a rear on a ird cadence rim as I am working on my climbing for road racing, its a light rim. very sofisticated systems and looking forward to using it with a little help from steve -hope i don't have to bug him too much!
    good luck with your powertap.
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    Harry Rowland also built me up a couple of PT wheels - one on an un-named 28 spioe carbon wrapped rim he had been given as a sample and one on a 32 spoke DT 1.2 - both are deep sections.

    I've had no problems with either and I'm 90kg.

    I also have a 24 spoke PT on a Mavic CPX14 and again no problems - I think its the quality of the wheel building which is important..
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    amaferanga wrote:
    Derek @ Wheelsmith just built me a PT with matching front wheel. I went for the IRD Cadence Aero 24h front, 28h rear with Sapim CX-rays.

    Lovely looking wheels, and not too heavy coming in at about 1800g for the pair (not quite the 'about 1600' that was claimed!).

    Fantastic service from Derek as well - replied to emails promptly and kept me up to date with the the status of the order. Mine took about 3 weeks.

    I'm awaiting the same wheelset, hopefully delivered this week.
    I'm 75kgs if that matters... (not to me!) :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    My wheels from Wheelsmith have:

    IRD Cadence rims
    Sapim CX-Ray spokes: 20F / 24R
    Front hub: Novatech lite
    Rear hub: Powertap SL+

    Weight is 1680g. Not very light. On the other hand, the 200g or so extra for the a PT SL+ hub over a conventional hub means it not awful either.
  • Cranks
    Cranks Posts: 129
    blackhands wrote:
    Harry Rowland also built me up a couple of PT wheels - one on an un-named 28 spioe carbon wrapped rim he had been given as a sample and one on a 32 spoke DT 1.2 - both are deep sections.

    I've had no problems with either and I'm 90kg.

    I also have a 24 spoke PT on a Mavic CPX14 and again no problems - I think its the quality of the wheel building which is important..

    Nail, head....
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Rokkala wrote:
    amaferanga wrote:
    Derek @ Wheelsmith just built me a PT with matching front wheel. I went for the IRD Cadence Aero 24h front, 28h rear with Sapim CX-rays.

    Lovely looking wheels, and not too heavy coming in at about 1800g for the pair (not quite the 'about 1600' that was claimed!).

    Fantastic service from Derek as well - replied to emails promptly and kept me up to date with the the status of the order. Mine took about 3 weeks.

    Any pics? Awaiting mine at the moment :D How much do you weigh if you don't mind me asking?

    Mine just arrived - Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :D:D:D:D
    Innertube valves (50mm) too short! - Nooooooooooooooo!!!! :evil: :oops:
    4368197205_5a506d0992_b.jpg
    1838g, plus QR's...
    Look really nice, though.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    You'll save 10grams by taking those horrible stickers of the rims.

    Seriously.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    magliaceleste wrote:
    You'll save 10grams by taking those horrible stickers of the rims.

    Seriously.

    Are wheel stickers easily removed? Its not something I've ever felt the need to do, but I'm not that keen on them either.
    More problems but still living....
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    I've taken mine off. A piece of p1ss. Look loads better now.

    Apart from the Powertap hub, mine are the same wheels (Novatec Lite rear hub)
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    amaferanga wrote:
    magliaceleste wrote:
    You'll save 10grams by taking those horrible stickers of the rims.

    Seriously.

    Are wheel stickers easily removed? Its not something I've ever felt the need to do, but I'm not that keen on them either.

    I read the opinion, agreed... 10 mins later, my wheels are sticker free :wink:
    Dead easy to do, they just peeled straight off, then I sprayed the wheels with Pledge, as it cleans the remaining adhesive off easily...
    Upload 'naked' photo, later... :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    Chip \'oyler wrote:
    I've taken mine off. A piece of p1ss. Look loads better now.

    Apart from the Powertap hub, mine are the same wheels (Novatec Lite rear hub)

    Chip, how have you found your wheels? I take it they are on the Maxima? My new wheels probably won't come out for another month or so on the Viner.

    Out of interest, have you ever looked at how to replace the bearing in the front hub? I was amazed how tiny the Novatech lite hub was, can't imagine the bearings are very big and wondered about how they stood up?
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    magliaceleste wrote:
    Chip \'oyler wrote:
    I've taken mine off. A piece of p1ss. Look loads better now.

    Apart from the Powertap hub, mine are the same wheels (Novatec Lite rear hub)

    Chip, how have you found your wheels? I take it they are on the Maxima? My new wheels probably won't come out for another month or so on the Viner.

    Out of interest, have you ever looked at how to replace the bearing in the front hub? I was amazed how tiny the Novatech lite hub was, can't imagine the bearings are very big and wondered about how they stood up?

    I haven't ridden them yet Maglia. SInce they turned up I've been layed low with Labarinthitis :cry: I have shod them with new Ultremo R.1s though :) Haven't thought about the bearings though - as I'm short of time these days, I tend to let the LBS worry about stuff like that

    I love the radial front wheel though. Especially the pattern of the spoke heads on the hub. Would look great to pick them out with black paint
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    Ah. Hope it clears up soon. I guess we'll both find out about the wheels soon enough.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Here we go.... The 'naked' wheels, almost... They've got tyres on now.
    Nice rims for putting the tyres on to, but I did manage to puncture one tube, twice!
    Almost OCP photo, just noticed the rear QR is out of line... :roll:
    4371149922_75711cc527_b.jpg
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Just removed the labels from mine - they look slick and understated now :)
    More problems but still living....
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    amaferanga wrote:
    Just removed the labels from mine - they look slick and understated now :)

    Ah, that'll be a posh word for cheap, then!? :shock:
    Shame the originals were a bit blockish!

    Get some 'posh' ones off ebay... :wink:

    Forgot to weigh my wheels again, so not too sure about the 10g saving... :roll:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    Anybody who has been out on the Cadence Aero rims noticed any appreciable difference between it and a more standard 22mm rim?
  • 99thmonkey
    99thmonkey Posts: 667
    Is there a reason for getting a new wheel built with Powertap as opposed to stripping down the existing one and adding the hub to your old rim?
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Rokkala wrote:
    Anybody who has been out on the Cadence Aero rims noticed any appreciable difference between it and a more standard 22mm rim?



    Been out a few times, and yes, I'd say there is a noticeable difference. They do seem faster... :wink:
    99thmonkey wrote:
    Is there a reason for getting a new wheel built with Powertap as opposed to stripping down the existing one and adding the hub to your old rim?

    I didn't have any old rims to use, probably not much to gain by it.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!

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