has anyone used www.wheelsmith.co.uk?

warrior4life

I'm thinking of purchasing some carbon 50mm wheels this week and i just wondered if anyone has and experience with them?

STEFANOS4784

They are constantly linked to on here so i assume that means they're good

redddraggon

Derek?

Chip \'oyler

Never heard of him

Garry H

Maybe you should just give Derek a ring.

hopper1

My wheelsmith wheels, built by 'Derek', arrived yesterday.
Look great, but not used yet.
He's very helpful, if you're not sure what spoke count you want, etc...

rake

give derek a call. :idea:

Wappygixer

I had a customer who had his wheels built their.
Tune hubs, Excellight rims, cx ray spokes.
They were ok but very under tensioned.
His only concern was that hte guy wanted payment via cheque, but he does seem genuine enough.

rokkala

Loads of people have bought from him. Not seen a bad word said about the end product either.

You can pay by debit card, bank transfer or cheque as well.

markos1963

I got a set of 50mm rims from him a few weeks ago. No problems whatsoever, delivered on time, to budget and included fitting some tubs within the price. The cheque payment thing has now changed and you can pay by card. He was very helpful in choosing the right spokes for my weight and what tubs to use as a beginner.

tomb8555

markos1963 wrote:

I got a set of 50mm rims from him a few weeks ago. No problems whatsoever, delivered on time, to budget and included fitting some tubs within the price.

Ditto.
Mine have a couple of hundred race miles on them now and are brilliant.

They look seriously pimping on my frame with the hub/spoke combination I chose, also, which as you all know is very important.

hopper1

markos1963 wrote:

I got a set of 50mm rims from him a few weeks ago. No problems whatsoever, delivered on time, to budget and included fitting some tubs within the price. The cheque payment thing has now changed and you can pay by card. He was very helpful in choosing the right spokes for my weight and what tubs to use as a beginner.

Beginner tubs... I didn't think there were any differences!
What tubs have you got, Markos?
Have you tried the wheels yet, or are you leaving that till the Lotus Series?

markos1963

hopper1 wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

I got a set of 50mm rims from him a few weeks ago. No problems whatsoever, delivered on time, to budget and included fitting some tubs within the price. The cheque payment thing has now changed and you can pay by card. He was very helpful in choosing the right spokes for my weight and what tubs to use as a beginner.

Beginner tubs... I didn't think there were any differences!
What tubs have you got, Markos?
Have you tried the wheels yet, or are you leaving that till the Lotus Series?

I was recommended some Conti Giro's based on cost, ease of fitting with Tufo tape and puncture resistance. Haven't used them yet(apart from a quick spin with the front on my S/S) as I'm servicing and tidying up the Orbea for the coming season(should it ever come!) Will probably give them their first outing at the NN Wheelers 10TT on the 27/03/10

warrior4life

Well he sounds legit to me som i think im going to be purchasing this week

markos1963

warrior4life wrote:

Well he sounds legit to me som i think im going to be purchasing this week

TBH you won't go far wrong with any of the recommendations made on here. There is a sense of satisfaction after discussing with a wheel builder what you want and getting something custom made. Much better than fretting over which factory wheels to buy and end up making your descision based on how pretty the stickers are on the side.

CarbonCopy

Ive just had the pleasure of having some wheels built up from Derek at wheelsmiths.
PMP hubs in red,CX Ray spokes and 50mm Gigantex rims sporting Vitorria Corsa Evo Tech tubs.Im impressed i cant wait for this snow to melt so i can take them out for a spin.

CarbonCopy

Pictures of said wheels above.

Hibbs

How long does Wheelsmith usually take to build a pair of wheels up?

hopper1

:shock: Had a loose spoke in my new wheels (IRD Cadence from Derek), this resulted in a very slight wobble which I couldn't get rid of.
I took the wheel to my local shop, where it was put straight into a Park wheel jig.
Lo & behold... It was 3mm out of dish!
I changed the wheels in my bike a few times recently, and had to re trim my rear brake. I didn't think anything of it at the time as they are CNC Ultralights, so single pivot & a bit of as pain!
Now, I understand why I needed to trim the brakes... The bloody wheel! :oops:

Hibbs

Hopper1, I was up in Sheringham on Sunday for GMD (Girlfriend Maintenance Duties). You near there by any chance? Was driving through thinking there are some lovely rolling roads for cycling, particularly the nice hill leading out of Sheringham directly away from the coast.

hopper1

I'm a little further round the coast, nearer to Great Yarmouth, but yes, there are some nice rides around there.
They say Norfolk is flat, but some of the 'lumps' in the road get your attention.

appletrees

I spend a lot of time in Sheringham, and the ride from there to Holkham and beyond, and then back again, is among my favourites in the country. Don't know much about wheelsmith though, so apols for hijack!

LaceyK

Interesting to hear comments about wheelsmith, not heard of him before. Just been on his website and I wonder if he bult the wheel in the video in his gallery, hope not, as the pulling spokes are coming from the inside of the flange rather than the outside.

moonshine

I picked up my gigantex 50mm carbon tubs from Derek last week.
Very nice guy and helpful. I've done about 200 miles on them so far with no problems whatsoever - i'm pleased.

Wheels are round & true


AFAIK, the video on the website re tub tape is a film clip from youtube & not one of Dereks.

amaferanga

LaceyK wrote:

Interesting to hear comments about wheelsmith, not heard of him before. Just been on his website and I wonder if he bult the wheel in the video in his gallery, hope not, as the pulling spokes are coming from the inside of the flange rather than the outside.

Isn't that how they should be?

I've built all my wheels using Sheldon Brown's instructions and unless I am mistaken the pulling (or trailing) spokes should be running along the inside of the flange (spoke head on the outside). No?

FWIW I have some wheels from Wheelsmith and they are lovely.

Daimler

I've heard good reviews from Derek.
Have emailed him a few times.
He's always been helpful.

After speaking with him this morning and paying by debit card (50p charge) I've just ordered my wheels so should just get them done before he closes in June.
IRD Cadence Road+VSR on Extralites with CX Rays so sub 1250g...very light indeed.


Looking forward to them.

hopper1

Daimler wrote:

IRD Cadence Road+VSR on Extralites with CX Rays so sub 1250g...very light indeed.


Looking forward to them.

They'll be even lighter when you've peeled off the tacky looking IRD stickers

Look very nice and stealthlike when they're naked :oops:

Daimler

hopper1 wrote:

Daimler wrote:

IRD Cadence Road+VSR on Extralites with CX Rays so sub 1250g...very light indeed.


Looking forward to them.

They'll be even lighter when you've peeled off the tacky looking IRD stickers

Look very nice and stealthlike when they're naked :oops:

Thats exactly what I plan to do. 8)
Black spokes and black alloy nipples and fitting some gold Ti skewers once they arrive.
Aiming for a 13.75lb SL3.

NWLondoner

Daimler wrote:

I've heard good reviews from Derek.
Have emailed him a few times.
He's always been helpful.

After speaking with him this morning and paying by debit card (50p charge) I've just ordered my wheels so should just get them done before he closes in June.
IRD Cadence Road+VSR on Extralites with CX Rays so sub 1250g...very light indeed.


Looking forward to them.

How much ££££

Daimler

NWLondoner wrote:

Daimler wrote:

I've heard good reviews from Derek.
Have emailed him a few times.
He's always been helpful.

After speaking with him this morning and paying by debit card (50p charge) I've just ordered my wheels so should just get them done before he closes in June.
IRD Cadence Road+VSR on Extralites with CX Rays so sub 1250g...very light indeed.


Looking forward to them.

How much ££££

£769. The prices are shown on his website and they seem very competitive for the build spec. I was going for Tune hubs but I changed my mind and he reckoned the Extralites are a better hub. He was honest in his advice about bearing quality too.
I was looking at Planext X R50 wheels but was advised against....then I was looking at the Mavic R-Sys premium SL's at 1295g £1300 a pair.
But I liked the idea of spokes that can be replaced at a LBS rather than carbon spokes.

NWLondoner

Daimler wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

Daimler wrote:

I've heard good reviews from Derek.
Have emailed him a few times.
He's always been helpful.

After speaking with him this morning and paying by debit card (50p charge) I've just ordered my wheels so should just get them done before he closes in June.
IRD Cadence Road+VSR on Extralites with CX Rays so sub 1250g...very light indeed.


Looking forward to them.

How much ££££

Cool. also how many spokes have you gone for
£769. The prices are shown on his website and they seem very competitive for the build spec. I was going for Tune hubs but I changed my mind and he reckoned the Extralites are a better hub. He was honest in his advice about bearing quality too.
I was looking at Planext X R50 wheels but was advised against....then I was looking at the Mavic R-Sys premium SL's at 1295g £1300 a pair.
But I liked the idea of spokes that can be replaced at a LBS rather than carbon spokes.