Strong wheels - advice please?

MattJWL

Hi All,
After breaking numerous spokes & having my wheels trued a number of times, I'm looking for some stronger wheels for my road bike. I weigh 89KG, and ride on roads that aren't perfect (live in the Alps, they have even more of a frost problem than Berkshire). I'm pretty au fait with MTB stuff, but don't really know what's best for my road bike. I'd like it reasonably light, strong enough to take my weight, and not too expensive (I'd hesitate to spend over £300 per wheel). Is there anything that anyone could recommend? More requirements below to help with the filtering!
Many thanks
Matt

Shimano freehub, 10speed, usually ride 25 or 23c tyres, prefer clincher as need puncture protection too.

sungod

based on your requirement, weight, roads, etc. why not get some made...

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

should be well within budget of 300/wheel, and they'll be tailored to what you need

maddog 2

handbuilts, from a good builder

some ideas:

rims; Open Pros or Ambrosio Excellights
hubs: Hope Pro3 or Dura Ace or PMP or Royce or even Tune if you can afford it....
spokes: DT DB and prolock nipples - maybe black brass on rear driveside

marcusjb

Definitely handbuilts from a good builder.

Your budget of £300 per wheel is certainly not a cheap build - £600 for a set. So that gives you some good options.

I'm not a heavy rider (only 60kg), but riding audax means I value reliability and comfort over virtually everything else.

My new wheels (built by The Bike Whisperer in Ealing) are designed for strength and would just about fit in your budget.

I selected Royce Titan hubs - 36holes of shiny loveliness.

Rims - I went with Ambrosio Excellence (you could also look at Excellights)

Spokes are DT Swiss Revolution

Really pleased with them - they got their first real outing this weekend on the Elenith 300 (well the back wheel did - my dynohub wheel was on the front as there were several hours of night riding to be done on this one!).

Overall, agree with the previous posts - handbuilt is the way to go!

MattJWL

Thanks all - seems like handbuilt would be the best option.

Any recommendations for good builders? I live in Switzerland so guess people don't know here (would be nice if anyone did though).

I get back to the UK now & then so can pick them up from either the south east or north west, so who would you recommend? I ask because I've twice had MTB wheels built by LBSs, and they've both gone out of true very quickly (much more so than the good factory wheels I've had).

hubcap

Harry Rowland is based in the South East and is very well respected, drop him an email with what you are after and he'll give you his recommendation.

http://www.harryrowland.co.uk/

hubcap

Harry Rowland is based in the South East and is very well respected, drop him an email with what you are after and he'll give you his recommendation.

http://www.harryrowland.co.uk/

hubcap

Harry Rowland is based in the South East and is very well respected, drop him an email with what you are after and he'll give you his recommendation.

http://www.harryrowland.co.uk/

maddog 2

Paul Hewitt in the NW. Superb builds.

Doughnutface

+1 Paul Hewitt

maddog 2

Geneva?

Berk Bonebonce

Rigida DP18 is a deep profile aluminium rim that makes for strong wheels. In silver or black, 32 or 36.

MattJWL

Geneva?

Geneva's not far away... why?

Thanks all for your thoughts - very instructive, I'm starting to get more of an idea :-)