Are factory wheels stiffer than hand builts?

jacksun22
Posts: 11
Hello all.
I'm in a bit of pickle. I have £600 to spend on a new set of wheels, and I can't make a depiction. I was told that hand builts would be better, but chatting to someone the other day they said that factory wheels are much stiffer. Is this correct? I've been led to believe that a good set of hand builts is just as good, of not better than a factory set, except you are not paying for the marketing and pro team contract.
What are your thoughts?
I'm in a bit of pickle. I have £600 to spend on a new set of wheels, and I can't make a depiction. I was told that hand builts would be better, but chatting to someone the other day they said that factory wheels are much stiffer. Is this correct? I've been led to believe that a good set of hand builts is just as good, of not better than a factory set, except you are not paying for the marketing and pro team contract.
What are your thoughts?
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jacksun22 wrote:Hello all.
I'm in a bit of pickle. I have £600 to spend on a new set of wheels, and I can't make a depiction. I was told that hand builts would be better, but chatting to someone the other day they said that factory wheels are much stiffer. Is this correct? I've been led to believe that a good set of hand builts is just as good, of not better than a factory set, except you are not paying for the marketing and pro team contract.
What are your thoughts?
I don't know why somebody would think that factory wheels are stiffer than hand built.
One serious advantage with hand built wheels is that you can choose a hub that easily serviceable in the future. In a few years time parts will still be easily found. That is something you cannot guarantee with factory wheels. I have a set of factory wheels that I will have to retire as I can't find the cones to replace - they stopped making them. I good wheel builder will advice you how to make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Get in touch with ugo.santalucia (forum member) he can help you to sort out some wheels.0 -
my factory Dura Ace wheels are better under power than an equivalent priced handbuilts (Tune on OP) but it would depend on the build you chose I suspect. If I had 600 to spend I'd go factory definitely.
For 600 there are some very tidy factory wheels (DA9000, Fulcrum R3/R1)Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer0 -
maddog 2 wrote:my factory Dura Ace wheels are better under power than an equivalent priced handbuilts (Tune on OP) but it would depend on the build you chose I suspect. If I had 600 to spend I'd go factory definitely.
For 600 there are some very tidy factory wheels (DA9000, Fulcrum R3/R1)
You must have some seriously poorly handbuilt wheels.
I'd spend the £600 on some handbuilts that I'd had specified to suit my riding style, weight, power, maintenance programme (or lack of it) etc. I am more than confident that I'd get a much better set than any factory could churn out.Trail fun - Transition Bandit
Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
Allround - Cotic Solaris0 -
2 major advantages of handbuilt wheels - spares and service. A decent wheelbuilder will offer backup service on your wheel if it goes out of true and will build it from parts that are easily sourced / replenished. Rims are basically consumable parts on a road bike and should be long outlasted by the hubs.
It's possible to get spares for factory wheels like Mavic & Shimano but they are not always easily obtained and overpriced.0 -
This thread is meaningless...
There is good and bad, floppy and stiff both on wheels built by a robot or wheels built by a person
Would you blame the guy on the line who assembled your Passat if it doesn't handle bends very well?left the forum March 20230 -
Both are made from hubs, spokes and rims so both should be the same assuming equal levels of components and the quality of builder.
Pros of handbuilt - You choose your components. Replacement parts are easy to find.
Cons of handbuilt - You need a quality builder.
Pros of factory - Convenience off the shelf.
Cons of factory - Spare parts.
If you are within range of a quality builder or are prepared to accept recommendations, I would recommend hand built. I don't think I would get equivalent wheels off the shelf for less. Royce hubs, Saipem spokes & Ambrossio hubs fully built up with existing cassette installed, new tape & my existing tyres fitted - £455.
Regarding the Passat - Yes. If I could find out who he was.None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.0 -
I love the term "Factory". it means nothing.
the wheels on a 100 Quid ToysRus BSO are "Factory" built."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Yes factory wheels can be stiffer because the components are often designed differantly to allow them to be stiffer. That is why there are so many different design of spokes and rims out there and configerations within factory wheels o allow for higher spoke tension.
I ride on handbuilts though.0 -
I've had a Passat for about 8 years now - no complaints from me and it's covered more miles than I would get out of either handbuilt or factory wheels.
Cannot afford to replace the Passat as too much money spent on bikes (and children's University fees) :evil:0 -
nochekmate wrote:I've had a Passat for about 8 years now - no complaints from me and it's covered more miles than I would get out of either handbuilt or factory wheels.
Cannot afford to replace the Passat as too much money spent on bikes (and children's University fees) :evil:
If you are happy with the weight of your Passat wheels, I can build you something along those lines for your bike that will outlast the Passat...left the forum March 20230 -
lostboysaint wrote:
You must have some seriously poorly handbuilt wheels.
I'd spend the £600 on some handbuilts that I'd had specified to suit my riding style, weight, power, maintenance programme (or lack of it) etc. I am more than confident that I'd get a much better set than any factory could churn out.
No, the builder is excellent. Widely recognised as one of the best in the UK. Both wheelsets are built well, that's not the issue - it's the design that is the key factor. And it has nothing to do with 'confidence' either - my DA wheels perform better, simple as that. Not by much I admit, but it's there.Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer0 -
I have to agree here, my DA wheels are fantastic and have proven to be far far better that Dt240s with Sapim and Ambrosio rims - they were about £400 and were built by a respected uk wheel builder.
DA have stayed truer, lasted longer and the hubs are better.
Of course the big advantage with HB s is the ability to repair and cheaply - the price of Fulcrum/Campag/Mavic and Shimano rims means replacing a whole wheel is often cheaper.
Personally, i d have HBs for training and the DAs etc for sunny weather onlythey ll last for years in the UK.
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I think the point many are missing is that the answer is 'it depends'.
Handbuilts like my race wheels (28/28 to Ambrosio Excellights) do have some flex at the rim (as would DT 415). That's because it's a classic, light weight, low profile rim. If I'd had them built with Kinlin XR300's or Cadence Aero rims then at 28/28 they'd probably be stiffer than any factory wheel out there.
Personally I love the bit of give that the Ambrosio rims have, I've got some 30mm deep Alu clinchers and while the wheels are fine they do tend to beat the hell out of your wrists. As always it's a tradeoff.
I'd argue that the problem Maddog and Mamba have had is that they didn't talk to their builder enough before handing over the £££. That said Mamba's fix (race the DA, train in the HB's) is spot on and I'm not going to pretend that the DA wheels aren't very good indeed.0