wheelbuilding supplies

brownbosh
brownbosh Posts: 602
edited May 2014 in Workshop
Hello,
can anyone who regularly builds wheels tell me where the cheapest rims and spokes can be bought as a uk non trade buyer? Is there one that is always better/ cheaper than others?
Ta

Comments

  • w.jenkins
    w.jenkins Posts: 99
    Really depends on what you want from a wheel, lightweight or heavier commuting wheelset.
    Kinlin rims are some of the cheapest out there.
    Novatec hubs are some of the cheapest decent lightweight hubs out there, shimano tiagra hubs can be found at cheaper but are cup and cone.
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    Not sure about cheaper/est - but just riding along have provided me with excellent service every time I have bought rims and spokes etc. from them.
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    ta Marcus. sorry Jenkins I didn't make myself clear. I know about the various hubs and rims etc but is one company consistently cheaper to buy those parts from. ( ie: ribble and merlin are go to for groupsets)
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    No worries.

    I've never checked each and every price, but they seem reasonable. They have good stock levels, so it's great to just order rims and spokes from one place.

    I order some new rims and spokes for a new bike, late on Wednesday, and they turned up today.

    I've bought stuff from them 3 or 4 times over the last 18 months or so and they've never let me down.
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Novatec hubs, Kinlin rims and ACI spokes all from Sdeals - I doubt you'll find better quality for the money - you'll often find the same components with someone else's stickers for a lot more money.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    marcusjb wrote:
    Not sure about cheaper/est - but just riding along have provided me with excellent service every time I have bought rims and spokes etc. from them.
    I'd agree 'Just Riding Along' are very good for spokes, especially for lengths that your LBS may not stock.
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    thanks guys
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    I wouldn't want to deter you from building your own wheels, but if you can find machine-made wheels using the same components it's usually cheaper. Rose cycles have a selection and once you sort out the spoke tensions and do the stressing and de-stressing you will have a very strong set of wheels.
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Not for me ta. Ive got two deep sets but the other four sets are handbuilds. I have no love of aluminium multi spoke wheels, I find them lifeless and difficult to put right when they go wrong. Just my opinion but for day to day Id rather be able to decide for myself exactly what components I wish to use and know how they go together and come apart.
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    brownbosh wrote:
    Not for me ta. Ive got two deep sets but the other four sets are handbuilds. I have no love of aluminium multi spoke wheels, I find them lifeless and difficult to put right when they go wrong. Just my opinion but for day to day Id rather be able to decide for myself exactly what components I wish to use and know how they go together and come apart.

    I can't make heads or tails of this. ^^^^^^^^

    What are aluminium multi spoke wheels? As for components I'm talking of Tiagra or Deore hubs which are pretty ubiquitous as are steel spokes and these are fitted to Rosebikes' own rims.
    The point I was making was that it is cheaper to buy a ready-made wheel which is composed of the components you want, rather than buy the components separately.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    onbike 1939 wrote:
    What are aluminium multi spoke wheels? As for components I'm talking of Tiagra or Deore hubs which are pretty ubiquitous as are steel spokes and these are fitted to Rosebikes' own rims.
    The point I was making was that it is cheaper to buy a ready-made wheel which is composed of the components you want, rather than buy the components separately.

    Is life just about cheaper? The guy wants to build his own wheels and be proud of them, don't see why he needs to buy some cheap knockoff from Germany just to save a tenner... to then find out they have used crap components and be back to square one
    left the forum March 2023
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    onbike 1939 wrote:
    What are aluminium multi spoke wheels? As for components I'm talking of Tiagra or Deore hubs which are pretty ubiquitous as are steel spokes and these are fitted to Rosebikes' own rims.
    The point I was making was that it is cheaper to buy a ready-made wheel which is composed of the components you want, rather than buy the components separately.

    Is life just about cheaper? The guy wants to build his own wheels and be proud of them, don't see why he needs to buy some cheap knockoff from Germany just to save a tenner... to then find out they have used crap components and be back to square one

    I take it you didn't read this,
    "I wouldn't want to deter you from building your own wheels..."

    If you regard Deore Hubs as " crap components" then you're in a better financial position than I am as I've always regarded Tiagra and Deore hubs as being of good quality.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    onbike 1939 wrote:
    If you regard Deore Hubs as " crap components" then you're in a better financial position than I am as I've always regarded Tiagra and Deore hubs as being of good quality.

    They're not that great... I had a set of Deore on my cross bike and were nothing but trouble from day one. At one point the bearings even seized grinding the all thing to a halt.
    If Tiagra hubs were as good as the rest of the range, I would use them and so would others... AFAIK nobody really spec them and it's not about being a snob
    left the forum March 2023
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    onbike 1939 wrote:
    If you regard Deore Hubs as " crap components" then you're in a better financial position than I am as I've always regarded Tiagra and Deore hubs as being of good quality.

    They're not that great... I had a set of Deore on my cross bike and were nothing but trouble from day one. At one point the bearings even seized grinding the all thing to a halt.
    If Tiagra hubs were as good as the rest of the range, I would use them and so would others... AFAIK nobody really spec them and it's not about being a snob

    Not my experience as my Deore hubs have lasted years with regular maintenance. That said, I still hanker for my old Campag Record large-flange hubs which are long gone.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I've used yourspoke for funny lengths and single spokes, he's pretty reasonable and fairly fast.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    ugo.santalucia wrote:

    They're not that great... I had a set of Deore on my cross bike and were nothing but trouble from day one. At one point the bearings even seized grinding the all thing to a halt.
    If Tiagra hubs were as good as the rest of the range, I would use them and so would others... AFAIK nobody really spec them and it's not about being a snob

    I wouldn't expect anyone to specify Tiagra hubs when ordering a hand-built wheel. It makes sense to order the best hub you can afford when doing this.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    onbike 1939 wrote:
    I wouldn't expect anyone to specify Tiagra hubs when ordering a hand-built wheel. It makes sense to order the best hub you can afford when doing this.

    Same applies when you build for yourself, no reason to scrimp on a few pennies
    left the forum March 2023
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Things are usually cheap for a reason.
    As stated earlier I was looking for the place to go to get decent wheel parts at the best price. I don't want cheap wheels as such just consistant no hassle service, quick delivery and fair pricing to save trawling far and wide every time I build or repair anything.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Kinlin rims are decent for the money. The XC-279 is the best rim in there lineup wide, deep and stiff. Novatec (A171/F172) or Miche hubs and ACI or Sapim spokes.. Who's the cheapest who's knows everyone is in competition so get on the blower it is normally the best way. Ask about the shipping though some will throw it in other won't some will use My hermes and it will take 1 week to show up other will use a proper courier. A next day courier is not even expensive for a shop.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.

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