Handbuilt wheels... the big thread

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Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,335
    freebs wrote:
    Guys, for my second build I am considering Novatec 171/172 hubs and H plus son rims. Looks to be a decent price wheel. I shall have them on my 'summer' bike. Sound reasonable?

    Thanks, Freebs.

    Sure, but in the same price range Miche Primato are a better set of hubs
    left the forum March 2023
  • freebs
    freebs Posts: 199
    Thanks. I'll have a look at them.
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Hi Ugo, do you build wheels to order? Or are you just the advice bearer? :-)

    I am after a wheelset for a couple of trips I have lined up next month (Alps and Dolomites) and was hoping you could recommend a build (or if yes to my first question possibly do a build).

    My requirements are light and tubular, other info that may or may not be useful is I'm little (66kgs) and the world's worst descender. I have had a look at factory wheels without much success as they are often very expensive for what is going to be a pretty specific wheelset and/or fully carbon.

    Any info much appreciated.

    Cheers

    Apologies if all of this has been posted previously, its a big thread and the search function aint the best... plus I know you guys love talking about wheels!! :D
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Ugo has built me 3 pairs of wheels, these being the latest ones. He's very good :-) viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13026946
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • freestyle_gus
    freestyle_gus Posts: 120
    gotwood25 wrote:
    Hi Ugo, do you build wheels to order? Or are you just the advice bearer? :-)

    I am after a wheelset for a couple of trips I have lined up next month (Alps and Dolomites) and was hoping you could recommend a build (or if yes to my first question possibly do a build).

    My requirements are light and tubular, other info that may or may not be useful is I'm little (66kgs) and the world's worst descender. I have had a look at factory wheels without much success as they are often very expensive for what is going to be a pretty specific wheelset and/or fully carbon.

    Any info much appreciated.

    Cheers

    Apologies if all of this has been posted previously, its a big thread and the search function aint the best... plus I know you guys love talking about wheels!! :D

    Drop him a DM I expect he'll quote you :D

    I've not used him yet, but when the wife sanctions some hand-builts I will ;)
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Email is better, you can find his here http://whosatthewheel.com/about/
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,335
    gotwood25 wrote:
    Hi Ugo, do you build wheels to order? Or are you just the advice bearer? :-)

    I am after a wheelset for a couple of trips I have lined up next month (Alps and Dolomites) and was hoping you could recommend a build (or if yes to my first question possibly do a build).

    My requirements are light and tubular, other info that may or may not be useful is I'm little (66kgs) and the world's worst descender. I have had a look at factory wheels without much success as they are often very expensive for what is going to be a pretty specific wheelset and/or fully carbon.

    I am indeed the advice bearer... I do build the odd wheel for local crowds, very few carbon ones, mostly "Chinese imports" of some sort :wink:

    Not wanting to sound weird, but have you considered the Planet X CT45? I have recently inspected a brand new pair a friend bought on my advice and the rims are awesome... made by Gigantex, one of the world's leading company. They are wide... 24-25 I think. The hubs are very decent, made by Chosen for Planet X. The spokes are not the best in the world, but they are not the worst either and you can always have them rebuilt if you really want the Sapim CX Ray. The build quality is pretty decent... the rear was spot on and the front only needed a couple of tweaks... tension was good... I have seen a hell of a lot worse... :wink:

    You will struggle to find anything better, unless you double the budget...

    Wheelsmith also builds Gigantex rims, bit pricier, better spokes, longer wait
    left the forum March 2023
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314

    I am indeed the advice bearer... I do build the odd wheel for local crowds, very few carbon ones, mostly "Chinese imports" of some sort :wink:

    Not wanting to sound weird, but have you considered the Planet X CT45? I have recently inspected a brand new pair a friend bought on my advice and the rims are awesome... made by Gigantex, one of the world's leading company. They are wide... 24-25 I think. The hubs are very decent, made by Chosen for Planet X. The spokes are not the best in the world, but they are not the worst either and you can always have them rebuilt if you really want the Sapim CX Ray. The build quality is pretty decent... the rear was spot on and the front only needed a couple of tweaks... tension was good... I have seen a hell of a lot worse... :wink:

    You will struggle to find anything better, unless you double the budget...

    Wheelsmith also builds Gigantex rims, bit pricier, better spokes, longer wait

    I am indeed an owner of said CT45's and can confirm they are an exceptional wheel, especially for the price. My issue is the full carbon for the descending, especially if it is wet which is why I am looking at a new wheelset. Apologies if my post sounded like I was after carbon, I'm not, just hard to find tubs off the shelf that aren't full carbon.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,335
    gotwood25 wrote:

    I am indeed an owner of said CT45's and can confirm they are an exceptional wheel, especially for the price. My issue is the full carbon for the descending, especially if it is wet which is why I am looking at a new wheelset. Apologies if my post sounded like I was after carbon, I'm not, just hard to find tubs off the shelf that aren't full carbon.

    The market for alloy tubulars is pretty much dead. You can build a light set on a pair of Ambrosio Crono, but having owned a pair, I am not a huge fan, they are very noodly... Nemesis is much better, but not light.
    HED still make the Belgium as tubulars, I believe, although the price is very high. Velocity Escape is another option and of course the Kinlin TB 25... but both are very narrow... that pretty much sums it up

    Rewind 5 years and the tubular rims were the same... rewind ten years and the rims were the same except two...
    left the forum March 2023
  • Origami02
    Origami02 Posts: 147
    gotwood25 wrote:

    I am after a wheelset for a couple of trips I have lined up next month (Alps and Dolomites).

    My requirements are light and tubular, other info that may or may not be useful is I'm little (66kgs) and the world's worst descender. I have had a look at factory wheels without much success as they are often very expensive for what is going to be a pretty specific wheelset and/or fully carbon.

    Any info much appreciated
    These might be worth a look for your trips, both are Ali tubular rims. The Pave is a wide rim, and both wheelsets use Novatec manufactured hubs with SKF bearings, and Sapim laser spokes.
    http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/p ... t-2024.htm
    http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/e ... t-2024.htm

    If you want different hubs or spokes, they have an online custom build spec tool for one off's and hand builds.
    http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/c ... -spoke.htm

    I've bought wheels from them and been very pleased all round.
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    Might want to do a bit of research on the build quality of Superstar Component wheels first. It's how shall we say....variable, with myself and others buying wheels which were tensioned too low. While you're reading up on the various threads, I'd advise you to ignore posts by somebody called 'paxington' who has been banned and keeps coming back in various new user names, seems to enjoy being obnoxious and for some reason, always pushes SSC's wheels whenever he gets the opportunity.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    The hed belgium c2 rims though are superb. I have a set and the extra width gives a super strong bond. The rim is very stiff and worth thd price tag.

    If you have a 28 front with the ambrosio chrono rim and a 32h rear with the ambrosio nemesis rim you can have a decently light c 1600g wheelset Or lighter, this set would not be noodley. I agree with ugo dont use the chrono rim for a rear wheel Unless you a very light.

    Velocity escape rims are difficult to get in the uk. The distributor does not seem interested in stocking them.

    There is the kinlin tb25 but it is very narrow and i have concerns about tubs movung unless the gluing is excellent. Tub tape would not be enough with these rims.

    Mavic gp4 rims are excellent if you can get a set without paying a silly ebay price.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Shame your frame isn't old with a 126mm OLN, I have a set of old tubular wheels with 36 spokes and Mavic GP4 rims on ;-) Send me a PM if interested, I don't want much for them and if you just want the rims then they might suit.

    17319660556_8cdd3e0859_o.jpg
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    drlodge wrote:
    Shame your frame isn't old with a 126mm OLN, I have a set of old tubular wheels with 36 spokes and Mavic GP4 rims on ;-) Send me a PM if interested, I don't want much for them and if you just want the rims then they might suit.

    17319660556_8cdd3e0859_o.jpg

    Appreciate the offer fella but think I am just going to go down the boring route of factory built. Can get a cracking deal on some Kysriums which seem to fit the bill nicely.

    Again appreciate all the feedback.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    No worries. I did Ebay them but the bidder then said he didn't want them. Plonker.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • Origami02
    Origami02 Posts: 147
    gotwood25 wrote:
    I am just going to go down the boring route of factory built. Can get a cracking deal on some Kysriums which seem to fit the bill nicely.

    Again appreciate all the feedback.

    Good choice, you really can't go wrong with Ksyriums. 4thebike.de do really a good deal on them.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,335
    gotwood25 wrote:

    Appreciate the offer fella but think I am just going to go down the boring route of factory built. Can get a cracking deal on some Kysriums which seem to fit the bill nicely.

    Again appreciate all the feedback.

    THe tubs? They still make them?
    left the forum March 2023
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314

    THe tubs? They still make them?

    Yeah, Westbrook have them but can get them on BikeDiscount.de for £550.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,335
    gotwood25 wrote:
    Yeah, Westbrook have them but can get them on BikeDiscount.de for £550.

    Nice... in the late 90s they were kind of revolutionary and opened up the market for low spoke count (although Campagnolo had already made wheels with as few as 12 spokes)... before their climbing wheels were called "Helium" and were very noodly

    Armstrong_Trek_2001.jpg
    left the forum March 2023
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Mavic gp4 are lovely rims. Why sell them you could get them re built onto new hubs and use them or better still get an old bike with a 126mm rear end and start enjoying riding that. i have pair of gp4 which i really want to build up and use.

    Nothing boring about factory tubular wheels.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • Goggs-san
    Goggs-san Posts: 36
    Hi, looking for a bit of reassurance realy from somebody in the know.

    Looking for a wheelset for fast group rides and training runs. Will be used on my good bike throughout the decent weather. I weigh 90kg geared up but will drop a few kg as the miles increase in the summer. Like to think I put out a bit of power.

    Was looking at these in 28/32 spoke config, any downsides ?.

    http://www.justridingalong.com/wheels/i ... -rims.html

    After knocking a 24 spoke deep section carbon rear wheel out of true after 70 miles. I'm looking for something that I'm not going to worry about all the time.
  • keezx
    keezx Posts: 1,323
    Specs look good for you, whether it's worth the prrice depends on the build quality.
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    JRA built a good set of wheels for me.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    That 24 spoke rear wheel must have had a build issue like insufficent tesnion or not properly stress relieved. A 24 spoke wheel witha carbon rim is generally very stiff and will handle a 90 kg rider without going out of true.

    You could hand over those carbon wheels to a good tame wheel builder to get them tensioned and stress relieved properly. Then they will be fine. Also a cheaper than new wheels.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • Goggs-san
    Goggs-san Posts: 36
    That 24 spoke rear wheel must have had a build issue like insufficent tesnion or not properly stress relieved. A 24 spoke wheel witha carbon rim is generally very stiff and will handle a 90 kg rider without going out of true.

    You could hand over those carbon wheels to a good tame wheel builder to get them tensioned and stress relieved properly. Then they will be fine. Also a cheaper than new wheels.

    If you think they will true up nice, you can cancel my wheelset order with you :D . Only kidding. I no it's a bit cheeky but do you take in wheels built by another builder to look over ?.

    The wheel had a slack spoke, which was rattling around. I had them checked over by my lbs before I fitted them. Been back in the shop for a week and a half. So kind of hacked of with the whole episode.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    I have sent you a pm
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • wotnoshoeseh
    wotnoshoeseh Posts: 531
    In the process of restoring an old Reynolds 501 frame and see that the rear wheel spacing is 126 mm.

    What options are available to me for hand buillts with this spacing?

    Also if anyone can recommend a decent set of rims with that period look (late 1980's)
  • cattytown
    cattytown Posts: 647
    I'd start looking at H+son TB14s as a nice retro style rim.
    http://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collections ... 4-wheelset
    Giant Defy 2
    Large bloke getting smaller :-)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,335
    In the process of restoring an old Reynolds 501 frame and see that the rear wheel spacing is 126 mm.

    What options are available to me for hand buillts with this spacing?

    Also if anyone can recommend a decent set of rims with that period look (late 1980's)

    I have the same bike... 126 mm rear dropouts... and just built myself a pair of TB 14, which look awesome and they are a good ride too.
    As for the hub, you either buy one on ebay or you can buy a 130 mm vintage one, file off 3 mm of axle and remove a couple of washers. Re-spacing old cup and cone/ screw on hubs is very easy and "wheel manufacturing" make all the components you need... SJS cycles sell them in the UK and The Cycle Clinic does too, I believe
    left the forum March 2023
  • LEY8R
    LEY8R Posts: 11
    I don't suppose the TB 14 have the right profile to be tubeless compatible do they?

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