|   Wheelset is the last component.. choosing a builder (HELP) | xctearor
Dec 9, 2002 8:22 AM | | I have finally pieced together my dream bike and its come down to the wheelset. I have chosen Mavic 317's, with AC dick hubs and DT Revo 15/17 spokes. Is Speedgoat a reputable builder? Can anyone recommend a company or independent builder that can build such a set?
Thanks
XC |
| Ah, this is an easy one.... | alibi
Dec 9, 2002 8:38 AM | | You'll be hard pressed to beat the service and prices from Mike Garcia; see his website at www.oddsandendos.com. He posts here regularly as Bianchi4Me. An all-around great guy to do business with. |
| oddsandendos.com | frankwi
Dec 9, 2002 9:48 AM | | Mike Garcia build me a set of XTR/valiants a few months ago. Great service, best price, and some serous attention to detail. I've been doing by best to damage these wheels, but they've remained true and perfectly tensioned after hundreds of miles. |
| Agree. nm. | Gakster
Dec 9, 2002 11:11 AM | | . |
| Agree. nm. | KLars
Dec 11, 2002 12:30 PM | | |
| Agree (nm) | Spiff
Dec 18, 2002 5:05 PM | | nm |
| And now for something completely different.... | spoken4
Dec 9, 2002 10:44 AM | | Let me suggest something to you that is both fun, entertaining, and gives you considerable peace of mind on the trail. I suggest this because I have done it and it has been worth every second I spent on it and every dollar I have SAVED. Build them yourself. Take a class, get a builder to show you how, buy a book, build some cheapy wheels then build your dream wheels. You will be glad you did.
You might want to go with 14/15 spokes, or some variation like 15/16 or 14/16 or anything that doesn't go to 17, if you are a big rider or do some aggressive riding. The buzz on them says that they are difficult to build and keep true. You don't save that much weight and you surrender some strength, durability, and peace of mind. You can use aluminum nips if you are compulsively weight watching. In that same line of thinking, go Stan's No-Tubes to eliminate the tube on your standard rim. |
| Building your own wheels. | tjl
Dec 9, 2002 9:49 PM | | If you build your own wheels, consider Jobst Brandt's book,
i The Bicycle Wheel.
I built two wheels using the method described in the book. They are on my mountain bike (which has front, but not rear suspension). After mountain biking various rocky trails over the years, both wheels are as true as they were they day I built them, without any need for retruing.
Components and design of the wheels:
* DT Competition 14/15G spokes, 32 front, 36 rear
* Brass nipples
* Mavic M231 rim front
* Mavic M261 rim rear
* Shimano Alivio hubs (go ahead and laugh, but they have given me no problems)
* 3-cross lacing pattern
The rear wheel is probably somewhat overbuilt. However, considering that the rear wheel is inherently weaker (due to the dish) and holds up more of the cyclist's weight, being somewhat conservative there makes sense -- especially if you don't have rear suspension. |
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