Handbuilt Wheels

DT Swiss make really nice wheel gear.

DT 240s Hubs
DT RR 1.1 Rims
DT Supercomp spokes

32 spokes a wheel, 3-cross...very easily maintainable/serviceable (both in terms of possible spoke truing/replacement and hub servicing), light, strong and cheap(er than Ksyrium SL)

When built by a quality wheelbuilder who knows what they are doing, a wheel like this is STRONG. I have an almost identical build on my MTB (substitute the road rims for their XR 4.1d lightweight MTB rim).. following a couple of friends on a ride through the city, I pinch flatted on a sharp bluestone kerb, and before I had time to stop, realised I had a 1 metre drop to flat concrete fast approaching with a flat tyre ... nothing. No bend, no buckle, the wheel didn't even go out of true --- just a barely noticeable scar on the rim edge where there was ground contact.

However I am now a lot more caution when riding about the inner city with a bunch of freeriders, on a lightweight XC bike :p

One main draw point to the DT rims is their ability to withstand high spoke tensions. I have a road wheelset that is somewhat similar, but lower spoke count and lower durability/a-bit-too-light-for-comfort rims (DT 240 hubs, DT's light 'aero' spokes, Ritchey OCR rims, 28 spokes/wheel, 2-cross) and have had a couple of spoke breakage issues over the ~2 years I've had the wheelset. (If any more spokes break, I'm considering getting the wheel rebuilt with 28 Supercomp spokes and the DT road rims.)

I get to try out my new DT Swiss wheels this weekend.
Handbuilt by Joe Young

240s hubs
RR1.1 rims
DT competition spokes (28F/32R)

another good wheel build combination:

- Shimano Ultegra hubs
- Mavic CXP33 or Open Pro rims
- 32-spoke, 3-cross lacing
- DT Competition spokes

now go get yourself a good wheel builder.

e_guevara said:

another good wheel build combination:

- Shimano Ultegra hubs
- Mavic CXP33 or Open Pro rims
- 32-spoke, 3-cross lacing
- DT Competition spokes

now go get yourself a good wheel builder.

Ooh these are a good suggestion too. A bit heavier (the 1700g range, compared to ~1500 for the all-DT build I mentioned earlier) but sturdy as anything and a LOT cheaper.

I bought a cheap second-hand set built like this (Ultegra hubs/Open Pros/32 Competition spokes) for my commuter bike and they've never let me down.. and they deal with kerbs and potholes on a daily basis.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I guess its just a case now of trying to find someone who knows how to build wheels properly!

Anyone from the UK know a good and reputable wheel builder?

The key is to find a good builder who's willing to take the time to talk to you. The hub and rim choice pretty much comes down to budget, but the right spoke type/count/lacing is going to be dependent on the rider.

i also ride handbuilt wheels on my chorus equiped bianchi.

DT swiss 240's front and back
DT revolution spokes
Mavic Reflex 32 hole tubular rims.

just a shade under 1400 grams front and back.

I personally like radially laced front wheels... Open pros, with 32 hole record hubs.

Building your own wheels isnt that hard, and you get to really connect with one of the more important parts of your bike. on sheldonbrown.com, there is a great link to wheelbuilding with spoke legnth calculators and everything you need to know. I did it myself twice and found it really rewarding and fun. My first set are still holding true. If it dosent turn out well, you can always go to the LBS and cry out "help!" Sadly, though it is not really cheaper to build your own.

Felt_Rider said:

I get to try out my new DT Swiss wheels this weekend.
Handbuilt by Joe Young

240s hubs
RR1.1 rims
DT competition spokes (28F/32R)

I have these wheels and they're great. Very strong, very light and the hubs are super fast.

After my first ride Saturday with these wheels I can say that I am very impressed. I am not an experienced enough cyclist to give a thorough review, but I could tell a difference at a novice level.

My original wheelset is the Velomax Circuit and they have done well, but on fast descents I always felt a little uncomfortable, but not this weekend with the new wheels. I still need to put on a better set of tires, but I noticed on most of the fast declines where others were pedalling to increase speed I had to lay off and go into the left lane to avoid running over others in the group. I felt far more secure and the wheels felt very fast. On the hills I am sure they are good as well, but since I am a weak climber I notice more of my personal struggles in suffering than how the wheel is performing. :o

I know in the price range there are many wheels to pick from that have very good attributes, but here is another observation. After Saturday's ride I stopped by the LBS as I have been talking with the owner about purchasing a Cannondale six13 as my second bike. The stock wheels are Mavic Ksyrium Elite and the LBS will upgrade to either Ksyrium SL or Dura Ace for a couple hundred more, but the handbuilt wheels that I purchased are lighter and less expensive than either of these wheel upgrades that he is offering based on the price tags.

So if a person is doesn't mind the wait for having a set of handbuilt built wheels (2 to 3 weeks depending on the builder's backlog) it may be well worth the wait and the money. Unless one can score a high end set of wheels off from a deep discount seller or ebay.

bomber said:

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I guess its just a case now of trying to find someone who knows how to build wheels properly!

Anyone from the UK know a good and reputable wheel builder?

try de ver cycles in london. the bloke will spend time talking to you and will also discuss what you want and why you want it. he is a damn good mechanic and wheelbuilder. I have had handbuilt wheels off him before with no problems whatsoever. (www.devercycles.co.uk) 020 8679 6197