New Wheel Build Project - Suggestions and Advice.

[Bustedknuckle]

steelciocc - yeah I like the campy hubs and was hoping to go record, but I don't like the new Black look, I prefer the older polished ones

Leaning towards the White Industries right now.
32 3X pattern in the rear, undecided on the front.

Thanks for disclosing your source, but I already have that sucka in my favourites -

RDV - thanks for the comments on the A23's. I'm tossing up between Ambrosio's or Open Pros and will probably come down to $$.

Surprised you would not be looking at DT. R465 is a great rim..far better than Mavic.

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

@ dsut4392

Yip - I have a wheel builder whom I trust and is very well respected here in NZ. We have been talking all week about options. He will source all the product and build for me.

Cost - yes we can get a "nice" online price from CRC or wiggle etc, however, once it lands in NZ we need to pay GST (tax) and customs import duties on top of that - also, take a quick at the current exchange rate :-NZD vs Pound Sterling. Right now we are killing it against the USD, so there are some nice deals going out of the USA for us.

@ bustedknuckle
Yeah, we discussed DT rims (actually off your recommendation) and the price point here was a little higher...so Mavic or Ambrosio are the choices right now. Remembering this is just the training set and we still haven't started on a Race set yet, so $$$ are important.

Thanks for all your suggestions though - I appreciate it! -

I'm up way early - have a big race this coming Saturday and can't sleep - too much on my mind!

check it out-http://www.arcevents.co.nz/k2cycle/content/

 

[stoobydale]

Could anyone tell me if they have any experience with, "Erowit" rims and "Soul Prodigy" hubs?

Cheers,
Stu.

 

[fatandfast]

Mavic Ksyrium set..got them for 315 and ride them in all conditions including some decent potholes and rain. remember that wheels are not switchable if you are not a pro..The chain and cogs wear at the same rate so the shiny new wheels need to get into the rotation or when you switch them you have to switch the chain. Make sure that any wheel that you are going to race on is cleaned..by getting it dirty..Tires should have some miles on them before you race them..make sure when you stand up and really hammer in all gears that everything works smooth..no jumping or skipping. Also buy a couple of magnets so you don't get the rude wake up that your computer doesn't work with your sweet,aero,new,fast wheels. Lots of other people have opinions about race wheels..I agree w all of them..I have ridden Reynolds,Rolf.DA and Zipp all are super great and have features that are superior to the cheap Mavics I use for training. Hed is making wheels that are simply awesome..If you got the cash..do it. If you are short of coin get 600-700 dollar wheels and get some decent tires and some light and supples for racing. Don't train on tubulars, simply not there yet. Structure is 100%(build,rims,tires,glue) but the ability to make on the side of the road repairs is still a work in progress. friends cry all the way home when the"miracle sealer" doesn't work.

 

[dsut4392]

@ dsut4392

Yip - I have a wheel builder whom I trust and is very well respected here in NZ. We have been talking all week about options. He will source all the product and build for me.

Cost - yes we can get a "nice" online price from CRC or wiggle etc, however, once it lands in NZ we need to pay GST (tax) and customs import duties on top of that - also, take a quick at the current exchange rate :-NZD vs Pound Sterling. Right now we are killing it against the USD, so there are some nice deals going out of the USA for us.

You guys have to pay GST on all orders? Us Aussies only pay GST if the order value is >$1000 (just split your order, problem solved!), and there is no additional import duty. Surprised to hear NZ rules are different seeing you are a free trade zone with us...

As for exchange rates, you're killing it against the pound too, it's just not as obvious since the pound fell over more than a year ago and still hasn't recovered. E.g. when I was living in England in '08, the exchange went as high as £1 = AU$2.58 (sent some cash home at $2.54), today it's £1 = AU$1.62 (still have some cash stuck there), which is a bigger change than against the US$ over the same period. And in general buying through the US you get hit with ridiculous freight charges while UK companies ship for free.
YMMV, but in the last 3 years I've always found UK cheaper than US (and I've spent about £3000 on assorted stuff not including any bikes from that marooned Barclays account in the last two)

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Hit and Miss...

yeah - it's a bit hit and miss with the online bike stuff purchases.

I've bought a heap of gear online this year through both the UK and USA - you're right about the UK though, if you spend a certain amount, you get free shipping, however, that seems to be the stuff that get stopped and tagged by customs etc

I had a letter from NZ customs they other day about a shipment of Tools from United Bicycle Supply in the USA......had to go see them, fill in forms, pay another $190 for the clearance.....and still haven't seen the products yet -

Wheesl (training ) are pretty much sorted, I'll post up the final decision and maybe a photo and then duck for cover as the opinions and heckling from the back bench's starts -

Have a great weekend!