::::~ Wheelbuilders thread ~::::

[Bustedknuckle]

What are the advantages of 2 cross over 3 cross if this is the case, i.e. negligible weight savings? In other words, if 3 cross is better, as fatsprintking suggests, why would anyone lace 2 cross?

Why indeed, didn't have the right spoke length? There is no advantage to 2 cross in this application.

 

[Bespoke]

Guys,

Found a local supplier for Ambrosio rims! Any advice on Excellence vs. Excellight?

Thanks in advance for your ongoing advice. Getting very close.

 

[Altitude]

Looking to build up a set of super light climbing wheels. I mean really light. Any recommendations for rims/hubs/spokes would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

sh!t, just looked up thread and see that others have asked the same question.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Guys,

Found a local supplier for Ambrosio rims! Any advice on Excellence vs. Excellight?

Thanks in advance for your ongoing advice. Getting very close.

Excellence is 460g, Excellight is 430. For the past 12+ years I've personally rode and built with predominantly the Excellence. The biggest difference not being the 30g, but the Excellence has a brass counter weight at the valve hole just like the tubular Nemesis. Makes a world of difference at higher speeds.

 

[Bespoke]

Excellence is 460g, Excellight is 430. For the past 12+ years I've personally rode and built with predominantly the Excellence. The biggest difference not being the 30g, but the Excellence has a brass counter weight at the valve hole just like the tubular Nemesis. Makes a world of difference at higher speeds.

Great, thanks. Saves some $ too.

 

[Notso Swift]

Looking to build up a set of super light climbing wheels. I mean really light. Any recommendations for rims/hubs/spokes would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

sh!t, just looked up thread and see that others have asked the same question.

Their solution may not be yours
WHat do you weigh and how much to spend, if both are reasonable starting with a 9 will be easy for a Tub

 

[Altitude]

Their solution may not be yours
WHat do you weigh and how much to spend, if both are reasonable starting with a 9 will be easy for a Tub

Weight: 60-61 kg

Would like to spend under $2000 if possible

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Weight: 60-61 kg

Would like to spend under $2000 if possible

Need more info. So you fancy yourself a climber, do you produce a lot of torque, or do you spinesse? Daily use, or race only? Have you had climbing specific wheels in the past? What did you like/dislike about them?

 

[Altitude]

Need more info. So you fancy yourself a climber, do you produce a lot of torque, or do you spinesse? Daily use, or race only? Have you had climbing specific wheels in the past? What did you like/dislike about them?

Spin. Even when outta the saddle I use a low gear. Race only wheels for sure. I had a pair of Zipps and wasn't that impressed with them. Hubs were finicky. They were quite stiff though which was nice.

But if I really want to be a b!tch, here are a few little things: when I first got the Zipps I spent about 3 hours picking little pieces of carbon out from inside the rim, they would completely fill up with water when I raced in the rain (this normal for carbon tubulars??), and finally it was always a pain in the a$$ to get the tire situated just right when gluing them up (at least compared to other wheels I've glued).

 

[Notso Swift]

20/24 Reynolds 32, Alchemy hubs and DT revo's with Alu nips will go just over $2k and about 1050g
Swap out the Alchemy for Tune and you are less than 950g but $2.2k

 

[Bustedknuckle]

20/24 Reynolds 32, Alchemy hubs and DT revo's with Alu nips will go just over $2k and about 1050g
Swap out the Alchemy for Tune and you are less than 950g but $2.2k

Except even at his weight, DT comps on the drive side rear. DT hubs 'as good' w/o the HUGE $(altho DT are plenty expensive).

Nipps, since they are internal, are what Reynolds supplies. Enve rims a good choice also.

Tubualr, of course, nancys use clinchers.

 

[Stingray34]

OK, I'm hoping my 2009 Aksium Races hold out a little while longer, but the warnings from GM and BK about mavic's quality control have got me worried now.

I haven't been on my road bike much in the last 9 months, riding a MTB instead. Found a new training partner and we're motivating each other to start getting really fit and ride imperial centuries again.

I live and ride in the Northern Rivers of NSW, which is a pretty and hilly place to ride by Aussie standards - I did a new 56km loop last Sunday and did over 1000m of gain. Real steep, up and down stuff, but never getting higher than 200m ASL.

But the roads are really quite awful - uneven, potholed blue-metal mix. In some places there's only half a road on hillcrests, the shoulders disappearing like flesh on a zombie's face, so riding on the gravel is sometimes mandatory and prudent.

So, I'll be looking at some reliable, handbuilt training clinchers - no racing for me anymore. Something reliable, bullet-proof and long-lasting. My fave old wheels were Mavic Open4CD clinchers with Athena hubs, 32-spoke three-cross DT double-butted.

I'm 69kg and 172cm. Like climbing a bit, jumping like a cricket, but I'm not too concerned with weight. Horrible roads and will run Conti 25mm tires on a Cannondale carbon.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Oh, and budget is a concern. Up to about $800US. And I run a compact crankset and like to spin.

 

[Altitude]

Except even at his weight, DT comps on the drive side rear. DT hubs 'as good' w/o the HUGE $(altho DT are plenty expensive).

Nipps, since they are internal, are what Reynolds supplies. Enve rims a good choice also.

Tubualr, of course, nancys use clinchers.

Lol, I don't even train on clinchers, let alone race on them. The Enve 2.25 rims look pretty sick.

 

[Notso Swift]

If you can afford the extra for the ENVE I think they would be worth it
@busted, yes Reynolds use the Pillar Hex type

@Stingray34
definitely some tough climbs in that area

You may want to look up TWE. I think he may have an ebay shop as well as a netstore. Couple of blokes here run them with good reports. he is in Port Mac, so only 400k from you
Your old favourites sond like a reasonable wheel, you could save some weight and price with no compromises by using a Velocity rim, they also make the new generation of wide rims very available in Australia, which helps
Just keep the spokes straight guage or "heavier" butted like DT Comps that you can buy at any store

 

[Stingray34]

If you can afford the extra for the ENVE I think they would be worth it
@busted, yes Reynolds use the Pillar Hex type

@Stingray34
definitely some tough climbs in that area

You may want to look up TWE. I think he may have an ebay shop as well as a netstore. Couple of blokes here run them with good reports. he is in Port Mac, so only 400k from you
Your old favourites sond like a reasonable wheel, you could save some weight and price with no compromises by using a Velocity rim, they also make the new generation of wide rims very available in Australia, which helps
Just keep the spokes straight guage or "heavier" butted like DT Comps that you can buy at any store

Hey thanks, I'll check TWE out...does it stand for Therapeutic Wheel Exemption?

 

[42x16ss]

OK, I'm hoping my 2009 Aksium Races hold out a little while longer, but the warnings from GM and BK about mavic's quality control have got me worried now.

I haven't been on my road bike much in the last 9 months, riding a MTB instead. Found a new training partner and we're motivating each other to start getting really fit and ride imperial centuries again.

I live and ride in the Northern Rivers of NSW, which is a pretty and hilly place to ride by Aussie standards - I did a new 56km loop last Sunday and did over 1000m of gain. Real steep, up and down stuff, but never getting higher than 200m ASL.

But the roads are really quite awful - uneven, potholed blue-metal mix. In some places there's only half a road on hillcrests, the shoulders disappearing like flesh on a zombie's face, so riding on the gravel is sometimes mandatory and prudent.

So, I'll be looking at some reliable, handbuilt training clinchers - no racing for me anymore. Something reliable, bullet-proof and long-lasting. My fave old wheels were Mavic Open4CD clinchers with Athena hubs, 32-spoke three-cross DT double-butted.

I'm 69kg and 172cm. Like climbing a bit, jumping like a cricket, but I'm not too concerned with weight. Horrible roads and will run Conti 25mm tires on a Cannondale carbon.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Oh, and budget is a concern. Up to about $800US. And I run a compact crankset and like to spin.

Cool, I grew up in Ballina/Lennox Head so know the area well

As Notso Swift said, velocity is a good bet. A23's laced to Ultegra hubs should be in your price range. Sunrise Cycles over in the Industrial Estate in Ballina used to have a good wheelbuilder, so if Port Mac is a bit far they may be a good starting point.

 

[Notso Swift]

If possible go local, I believe it pays in the long term, just check there rep

 

[Stingray34]

Cool, I grew up in Ballina/Lennox Head so know the area well

As Notso Swift said, velocity is a good bet. A23's laced to Ultegra hubs should be in your price range. Sunrise Cycles over in the Industrial Estate in Ballina used to have a good wheelbuilder, so if Port Mac is a bit far they may be a good starting point.

Great stuff, thanks - I'll check them out.

 

[Stingray34]

If possible go local, I believe it pays in the long term, just check there rep

Yeah, I think so, too. There's a lot of guys who can 'build' wheels, or think they can anyway, then there's the one's that try to steer you to pre-built stuff cuz it's easier for them.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

One of my favorite hubs of all time to build with, the venerable Paul High Flange. Building these up for the gf, 1x24h front, 2x28h rear, white DT comps, black nips, black A23's. Post more pics when complete, just bask in the polish for now.

 

[Parera]

Damn.

/boner

 

[kuoirad]

Wait, you do less than 32 spokes? Heretic!!!!

 

[Parera]

Wait, you do less than 32 spokes? Heretic!!!!

I'm guessing his girlfriend weight like 105 lbs.

 

[Llewellyn]

I'm guessing his girlfriend weight like 105 lbs.

Just out of curiousity, what do the wheel gurus here think is the sort of maximum weight for using less than 32 spokes on a wheel (answers in kilo's please - I don't understand imperial and I'm too lazy to do the conversion )

 

[Llewellyn]

One of my favorite hubs of all time to build with, the venerable Paul High Flange. Building these up for the gf, 1x24h front, 2x28h rear, white DT comps, black nips, black A23's. Post more pics when complete, just bask in the polish for now.

Now those are just stunning - must stop myself from thinking about having a set made !!!!! Do they come with a cassette option?