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

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

32 or 36h at 165 lbs? Mind you, cobble riding is not something I do in the Pacific Northwest...but I've been known to bomb down some washboarded gravel roads in my time.

I'm all about gravel! If you incorporate gravel roads into your rides a Roubaix wheel set would suit you perfect. If you're a soft pedaler then 32h would be fine, I'm almost 20lbs more than you and have been known to jump my road bikes, I really thrash on equipment, 36h for me. But I have friends and customers in the 145lb range that ride 36h for JRA and training wheels because they know that being at the threshold of what your wheels can handle isn't a good idea. I like to spoke up, the weight difference of 4 spokes is negligible compared to the strength and durability it adds.

 

[42x16ss]

Does anyone know of an Enve dealer in Australia - preferably around Brisbane? I've tried searching their site and only managed to find the distributor....

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Does anyone know of an Enve dealer in Australia - preferably around Brisbane? I've tried searching their site and only managed to find the distributor....

Have you asked your LBS if they can order ENVE? My understanding is that as long as you have an ENVE importer in your country (Monza Imports), any shop can run a special order through them for their customers.

 

[Parera]

Mmmm...ENVE. If I get more money from this current auto accident (cars hate me, 4 auto wrecks (one on the bike) in less than 7 years; at least it pays for cycling habit!) definitely going to be lacing up some ENVE tubular rims with DT Swiss hubs/Sapim CX Rays.

Only question is...45 or 65?

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Mmmm...ENVE. If I get more money from this current auto accident (cars hate me, 4 auto wrecks (one on the bike) in less than 7 years; at least it pays for cycling habit!) definitely going to be lacing up some ENVE tubular rims with DT Swiss hubs/Sapim CX Rays.

Only question is...45 or 65?

65 if you have big power and keep a high average pace, otherwise 45. Deeper doesn't make you faster, contrary to what the marketers will tell you, it all starts with the rider.

Do you plan on racing these, or are you just showing off your settlement money? Had to ask..

 

[Parera]

Racing, actually, once my knee/back starts cooperating. Stiff carbon rims don't ride as smooth as high spoke count aluminum rims, at least from my (limited)
experience.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Racing, actually, once my knee/back starts cooperating. Stiff carbon rims don't ride as smooth as high spoke count aluminum rims, at least from my (limited)
experience.

There's a reason for that, it's rim depth. No matter the material of rim if it's deeper it's stiffer, and the shorter the spoke also translates to a jackhammer like ride. Sounds like you need to stay with a lower profile if you go carbon as well. Stay out of trouble!

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

did I just say "if it's deeper it's stiffer"? Oh well, what can I do.

 

[42x16ss]

Have you asked your LBS if they can order ENVE? My understanding is that as long as you have an ENVE importer in your country (Monza Imports), any shop can run a special order through them for their customers.

Pretty sure that they can, I just want to give the 45 and 65 rims a spin before I part with the cash. I

've heard nothing but good things about them and I'm looking to build a new set of race wheels, just want to try them first.

 

[k_gibbo]

Pretty sure that they can, I just want to give the 45 and 65 rims a spin before I part with the cash. I

've heard nothing but good things about them and I'm looking to build a new set of race wheels, just want to try them first.

I rented a set of 65's tubs with DT 240's from my LBS for a weekend and used them in a Sunday race. They were very stiff and rolled nice!! In the pack at high speed I could tell the difference from my cheepo alum clinchers for sure! They look cool, they sound cool, but they cost more than the bike I was riding at the time...

 

[karlboss]

Hi folks,
Weight 64kg-69kg 140-150lbs
Can't sprint, actually never tried.
Can hold 300 watts
Usually hold 300 watts at above 100 RPM
Looking at training wheels around 600 AUD
Roads aren't great, occaisionally ride gravel.

Thinking velocity A23, c4 RH230US rear and FH95 front, pillar spokes, brass nipples, 32h front and back. Finding a good builder might be tricky.

Any advice?

 

[42x16ss]

Whereabouts are you? I'm guessing somewhere here in Australia since you said AUD.

 

[karlboss]

Whereabouts are you? I'm guessing somewhere here in Australia since you said AUD.

Sydney(more characters needed)

 

[42x16ss]

Turramurra Cyclery had a good wheelbuilder when I lived in Sydney, but that was five years ago.

 

[karlboss]

cheers, I'll check them out.

 

[Notso Swift]

Sydney TWE/ Two Wheel Enterprises http://www.twebikewheels.com.au/http://www.twebikewheels.com.au/ i am in Melbourne but a couple of our guys have them some for race some training, some all round and they hold up well

 

[Parera]

So my wheel guy and I are trying to get something setup for my 29er. And if funds were unlimited, yes, Enve carbon hoops, DT/Hope hubs, etc etc. But that's not the case. So in an effort to shed weight my options seem limited.

My wheel guys does not hold a very high opinion of Stan's, Salsa or Velocity's 29er offerings. One of the reason he avoids 29ers is he feels the rims are crap, for lack of a better term, especially Stan's; apparently they are poorly built and don't take dings very well. He recommended that I just get a "team" discount (if you can call what we have a team) on some Easton Haven 29ers and save myself (and him) the trouble. I wouldn't normally consider pre-built wheels, but considering he makes a decent profit building stuff for me and he is telling me that the $100 isn't worth the headaches he gets from fussing with handbuilt 29ers, I'm inclined to agree. He hasn't steered me wrong in the past, but I was curious if anyone had thoughts/experiences they might like to add.

 

[pedaling squares]

I'm pretty happy with my Stan's ZTR Arch. No problems at all after a half season on them. I've bounced them off rocks, roots, and other trail features with no damage. I haven't taken any big drops on them, out of fear for my head, not my rims. I'm a fan of Hope hubs too, don't have a lot of experience on anything else though.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

So my wheel guy and I are trying to get something setup for my 29er. And if funds were unlimited, yes, Enve carbon hoops, DT/Hope hubs, etc etc. But that's not the case. So in an effort to shed weight my options seem limited.

My wheel guys does not hold a very high opinion of Stan's, Salsa or Velocity's 29er offerings. One of the reason he avoids 29ers is he feels the rims are crap, for lack of a better term, especially Stan's; apparently they are poorly built and don't take dings very well. He recommended that I just get a "team" discount (if you can call what we have a team) on some Easton Haven 29ers and save myself (and him) the trouble. I wouldn't normally consider pre-built wheels, but considering he makes a decent profit building stuff for me and he is telling me that the $100 isn't worth the headaches he gets from fussing with handbuilt 29ers, I'm inclined to agree. He hasn't steered me wrong in the past, but I was curious if anyone had thoughts/experiences they might like to add.

I'd agree with 2 of the 3 in question. Stan's are the worst of the bunch for sure, Salsa rims are heavy for what they are, just slightly retooled and rebadged Alex. Velocity though isn't the Velocity of just 3 years ago, they got a bad rap for bad batches of rims in the early days, but over the last three years I've built many 29'rs hooped with Blunt, Blunt SL, and P35 rims, my custies couldn't be happier, and I haven't had a single defective rim from them in this time, they've upped their QC for sure. I highly recommend Blunt SL, strength to weight ratio, turns out to be one of the best 29'r rims on the market right now for JRA or race.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I'd agree with 2 of the 3 in question. Stan's are the worst of the bunch for sure, Salsa rims are heavy for what they are, just slightly retooled and rebadged Alex. Velocity though isn't the Velocity of just 3 years ago, they got a bad rap for bad batches of rims in the early days, but over the last three years I've built many 29'rs hooped with Blunt, Blunt SL, and P35 rims, my custies couldn't be happier, and I haven't had a single defective rim from them in this time, they've upped their QC for sure. I highly recommend Blunt SL, strength to weight ratio, turns out to be one of the best 29'r rims on the market right now for JRA or race.

Second the Velocity Blunt and Blunt SL. Done more than a few of these and they are excellent rims. Stan's as has been mentioned, are junque.

 

[TexPat]

Anyone tried an A23 for a 29er? For a suave 40yr old 74kg cross country rider with mad skills who floats like a butterfly...

Could order some Blunt SLs from OZ but have some A23s lying around in the workshop.

Have had good luck with all the Velocity rims. Stans not so much.

 

[pedaling squares]

Well there's your answer Parera. One guy who's riding on them has had a good experience with Stan's, three guys who work in the bike business and deal with numerous riders and reps think they're crap. I'd pay attention to those three guys if I were you. Me, I'll just hope my good luck continues.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Anyone tried an A23 for a 29er? For a suave 40yr old 74kg cross country rider with mad skills who floats like a butterfly...

Could order some Blunt SLs from OZ but have some A23s lying around in the workshop.

Have had good luck with all the Velocity rims. Stans not so much.

For those yahhooos who will say a rim made for rim brakes won't work with a disc brake setup..my aunt matilda's mustache.

Sure, use the A23s, fine rim.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

as of 3 hours ago

from my desk to yours.


MADE IN USA

(Grand Rapids, MI) Brothers and partners, Tom and John Black will begin manufacturing rims in Jacksonville, Florida in February 2012. Currently, all Velocity rims are made in Australia, and production will cease in Brisbane by the end of November.

Tom Black, the founder of Velocity, will be relocating from Australia to Florida where he will continue to oversee rim production at Velocity’s new manufacturing factory. Velocity’s distribution center will continue to operate out of Grand Rapids, Michigan as it has since 1992 and become their worldwide headquarters; with the Australian facility remaining as a distribution center for the Asian and Australian markets.

Velocity will be the only U.S. produced aluminum rim in the cycling industry. John Black, president of Velocity Worldwide, Inc., anticipates this to further propel the company as a leader in quality, ingenuity and customization customers have come to love and expect from Velocity.

 

[Parera]

from my desk to yours.


MADE IN USA

(Grand Rapids, MI) Brothers and partners, Tom and John Black will begin manufacturing rims in Jacksonville, Florida in February 2012. Currently, all Velocity rims are made in Australia, and production will cease in Brisbane by the end of November.

Tom Black, the founder of Velocity, will be relocating from Australia to Florida where he will continue to oversee rim production at Velocity’s new manufacturing factory. Velocity’s distribution center will continue to operate out of Grand Rapids, Michigan as it has since 1992 and become their worldwide headquarters; with the Australian facility remaining as a distribution center for the Asian and Australian markets.

Velocity will be the only U.S. produced aluminum rim in the cycling industry. John Black, president of Velocity Worldwide, Inc., anticipates this to further propel the company as a leader in quality, ingenuity and customization customers have come to love and expect from Velocity.

Props to Velocity.