Front wheel build choices

[alexandrumarian]

Hi everyone...my first post here, yet another wheel thread

I'm fairly new to road cycling. My bike came with Campy Vento wheels. They are OK but I couldn't trust the low spoke count (18 radial front 20 radial/2x rear) given my 95Kg and the not so great local roads.

For the fun of it I decided to build my own so I started with the rear wheel: DT 440 asymmetric rim, Campy record 32 holes hub, DT Aerolite spokes laced 3x both sides. Wheel turned a bit lighter than the Vento, and unless I'm fooling myself I feel the bike both more solid and more comfortable under my butt, plus better acceleration.

Now for the front, I am thinking at the following options. The rim will be a DT 440, as for the hub I really don't care if it is not matched to the rear, save for the color.

-32holes 3x Campy Record, DT Aerolites.

This will be the heaviest at 732g, but also most solid.

-24 holes laced 2x, Aerolites, Dura Ace 9000 Hub. 694 grams, probably best ratio durability/weight

-20 holes radial, DT 240 straight pull hub, Aero comp spokes (thicker than aerolites to counteract low count) - 685g

- 24 holes 2x White T11, Aerolite spokes - 662g Lightest build, but only because the hub is extra light. Not sure I'd trust it a lot despite the good rep.

Naturally I'd like the lightest wheel possible for some mental advantage when climbing, but most important in fact would be a solid secure feel when going fast down or cornering. Not sure how much the lacing affects this. I've read a million talks over 1000 forums and the debate seems to have no end or definite answer

Thanks!

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by alexandrumarian

Hi everyone...my first post here, yet another wheel thread

I'm fairly new to road cycling. My bike came with Campy Vento wheels. They are OK but I couldn't trust the low spoke count (18 radial front 20 radial/2x rear) given my 95Kg and the not so great local roads.

For the fun of it I decided to build my own so I started with the rear wheel: DT 440 asymmetric rim, Campy record 32 holes hub, DT Aerolite spokes laced 3x both sides. Wheel turned a bit lighter than the Vento, and unless I'm fooling myself I feel the bike both more solid and more comfortable under my butt, plus better acceleration.

Now for the front, I am thinking at the following options. The rim will be a DT 440, as for the hub I really don't care if it is not matched to the rear, save for the color.

-32holes 3x Campy Record, DT Aerolites.

This will be the heaviest at 732g, but also most solid.

-24 holes laced 2x, Aerolites, Dura Ace 9000 Hub. 694 grams, probably best ratio durability/weight

-20 holes radial, DT 240 straight pull hub, Aero comp spokes (thicker than aerolites to counteract low count) - 685g

- 24 holes 2x White T11, Aerolite spokes - 662g Lightest build, but only because the hub is extra light. Not sure I'd trust it a lot despite the good rep.

Naturally I'd like the lightest wheel possible for some mental advantage when climbing, but most important in fact would be a solid secure feel when going fast down or cornering. Not sure how much the lacing affects this. I've read a million talks over 1000 forums and the debate seems to have no end or definite answer

Thanks!

The 3 low spoke count wheels you mentioned would be no more or less reliable than the front Vento.

Do the Record front...95kg, 95,000 grams plus bike, another 7000 grams, you want reliability and confidence, don't fret over some 100 grams.

Btw-at your weight I would have used this spokes for left side only on the rear. Reliability and cost. Aero lights are expensive. Revolutions probably would have done the same thing.

[alexandrumarian]

Thank you for answering!

The spokes hurt the most, but I thought for a first wheel it will be easier with flats as I could hold them with a slotted piece of wood.

Perhaps I should have used aero comps on the rear right, on the other hand I am going to lose weight. Been a bit of a couch potato for a few years but I should be back to about 85 like I was when climbing and running.

The radial option is pretty much scraped. it would also be far away from the rear in terms of looks. And also some people claim radial fronts are harsh. I am sensitive to this sort of thing with some wrist carpal tunnel problems...

[ergott]

32 3X Record or 32-28 spoke to White Industries T11 would be my vote.

I would probably go 32 Record just because the difference is too small and then they would match.