Debating new wheel build - rim questions

[berserk87]

Hi folks -

I've got the itch to have a custom wheel set built, to ride during the months that it isn't summer-ish. I hate to call them a "training" wheel set because to me, that implies that there is no fun factor. I hope to enjoy riding them, but plan to ride them hard, often, and in bad weather.

My first question is about rim choice - I'm a stout lad and want something with a decent footprint (but not super wide), with 32 holes, and aluminum. I've been looking at the HED Belgium C2's (I have had 2 sets and like them, but they are pricey), as well as the H+Son Archetypes. I have no experience with the H+Son stuff.

Between the Belgiums and the Archetypes, which offer the best bang for the buck? Which would be the most durable?

I'm also looking for good quality hubs with either steel or Ti free hub bodies (Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra, White Industries are on my radar screen). I'm tired of digging cassette cogs out of aluminum free hub bodies (ala Chris King or my Campy Record hubs with Shimano conversion free hub). Any other ideas to consider, in the way of brainstorming? Phil Wood tops my wish list but cost rules them out.

Thanks -

Mike

[jemdet]

I have experience with both archetypes and TB14s, I’d recommend the latter for a winter / toss-around training wheel set. Sure they’re a little heavy, but they look great and can take a lot of abuse. No experience with Belgiums.

For quality per dollar on hubs, you can’t beat 6800s.

[phoenix]

I have lots of experience with both. If built up well, both are pretty stout options. The Archtypes are going to be the heavier option of the two. I've built up both and they both build up well, Archtypes not quite as nice as the Belgiums though. The Belgiums definitely come into round, true and dish with ease, but if you're having them built you don't need to really be too concerned about that. I prefer the Belgiums, but then again, they are probably close to twice the price of the Archtypes. Have someone reliable build them for you and you'll be ok regardless of which hoop you chose in the end.


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[oldpotatoe]

Hi folks -

I've got the itch to have a custom wheel set built, to ride during the months that it isn't summer-ish. I hate to call them a "training" wheel set because to me, that implies that there is no fun factor. I hope to enjoy riding them, but plan to ride them hard, often, and in bad weather.

My first question is about rim choice - I'm a stout lad and want something with a decent footprint (but not super wide), with 32 holes, and aluminum. I've been looking at the HED Belgium C2's (I have had 2 sets and like them, but they are pricey), as well as the H+Son Archetypes. I have no experience with the H+Son stuff.

Between the Belgiums and the Archetypes, which offer the best bang for the buck? Which would be the most durable?

I'm also looking for good quality hubs with either steel or Ti free hub bodies (Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra, White Industries are on my radar screen). I'm tired of digging cassette cogs out of aluminum free hub bodies (ala Chris King or my Campy Record hubs with Shimano conversion free hub). Any other ideas to consider, in the way of brainstorming? Phil Wood tops my wish list but cost rules them out.

Thanks -

Mike

Best bang for the buck at that rim weight range. DT460. Archetypes are excellent rims as well as are Velocity Quill. HED are nice...and expensive, as you have noted.

Hard to beat Ultegra for the wheels you want to build.'training' wheels. DA are nice but pricey..as are WI..

If you need somebody to build them, let me know.

cp51errc@gmail.com

[berserk87]

Best bang for the buck at that rim weight range. DT460. Archetypes are excellent rims as well as are Velocity Quill. HED are nice...and expensive, as you have noted.

Hard to beat Ultegra for the wheels you want to build.'training' wheels. DA are nice but pricey..as are WI..

If you need somebody to build them, let me know.

cp51errc@gmail.com

Yes - thanks Peter. I am planning on reaching out to you if I do have a set built. I'm not sure what direction I'm going to go on this yet. If I come across a good deal on something used, I may pull the trigger. Just depends.

[FlashUNC]

Just got a set of a slightly different rims, but a similar build: DT411s with Aerolite spokes to White Industries hubs. Have been great wheels so far.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those rim options. Had a TB14 set of H Plus Son's for awhile that rode well, and a set of Belgiums I absolutely beat on for years.

[saab2000]

Boyd Altamont Lites are what I have that fit this bill exactly.

I just got a second set and they've been great. 20mm internal width, which is a nice width for anything from 23mm tires on up to 28+ and a nice build quality on Boyd's own hubs, which are well designed for flange geometry.

Hard to beat these for the price.

https://boydcycling.com/collections/alloy/products/altamont-lite-alloy-rear-wheel

[skiezo]

I'm a big fan of HED rims and have a few set that I ride now. I don't think that you can go wrong with the HED's. A bit pricey but my wheel builder loves to build with them as he says they require the least amount of trueing after built.
The boyd's always looked like a great option as well but I still go back to the HED rims.

[Big Dan]

The Belgium C2 w/ Dura-Ace combination is pretty solid.
I have 2 sets and no regrets.

[mktng]

you can get 5800 32h x open pro's for about $150/ wheel. i'd have to check and see where i saw this.

i cant imagine youd be able to find something that could match that in terms of quality and durability.

open pros are reliable rims. easy to swap tires out if youre out and get a flat.
5800 hubs are no bs hubs.
32h gives you a robust build to ensure you can ride them hard.

[madsciencenow]

you know what I think already but I'll say it again:

DA's/WI with HEDs or H+ son.

I had forgotten about the Boyds but have a set of the altamont lite w/ DT350s (disc version) that I've beat on off road and they've been great. I imagine that if you build these up with DAs/WI or the boyd hubs (assuming the FH body is steel or ti) you'd be happy as well.

[berserk87]

you can get 5800 32h x open pro's for about $150/ wheel. i'd have to check and see where i saw this.

i cant imagine youd be able to find something that could match that in terms of quality and durability.

open pros are reliable rims. easy to swap tires out if youre out and get a flat.
5800 hubs are no bs hubs.
32h gives you a robust build to ensure you can ride them hard.

I gave up on Open Pro's years ago. Had too much trouble keeping them true. I had multiple sets with Open Pro's (or Reflex, as they were called then) and they all came out of true - a lot.

[bigbill]

Old Potatoe built me a set of wheels with hubs (Record) I sent him. He used DT511's which are 24mm wide and tubeless compatible. Very nice and durable. I'm quite the hefty lad as well.

[oldpotatoe]

Old Potatoe built me a set of wheels with hubs (Record) I sent him. He used DT511's which are 24mm wide and tubeless compatible. Very nice and durable. I'm quite the hefty lad as well.

Thanks Bill, BIG fan of DT rims.

[illuminaught]

Yeah... The R460 is excellent... Having had and built all three... I choose the DT...

[ultraman6970]

IMO best bang for the buck are kinlins... you can buy a few kinlin rims per one hed...

[Gummee]

Just got a set of a slightly different rims, but a similar build: DT411s with Aerolite spokes to White Industries hubs. Have been great wheels so far.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those rim options. Had a TB14 set of H Plus Son's for awhile that rode well, and a set of Belgiums I absolutely beat on for years.
My 411s are built on Bitex hubs.

Been great in the few months I've had them.

Just re-hubbed my DT Swiss/Belgium Black front wheel. Even used, the Belgiums build really well and really quickly.

Haven't run Archetypes, but aren't they a significantly deeper rim than the Belgiums?

I HAVE built a 'winter wheel' with Ultegra/Formula hubs and DB Sapim spokes. That wheelset looks awesome on a steel bike. They're most similar to the Omega XL rims Campy came out with in the early 90s, but with a more modern alloy.

M

[oldpotatoe]

My 411s are built on Bitex hubs.

Been great in the few months I've had them.

Just re-hubbed my DT Swiss/Belgium Black front wheel. Even used, the Belgiums build really well and really quickly.

Haven't run Archetypes, but aren't they a significantly deeper rim than the Belgiums?

I HAVE built a 'winter wheel' with Ultegra/Formula hubs and DB Sapim spokes. That wheelset looks awesome on a steel bike. They're most similar to the Omega XL rims Campy came out with in the early 90s, but with a more modern alloy.

M

Archetypes 25mm, HED 24mm..so not really. I wouldn't be surprised if HED and H+Son are built in the same place.

[Gummee]

Archetypes 25mm, HED 24mm..so not really. I wouldn't be surprised if HED and H+Son are built in the same place.

there ya go

Learn something every day

May have to buy a pair of Archetypes and build something up. I've got 'extra' hubs laying around...

M

[ryker]

H+Son definitely not built in the same facility as HED. H+Son has their own manufacturing.

From a wheelbuilder's perspective, I can't tell the difference between H+Son and HED. They both build easily. I consider both to be top tier alloy rims.