#1
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Wheels - pre-built or LBS?
I am curious if Paceline members buy their wheels pre-built from an online shop or have them built by their LBS.
What are the pros and cons of each option? |
#2
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Neither.
Unless your LBS has 'a wheelbuilder' like Old 'Tater. *I* don't particularly like to spend the time building custom wheels for customers 'cause that's a few hours that can be spent on tune-ups that make more $$ for the shop. Building custom wheels for me? That's different 'cause it's MY time, not shop time. I build wheels for me fairly frequently. Me? I'd have em order a custom-built wheelset from QBP. The wheels I've ordered thru Q have been great. HTH M |
#3
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I like custom built... not for technical reasons but i empathize w/ ideas like one of a kind, hand made, replaceable components etc.. The more mechanical human tuned the bicycle the better it works for me.
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#4
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Quote:
I've learned over time that if you find a good wheelbuilder that's the way to go. It may cost more however they seem to stay true longer. There are several good wheelbuilders here one mentioned is Oldpotato. I've had 9 sets of wheels built by this guy, some in the early ninety's and are still true! https://speeddream.com/about-daves-wheels.html Last edited by Tony; 11-11-2019 at 11:07 AM. |
#5
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I had a set of wheels by a well-known will builder that continually went out of true. I thought the problem was a bad rim, So this got me to try my hand at wheel building. I replaced the rim keeping the spokes and hub, and this went so well that I then build a complete set of wheels myself. This was a great learning experience and I got a lot of help from the guys here with suggestions for books and guides to use.
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#6
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Wheels - pre-built or LBS?
Have and use both...
Absolutely love any Campagnolo built wheel such as Eurus or Shamal, they’ve been bulletproof. My Zipps have also been problem free. I’ve also had a couple of pairs of wheels built up at the LBS with Campy Record 10 hubs that also are amazing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by ntb1001; 11-11-2019 at 12:16 PM. |
#7
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Quote:
The other things with prebuilt is that they may be true, but horribly out of balance when it comes to stress distribution. As such, I prefer to have things hand-built. These days, I go with hand-built for rear wheels and self-built for fronts. |
#8
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I'll add to my earlier comments: Building a wheel isn't rocket science. If you can tune a derailleur, you can true and tension wheels.
Lacing is dirt simple for 2x and 3x no matter what it looks like. The only tricky bit is getting the logo on the hub lined up with the valve hole. ...and that seems to be ~4 spoke holes clockwise from the logo. Appx 2 o'clock as you're looking at the hub. The first wheels will take for-freaking-ever. Subsequent wheels go faster and faster. One of my mechanics could go from a pile of spokes to a true and evenly tensioned wheelSET in about 30min. Me? Not so much 'cause I don't do it every day like we used to. M |
#9
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Another for both. All my last sets have been custom because you have get exactly what you want (In my case, TB14 rims to purple WI hubs... Count me in. Turquoise Chris Kings to wide carbon Nexties? They rule.) But I would also love some DT Oxics or various Mavic wheels on a road bike, or a set of backup Crossmaxes on my MTB, if they are the right tool for the job.
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#10
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Both. Enjoy both handbuilts, factory, and hybrid.
My hybrid was replacing a cracked rear Campagnolo Shamal rear with new rim, new Campagnolo proprietary spokes, and expertly built by my superb mechanic. The front remains perfect all these years later. |
#11
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I've only bought from factory and havent had a problem yet.
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#12
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I've had one set of wheels built at my LBS. Campy Record hubs that lasted forever...until I sold the wheelset.
Through the years I've purchased 3 sets of Campy Zondas. Absolutely no problems with any of them. The one set I have left is a 2019 rim brake version with a Shimano freewheel. The potential problem at the LBS is the wheel builder experience level. I know who the best builder is where I work. If I was not familiar with the mechanics at my LBS I'd try one of the builders on this forum. |
#13
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Handbuilt, but never from LBS, and Enve factory. Most of my HB were done by me & as stated above, basic lacing patterns aren't hard. For a low spoke count set, I had it built by a pro - our own Old Potato
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#14
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I’ve built well more than 200 wheels and still don’t really feel like an expert by any stretch. That being said, if you’re buying something high end, factory wheels are pretty awesome these days. Unless you’re having someone like Tater tot build them it can be hit or miss in my opinion.
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#15
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I'm pretty sure he's still building. He's ordering stuff from us still.
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