Custom Built Rim Recommendations

I am thinking of getting a local reputable LBS build up a rim for me. I'm about 88kg, thus i think need all the spokes i can get. My road bike is an old restored steel bike (heavy!). Here's what the LBS suggested over a short call...

- Mavic Open Pro Rims
- Ultegra Hubs
- DT Swiss Spokes

All this at a cost of roughly (for both wheels) USD400

Questions :
- what do you guys think of the combination?
- is the price alright?
- any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Combination? Great...
Price? It's good
Other? Nothing wrong with what you have been recommended.

price is veryyyy good. my place here is selling at least 50 percent more.

you said custom built? i didn't know MAVIC has custom built rims. like bigger size you mean.

Good to support the LBS. What other rims could they use? DT RR 1.1 double or Velocity Fusion.
Are the DT spokes 14/15 DB?

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David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA

[QUOTE=jackchoo]I am thinking of getting a local reputable LBS build up a rim for me. I'm about 88kg, thus i think need all the spokes i can get. My road bike is an old restored steel bike (heavy!). Here's what the LBS suggested over a short call...

- Mavic Open Pro Rims
- Ultegra Hubs
- DT Swiss Spokes

All this at a cost of roughly (for both wheels) USD400

Questions :
- what do you guys think of the combination?
- is the price alright?
- any other suggestions?

Maybe sub DT rims for the Open Pro rims..same $.

Available from many distributors, the rims, that is.

193 pounds isn't all that heavy, BTW.

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I am looking at a very similar combination. What you spec'd appears to be a good wheelset.

You can beat that price on the internet but I hate to steer you away from a LBS.

I am also considering Chris King Hubs (Classic Cross) laced up to open pros with DT swiss spokes. I am not sure about spoke diameter yet or the spoke count. Definitely a bit pricier than Ultegra hubs ($265 vs $627 on colorado cyclist) but the King hubs engage much quicker, are a better build quality and would appear to last longer.

I am having a hard time deciding myself. I am learning towards the King hubs and don't mind spending the extra money for a better wheelset. I have no personal experience with King hubs though. I have used Ultegra hubs for a couple of years with no issues but am hitting rougher trails these days and am switching from road to cross bike.. I am also considering Shimano XT hubs

Anyone care to weigh in on spoke count for these wheelsets? I am about the same weight as Jackchoor, ride mostly road but also light trails (crushed limestone and some gravel), and will be installing on a cross bike. Is a 36 spokecount total overkill for this application? What spoke count/diameter would you recommend?

How will these hold up against the Mavic Kysrium Equipe (2006)? another LBS is offering me this set used....for about USD240. I'm normally ok with used stuff (my current bike is a mix-match of used parts anyway) but for wheels I tend to be a bit more careful....

You'll be better off in every respect going with the custom built wheels.

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One by one

thanks guys, I'll bite the bullet.

Are ultegra hubs decent (performance, weight and price) or am i better off spending a little more on Dura-Ace? which i think is a lot more expensive....I have absolutely no idea how i can source for chris king hubs over here....

Go ultegra...

King hubs are a very expensive and complicated answer to a pretty simple question. For a companyn that makes superior headsets, their hubs are a real dissapointment. WAY to complicated, expensive to maintain.

DA 7850 are a far better idea or DT, if you need high end hubs. 'Engagement speed' really means nothing, with DT having a ratchet and DA being 3 pawl.

Remember XT hubs are 135mm spacing.

36 h wheels being 'overkill'? Don't get this, will NEVER get this. 4 spokes weigh 28 grams, an ounce. 36h is stronger that 32, all else being equal. There is NO penalty for using 4 more spokes to have a more reliable wheel..none, zero, nada, zippo. BUT having a wheel got to hell when it is built 'too light' ruins your day. Unless you are worried about 'coffee shop points' before your Sunday ride, use 36.

Ultegra is a great value and has very good TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). It is a well designed and well implemented hub with conventional parts that are widely available and easily servicable/adjustable.
36 spokes makes the wheels more durable, but 36 spoke hubs and rims are a little out of the norm. You will likely wear out or damage the rim in the service life of the wheel. It may be easier to find a 32H rim replacement, but I agree with Peter that the extremely small weight diference is well compensated by more wheel durability with 36 spokes per wheel.
If you even think that Chris King hubs are a challenge to source, think about sourcing Chris King parts, special lube, and service during the life of the hubs.
Quality build and regular hub service are the things to be most concerned about.

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David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA

I think I will go with 36 spokes per wheel and appreciate the advice above on that configuration. I am willing to take the very small weight penalty in exchange for better durability. If I trash the rim first I should be able to find a replacement somewhere I suppose.

I am still on the fence on the Chris King Hubs. Any thoughts on Hope or Phil Wood hubs? I don't have any personal experience with any of these hubs (only Ultegra and Deore which are ok but wanting something a bit better for this new build).

I am curious as to why Peter thinks the King hubs are a disapointment. I guess he means the expensive tools needed to completely tear them down and the need for regular servicing. My expectation is that I wouldn't need replacement parts for King hubs for a long, long time. Yes, I would need special grease but I also hear the Phil Wood grease is as good or better for King hubs so that would be me an alternative source for the thing I would need most often.

Anyway, thanks a ton for all the advice. I have been learning quite a bit and appreciate your help.

Mister C

I think Mavic CXP33 rims are much stronger than Open Pros. That is the rim I'll consider, if I were you. Ultegra hubs, laced to the rim with DT Swiss double-butted spokes are more than sufficient, if you want strength, reliability and ease of maintenance.

Super.

I have a set of Ambrosio Montreals (which came with the steel frame i restored) which has 36 spokes laced onto mid 80's Dura-Ace hubs, front and rear....they roll very very well even for the age and the wheel condition seems to be good.

In the interest of saving some money and also preserving the vintage look, I was thinking of just getting a hub for the rear so that I can fit the 10spd cassette and rebuild the rears as 130mm, while retaining the front as the fit just fine to the fork.

Is this a good option? I don't mind the 'vintage' look at all, in fact I quite like it. Only gripe is that they are tubulars and I've seem to hear a lot of mixed feelings about tubulars from the forum....advice appreciated....Thanks!