Be-spoke-n wheels...



Volnix

Well-Known Member
Feb 19, 2011
2,883
281
63
Hi!
smile.png


Another equipment paradox:

1 quality carbon rim = 160euro?
1 set of spokes = 20euro?
1 hub (ultra spinny ceramic f@ck knows why it wont stop spinning) = 40euro?

Total = 220euro.

BUT an allready built wheel (somebody doing a bit of spoke tension yoga) = 1000euro!!!


Why? How long does it take to built a wheel anyway? 2 hours?

700euro just for building the wheel???
 
Where are you getting a high quality carbon rim for 160 and a high quality hub for 40?
 
Ultegra hub, 60euro.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-hb-6600-front-hub-silver-prod10812/?currency=eur&changecurrency=eur

Mavic alu, slightly aero clincher, 80euro:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mavic-cxp-33-700c-(622)-rim-prod27036/

How much for spokes? another 20?

Total 160euro.

I cant find a complete wheel with that rim but...

A complete aloy mavic clincher: 1500euro for the pair???

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/r-sys-slr-wts-013-m10-65091/wg_id-216

Yeah sure the ones in the complete wheelset are about 2 grams lighter and they are made from extruding the rim from a jumbo jet or something or whatever...
 
That rim is neither aero nor carbon. For sure, it is not the same rim as the linked wheelset. The wheelset also includes tires and a computer magnet for free.

Not that I would pay 1500+ for a wheelset, thats more than 2x the price of my latest full up bike build. I will stick with high value alloy wheelsets for now.
 
Originally Posted by maydog
That rim is neither aero nor carbon. For sure, it is not the same rim as the linked wheelset. The wheelset also includes tires and a computer magnet for free.
Mavic says that it's "oval" so its more aero then the trapezoidal ones...

Anyway the rim and the wheelset say that they are made of aluminium.

Yeah a pair of tires, another 80euro and a magnet another 2?

What are the rest 1000euro for?
big-smile.png
 
A haircut takes nothing more than a pair of scissors but if you want to come out of the shop looking like <insert favorite movie star here> you'll probably want to go to a stylist/barber with some experience and the appropriate tools.

These seems to match your component spec: http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=VL-CLC&catalogId=10052&storeId=10053... 300euros retail, now on sale for 150euros.

You can get your spokes for $20/wheel... or $100/wheel: http://www.wheelbuilder.com/sapim-cx-ray-spoke.html

Maybe on the higher end the manufacturers are looking to cover the cost of R&D (design, fatigue testing, wind tunnel testing, engineering expertise), the cost of doing business (marketing, human capital, distribution, etc.), and the cost of actual fabrication (human hands, machine building, or a combination of both)?

And finally, what is the market willing to bare... a little profit perhaps for that fancy new car, the kid's college education, or a tasty pack of western cigarettes? If people keep willing to throw more money at products why charge less? It's the beauty (and ugliness) of a free market.

Then again I cut my own hair with a pair of clippers and have no formal training as a stylist (or wheelbuilder) so you probably don't want me to cut your hair (or build your wheels).
 
Naah these wheels are built with a rim from a Taiwan (if not a China commie red) non-wind tunnel beer party lab...

I think I might actually save 1000 euro with just buying a spoke wrench and a tension gauge at the moment.

"Le Mavic wheel... Le Aluminium cover - non heat accumulating bull - Aluminium core - non weight saving - non carbon feel ride - bull - per 1000 euroz plus!"
big-smile.png


Magnific!
big-smile.png