Wheel set help. Recommendations?
 

I'm building a custom fixed gear from Wabi but all the wheel sets they stock are in chrome. Does anyone have any recommendations for a black wheel set? I'm thinking of staying with Velocity Deep V's (only rims I've ever used) but was curious if anyone else had any other suggestions.

I could've sworn that their "regular" wheelset was black - lotsa changes there, hmmm?

H+Son Archetypes are nice.

The 1700 grams wheelset was black, at least mine was. I think the less than 1500 grams was all silver. If you dont mind a silver brake track, check out the BDop track wheelset. 24 mm wide rims and they sent mine with bladed spokes. Front hub weighed the same as the rear hub which is 262 grams. Wheelset weighs less than 1800 grams for a 24/28 which isnt as light as some. It rides better than my old wabi wheelset trying 23s on both. Also, you have to build the wheelset yourself or pay someone to.

If i was going for looks I would grab that gran compe/tb14 to match for my Wabi

Decide how much money you have. Then knock yourself out.

https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...ms-hubs-spokes

I really like Velocity rims. I have them on both of my fixed gear bikes.

My Steamroller has Chukkers with FORTY-eight spokes. I don't worry too much about broken pavement, pot holes, etc. This bike is pretty heavy no matter what; there's no getting around that. So I figure a few hundred grams of extra weight in the wheels will not matter much. They're attached to some fairly plain Origin8 hubs. I know a lot of people poo-poo that brand, but my hubs work fine.

My converted 1970s 12-speed has Velocity Deep V rims, with *only* 32 spokes. They're laced to some pretty, gold anodized, All City hubs. Compared to the Chukkers, these are a bit deeper and also narrower, but the general shape is very similar.

I have the same size and model of tire on both bikes right now: 700x25c Continental Ultra Sport. They're a decent general purpose slick that I get dirt cheap from Performance Bike Shop. They're working well for me so far, but I'm considering putting some 28mm ThickSlicks on the Steamroller. I like the looks of those, and I think they'll have better puncture resistance, for a good price.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Unfortunately Wabi seems to forgotten me again and haven't replied to my inquiry I sent them a few days ago. I'm guessing they're just to busy to want my business. Does anyone have any suggestions for buying a built fixed gear bicycle? State Bicycle? Fyxation?

Why are people so impatient? Wabi is a small company and I'm sure you're not the only one sending them emails asking questions.

No dog in this fight, but a few days should be more than enough time to respond to an email, imho. From the sound of it, the OP isn't asking for an engineering disposition. He's simply looking for a black wheelset for his build.

While I would agree with you on that the first time I spoke to Wabi they said they would have an answer by the next day. I waited another full day after no reply before I emailed them again and they admitted that they forgot about me. I understand they're a small company. I understand they're busy, but to me it appears they've accidentally forgotten me again. I'm not upset but I need to move on and think about my other options.

Or you could just have some patience. You're not going to die if you wait a few more days to hear back from them.

The weekend is here and Monday is a holiday.

Would you like a job answering my shop's emails? We get 100+ per day.

If you can't answer them within a reasonable time frame (and 3+ days is not reasonable, imo), you should either delegate or hire someone to handle this stuff for you. But, hey, they're just customers. Their time doesn't really matter.

If I have a question about a product, I'll make an inquiry. If I don't get a response within a day or so, I'll get what i need from someone else and scratch the first company off my list. I have zero tolerance for poor customer service.

The internet has forever changed the way people shop. Unless you're selling one-of-a-kind, hand-built items, your products are available somewhere else. If you're also running a brick and mortar store, those same products are most likely available somewhere else for far cheaper. The simple reality is this: If you can't beat those vendors with superior customer service, there's no reason for buyers to give you their money.

None.

My dealings with Wabi were when Richard was running the whole thing, and the customer service was second to none. I have exchanged a few emails with the new guys, and would be surprised to learn that customer service has suffered in any way. I'll take the OPs input with a shaker of salt given my own personal experiences. If he want's black hubs, they aren't too difficult to find, but you won't find them at Wabi. The rims on the standard Wabi wheelset are still black as they have always been. Since Wabi doesn't make custom wheelsets, I can see why a request for black wheels would not be escalated to the highest priority.

Ah, the arrogance of someone who lives, works, and thinks solely within his own little world.

Carry on then, my friend.

Best of luck to you and your little business.

Thanks, buddy! Hopefully someday we'll hit the big time!

I am being patient and Wabi is still my 1st choice. I'm just inquiring if things don't work out does anyone have any other company recommendations? I think their customer service is fantastic thus far, I'm glad they admitted they forgot about me the first time, if they forgotten me again that's fine too, they must be busy. Does anyone have any other company recommendations for fixed gear bicycles?

I'm really not trying to be a dick to you, just being straightforward.

Wabi just went through some major changes and I'm sure the new owners are still adjusting to everything and "settling in". Richard's customer service was always pretty awesome so they have a lot to live up to. Hopefully they get it dialed, you get the wheels you want and everything will be right in the world. :)

You're already picking fights on your 9th post? Do you treat people that way in real life too?

Post count has nothing at all to do with it. I'm exactly the same everywhere I go.

Life is short. Take it easy. :thumb:

As am I, which means I'd most likely think you're an ass in real life too.

And this.

I bet you're fun at parties.

I'm about as laid back as I can be. I just don't believe in sugar-coating anything.