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strong/light/cheap/all 3 - wheels

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strong/light/cheap/all 3 - wheels

Old 05-08-07, 07:57 PM
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sac02
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strong/light/cheap/all 3 - wheels

I've got a stock low-end Alex wheelset that I'm ready to get rid of after about 3,000 miles. I have built a fixed-gear and an mtb wheelset in the past six months, and actually enjoy the process and the results I've gotten. So I'll likely be doing this build myself, and was looking for some input on parts selection.

I'm a college student about to get married next year, so the budget is important: $300

Cruising Mike Garcia's site (oddsandendos) I see pretty much all the stuff I need to theoretically build a <1400g wheelset for $300.

Speedcific hubs: 70/218g, $50/$120
Niobium19 rims: 400/400g, $42/$42
WS AE15 spokes + nipples: (24f/28r) 250g, $50

This comes in at a shocking (to me) 1338g for $304.

What say you? Why should I not do this? I weight about 170lbs, so maybe I should go with more spokes (28f/32r) and be close to 1400g?

Mac
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Old 05-08-07, 07:59 PM
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As a rule of thumb you only get to pick two when it comes to the strong, light, cheap conundrum. You could always set aside an afternoon and call Mr. Garcia. He is the expert.
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Old 05-08-07, 08:15 PM
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The Xero XR-1 wheels meet all three conditions. Plenty cheap and plenty light. I'm 190 and have been riding them for 3 years without complaint or issue.
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Old 05-08-07, 08:18 PM
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i think garcias prices have gone up, and don't forget labor. i was in the market for the same thing you're looking for and ended up going with fulcrum 5's for about 300$
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Old 05-08-07, 08:37 PM
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sac02
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Read the parts in my OP about building them myself, and wanting to build them myself.

I am aware of "Strong, light, cheap. Pick two." I use it often. It was my lame attempt at a thread title.

Mac
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Old 05-08-07, 08:49 PM
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I have Speedcific hubs on my MG Aeroheads - no problems and they're very smooth. WS AE15 spokes have a good reputation. The Niobium19 rims are a relatively new offering, and I haven't seen too much written about them either way. For the price and pleasure of building your own wheelset, I'd go for it. I would also go for the 28/32 count, you will have a stronger and smoother riding wheelset for negligible weight gain.
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Old 05-08-07, 08:53 PM
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I've heard the speedcific serinity hubs are a rebadged formula hub, can anyone confirm this? 'Cause I'm very happy with the formulas I used on my fg wheelset...

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Old 05-08-07, 09:29 PM
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I'd go for it. They won't be infinitely durable at your weight, but you'll probably get out of college on them...
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Old 05-08-07, 09:36 PM
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if you're building em yourself, damn, do it. i'd love to do the same, but i just can't justify the cost of a truing stand, tension gauge, dish gauge etc at the moment.
i totally missed the diy component of the thread. sorry.
do it, do it!
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Old 05-09-07, 07:48 AM
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If I was considering trying to make this build stiffer/stronger would you recommend:

1) Higher spoke count (28/32), or
2) Niobium30 deep(er) section 30mm rims

The Niobium 30's would carry the larger weight penalty, but maybe more aero.

Mac
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Old 05-09-07, 08:17 AM
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I think either way would stiffen the wheel up laterally. I think it's a tie between the two. I'm always in favor of more spokes though. Very little penalty, for a ~15% improvement in spoke coverage.
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Old 05-09-07, 08:26 AM
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OP - I have Mike Garcia's 30mm Niobium rims on two bikes; 20 F and 24 R; he did the build. Total weight was about 1530 grams w/rim strips. He normally recommends the heavier brass nipples for at least the rear drive-side spokes. There is some flex in the wheels, but it can be minimized by re-tensioning the spokes once they settle in. Otherwise, they are a great wheel, great value.
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Old 05-09-07, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Adgooroo
OP - I have Mike Garcia's 30mm Niobium rims on two bikes; 20 F and 24 R; he did the build. Total weight was about 1530 grams w/rim strips. He normally recommends the heavier brass nipples for at least the rear drive-side spokes. There is some flex in the wheels, but it can be minimized by re-tensioning the spokes once they settle in. Otherwise, they are a great wheel, great value.
Did you have to have your wheels retensioned after they were initially built? From what I understand, MG builds wheels well -- and a properly built wheel will not "settle in."

I built a set for Houston_Biker that I didn't see for probably 3 months after I built them -- and he rode a bunch of centuries and long rides on them in that time. When I got my hands back on the wheels, they were still properly tensioned and trued. It's been over a year now, and I saw them 3 weeks ago (MS-150), and they are still good as new.
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Old 05-09-07, 09:34 AM
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E bay.

Buy used - Mavic Open Pro Rims and Campy Record hubs - great wheels.

Jim
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Old 05-09-07, 09:47 AM
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My MG build is still solid, Niobium 30 front, DT RR 1.2 Rear laced to 20/24 DT Swiss 240s hubs, XE14 spokes. 400 miles and amazingly stiff, true, and smooth riding.
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