Originally Posted by tedder987

OK Folks, I am closing in on a set. Bear in mind my ideal budget was capped at $700 and the Boyd's were just close enough to that to step over a few $. However the PWB prices are really good too and I can get a set with Boyd rims for about $100 less using Bitex hubs instead of the Boyd hub. Or, for just a hair more than the Boyd's with the DT350. PWB doesn't have tha altamont rims in yet but they are getting them soon so there is a slight fudge factor in converting from a CCC build on their site to an estimated altamont build.

Option 1: $725, Boyd altamont in 28/32. Boyd Quest hub, Pillar bladed spokes, brass nipples. ~1548 (1500g 24/28)
Option 2: $637, Altamont rim 32/32 3-cross. Bitex 106 hubs, Sapim lazer spokes, alloy locking nipples. ~1535g (CCC+10g)
Option 3: $743, Altamont rim, 32/32 3-cross, DT 350 hubs, Sapim lazer spokes, alloy locking nipples. ~1553g (CCC+10g)
Option 4: $466, Kinlin XR31 rim, 28/32 3-cross, Bitex 106, Sapim lazer spokes, alloy locking nipples. ~1681g

Of course I want the most expensive ones (option 3) since the DT hubs have a great reputation, and my old rear hub is a 32 spoke DT350 which i can try to rebuild (my first DIY wheel) into a similar spare. But saving $100 is also appealing and I am not certain the Bitex hub is any step down from the Boyd hub (feel free to correct me). I am over budget with #3 but only by $43. With option 4 I am way under budget (but will have to pay shipping) but that knocks out about 1/3 of the weight savings over my current set (~1950g est).

So folks, are Bitex hubs plenty good (go with #2), or should I save maintenance $ down the line (go with #3) or am I just over thinking it given I don't race and should just save the money and go for #4?