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Wheel builder in bay area

Old 12-20-21, 03:13 PM
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ben4707
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Wheel builder in bay area

Hi. New here.
I'm a heavy rider (around 110kgs) and I have had bad experiences with factory-built wheels in the past, and have heard that well-built wheels from a proper wheel builder may be more reliable or sturdy.
I ride a road bike.
That being said, does anyone have any recommendations for wheel builders in the Bay Area?
I have been losing weight and plan on continuing to do so, and I understand that wheels will always be less durable when the rider is heavy, but in the past 3 months on two different -NEW- wheels, I've had 4 spokes break, and 5 more come loose without breaking.
I understand these things can happen regardless of weight and how you treat your wheels, but I'd hope that there is something that I can do as far as the gear I purchase to make this less of an issue.
I don't ride offroad ever, I don't ride off or up curbs, and as far as I know, I am very gentle on my wheels to the best of my ability.

I am also open to suggestions for brands of wheels that have a track record of being durable even for very heavy riders, but I would be less skeptical if I knew the wheel builder.
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Old 12-20-21, 03:38 PM
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DiabloScott
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Originally Posted by ben4707
Hi. New here.
I would be less skeptical if I knew the wheel builder.
Rivendell has a good guy.
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/wheels
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Old 12-20-21, 07:00 PM
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KJ43
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Tom, the co-owner of Velotech is an excellent wheel builder and can do anything that you want.
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Old 12-21-21, 12:51 AM
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shrimp123
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Chris robinson of Robinson wheelworks in San Leandro.
he has restored my Boyd back to life, a dura ace C24 tuned by him has about 10k miles and flying.

Last edited by shrimp123; 12-28-21 at 01:26 PM.
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Old 12-23-21, 01:50 PM
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ben4707
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Thanks for the responses! any other recommendations are welcome
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Old 01-09-22, 07:36 PM
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Gebhard at Veloro Redwood city is an expert wheelbuilder. have heard good things about velotech as well (the one in palo alto.) Im surprised youre having so much trouble with your wheels though, im a few kilos heavier than you, am very rough on my wheels, and they don't break that often. Snapped a few rear axels though
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Old 01-09-22, 11:53 PM
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Edward1066
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I weigh 275lbs and I've had two wheelsets built by Guy at Alameda Bicycle, on Park st in Alameda. In 6 years, and thousands of miles, all four are still true and no broken spokes Hand built wheels make all the difference.
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Old 01-10-22, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ben4707
Hi. New here.
I'm a heavy rider (around 110kgs) and I have had bad experiences with factory-built wheels in the past, and have heard that well-built wheels from a proper wheel builder may be more reliable or sturdy.
I ride a road bike.
That being said, does anyone have any recommendations for wheel builders in the Bay Area?
I have been losing weight and plan on continuing to do so, and I understand that wheels will always be less durable when the rider is heavy, but in the past 3 months on two different -NEW- wheels, I've had 4 spokes break, and 5 more come loose without breaking.
I understand these things can happen regardless of weight and how you treat your wheels, but I'd hope that there is something that I can do as far as the gear I purchase to make this less of an issue.
I don't ride offroad ever, I don't ride off or up curbs, and as far as I know, I am very gentle on my wheels to the best of my ability.

I am also open to suggestions for brands of wheels that have a track record of being durable even for very heavy riders, but I would be less skeptical if I knew the wheel builder.
IMHO Key is spoke count. I am 240lb and ride 32 spoke wheels on my road bikes front and back. and double butted spokes. I was recently looking also, so you can look at my thread for additional recommendations. I decided in the end to get rims (ambrosio nemesis, reuse the ultegra 6800 hubs )and try my hand (again) at building a wheel. 32 spokes, Sapim Race spokes
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