Wheelbuilding II

[Torslanda]

Following on from Mr Zilla's wheelbuilding thread. . .

I'm hoping this lot will build into a reasonably strong and reliable pair of wheels.

Deore Hubs (disc - black - centre lock)

Mavic X-517 SUP Ceramic rims

Sapim plain guage stainless spokes.

What do our resident experts fink?

luv'n'stuff

J

[hubner]

One line of thinking is that butted spokes are actually more durable.

[Torslanda]

Oh Poo!

I thought 48 quid for the spokes was iniquitous and bought plain guage for 18.

J

[border-rider]

Damn cheap spokes

£48  would be iniquitous

[rogerzilla]

Butted spokes are indeed better.  Plain gauge spokes have three advantages - cheaper, slightly quicker to build with (reduced tendency to twist) and the wheel goes out of true by less if one breaks.  The latter is negated in a decent wheel built with butted spokes, because it won't break.

The point of butted spokes is that they're a little bit more springy and the material is removed at a point where spokes never break, i.e. the middle section.

[andygates]

The Deore / X517 combo is nice and strong, I have one of those.  You can build it "nice 'n' tight".

[Jacomus]

Why X-517 over Open Pro


Signed
CuriousbecauseIamsoontobedoingasimilarbuild of South Londonium

[andygates]

It's a cyclocross rim.  I've taken Open Pros offroad and they didn't appreciate it.   517's  a sturdier bit of kit.

[Jacomus]

Aah cool, mine is for on road use.

[Bigdaveskinnytyre]

What's the point of the ceramic rims if you are using disc brakes (which I assume you are because fo the hubs) They add no strength to the wheel. Just go for the standard 517s if your not using rim brakes.

[rogerzilla]

I hadn't spotted that.  BDST is right.

If these are 26" wheels, try DT XR 4.1.  I've been running them for a few years and although they have single eyelets, they're pricey and the stickers peel off, they have proven to be utterly reliable (the rear one on the Thorn is about to expire due to brake wear, which is the way a rim should end its life) and will take massive spoke tension.  A nice side benefit is that tyre mounting is easy.

[Torslanda]

What's the point of the ceramic rims if you are using disc brakes (which I assume you are because fo the hubs) They add no strength to the wheel. Just go for the standard 517s if your not using rim brakes.

The point is I got a PAIR for 30 squids. The hubs were a tenner.

Oddly enough my finger was poised over the 'Add to Basket' button when I worked out the total cost of spokes. It was at this point I said 'Sod that!'

Initially I will have to use the wheels with V-brakes as I have no disc capable front fork. However, come the next January-Winter-We-aren't-doing-enough-turnover-Oh!-Shit!-the-banks-about-to-foreclose Sale I would hope to rectify that.

Then there's the question of which disc brake? I'm stuck with centre lock so that would seem to reduce the choice somewhat.

Any guesses?

[Torslanda]

Currently the bike looks like this:



I don't think it will build into anything superlight and it bobs when you honk it so it'll never be a 'serious' off roader.
I mainly want to use it to play out on with number 1 son, I don't need it for work and I've got other bikes for tarmac. I'm old 'n fat so I need a bit o' comfort.

luv'n'stuff

J

[Bigdaveskinnytyre]

Good buy