Handbuilt MTB wheels - recommendations please

[Wooderson]

Who's lacing up the best handbuilt wheels these days? I've previously used Merlin and Stif, but that was well over five years ago and I'm sure the market has changed with some new internet based wheelbuilders.

Looking at a wheelset built using something like Hope Pro (20mm front axle) and some decent all-mountain rims - a light but strong build and a budget of around £300 max.

Who would you recommend?

[Jimbo.]

Nope, still Merlin.

[snotrag]

Buy some hope hoops. With ZTR rims. Machine built but hand finished. Blow everything out the water in terms of value if you price up hope hubs and ztr rims.

[mk1fan]

I've always prefered to find a local wheel builder. My wheels are built by a guy at the top of my road and I can drop them off easily for a 'service'. I'm lucky though as I know two very good builders nearby.

Although snotrag's right. Great value for the Hope Hoops.

[julianm]

Gary at Kendell Cycles in Castleford will make you anything you want - perfectly.

[Gooby]

Hope hubs, DT Swiss Spokes and 819UST hoops.
As far as I know the only UST ready wheel out there.

[snotrag]

The problem with UST is restricted tyre choice though. Whereas with the no-tubes you can run a much, much eider range of tyres. (as I have done with great success)

[P-Jay]

I use Sunset Cycles. Like lots of LBS's they have one guy who does wheel builds (because it's witchcraft) and he's brillant.

Had a few sets built over the years and never had a single fail, not even broke a single spoke break unless I crashed.

One thing that puzzles me about online wheel builds, quite often they need a little re-true / tighten after a ride or two. I guess you're paying for that with an online set.

[P-Jay]

P.S. I'm running EN521's laced to Pro2's with DT Swiss spokes and brass nipples on my AM bike. They're bloody brilliant!

[gbbird]

julianm said:

Gary at Kendell Cycles in Castleford will make you anything you want - perfectly.

Cor Blimey! Is Gary (and Kendall's for that matter) still there? Used these guys all the time in my youth, mainly for BMX stuff. Built/repaired a few wheels for me too.

If you are local, then Kendalls are very good. If not, or you prefer mail order, then you cannot go wrong with Merlin.

g

[Wooderson]

I'd completely forgotten about the possibilties of running tubeless wheels, so I'm intrigued by the ZTR/Hope combo. 70 odd quid for a rim alone sounds pricey (the Flow rim), but I'll see what Hope and Merlin can quote me for a complete wheelset.

Thanks for your suggestions chaps

[snotrag]

All the Hope hoop options are good value...

BUT the ZTR options particularly so.

I seem to recall that if you add it up, then the price of the rims and hubs ALONE comes to more than the RRP of the Wheelset - so that doesnt include the build, the Spokes, the nipples, the 20mm conversion...

I have been running ZTR rims for nearly 2 years now, got a set of ARCH's on my Big bike which have been absolutely pounded, and a set of 355's on my XC whippet bike. They are extremely light and very strong.

And I've had, I think, 3 punctures in about 2 years of LOTS of riding. So pretty bloody good. And none of those punctures would have been negated by running a tubed tyre - they were all severe damage to the sidewall caused by crashing/ripping off rocks etc.

[Wooderson]

Cheers snotrag

I like what I've read about ZTR hoops so far and I've just come across this guy www.wheelpro.co.uk

O.K so they're still Hope factory built wheels, but his price includes Stans yellow tape and sealant and have been given the once-over by him before dispatch.

His wheel building book is a tempting self-stocking filler too.

[rhinochopig]

Dave Hinde used to make some nice wheels. Good price too. Haven't used then in a while though.

[snotrag]

Yup, one of my pairs came from wheelpro.

As for Dave Hinde

DO NOT SEND THAT MAN YOUR MONEY.


Seriously, just type 'dave hinde' into google, you dont even have to look at any of the pages. just read the summaries... even on the 1st page of results its all there...
"rip off, cowboy, thief, dodgy dealer, trading standards..."

[rhinochopig]

snotrag said:

Yup, one of my pairs came from wheelpro.

As for Dave Hinde

DO NOT SEND THAT MAN YOUR MONEY.


Seriously, just type 'dave hinde' into google, you dont even have to look at any of the pages. just read the summaries... even on the 1st page of results its all there...
"rip off, cowboy, thief, dodgy dealer, trading standards..."

Really? Goes off to google.

Seems I had a lucky escape reading some of the posts - complaints start at the second post which isn't good.

[g_stacey]

Got to be white! From Evans St Pauls, London.

G

[timnoyce]

Tell me more g_stacey. I have just been pricing up some wheels myself and have pretty much decided on the white ZTR rims on shimano XT hubs. How are you finding them? How versatile is the wheel system as I like the sound of using my current tyres (only bought a pair of nobby nics a couple of weeks ago so dont fancy a new pair of UST's just yet) as it seems very easy to chop and change. Any more pics would be appreciated as they look the badgers...

[snotrag]

What price have you got for that wheelset? With the XT hubs?

Have you looked at the price of the ZTR/Pro2 Hoops?

I bet theres very, very little in it, and I know what hubs I'd rather have.

[snotrag]

timnoyce said:

How versatile is the wheel system

It works well.

Its definitely something that has a 'knack' to it, but once you've learned it, its easy.

First point.

-A Tyre thats just come out of its box, all folded up and crinkled, will NOT seal. Certainly not at home wihtout a massive compressor.

- The solution to this - fit the tyre to a wheel with a tube, pump it up and leave it over night. Which stretches it out and smooths out the bead to the correct shape.

- Once this has been done - is IS easy to fit tyres. Some manufactureres more than other but it is do-able.
Compressor works best. But for home changes, a Co2 canister works very well and if bought from the right sourcesis very cheap. (dotn buy this from a LBS they are an order of magnitude cheaper online from specialist suppliers).

- READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Justridingalong do a good little guide book. If you dont read the instructions you'll not manage it. Take your time.

- Tyres. Regular maxxis work very well, sticky, gummy sidewalls. Cheap too.
Schwalbe work well but sidewalls a bit flimsy - wouldnt use these on a bike for aggressive use. Specialized do a range of '2bliss' tyres that work absolutely fantastically with minimal sealant.