Find me a Wheel Builder!

[Mt.A TODD]

Can anybody suggest a good Wheel Builder in New England? Bike shops give me attitude when I supply my own parts (rims & hubs). I am looking for a place I can send parts in, get wheel back. Front hub is for a LEFTY fork, which may make things tricky. Last year a shop in Exeter built me a set Mavic D321 around a Lefty hub and did a great job, but they weren't thrilled about me supplying my own parts. Gave me a song and dance about not making any money? I am sure there is a wheel builder out there that can make money on labor, rather than retail mark up.

[johnnyt]

The one guy I know is now out of the business. His college thesis for mechanical engineering was wheel building and construction. His wheels were amazing! His "retirement" is very bad news for us.

Anyhow, I too am looking for a wheel builder who will use my parts. HELP!

i had my wheels built at Buchikas in salem NH. They used my hubs and i bought the spokes and hoops there. That may not seem so remarkable, but i checked at many shops to get my wheels built the way i wanted them and no one would help me. I had them use black and silver spokes in a pattern around the hub. When i described what i wanted they just said " ok you can pick them up in 2 days". Every one else told me they would look stupid or it could not be done or it was to much work. I swore i would always praise them and send all to they're shop. Mavic 521s still straight and true.
thank you Buchikas

[Zog]

Go to MTBR.com / forums / wheelbuilding
Check out poster Bianchi4me.
His name is Mike Garcia, I think his web site is
Oddsandendos.com
He makes an awesome set of wheels and is very flexible on customer supplied parts; although he will supply any and all parts needed at the best prices available. His prices are the best anywhere and his wheels are solid. He built me a set a few years ago on my hubs, and with a set of rims I found on closeout at Nashbar. Use him. You will not be dissapointed.

The best local shop I recommend is The Bikers Edge in Bristol, CT. The wheelbuilder is the shops founder, Ed Bogun. He's been building wheels for 20+ years and makes a very solid product. If you want to supply ALL the parts to build I would expect a shop to charge more than a standard build fee of $20-$25 per wheel though.

[johnnyt]

$25-$30 seems reasonable. You've got to figur that the guy building the wheel is making $15/hour tops (unless he is the owner) and should be able to build a wheel in 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. I just don't see why shops have such a bug about it since they should be able to make some profit on the deal.

In fact, it seems that shops in general hate people who buy parts anywhere but in their shops. Sounds like another topic for discussion...

[pk]

In fact, it seems that shops in general hate people who buy parts anywhere but in their shops. Sounds like another topic for discussion...


I guess the choice is to make $5-15 with someone else's product or $150-200 using retail stock plus labor.

I like to build my own... unless I'm feeling lazy.

pk

[johnnyt]

You know pk, that is the argument I have heard from lbs owners, but I think that is a bit short sighted. Generally, the folks who are going to build a wheel with their own parts are doing it for the reason that they are gear heads who ride expensive bikes, not because they are cheap. We also tend to do most of our own repairs to our bikes, know th elocal trails, know lots of other riders and as this forum demonstrates are very vocal about riding. All that said, we also have to replace our expensive rides every so-often.

My lbs told me the pedals I bought were **** and that I should expect **** from them because I bought them from a catalog. This was 2 years ago. I have spent nearly $7,000 on bikes and parts since then and he has not seen one penny.

The point is, my local lbs is not going to retire by building me a wheel. But, if they do, and do it well, I will go back, again and again. Eventually, they will hit paydirt when I need a new ride, or a friend needs a ride. It is that word of mouth advertising that is worth far mor then the $15 in their pocket, and Mike Garcia undrerstands that!

[Zog]

Over the years I've learned to make my own wheels also.

For anyone who is into wrenching their own bikes I highly recommend learning to build wheels.

There is nothing as satisfying as building a wheel!

Start here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheels/index.html

[johnnyt]

I know a shop for wheel building!

Pig Iron in Glastonbury, CT. I had a set built there some time ago (all there parts) and since I am in the market to have a new one built (with all my parts sans spokes) I figured I'd give them a shot. So I went there last night and asked them point blank, "What is your take on building a wheel for me with my rim, hub and nipples (ouch!) and your spokes?" They said great bring it in.

They would charge about $30 for the build based on lacing pattern plus whatever the spokes cost (about $1 - $1.50 each). They built wheels for a guy who was on the podium for downhill at the Mt Snow Norba races. I have to say also that the set they built for me a few years ago are awesome.

[radair]

Todd, why not build them yourself?

I had zero wheel building experience when I did my first, a rear wheel. I've since built 8 or 10, and have not had any problems. It's EASY and good therapy (for me anyway).

I combined instructions from Sheldon Brown and Mike T. into a MS Word document. I also have Damon Rinard's superb Excel spoke calculator. I'd be glad to send these to you if you're interested. E-me at radair@allpointstech(DOT)com.

[Mt.A TODD]

Building a wheel is the last great frontier I have yet to conquer. I do not feel that my Jedi skills are strong enough to build a bomb proof wheel. Right now time is more of an issue, I tacoed my front wheel on my main bike, I also need a special adapter to build around a Lefty hub. I took Zog's advice and contacted Mike G. nice guy and had no problem building with my own supplied parts. Also went back to Exeter Cycles, and with a little smoozing, they agreed to build a set for me. Three years ago they had built me a set, and I have not touched one spoke! It's unbelievable that after all this time they are still true. I guess that's why I'm willing to spend a little extra money to have someone else do it for me.

[radair]

Mike Garcia is a really good guy and reportedly an excellent wheelbuilder, so you won't go wrong with him.

Sounds like a winter project you should take on. Let me know if you want my plagiarized instructions. Bombproof? No problem, it's not rocket science!

[knucklebuste]

I hear you dude about the own parts thing. I brought my gemeni in to have them fix the axle on my tulio/psylo ( I couldn't loosen the axle )
I'd been in there a week earlier and told them to order me a pair of these hip tioga pedals. They wanted like 100 bucks for the things, but I wanted them. Next, on a mail order site, I saw them for 59.95 plus about 6 bucks for shipping. Being the impatient prick I am I ordered them 2day air, 12.50 extra, but still saved money. I brought the bike in and they gave me **** about the pedals and the same story. We don't make any money. Well what about the $2700.00 bike I bought. F Bike shops they are a bunch of ******* criminal rapists. Raping you on parts. They charged me 7.50 for a fork tube/stem spacer. I needed it bad for a new diabolous stem so I bought it. I THE WORK YOURSELF
YOU WONT HAVE TO WAIT AND YOUR ******* WONT BE BLEEDING AND YOU WONT WALK OUT OF THE BIKE SHOP WITH YOUR PANTS AROUND YOUR ANKLES. PEACE Kevin
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[Newbie]

When I was 16, I learned how to swear. I was pretty funny. I was really cool. My mommy gave me a big hug.

I also learned incoherent rambling very cool too. Everyone care about me. Yeah!

[puff_daddi]

A guy named Steve at The Wayfarer bike shop in New Noldong CT is a wheel god! I'm 6'4" and 315 Lbs. He built me a wheel set that has not gone out of true all season!

I have sent others there and they have had the same expereince - great wheels that stand up to hard riding over a long period of time.

www.wayfarerbike.com

[Mt.A TODD]

Well, after all that I am going to get a pair of these puppies for the Jekyll! This is a Top Secret photo from Mavic, I figure with Interbike this weekend I can declassify it. RIDE ON!

03' UST Mavic CrossMax SL, LEFTY HUB!

I wanted to build my own wheels and discovered two days before a race the I had no clue!!! Stopped into a place in R.I. Victory Cycles, while visiting relatives, and to my suprise the guy told me to get my stuff and he would get it done in time to race.
The charge was only $ 25.00 per wheel and they have been great for 5 months now. Pretty good for ultra light wheel and my wieght of 198lbs. not all bike guys get mad at do it yourselfers.

[Mt.A TODD]

It looks like Ian needs a wheel builder. Aggie wanted a front wheel taco for lunch! Better get it fixed by next Sunday!

I have summed up the couage to build my first set of wheels. Mavic tubless X3.1 rim around Surly hub in rear, and D3.1 tubeless disc for the front, my single speed is getting a nice new pair of hoops!

Does anybody think it's overkill to go with a "downhill" rim on front? It is a rigid fork, and I do beat on my wheels.

[johnnyt]

If you don't mind gaining some of that weight you lost when you tossed you shifters and derailers, then go for it. It might save some $$$ and allow you to go with a fatter time to take the edge off the rigid fork.

[fatire]

C'mon, that's true-able, ISN'T IT! ::)

[Z]

OK, I guess I'm entering this conversation a bit late - our friend here has hopefully already built himself a new wheel!

But I just wanted to add that I usually go to Fran Castano for my wheelbuilding. He's been doing it for years.

He can make a custom recommendation based on your weight and riding style, has a lot of stuff in stock, can order what you want, but doesn't seem to mind if you want to provide your own parts as well. (In fact, he was willing to build up a whole bike for me from parts I bought elsewhere once.)

I don't know what he's up to these days (last I saw him he owned a shop called Dreambikes in Watertown, MA) - try 617.924.0017 www.dreambikes.com

[CouchingTiger]

Yes, Ian's taco can be trued, without a doubt. Disks make it easier as you don't have to be precise. Yes, the wheel is junk and will break spokes and have funky tension but it can be made usable.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, self sufficiency is the only way to fly. Grab a rim, a hub, spokes , a handful of nipples (well, you know what I mean) and a rack of suds and go to town. Build your own. Just take an existing wheel to use as a reference for the pattern and start lacing.

-Couch

[Mt.A TODD]

It's hard to see, but Ian's rim actually snapped. Clean break though the rim, it's junk!

I should be building my new rear wheel next week. Black Paul S.S. Rear hub, mavic UST x3.1 rim, Blk 14 gauge straight spokes. I'll give you some updates as the project progresses.
Later, Todd

[gungywump]

Does anybody think it's overkill to go with a "downhill" rim on front? It is a rigid fork, and I do beat on my wheels.


I went with Sun 0° XCs around Chris King Single Speed Hubs. I also ride a full-rigid singlespeed. I find that, like a roadbike, I avoid most things with the front wheel that I hit with the back. If anywhere I would rather have a downhill rim on the back not the front. I also ride with a Tioga DH 2.1 on back and a Tioga XC Extreme 2.1 on front. The larger tires tend to protect the rims pretty well.

[Mt.A TODD]

I ended up going with the same x3.1 rims, front and back, only difference is the front rim is disc only. From what I understand, a tubeless rim is much stronger than normal. Mavic calls it "fore" (no holes in the upper bridge).

Gump, Can you adjust chain line with King hub?