Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - LBS wants to charge me $390 for Deep Vs and Velocity(formula)s

I donno, man... At this point, the LBS should order them from IRO and sell them for $280. WTF would you pay all that extra cash for???

To support your LBS of course.

Give them some money straight up then. Don't let's pretend that you're getting anything for that $130. The OP did say that it was a machine-built set so all they do is order it and store it until you pick it up. I say that service isn't worth more than $20. (OK, figure in the shipping if the $260 doesn't include that.)

so this thread is at 3 pages because dutret started another flamewar?

performance has one for 40, it is not the greatest thing in the world but it will certainly get the job done. i bought the same one when it was 30 and it has held up fine through 4 or so wheel builds and a ton of minor truing. of course you need a spoke wrench too.
+1. The Spin Dr. stand is fine, I've built 1 set and (heavily) trued 2 on it. Buy the spoke wrench at the LBS to quench your guilt. Ha! Also, if you are a reg it really makes it look like you know your isht when you buy stuff like that, and you get a little more respec'. Maybe.

http://static.flickr.com/22/37510382_084e28e58a_m.jpg

haha! mrRed wins!

freeskihp

Man if you're in DC just buy the parts separately and get this guy to build for you, I'm sure since he's new in the area he'll charge you less so as to establish a reputation:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/197481701.html

...that's interesting that the LBS mentioned "machine built"... Velocity stuff is all done by hand...they pride themselves on it. avoid $390 at all costs.

my LBS just tried to charge me $18 for a park allen wrench with a MSRP of $9, that can be purchased from ebay for $8 (including shipping) and which i just went to my hardware store and got twice as much of for $5. what's my point? my point is i quibble over a couple dollars on a wrench that will last me forever, but spend $5 everyday at smoothie king (and get mad that it's not open later, so i can spend an additional $5).

I just built:

Dura-Ace rear track hub (NOS) - $75 (craigslist)
Shimano AX aero front hub (NOS) - $5 (ebay)
Velocity Aeroheads (new) - $45 each (online)
Wheelsmith double butted spokes (new) - $25 (online)
Velox rim tape - $2.50

Riding a light, strong, evenly tensioned, handbuilt, (relatively) cheap wheelset...........you get the point

Seriously - building wheels is just as easy as any other maintenace on your bike. It might require more time and attentiveness(sp?), but I think it's the most rewarding feeling to ride your own wheels.

i really need to learn to build my own wheels, are there clinics where you learn this stuff??

this is a clinic enough http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

i really need to learn to build my own wheels, are there clinics where you learn this stuff??

I think CEYA used to run one in NYC. Pm either him or [165].

I send people to thebikebiz.com because they are my lbs right down the street as a matter of fact

i'm a firm beleiver in supporting local small buisness when I can. i have a pretty good idea of what my lbs's have available, and i head to them first. i also like to buy used items off of individuals on ebay.

that said, I don't have a ton of money, so when I can save a reasonably significant amount on a large purchase, i opt for the online route.

this is a clinic enough http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

that's what i used. first wheel came out perfect, took about 4 hours. 2nd wheel came out perfect, took about 3 hours. point is, if you're carefull with your lacing, tensioning, destressing, dishing, truing, repeat - then there's no reason why you can't build a perfect wheel. as you do more they'll get quicker. my main advice - as soon as you're getting up to tension, destress in between EVERY step, by the time you're done everything will be seated nicely. On my maiden voyage, I think I only got 1 "ping".

i hope this helps.

Those that complain about the price of goods at their local mom-and-pop will be doomed to wander the isles of a brightly lit Wal-Store for all eternity and wonder....

...unfortunately, those of us who strictly patronize M&P shops will untimately be doomed to that same eternity because of Americonsumerism.

i think rikardi runs a clinic in philly at the bike church

and as for the OP, if you don't want to order from IRO, tell the LBS to do it and take a cut (which should still be no where near 390) or go find another LBS because this one can't be worth your time

I did my first set of wheels about 15 yrs ago DA with sew-up rims, rebuilt them about 5 yrs ago on clincher rims. never had a problem, just did a little minor truing over the years and finally broke one spoke this spring. Just go slow. I started by tightening all the spokes to three threads showing, then trued them in a quarter turn at a time from there. they came out perfect. I rebuilt my 48o rear tandem wheel last year onto an 8sp Shimano tandem hub and just got them close before taking them to the lbs for a true/tensioning for $20. I believe that if you're at all mechanically inclined, you can do pretty much anything the pros do if you have the right tools. Of course it will take a lot longer. Figure you could take the time you spend doing it, get a part time job at McD's, take that money and give it to the LBS mechanic and when it's all done, you will have saved money and eaten a few free burgers. But what's the fun in that?? I love riding wheels i built. I've ordered the parts (from Superspokes... has anyone ever gotten anything from them?) to build Campy wheels with a weird spoke pattern. should be fun AND keep me busy for HOURS!

there is a nice superspokes sucks thread somewhere around here..