Bicycle Mechanics - want to rebuild a trashed wheel.

A week ago, I had my trek hybrid stolen from me at work. Well, today it was returned back to me by the local police. I won't go into details about the event, but the individual trashed my back tire. I want to build a touring rear wheel. I want to have a 40 hole rim, and hub. My trek has these Specifications: Shimano RM30 rear hub; Matrix 750, 32-hole rims. I have a 8 speed cassette. I would like to get suggestions for what kind of hub, and rim to buy. I am going to use 14-16 Wheelsmith spokes.

I don't know of too many 40 hole rims and hubs but i do remember reading that velocity makes a 135mm spaced hub in 40 hole drilling. As for rims you can use a Mavic a719 of possibly a a319 if they make it in 40 hole.

You can also go with a shimano LX 36 hole hub and either of those Mavic rims. It will still be a real strong wheel and a lot easier to find the parts for.

As for spokes for touring you don't mention your weight or if you will be traveling heavily loaded but if either are the case I'd opt for a 14/15 ga double butted spoke not the 14/16 ga (if that's what you meant by 14-16). Also be sure you get a tight build to give you a durable and strong wheel.

A week ago, I had my trek hybrid stolen from me at work. Well, today it was returned back to me by the local police. I won't go into details about the event, but the individual trashed my back tire. I want to build a touring rear wheel. I want to have a 40 hole rim, and hub. My trek has these Specifications: Shimano RM30 rear hub; Matrix 750, 32-hole rims. I have a 8 speed cassette. I would like to get suggestions for what kind of hub, and rim to buy. I am going to use 14-16 Wheelsmith spokes.

Your choice of spoke count doesn't make sense. There aren't that many rim choices and it isn't that much stronger than a 36h and you're also severely constrained by the amount of 40h hubs. A properly built 36h 3-cross wheel on a XT hub would be perfectly fine. Maybe a velocity dyad or a rhynolite for rim choice.

I don't quite see the point in building up such an expensive wheel for a hybrid that was never designed to be toured on.

I want to build a strong rear tire to hold camping gear, and my 6ft, 225 body frame. I want to build this rear tire so I can use it for a touring bike in the future. Anything I buy for this hybrid is to test it, and transfer to a real touring bike. I can go with a 36h wheel. Money does not matter to me, or cost, it something I like doing for myself, and makes going to work a little easy for me. It gives me goals to look forward to, and future touring. That is why I want your advise for a rear wheel. I want to build a very good rear wheel, for now, and future. I like Phil wood hubs, can it fit a 8/9 shimano cassette, or White Industries hub. I can use a 36h wheel.