Bicycle Mechanics - Looking to build my own wheelset.

Is it possible to build a custom wheelset with good quality components and have the total weight be as close to 1500 grams for less than $400? If so, what components should I get that would meet my requirements?

Thanks to any wrenches out there for their recommendations.

Assuming you want clinchers, it's tricky but possible. I did it a few years ago, but I shopped carefully for the hubs. They were Record hubs laced to Velocity Aerohead & Aerohead OCR rims, 24f 28r Revolution spokes laced 2 cross. 1490g and I spent around $400.

The hubs are the key to getting below that 1500g mark, and lighter hubs cost a lot more. Here's what I came up with off the top of my head.

Novatec hubs off ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Novatec-A291SB-F292SB-Road-Hubs-F20-R24H_W0QQitemZ190278527683QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190278527683&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) $118
Kinlin XR-300 rims $120
DT Revolution spokes front and NDS, Competition for the DS $50
Alloy nipples front and NDS, brass for the DS

That would be about 1550g and cost about $300 (assuming you're doing the labor yourself). Unless you're heavy, that should make for a decent wheelset for you. If you happen to weigh under 125-ish, you could even use Velocity Aerohead & Aerohead OCR to drop the weight under 1500g.

Thanks for the feedback, this is the kind of stuff I was looking for. More suggestions would be great too.

Yes. If you don't pay retail and/or go tubular. The wise saying - good, cheap, light; pick two - seems to apply here. To that I would add patience if you want something close to all three.

I'm in the process of coming up with a road wheelset before spring finally gets here. I'm probably going to use dura ace hubs and Mavic reflex rims (375g). I think this is easily under 1500 grams with dt revolution and will be reliable and easy to fix. I saw dura ace 7800 hubs on sale at excelsports.com and somewhere else i can't recall. Our lbs is always real good at getting me a good deal when I buy a bunch of stuff. I've built a few wheels with dura ace 7800 with great results. urbanknight is correct - hubs are a key in both weight and cost. So shop.

Yeah, I've heard it light, cheap, durable; pick two. In this case, the OP is giving up some durability (lower spoke count) in order to use cheap hubs (which are also probably not as durable). A smart way to compromise would be to find some nice but used hubs on ebay: American Classic, White Industries, DT.

I'm thinking 24 or 28 spokes in the rear. I weigh in at 175. I'd also like a 27 to 30mm rim profile with bladed spokes. The main thing I need from the forum is opinions on quality brand names and website where I can get good deals on the parts. Thanks again!

Well, I agree that a 30mm rim profile would be a good idea. That's the Kinlin XR-300 I suggested. As for bladed spokes, you're adding about 150g to your wheelset right there, and it's questionable as to them being any more aero than double butted round spokes in real world applications. Aerolite spokes would be a great solution (oval shaped and very light), but that just added $150 to your cost.

Cheap Kinlin's I've been looking at Here (http://www.likinbikin.com/Products/Rims_Road.html).

$35 for the XR-200... seems soooo cheap!

You could try those with DA hubs, which you can find a set for $200ish new on ebay. That would leave you lot's of money left over for spokes. Only thing is, you'll want to go with 32 rear and 28 (or 32) front.

Not sure on a total weight but it should be below 1500g.

Nothing wrong with the other suggestions, just another idea. :thumb:

Sounds about right. I forgot what the DA hubs weigh, but a good estimate for spoke weights is 5g per spoke with Revolution or Aerolite, 7g for double butted, and 8g for straight guage and bladed.

Without looking it up, 7800 is about 264 rear and 130 front (without QR)

skip the bladed spokes - double butted DT swiss are the way to go.

skip the bladed spokes - double butted DT swiss are the way to go.

+1, and 36 in the rear, 28 or 32 in the front, 3X.

skip the bladed spokes - double butted DT swiss are the way to go.

Sounds good. The bladed spoked weren't a "must have" item. I like the link with all the rims. Those DT Swiss rims look sweet. It might blow my budgt however. I'm just trying to save the usual $100 shops usually charge for the build and I have a friend with the tools and knowlegde to help with the build. Any more hub suggestions that would fit the lower spoke count I'd prefer?

I'm sure it will be more with shipping, but here's what I have on paper so far:

Novatec Hubs............................$140 weight.......381
Kinlin XR-300 Niobium Rim.............$110 .............455 x2
Spokes.....................................$50 .............262.68
total........................................$300 ............1553.68

+1, and 36 in the rear, 28 or 32 in the front, 3X.
The OP wanted light, not durable.

Now you all have me thinking about the Dura Ace hubs paired with some Kinlin XR-200 rims. That way I'd have less rotating weight and better hubs with a higher spoke count for my fat ass.
(I think the listed weight was with QRs).
Dura Ace Front Hub...........$80 ................129 (ebay)
Rear Hub 32 Hole.............$115 ................328 (ebay)
Kinlin XR-200 Rims...........$90 ................780
Spokes.............................$70 .................300
Total................................$355 .................1537

Rotating weight is moot, but Dura Ace hubs are much nicer than the Novatec ones, especially at the price you seem to have found. Plus, I always figure more spokes for the same weight is a good thing.

One thing to note about the XR-200 is that some people report them as being noodly, both when building and while riding. I don't have personal experience, but it depends on how stiff you want your wheels and how patient you can be while building them.

I can't comment on the flexiness of the XR-200 rims. Don't they have something even shallower, like 19mm?

The DA hubs are hard to beat for the price and quality. I did searched for the cheapest available hubs (DA, WI, and DT240). The DA hubs were around $0.53 per gram and the DT240, and WI hubs were double that. DA comes in roughly 40 grams more for the rear and about 30 for the front. In other words, if you can deal with an extra 70 grams, you'll save a good deal of money (plus you'll still have some sweet hubs).

One other thing, are those weight estimates including nipples? Brass are about a gram each, and aluminum... I don't know, maybe 1/3 gram each? Something else to consider.

I can't comment on the flexiness of the XR-200 rims. Don't they have something even shallower, like 19mm?

Oops, I mistook the XR-200 for their 19mm rim, but it looks like it's the 22mm version. I have not heard anything about the XR-200.



One other thing, are those weight estimates including nipples? Brass are about a gram each, and aluminum... I don't know, maybe 1/3 gram each? Something else to consider.
Yes, alloy is about .3 grams and brass is just shy of 1g.

Oops, I mistook the XR-200 for their 19mm rim, but it looks like it's the 22mm version. I have not heard anything about the XR-200.


Yes, alloy is about .3 grams and brass is just shy of 1g.

Interesting that the Nb-19 is 5 grams heavier than the XR-200.

Yeah, I'm not sure if that site has the specs right. I thought they were both about the same profile, but one was made for internal nipples.