Advertise Your Services - The psimet wheel thread

A lot of us own psimet wheels. It makes sense for there to be one thread where people can go to see what others have bought and why. It reduces the inquiries to Rob and educates the forum about options.

Recently, I’ve seen BF members in various threads complaining about not getting a response from Rob. I’ve harassed Rob in random threads, so I’m guilty of it myself. If he checked in occasionally, maybe this could also be a place where the disgruntled can voice their concerns. A central registry, if you will.

Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. At the very least, it gives me a reason to post yesterday’s UPS delivery. It started as a whimsical inquiry, but the rebuild/Pro+/Joule package price was too good to pass up.

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/IMG_1414.jpg?t=1302706329

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/IMG_1417.jpg?t=1302706329

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/IMG_1430.jpg?t=1302706329

Life is good in the sbxx household.

Again, very nice.

Can I get a price estimate for a budget build 30mm aluminum clincher from Psimet?

Can I get a price estimate for a budget build 30mm aluminum clincher from Psimet?

Since Psimet didn't start this thread, I don't think it would be fair to expect him to keep up with it and respond to requests and inquiries here (unless he says he will).

Since Psimet didn't start this thread, I don't think it would be fair to expect him to keep up with it and respond to requests and inquiries here (unless he says he will).

Yes - but could someone who's gotten similar wheels built provide prices, or does he tend to keep those pretty close to the vest?

We're off to a poor start.

Life is good in the sbxx household.

Thanks, LAJ. Yesterday was one of those days where the cycling stars aligned.

Can I get a price estimate for a budget build 30mm aluminum clincher from Psimet?

Pardon me if this is too obvious, but why not just go to http://www.psimet.com and request a quote?

-Bert

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/andyandyandyandy/wheels.jpg

Front=White Ind. H2 F Black hub laced to a Kinlin XR-300 rim 28f/2X using DT-Comp-Black spokes and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Rear=White Ind. H3 R black hub with Shimano freehub body laced to a Kinlin XR-300 rim 32r/3X using DT-Comp-Black spokes on the Drive Side and laced 3X using DT-Comp-Black spokes on the Non-Drive Side and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Estimated weight should be in the neighborhood of ~1685g


Love them. Have road them a decent amount so far this year and love everything about them.



Sent an inquiry to him to buy some carbon clinchers after riding these for a few months. Actually sent it 2 or 3 times. Never got a response. Took that as a sign that I didn't need carbon clinchers.

I was not grousing, merely pointing out that he was backlogged to the point of losing business. Rob produces a decent enough product that his work is in demand and I hold no ill will for his success in business. He has to overcome the initial impact that waiting for a quote produces if he is to remain a viable brand. No one is more aware of that than him I suspect and handling the full time commitment appears to be looming large on his radar.

Feelgood branding and all he may not realistically have the time to deal with all the issues this may generate, i.e. "will work for free wheels."

Kinlins, WI hubs, CX Rays. 1492g. Built October 2009, no issues.

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/Front.jpg?t=1302710394

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/Rear.jpg?t=1302710394

Feelgood branding and all he may not realistically have the time to deal with all the issues this may generate, i.e. "will work for free wheels."


maybe he should raise his prices a little??? if he's backlogged that far he could reduce the backlog a little using a little bit of supply/demand tactics... just sayin... he seems like a nice enough guy and has a great reputation... someday I hope to own a set...

I ordered a PowerTap wheel. It should arrive within the next month or so (I would imagine). I'll post & let you all know about it when it comes.

I know him, have hung out in his house and chatted,
He's good people -
He does great work -
He'll treat you right.

I won't buy wheels at Performance Bike because it isn't the right combination of price/quality/speed for me.
I will buy wheels at PSIMET because it is the perfect balance of price/quality/speed for me.

I could be wrong, I generally am, but I don't believe Rob posts prices in the open forum.

I could be wrong, I generally am, but I don't believe Rob posts prices in the open forum.

I don't believe he does either. I'd prefer to leave prices out of this thread, but obviously, I have no control over that.

My wheels arrived the other day

I'm going to pick them up tonight

I'll try and get some good pics

the build is

Front=White Ind. H2 F Silver hub laced to a Kinlin XR-300 rim 24f/2X using DT-Comp-Black spokes and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Rear=White Ind. H3 R Silver hub with Shimano freehub body laced to a Kinlin XR-300 rim 28r/2X using DT-Comp-Black spokes on the Drive Side and laced 2X using DT-Comp-Black spokes on the Non-Drive Side and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Estimated weight should be in the neighborhood of ~1630g

Hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd just point out that Psimet is also a Quarq dealer. And he's good people.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/IMGA0013.jpg

I have 3 pairs of Psimet wheels:
- Kinlin 270s / White Industries Hubs / Sapin CX spokes / 24f, 28r - 1495gm
- Same as above but with a PT Pro+ rear hub
- DT Swiss RR565, PT Elite+ rear, CK front, 32h "bombproof" build for my cross/training bike

Psimet is good people indeed and makes very good wheels. If you are in the market for a $300-$1000 wheelset, you need to get in touch with him.

And an Enzo's ButtonHole dealer. Your Quarq deserved the tub. I got the packet.


Hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd just point out that Psimet is also a Quarq dealer. And he's good people.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/IMGA0013.jpg

Hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd just point out that Psimet is also a Quarq dealer. And he's good people.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/IMGA0013.jpg


this will likely be my next Psimet purchase

I have never seen a bad thing written about the man nor a single complaint about any of his services. With that said, I really wish that he would just do something like charge $100 labor per wheel. IT would be double what other places are charging but quite frankly it seems that enough people would pay it that he would be profitable without going into a full on wheel building business which he seems to not want to do.

He gave me an initial quote for a wheel build, I asked for a couple of minor changes and an actual price and preferred form of payment because I was ready to send immediate payment to get the ball rolling and I didn't hear back from him. Fortunately, I was well aware of his situation from reading threads here but it kinda sucks. He's lost out on easy money and I lost out on great wheels.

I'm far from filthy rich, however, for things related to my health and well being like cycling, I'm more than happy to pay a decent premium. When I think of all the money I've wasted on booze and eating out over the years, paying double the labor charge for a set of wheels I'll probably have forever is no big deal. I know part of the allure with him is that his prices are excellent but from everything i've read, the quality is really there.

maybe he should raise his prices a little??? if he's backlogged that far he could reduce the backlog a little using a little bit of supply/demand tactics... just sayin... he seems like a nice enough guy and has a great reputation... someday I hope to own a set...

....bonz50....????? how are you.... I can't speak for his business......he probably has things well planned to deal with people who would like to be his customers......... ............. I might like to own a pair too......maybe I will go demo a pair first.......that might be a better idea than pontificating on the internet....... if he raises his prices before you get yours ordered that fails to help you.....in fact people might not buy them at any cost.......it could make prebuilt wheels more attractive...... oh right......pontificating on the internet.....this was supposed to be a database for search engine queries......for pictures and brief comments by satisfied owners.......something that might get sticky........full of stripper shoes and bike porn.......maybe race pics or user submitted action shots..................................

I asked for a couple of minor changes and an actual price and preferred form of payment because I was ready to send immediate payment to get the ball rolling and I didn't hear back from him. Fortunately, I was well aware of his situation from reading threads here but it kinda sucks. He's lost out on easy money and I lost out on great wheels.

You know you can have tried to contact him again, right? Sometimes, I email him so often that I feel that he's ready to get a restraining order against me. Works out well in the end, though. Which reminds me, I need to send him some money for a set of Cinqos.

And an Enzo's ButtonHole dealer. Your Quarq deserved the tub. I got the packet.

I thought I read that he was including a sample in each order but I never got any :(

Smells delicious. Minty fresh. Makes your chamois smell like a Thin Mint.

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae219/KateAmos/wheel2.jpg

Couldn't be happier.

You know you can have tried to contact him again, right? Sometimes, I email him so often that I feel that he's ready to get a restraining order against me. Works out well in the end, though. Which reminds me, I need to send him some money for a set of Cinqos.Obviously I did, but when I didn't get a response it left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth though I knew what I was getting into. Besides, I had a bit more urgent need for these wheels so I sourced elsewhere.

Just saw this. I have only been on BF a couple of times in the last week or so. It's weird.


I thought I read that he was including a sample in each order but I never got any :(
FML. It's been crazy and I have had some "interns" doing the "non-value added" work like packaging so that kind of PO's me. Send me your "real" name again in pm and I'll get some to you ASAP. With Enzo's it is more than "I'm a dealer" it's that "Enzo" himself is heading up one of my teams and that we both share business interests. I owe him a lot and I believe in his product. I won't stop at an opportunity to get it under people. It was this thinking that let me work the opportunity and actually get it lodged into the pages of VeloNews last fall in their Cross issue.


Obviously I did, but when I didn't get a response it left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth though I knew what I was getting into. Besides, I had a bit more urgent need for these wheels so I sourced elsewhere.

Don't blame you a bit and please accept my deepest apologies. Those of you who have been patient enough and (unfortunately) "worked" your way into being a client of mine most likely know that I'll bust my butt for you. I pride myself on the service I CAN deliver and I beat myself in the head every night about all of the opportunities that I miss delivering on.

To start it off I'll let the cat out of the bag about the Easton build that kicked this thread off. I asked the OP not to let people know because honestly - I didn't want it to get out....but....

The OP is a return customer. Has been more than patent with my idiosyncrasies in the past. Started working with me near the beginning of the year about this conversion. Knowing he needed to ride on the wheel I set it up so that I would get everything in hand and prepped before he would send the current wheel into me. When it was all in (delay due to electronics of all things) I let him know and he shipped it to me. I had promised him a 10 day turnaround from receipt.

This was because of 1 critical thing. Prebuilt wheels don't list their ERD. I usually have to have it in my hands to actually measure it (after cutting out the existing spokes) or email the OEM and wait for a response. Not all of the OEM's like to play ball with a small builder like me. His spokes are CX Rays which are $$$ even on the wholesale end. Guessing wrong not only destroys the margin on the whole process but usually would put me in the red - allowing me to "pay" for the education.

That being said I have been running so many CX Rays that one of my recent orders was over $3k of them at 1 time. I figured...for him...it was worth the risk.

His wheel showed up, I had my intern open it up immediately and cut the spokes. I had everything prepped and ready to go so I got it laced and tensioned and trued over the course of that night. Intern had the box ready to go and I flipped it by the morning.

My business isn't big, but it's bulging at the seams. I still have a training center with 8 computrainers, and I have taken over our entire finished basement and am starting to infiltrate the dining room, kitchen, entry way...etc. I currently am title sponsoring 4 teams, and smaller sponsoring 3 others currently. This adds up to about 100-150 racers that are "PSIMET" Racers. I am a sponsor of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup series and a promoter of one of the races on that circuit. We have a promoter who sees to be dropping the ball on 3 major events in this area and I am being approached about picking up the ball and running with it. One of them just had it's permit pulled and it's less than 30 days until the event. National Comisaire (don't know how to spell that) assured me that he'd do everything in his power to help make it happen.

I have raised my prices. Steadily. Over time. You'd be amazed at the lack of price elasticity with this stuff. Building a brand combats that to a degree but there is only so far you can go before - as someone put it - the prebuilt option looks good.

I'm facing mounting pressure in the industry - my name is getting out there and not everyone is happy about it. I am having to fight how my "local" company is pulling back from the small channels like me in order to help the "brand". I have customers that ask for those parts daily - because it is what they know - and the Chicago/Indianapolis based company is bending me over by not even talking to me.

At some point I am starting to believe I will be making hubs and rims myself. I have the knowledge and background in manufacturing to do it. This isn't "come up with the spec and let others manufacture it" it's "Which machining center will I buy." I am starting to have enough connections that I can work other business into it from other small shops to make it work.

I am going live with a retailer business portal that will allow shops to sell my product without me competing with them. They collect the contact and start the conversation - I spec the build, do the transaction direct with the customer. I ship back to the shop and they get a chance to sell a tire/tube, cassette, tune-up, etc. When it's all done I cut them a rebate equal to what they would have gotten in labor if they would have done it themselves. They don't have to float the inventory either as parts or as custom builds from services like Handspun, pay their untrained summer help for the hours it will take them to learn how to build, or pull themselves away from what makes them money (selling their bikes and services) in order to build.

....I think about this all the time.

I just bought a Honda Element. Have 3 bike racks going on it. Top roof will be all wheels.

I am closing in on over 600 wheels since the business has been officially open. I have more than 10% of my total build numbers in my queue at any given time now.

All this said and I am actually in the red for the first time since I started this. :thumb: Hard to pay yourself enough to do it full time when you slap 20 sets of carbon wheels with tires under 2 different elite teams. ....along with 10 sets of aluminum trainers....

Getting there.

Just integrated Paypal with Quickbooks to only have to write up my invoices 1 time. Got all my vendors on my PO system. Have LogMeIn running allowing me to access my main system from any PC and from my iPhone and soon from a iPad2. Already that has helped me clear my backlog of email back to at least the beginning of the month - a first for PSIMET

I appreciate anyone's patience who deals with me. A lot is on the plate, but a lot is coming along. Not throwing this all out as any form of excuse, etc - just want people to know that I am NEVER just getting "lazy" about responding. It's important to me and it is what it is currently - if it doesn't work for someone I can COMPLETELY respect that and acknowledge that it has to change.

Probably written enough. Went home during lunch (40 minutes of driving total) to glue on 4 tubulars. About time to head back (1 hour in traffic 1 way) and start pounding them out again. Looking forward to it.

Funny thing through all of this is that every day I actually find I love wheels MORE. What I am going through is enough that it would definitely make many others just throw in the towel....and yet it makes me want to push more.

It's like riding a century or racing a heavy crit. The pain is a slap in the face and the end is never close enough. The weak get dropped. You spend the whole time afraid you're weak, but clawing every second knowing that if you can just shut your mind off and turn the pedals 1 more time you're going to be 1 pedal turn closer.

One of these days I'll make it on to the podium.

I race and train on a Psimet rear wheel with a SL+ hub. No problems so far and I just put that wheel through a nasty crit with millions of potholes just a few days ago.

Rock solid performer.

One of these days I'll make it on to the podium.

Your email last week that the wheel was ready to ship, after one day, was beyond service. I greatly appreciated it. Quality products, excellent prices. Thanks.

People complaining that Rob should raise prices to "fix" some of the issues regarding wheel quotes should just send in that extra $100 with the request for the quote. I'm guessing that a Benjamin would be a sign that you're serious about actually ordering the wheels quickly (not just shopping for prices) and set you apart from all the other anonymous people asking vague or non-specific questions.

Making wheels is where the money is. Firing back emails asking for more info, looking up parts, and crunching numbers has GOT to be a money losing process when you factor in the percentage of people who probably actually follow through on orders.

Send Rob your paypal info with your inquiry. I dare you.

A lot of us own psimet wheels. It makes sense for there to be one thread where people can go to see what others have bought and why. It reduces the inquiries to Rob and educates the forum about options.

Recently, I’ve seen BF members in various threads complaining about not getting a response from Rob. I’ve harassed Rob in random threads, so I’m guilty of it myself. If he checked in occasionally, maybe this could also be a place where the disgruntled can voice their concerns. A central registry, if you will.

Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. At the very least, it gives me a reason to post yesterday’s UPS delivery. It started as a whimsical inquiry, but the rebuild/Pro+/Joule package price was too good to pass up.

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/IMG_1414.jpg?t=1302706329

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/IMG_1417.jpg?t=1302706329

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss327/sbxx1985/IMG_1430.jpg?t=1302706329

Hey!! This is the build I am planning on doing, powertap pro+, 2x both DS/NDS with assault rims. Can I ask what is the wieght of your wheel, what spokes did you pick and alloy or brass nipples? Any difference between 12 or 14mm nipples? THanks

Send Rob your paypal info with your inquiry. I dare you.

http://signaltheorist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/picture-9-196x300.png

I sent in my rear wheel to rebuilt by Rob, he put a White Industries H3 hub in it and its been great. I've only been able to put 500 mi on the wheel but it was perfectly true out of the box and has stayed that way. I couldn't be happier.

Gorgeous hub
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/mx416/Bike/IMG_5987.jpg

On the bike
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/mx416/Bike/IMG_5985.jpg

Don't blame you a bit and please accept my deepest apologies. Those of you who have been patient enough and (unfortunately) "worked" your way into being a client of mine most likely know that I'll bust my butt for you. I pride myself on the service I CAN deliver and I beat myself in the head every night about all of the opportunities that I miss delivering on.

Snip...


Nice info there and interesting to know a bit more about the business. Sounds like you are building a successful brand. Fwiw, I made the decision to buy from you because I felt, based on everything I'd read, that you would build some really nice custom wheels. The more successful you get, however, the less time you will have the more likely it is that quality will suffer. Maybe because you have to hire people to do some of the work and it's unlikely they will do things exactly the way you do or with the same level of care.

It's your business and I'm not tying to give advice. I'm only saying that I appreciate the level of detail in your work and hope you can maintain it as you grow as I'll likely buy another set down the road.

To everyone once considering a Psimet build, it's clear he is busy and you may have to wait but I have nothing bad to say about the product or service. I did have a small issue and Rob took the time to follow up.

Well said Robert.

Snip...


Nice info there and interesting to know a bit more about the business. Sounds like you are building a successful brand. Fwiw, I made the decision to buy from you because I felt, based on everything I'd read, that you would build some really nice custom wheels. The more successful you get, however, the less time you will have the more likely it is that quality will suffer. Maybe because you have to hire people to do some of the work and it's unlikely they will do things exactly the way you do or with the same level of care.

It's your business and I'm not tying to give advice. I'm only saying that I appreciate the level of detail in your work and hope you can maintain it as you grow

Absolutely - and this is key. NOBODY touches the wheels outside of prep and at times lacing. I can cut out every other part except the building and the quotes. That is where I directly add value. I won't compromise on that - much to many of my close friend's dismay.

...sorry....taking a quick "net break".

I went to his web site , I filled out a furom request . I never heard back from him .
Rick

You know you can have tried to contact him again, right? Sometimes, I email him so often that I feel that he's ready to get a restraining order against me. Works out well in the end, though. Which reminds me, I need to send him some money for a set of Cinqos.

Congratulations :-)

Can I ask what is the wieght of your wheel, what spokes did you pick and alloy or brass nipples? Any difference between 12 or 14mm nipples? THanks

Now we're talking . . . .

I forgot to include this stuff in the original post. Sorry.

Assault rim (460g) + CX Rays (104g) + DT Brass 12mm nipples (23g) + Pro+ hub (472g) = 1059g

I have raised my prices. Steadily. Over time. You'd be amazed at the lack of price elasticity with this stuff. Building a brand combats that to a degree but there is only so far you can go before - as someone put it - the prebuilt option looks good.
I am that somebody. And this is what I wrote in a somewhat mocking fashion.


in fact people might not buy them at any cost.......it could make prebuilt wheels more attractive...... oh right......pontificating on the internet

I then tried to steer forward to the OP. He was obviously farther along in the conversation than the wider audience he hoped to capture.

Perhaps due to being reasonably local and talking to you and Timmy I had a sense that I MIGHT HAVE TO SHOUT AT YOU EVERY DAY to get attention. I actually discussed with the OP the decision between going handbuilt (Psimet) and a specific prebuilt, since he owns both of the wheels in question. For me a gently used prebuilt from a private seller looked good. The Psimet wheel I requested a quote on is probably better suited to where you will be at some juncture rather than what is growing your business now.

Unfortunately I know Rob personally. He is always there to remind me of how fat and slow I am, but at the same time he is there with a cooler full of beer (which I still think he is just trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me). One thing Rob will not do is screw someone over. I do know he has a ton on his plate and I do know he either got an intern or 2 or is still looking. Somehow I ended up with an intern email or tweet from him a while back (see, I knew he was trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me now!). Right now it is "RACE! RACE! RACE!" here in Chicago, especially after such a harsh winter, that when given the opportunity to race or ride, us goofballs here take it.

You have to give him a little time, be patient yet persistent. Please, don't try to get a quote just to see how much a wheel is if you don't have the intention on purchasing it, all this does is tie him up (though this sounds...OK, nevermind).

Now we're talking . . . .

I forgot to include this stuff in the original post. Sorry.

Assault rim (460g) + CX Rays (104g) + DT Brass 12mm nipples (23g) + Pro+ hub (472g) = 1059g

Thanks, I was thinking of going with DT Revolutions since that is the OEM spokes that come on the Assaults, so that it can pair up wiht the front spokes. I plan on going with brass nipples as well, what is the difference between 12mm and 14mm? Thanks

Thanks, I was thinking of going with DT Revolutions since that is the OEM spokes that come on the Assaults, so that it can pair up wiht the front spokes. I plan on going with brass nipples as well, what is the difference between 12mm and 14mm? Thanks

2mm

I then tried to steer forward to the OP. He was obviously farther along in the conversation than the wider audience he hoped to capture.

Perhaps due to being reasonably local and talking to you and Timmy I had a sense that I MIGHT HAVE TO SHOUT AT YOU EVERY DAY to get attention. I actually discussed with the OP the decision between going handbuilt (Psimet) and a specific prebuilt, since he owns both of the wheels in question. For me a gently used prebuilt from a private seller looked good. The Psimet wheel I requested a quote on is probably better suited to where you will be at some juncture rather than what is growing your business now.

If you wrote with reasonably simple sentence structure, you would be easier to understand. I'm no English teacher, but I heard it works better that way.

I've put a lot of miles on the Eurus. They're excellent wheels. I told you that. I have no clue how those psimet Kinlins ride, other than my wife loves them and tells me so. I told you that as well. Shimano v. Campy at my house.

If you wrote with reasonably simple sentence structure, you would be easier to understand. I'm no English teacher, but I heard it works better that way.

I am a teacher and I agree.


I've put a lot of miles on the Eurus. They're excellent wheels. I told you that. I have no clue how those psimet Kinlins ride, other than my wife loves them and tells me so. I told you that as well. Shimano v. Campy at my house.

I have the kinlin rims and WI hubs. They ride great. Then again, what do I know? I'm still too fat for this sport. In all seriousness, however, they are pretty nice wheels for a decent price.

In all seriousness, however, they are pretty nice wheels for a decent price.

My wife was pissed when they showed up. She said she didn't need new wheels. She told me to send them back. Silly woman.

Then she went for a ride.

I don't need new wheels... I want new wheels. I sent a request through Rob's website and got an acknowledgement that it was received. I have heard nothing since. I know that he is busy and has more important builds in line in front of me. I will patiently wait my turn. I want the attention to detail that he will give and realize that in order for him to give that attention to everyone requires a bit of patience on the part of the customer. Our society has become too accustomed to getting what it wants now. Good things come to those who wait...

My wife was pissed when they showed up. She said she didn't need new wheels. She told me to send them back. Silly woman.

Then she went for a ride.

Her and the rest of her species. I've lost weight, look better, feel better, am healthier, etc. and I still get sh*t for buying a comfortable pair of bibs that facilitate all the riding. Of course, I didn't need the wheels, but I did need them. :)