melvinator

First Off Hello All!

So for the past few weeks i have been dealing with broken spokes and getting tired of at first paying for them to be replaced and secondly now me replacing them every few rides. I spoke to the LBS and they mentioned that they think its time to sell those to a lighter rider and buy myself something more rugged. They steered me over to a Deep V double walled wheel set with velocity hubs that they have for around 225 for the pair. They also showed me a tandem rim that is designed to be installed in a road bike. But he stated that even though they are bomb proof i could get similar results with the deep V without sacraficing any ride performance. What are your thoughts everyone?I do not have any type of experience with these style rims on my road bike. i am looking to spend from 150-200 on a wheelset and if you guys know any better options for us clydes please let me know!

adrien

What's the spoke count on what they are suggesting? Deep Vs are very, very strong (I'm on my second set; the first set made it 13,000 miles before the brake channel got too thin), but if I'm reading your sig properly you're around 270, so 295 with bike. At that weight, deep Vs will be fine if 32 or 36 spoke; maybe even 28. I'd also make sure they are built up with brass nipples.

The other thought is deep-vs are narrow rims; I would not suggest a tire any bigger than a 25 or perhaps a 28 on there. I have no idea what size you're riding now, but deep-vs with a narrower 25 (I run conti 4-seasons on mine) are solid.

But the advice from the LBS is sound; assuming the above you should be more than fine. For the budget you have (or close to it), you can' do much better. I'd negotiate a re-tension and check at 200 miles or so into the price.

melvinator

13,000 miles! thats awesome that is exactly what i need/looking for! These only have about 700ish miles on them and about 3 months old.

They appeard to be 32H and you are spot on i am 275 now (was on vacation enought said right )

Currently my set up is 25c vittoria rubino tires.

I was reading some past threads and saw that many people just built there own wheelset for about 180 with better components. Any experience on this?

adrien

Assuming they are 32 spoke and built by hand (ideal 3x drive side) and properly, they should do just fine. That said, a photo would help.

I personally have not gone down the road of building my own, though many here have (and will weigh in soon, I expect). Two things on that -- first off, I have a heck of a time thinking in a circular way (linear = no problem, but anything round I have trouble thinking through), and second, time matters to me. If I take the 10 hours it would take me to learn, get it wrong, re-learn, etc...well; I'd rather be riding.

As others will tell you, it's all about the skill and technique of the hands that built them. Done properly, they won't need much attention. Given that you mentioned Velocity hubs, I'd ask if they came from Velocity built. It's one thing if they were hand-made by a guy in the shop you can meet; another if they came from the plant that way. I do not have any experience with their factory-built wheel sets -- they may be great, or not. If they are from the factory built, I'd make sure they are re-tensioned (not trued, tensioned) before getting them.

Velocity does do builds, apparently: https://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=537

adrien

By the way, are you having issues with both wheels? You could always just buy the rear...

melvinator

The front wheel i am just having issues with maintaining them true. The rear wheel is constantly breaking spokes. When i spoke to the LBS he said he could sell me one Wheel but for a extra 40$ you can get a very good wheel set.

I have most of the tools to build them except the dishing tool and the spoke tensionar which seem to be vital to a wheelset build.

Yeah i was checking there sight out earlier but couldnt find a way to get a quote or pricing for build. (other than maybe emailing them directly)

corwin1968

I'm about 100 lbs heavier than you so wheels were a primary concern for me. In my research the biggest factor that kept coming up was that the quality of the wheel build is the most important thing. Velocity is a good brand of rims and DTSwiss seems to make one of the preferred spokes. Having wheels handbuilt is definately more expensive but it can be worth it if you want peace of mind on the durability of your bike. You might consider getting a rear wheel handbuilt and keep your current front wheel until you save money for a matched handbuilt wheel.

My needs are extreme so I went the online route and found a guy (Rich Lesnik of Hands on Wheels) who not only specializes in strong wheels, it's all he does....to the tune of over 6000 wheels, all with a lifetime guarantee). He built me a set of wheels based on some non-branded but good quality 40-spoke hubs, DTSwiss spokes and Velocity Dyad rims. Total cost was $420 + shipping and they are guaranteed true for the life of the rim. Again, it's a bit more costly than a prebuilt set but I have complete confidence in the wheels and it's worth it to me.

adrien

I'm biased to always support the local guy. My point was to see whether the wheels they have were built at the factory or whether they built them. If they were built at the factory, I would get the LBS to re-tension them or at least check them closely.

But, my bias is to support the local shop, if you like them. Did they give you any indication of what your wheels are worth? Any sort of trade-in offered or possible (it might be, especially if you bought the bike there).

jsigone

For $25 over your budget those Velocity will do the trick. The next price point for wheels just double from there and will be similar rims w/ better hubs. Spend the $225 now and be done with it, you find a stronger wheel and w/ a aero profile.

melvinator

corwin1968:

They do seem like a great wheel set but 425+shipping just seems to steep for me at this time... on my future dream bike i will be sure to maybe include these puppies though!

adrien:

I to like to support the LBS and to be honest it always pays off in the long run. When i broke my spoke the first time they charged me 20$ to get it fixed then the second time they charged me only the spoke and the last week in a hurry they just did everything for free. Then he said i should start looking into a new wheelset. I did not purchase the bike from them but they did say to try selling them off craigslist for 100-120$ or so seeing as they are still in good shape.

vesteroid

well I have a pair of deep v 32 on ebay right now look for my user name here on ebay and you can find them...if you're interested

Bill Kapaun

If you are going to have the rear hand built, go to 36 spokes.
Durability will be higher over a lower spoke count at the expense of a few grams of weight.

TrojanHorse

Lots of people around here seem to enjoy long lives with their Deep V rims. The rims alone are $50-$60 each, so $225 for a wheel set seems like a great deal.

I got a truing stand for christmas and am selecting components now... 32 hole Deep Vs are top of the list for sturdiness & value. (I'm 220)

melvinator

why dont you just send me a link?

Mr. Beanz

This is what I would do, of course nobody ever listens to me.

Buy 105 hubs online, fornt and rear 32 or 26 spoke for 59.20. Buy two Deep V's (online $65 but after shipping, about the same as the LBS for $80) so you choose.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...pd/shimhubr492

$230 for the parts. Have them built by the shop for about $100 each (build and spokes). That gives you good strong handbuilt wheels for about $430.

I know you say it is a bit sttep but believe me, wasting $200 here and there will soon put you way over the $430 and you'll still be fighting wheel problems. Maybe get the pars and jus thave the rear built first allowing you to save a few bucks for the front wheel build (spokes and labor from the LBS).

I say use 105 as i have a GOOD friend that owns a shop and builds wheels. He says Velocity has some serious problems with their thin axle design. He showed me a thrashed hub he owned adn I will for one never use their hubs. I had thought about it to save money but uhhh, no. Having to replace hubs, fight with hubs, warranties is not saving money and time.

You could go cheaper by building them yourself but honest, the build about $65 (minus the spokes) is a better investment as far as durability than taking a chance of thrashing them if you have never built a wheel before. That will bring the total down to $300 or so but then you are taking a chance.

Another option is to use a Deep V wannabe. Kinlin XR300 ( at prowheelbuilderdotcom....used by many) is a bit cheaper, $20 or so, So you can order them online and get them shipped for about $70 (47.85 before shipping)..shipping prices suck

https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/produ...by/kinlin.html

Main page, you can virtually build a wheel, pick the specs ad it will tally up the price and weight info.

Go under "handbuilt custom wheel"...pick the specs adn it does the work for you.

click in the red, left side, near the top.

https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/

FTR, I build my own wheels. First Deep V gave me 20,000+ miles. Still true but brakes surface wore thin so I retired it safety concerns.

I use Deep V's on all my bikes. I have run 28's on our tandem. I have used 25's on my singles but I mosty run the 23's.


Tandem Deep V's



Deep V in the rear and a Velocity Fusion up front (new) Fusion is 5 mm more shallow than the Deep V, save a few grams, about the same price. (also shown on the prowheel builder site) but I use Ultegra hubs.

If you order rims online (Deep V or Fusion) BE SURE TO ORDER THE MSW RIMS. The rims labeled "NMSW" are the rims with anodized brake surfaces used on fixies type bikes (no brakes)........if you didn't already know, just an FYI



Wife's bike also Deep V/ Fusion combo



Another thing to keep in mind is for people like me that can build your own wheels. I prefer to have a common hub like Shimano 105/Ultegra for reasons of rebuilding wheels at a later time. When the rim wears out, I cna find a new rim (sometimes $65 for a Deep V online) and I live within driving distance to Jenson so no shipping. Rim and spokes I can rebuild on the hub for $85 'ish. That's like a new wheel for $85.

melvinator

Its not that we dont listen to you! Its that you have the right answer about things because of your experience and we try to get away with things as cheaply as possilbe.
I actually know a guy who is selling two HANDBUILT shimano 105 hubs with DTswiss spokes and 36H deep v velocity rims for $255 brand new.

Mr. Beanz

Understandeable, I do too but as cheaply as possible but yet durable so I don't have to spend more later.


That's a great deal, jump on it. If anything, you can have them rebuilt later with a new rim after these wear. I have 105's, Ultegra, 600 (old Ultegra), and Dura Ace. Honestly I can't tell the difference of the wheels under me.

If they are new, maybe slighty used, I would take them to a shop after 300 miles or so to have the tension checked. Maybe sooner if they feel loose (wheels lose some tension after a break in period). Once the tension is re set properly (if needed), they should last a loooong time.

Mr. Beanz

BTW, is the guy the dude selling them earlier in this thread? Let me know, myabe I'll offer him $265.

melvinator

yeah these suckers are brand new.... you can tell that they have never seen brakes... think he has 3 pairs.... no its not that guy, i am still waiting for a link from him to check it out, rather help a fellow cylde.

Mr. Beanz

Cool, of course I was just kidding, I got lots of wheels now.

Fangowolf

Hey now, I listened Beanz. I love my Velocity Chucker and Phil Wood hub. I actually need to start looking for a good wheel guy in houston or buy a tension meter for its settle in checkup.

melvinator

Thank you very much for all your help!

Hey i listened too!

Beanz:

Well i just ended up getting those Deep V 36H Shimano 105 with DTswiss spoke wheel set! Bit the bullet but i am sure i will thank myself in the future.

Beanz do you have a tension meter and dish tool for creating your wheel sets?

Mr. Beanz

I have a cheap true stand $30 (Performance) a dishing tool.

I asked my buddy who owns a bike shop to order one for me. He said skip it, he'd lend me his anytime, he has 2. So I use his to check my tension while building.

Even if I didn't have a dishing tool ro stand, he's always offering to lend me tools.


Mark on the left (Mark and Dave's Bike Shop).....at 3:25 into the video, he praises my wheel building.


IMG_2300 by gulpxtreme, on Flickr


IMG_2303 by gulpxtreme, on Flickr


IMG_2306 by gulpxtreme, on Flickr

adrien

I love it when this site works this well. Issue raised, thoroughly discussed and good solution found in less than a work day. After all the complaining about the site, just thought I'd point out it still works, and well.

melvinator

I have had the best luck on this site ... every time I have asked a question its been answered promptly ... from biking techniques to new fork configuration to now a new wheel set ... I am very thank full from everyone's great attitude in the sub forum ...