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Custom CX wheel build -- input needed

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Custom CX wheel build -- input needed

Old 02-16-13, 05:13 PM
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Custom CX wheel build -- input needed

Hi there,

I'm looking to upgrade the stock wheels on my 2012 Cannondale CAADX 6. Aside from being very heavy, the stock Maddux/Formula combo has proven to be far from durable. The wheels need to be regularly re-trued.

Rider weight is 165 lbs. I ride a lot of smooth and bumpy hardpack and also use the bike for light mountain duty.

Rims: Velocity A23 or Kinlin XC-279 or H PLUS SON ARCHETYPE RIM (Very similar to my HED C2 Belgiums that I like very much) -- all are 23mm wide
Hubs: Rotaz Chin Haur or possibly Ultegra
Spokes: Sapim Laser, 32 front, 32 rear, both wheels laced 3x
Nipples: Sapim Brass

Is 32/32 overkill for what I'm doing? Based on the stock wheels (which are 32/32), it doesn't seem like the case and I'd rather have a bit of insurance at a slight weight penalty.

Total build cost would be about $400 all said and done.

My tire of choice is the 700x35c Sammy Slick that I run at 30 psi front / 40 psi rear.

Thanks,
Bob
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Old 02-16-13, 06:30 PM
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XT hubs and Sapim spokes are headed my way. To be laced into A23 OC 3x 32h.

So, why not D-Light spokes with Sapim alloy nipples (i'll be using wheelbuilder nips in red).
That way the lightness is moved to the rim (inertia). For your weight Lasers would be OK but i'm 230#.

Consider an OC rim for the rear. DT just brought out one, cheaper than the Velocity iirc.

Have fun. Consider this an un-needed bump. :-)
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Old 02-16-13, 11:34 PM
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Having now built with both DT and Sapim (brass nipples in both cases) I'm happier with DTs. I'd go Race on the drive side rear if you want to do Sapim.

28/32 would be more than fine for your weight.

$400 is a tightish budget. What I did with a budget wheel build was a BHS wide front and a DT 340 rear. Trying to source a weird freehub body or other small parts could be a real bummer. With a front you pop in new bearings and that's it. If Shimano is already on your list and the weight is not a dealbreaker go with that.

Rims-wise I would go H+Son. I've raced TB14s for the last few seasons and they've held up well. I've seen some A23s with some issues. I have some Kinlin XR19Ws I built up with the above hubs and Laser/Race that I have limited miles on but so far they seem to be fine. Those are 24/28 road wheels though. At my size I will not be racing cross on them.
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Old 02-17-13, 06:17 AM
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At your weight, 32/32 3x lace is definitely overkill - especially if you're planning on running those pressures.
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Old 02-23-13, 11:31 AM
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Based on input from a local wheelbuilder and mixed reviews online, I've decided to drop the H+ Son Archetype as a candidate.

That leaves:

1. Velocity A23 -- 23mm wide, 19.5mm deep, 426g
2. Kinlin XC279 -- 23mm wide, 28mm deep, 490g

I'd like to believe that the XC279 would be a stronger wheel given te extra ~10mm of depth. The A23 seems to be more of a known quantity though.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Bob
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Old 02-23-13, 11:48 AM
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So this is not a race bike, just taking it off road.. 32 hole hubs and rims are pretty commonplace ,
so won't be that expensive.. radial spoke front hub has been known to have the spoke pull the hole out..

Want a wheel to last for decades ?, then its not overkill.

I still ride what would be, conservative spec 30 year old wheels.
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Old 02-23-13, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by bobonker
Based on input from a local wheelbuilder and mixed reviews online, I've decided to drop the H+ Son Archetype as a candidate.

That leaves:

1. Velocity A23 -- 23mm wide, 19.5mm deep, 426g
2. Kinlin XC279 -- 23mm wide, 28mm deep, 490g

I'd like to believe that the XC279 would be a stronger wheel given te extra ~10mm of depth. The A23 seems to be more of a known quantity though.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Bob
If you're not racing it in hub-deep muck where you want an aero profile to sling mud like a politician in campaign season, consider the Sun CR18.

22.5mm width
17.5mm inner measurement
15.5mm depth
eyeletted
440g (brushed silver finish) 460g (mirror polished)
TWENTY-EIGHT BUCKS EACH <--- For reals, this is the primary selling point for me. I can get a pair of these and a box of DT Champion 2.0 spokes for what I paid for a single HED Belgium C2.
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Old 02-25-13, 01:11 PM
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I'm using two sets of Velocity A23/Shimano 105 on my two cross bikes. I also have the 23mm wide HED Ardennes on my road bike and the SUN CR18 on my vintage bike. All are very good rims.

Consider the HED Belgium Series C2 Rim 32h Black Rim if you can spend the money. The A23 is also a good rim. The Sun CR18 is an outstanding value.
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Old 03-04-13, 08:12 PM
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Thanks for the info about the Sun CR-18. I didn't know good sub $30 rims even existed!

Bob
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Old 03-07-13, 07:25 PM
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Are there multiple versions of the CR-18? Here's a black rim that says it weighs 560g with an ERD of 610mm. $27 with free shipping for a PAIR?!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUN-CR18-700...item2c6d08db4f

And here's a polished one that says it weighs 460g with an ERD of 612mm. $23.58 per rim (which seems more inline with what everyone else is selling them for)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sun-CR-18-70...item1e78105fce

Those black ones are so cheap that I think I'll buy a pair just to play around with.

Thanks,
Bob
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Old 03-07-13, 07:53 PM
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I've built a Mixed cross wheels before .. 3 cross DS, 2 cross NDS rear, 2 cross front would be OK
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Old 03-08-13, 12:11 PM
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Confirmed with the seller that $27 includes BOTH rims. Ordered a pair. The Sun web site shows black ones for the CR18 model, so looks like these ones are current. They also list the weight at 460g.

Bob
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Old 03-08-13, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by bobonker
Confirmed with the seller that $27 includes BOTH rims. Ordered a pair. The Sun web site shows black ones for the CR18 model, so looks like these ones are current. They also list the weight at 460g.

Bob
The Sun CR18 rims are great. Yes, they are a little heavier than the A23, but the quality is superb. The CR18 rim has eyelets and should be easier to build-up than the A23.
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Old 03-13-13, 05:14 PM
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This is Singlecross commuter/brevet bike/gravel grinder
CR-18 brushed silver finish, PWB 14g spokes. Just built 'em up over the weekend.

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Old 03-14-13, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
I've built a Mixed cross wheels before .. 3 cross DS, 2 cross NDS rear, 2 cross front would be OK
This actually works out really well if hub flange diameter is same front and back because then you can often just use one length of spoke to fit what could otherwise be 2 or 3 different lengths. It is usually cheaper to get a single 100 count box of spokes and makes it easy to carry a spare spoke (inside seatpost) that can fit anywhere.
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