fetad

After some research on wheel builds I'm starting to get a feel for what I want. Here are some of my stats...

• 160 lbs
• Was a masher but have learned to spin spin spin
• Local roads are not pristine but we don't have many deep pot holes
• New wheels will be for CAAD7 frame
• Looking for AL clinchers under $700/set

Rims

Are any of the <30mm height aero rims giving enough aero benefit to offset the weight? Should I just stick with a lightweight box rim? I'm not seeing any affordable Zipp-like sails (Blackburn is getting there, but out of my budget). Are the Soul 4.0 rims available?

From what I've gathered, quality rims are welded and have a machined brake surface (double eyelets too?) Unless there are deep aero rims available within range of my budget I'll stick with Nobium, Velocity, DT 1.1 (double or single) depending on where I can get the best price.

Spokes

DT Comp 14/15 on DS and Revolutions on NDS and front.

32 spokes on the rear (2x or 3x not sure)
28 spokes on the front (radial)

Hubs Loose bearing or cartridge bearing?

I'm the most lost on choosing hubs. DT240s, Dura Ace/Ultegra/105, White Industries, King, etc. Do loose bearings roll better than cartridge? I like servicing my bike so that is not a deciding factor.


Thanks for any help

BananaTugger

Niobium 30's + White Industries H2's.

With the spokes you have, they'll be a little over 1500 grams with alloy nipples on the front and NDS and brass on the DS.

All of the bearings on the hubs you are looking at will provide thousands of KM's of riding if you take care of them.

I would recommend using 2x NDS, 3x DS lacing on the rear. This will even up the tension a little bit, as the Niobium rims aren't available in an off centre drilling.

fetad

Thanks for the heads up on brass nipples on the DS and the spoke configuration.

Are the Nobium 30s the same as the Cadence rim?

BananaTugger

Yep.

BananaTugger

Fairwheel Bikes has 28 hole Niobium 30's. They don't have any 32 hole rims in stock, but they can be ordered.

fetad

I know the price goes up with brass nipples, but should I go with them for the entire wheel. At least for the front where there are fewer spokes, higher tension, and only a single eyelet on the nobiums.

Erzulis Boat 

Radial lacing on the front is a no-go in my book. Many reasons.

My current wheelset is 28-3x rear, and 28-2x front. Mavic Open pro CD, DT 14/15 spokes and Record hubs. Bombproof.

Never underestimate the joy of a wheel that runs true for years and years.

fetad

I see. Radial was chosen on looks alone, but I'd rather have a sturdy wheel.

Looks like I can get the White H2's for $370 - 380/set at Price Point and Svelte Cycles ( ~65 off msrp)

BananaTugger

If you really want some hard to kill wheels, 2x front would be the way to go.

As for the nipples: I've found aluminum nipples to be more expensive, but they are harder to work with, which is why I relegate them to front and NDS use. Brass is able to handle higher tensions.

AEO

radial lacing for the front is fine as long as the hub can handle it.

I'm riding some niobium 30mm/ ultegra 28h radial front and a niobium 30mm/105 32h 3x/1x rear with 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes and nickel coated brass nipples all around.

this and a mavic cosmos wheelset which is 20h radial front and 24h 3x rear.

both of them yet to go out of true or round from hitting massive potholes and rails.
then again I'm only 58kg

DScott

Or, just buy these: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...E=SPECIALS&TFC=

Erzulis Boat 

Unless things have changed, White hubs are a solid choice.


ETA- I am currently tuning up one of my employees bikes that has 1990s White hubs, and trust me, if they work for him, they will work for you!

BananaTugger

The decals are removable, as well...

fetad

I see that now after checking out spokes/nipple pricing at excel sports. I made a false assumption.

One more thing I forgot to mention is that this is for a 9 speed set up.

Going to eat now gentlemen. Thanks for the input thus far.

urbanknight

The price actually goes DOWN with brass nipples, and they will make a stronger wheel. People like and pay for alloy nipples when they want to save 20 grams.

Nothing wrong with radial lacing the front, but it's not a big deal in my opinion. They say crossed patterns give a softer ride, but I can't tell the difference out of all the wheels I've run. Radial lacing is lighter, but once again we're talking maybe 10 grams.

Jynx

Radial spokes for the front no question. There is no torque transfer on the front hub plus radial is laterally stiffer, and lighter.

fetad

Which spoke calculator is more accurate? DT Swiss is ~10 mm shorter on spoke lengths compared to the wheelpro calculator. DT's calculator asks for the diameter of the spoke hole on the hub (info which isn't available on white industries website) and this number affects spoke length.

I noticed that alloy nipples are included with the spokes so I only have to order 16 additional brass nipples for the drive side spokes. I'm going to order through Excel Sports. You state the spoke lengths you need in the comments section, however they do not state what nipple length is included with the spoke. Since nipple length affects spoke length, it's a bit of a catch 22.

Too many unknowns at the moment. ugh.

urbanknight

If you're off by 10mm, you entered something incorrectly. Go back and check all the parameters.

I usually use 2 different calculators just to check myself. Here are my favorites.

https://www.geocities.com/d_halem/wheel/wheel.html
https://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeich.htm
https://users.senet.com.au/~mitchell/misc/html/spoke.htm
https://www.houseof3d.com/pete/applet.../appwheel.html

I usually use the first one and check it with Spocalc.

I believe the standard nipple length is 12mm.

waterrockets 

dtswiss has a good calculator too

RichinPeoria

Mavic CXP33 rims - Universal Cycle
DT db spokes - Lick Bike
Campagnolo Hubs (Record for loose ball or Centaur for cartridge) - Lick or Universal.

RichinPeoria

Wth your weight you may want to have a look at Campagnolo's Khamsin wheelset for around $200

BananaTugger

Record isn't going to work with Shimano gear.

RichinPeoria

yeah I should have read the whole post first

erliuic

Aren't the IRD Niobium 19s the Cadence rim? I believe the 30s have another designation (ie Cadence Something). Forgot what it was... Cadence Aero?

urbanknight

^ Aren't they Kinlin XR-300?