I stuck this in the touring forum as the folks here appreciate the importance of confidence in their gear and the toughness that touring wheels require. I just got my new wheels from the guy who built them and am a little unhappy with them. They are Mavic A319 rims with XT hubs and DT Alpine III spokes.

I have a few issues/questions. Firstly largely cosmetic stuff, for example the labels on the rims and hubs are in different orientations on the two wheels. Worse, the rim tape is clearly too small as it says rims 13c to 17 c, and the 319`s are 19c in width. Finally, for me the spoke tension feels pretty low.

The cosmetic issues are easily solved by removing the rim labels, but are suggestive of poor work. Should I also change the rim tape?

I know without a tensionometer this is subjective, but should I be able to deflect the spokes by several mm under gentle pressure? The tension seems similar to that on my son`s beat up and cheap mountain bike... I just got a pair of new Fulcrum wheels for my road bike and the contrast is huge (mind you these have deep rims and a low spoke count).

At least the sodding things are true, but then again the rims were practically perfect beforehand!

Advice appreciated! With long tours planned I am sorely tempted to rebuild the wheels rather than have to worry about them all the time.