Originally Posted by
urbanknight
I see what you're saying, but I'm still going to respectfully disagree with you. I like to think of master wheel builders as problem solvers. They take specific requests and parameters and figure out options that would fit the bill. Having built over 30 different models of rims, over 20 different models of hubs, and 12 different models of spokes, I have made (reliably) far more than 20 designs. I imagine busier people like Psimet and older builders like Peter White have made even more combinations. Considering I put people into 4 different weight categories plus various tandem configurations with 6 different riding styles, there are already far more than a half dozen requirements of riders. Figuring out what would serve different and unique people is one of the most fun parts of building wheels for others.
Maybe it's semantics. If you're talking different sku's the number of permutations is practically limitless. But if you agree that one 30mm alloy rim is interchangeable with others and that a fat guy's lightweight climbing wheel could be a skinny guy's bulletproof trainer, then the number of designs needed to meet a variety of uses declines to handfuls. For example, I don't remember the details, but Psimet in another thread mentioned that he used something like f/r 270/300 rims + 28/32 spokes for his team's wheels for reliability = a general solution to a problem. Permutations might involve different brands of spokes, hubs, and rims, maybe lacing, perhaps based on price and availability.