Good one. Here's a tip: use a different rim front and rear. Since the rear takes about 60% of the weight and is dished, it makes a lot of sense to use something a bit heavier (I'm thinking something close to 500g for you, but maybe you could get away with something lighter @36h). It makes even more sense to use an off-centre rim, too - they allow the spoke tension to be a lot closer to equal on each side, making for a much stronger wheel at a zero weight penalty.

If your front rim isn't a boat anchor, I'd prolly just re-lace one side of it to make it symmetrical (like hand-built wheels are), and tension it up.

In short, just build yourself a proper rear, and rebuild the front.


What's the point of going for a freewheel hub if you're going to drop serious coin? A nice old Shimano freehub can be had for next to nothing, and they can last forever.