i sincerely appreciate all the discussion and feedback on this guys - just got back from a 20 miler and no problems with the wheel - but i satyed local and i like to take my bikes out far and the problem here with this bike is that the chainstays are very tight as they move into the BB - all my other bikes - near the bb the inner chainstay is 'hollowed out' a bit to give more clearance - this is important in the whole story of the first break the other day - with this bike i cant ride a broken spoke home - it wobbles too much and rubs the stay - this morning when i broke 2 spokes i was lucky that i brought a few to replace on the road - otherwise i woulda been stranded again - anyway - i love this bike - rides and fits so nice

on another note - as much as i would like to wheel build - its gotta be just as easy to pick up a new rear at my LBS - they have em for $40

edit - i'm still glad i'm getting the park meter though