Originally Posted by
DCB0
It is actually often cheaper to buy a new machine built wheel than to buy a lone im and spokes and pay for someone to lace it up. A properly hand built wheel, however, is generally more duable than a machine built one, but careful hand tensioing of the machine built wheel will narrow the gap considerably.
With quality wheels (double walled rims, butted stainless steel spokes, Shimano/ Campagnolo/boutique hubs) it's least expensive to learn wheel building and spend $50-$80 on a bare rim every time you wear out brake tracks or bend a rim. Spokes and hub shells last pretty much indefinitely (300,000 miles) and you won't be forced into next year's or decade's bike fashions when you become due for a replacement.