Originally Posted by
cale
That quote you got, $250 for a rim +spokes +labor sounds too high. You should insist on a well-built wheel but even generously allowing $130 for rim and spokes, you're being charged $120 labor to build one wheel. That's about double the going rate.
Yes it's the city and it's the LBS where all the weight weenies with $ to spend go - but they do good work and are actually enthusiastic about bikes - compared with alot of shops in Chicago where the mechs are bored out of their minds and half listen to what you're telling them.
If I were under 200 and I was riding nice pavement I would go for Velomine 32h - I've heard nothing but good things. But I'm over 220 and riding nasty Chicago winter streets. Also am just coming off a year of frustration with a 36h A23 because of an inferior build. I think the quote is high but then I own the shop for a while and I can get it trued whenever I want.
Other option I'm considering is sending the hub to PowerWheelBuilder.com and doing a 36h/3 cross. Their site quoted me something like 160 - but with all the shipping and not having a wheel for a while - wonder if it'd be a wash anyhow.
My God, the mulling I'm doing on this - I wish I could get as obsessed over mutual funds or web programming.