Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,252
Likes: 6,624
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Hand built wheels are the way to go! You can do it reasonably cheaply. QBP mentioned above has a custom wheel service and you can get a Surly Fixed Disc hub in 135 (if you don't want Phil Wood prices which translates into quality and long lastiness) and a Sun Ringlé Assault rim and the cheaper DT Swiss spokes and nips and they build it for you for a small fee. I know a bunch of folks who have gotten QBP handbuilts and they all like theirs for quality and price.
Machine built wheels can be ok but generally will have more issues on down the line and you cannot really always get what you want in them. Machines are just too brutal for the finesse of wheel building. You need a light touch which machines aren't as good at.