Originally Posted by 79pmooney

Build your own? $70 for good used hubs, (2) $70 rims, DB spokes for $50/wheel. $350 total + rubber.

Tools required - $7 spoke wrench. The Park Tension gauge is nice but pinging a good wheel with similar gauge spokes and lacing pattern and noting the pitch will give you the same information. Truing stand is nice but your bike will work just as well. Dishing tool is nice but flipping the wheel in your stand will get you to the same place.

Or go to shops and look for wheels on sale. (I sometimes buy sale wheels for their rims and hubs. RIde them as is for a while, then rebuild with the spokes and pattern I really want.)

Building wheels is a skill you will never regret.

Ben