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Old 07-01-21 | 08:11 AM
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Bikes: enough one would think, but thinking isn't my strong point

Recommend a wheel builder

I'm thinking of treating myself to a set of wood rimmed wheels for my mystery Italian frame... maybe a set from Ghisallo. i have the hubs in hand, so would be looking to ship my rims and hubs to someone in the Conus to build them for me. any recommendations? (and yes, i know the disadvantages of wood rims, flexy wheels, special brake pads, ect.. but it's going to be an easy riding sunday cruiser only...)

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Old 07-01-21 | 08:17 AM
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Diy
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Old 07-01-21 | 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by thinktubes
Diy
i've never built a wheel, and not sure if there are special issues with building with wood rims.
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Old 07-01-21 | 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by cocoabeachcrab
i've never built a wheel, and not sure if there are special issues with building with wood rims.
Find out
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Old 07-01-21 | 08:42 AM
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If you were planning to ship them anyway, send the rims and hubs to Yellow Jersey in Arlington WI. You won’t be disappointed, and building up wood rims won’t be a first for them.
Check out their website, yellow Jersey.org, most of their business is shipped to them. Like you, not interested in diy, would rather take my hubs and rims to some one who does it for a living.
Tim

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Old 07-01-21 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by tkamd73
If you were planning to ship them anyway, send the rims and hubs to Yellow Jersey in Arlington WI. You won’t be disappointed, and building up wood rims won’t be a first for them.
Check out their website, yellow Jersey.org, most of their business is shipped to them. Like you, not interested in diy, would rather take my hubs and rims to some one who does it for a living.
Tim
thanks! i've dealt with them before.. great to work with!
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Old 07-01-21 | 08:55 AM
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Bob Freeman (posts regularly on Classic Rendezvous) does plenty of vintage bike restorations and has built wooden wheels for a number of people. He could certainly do it.
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Old 07-01-21 | 09:20 AM
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Make sure to post pictures here when you're done. Love to see what you get built up.
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Old 07-01-21 | 09:30 AM
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Rob at https://www.psimet.com/ is an option. I have built wood wheels but it is a pita. Rob is faster and better than me and the cost is most reasonable.
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Old 07-01-21 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by iab
Rob at https://www.psimet.com/ is an option. I have built wood wheels but it is a pita. Rob is faster and better than me and the cost is most reasonable.
Psimet2001 is actually a member here.
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Old 07-01-21 | 10:47 AM
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Bikes: enough one would think, but thinking isn't my strong point

Originally Posted by himespau
Make sure to post pictures here when you're done. Love to see what you get built up.
i will do that! i just need to determine wheel size for my frame before i order the rims .. i'm waiting to trial fit some wheels in order to figure out what brakes i'm going to use... this is a mystery frame so not sure if 27 inch or 700c will work best and i don't want to use center pulls, and the frame is currently in the "keepa you hands off" mode as the paint is drying (and my discipline at waiting is not all that good i must admit).
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Old 07-01-21 | 11:09 AM
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Mike Varney of Black Mtn Cycles is an expert wheel builder: https://blackmtncycles.com/wheels/
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Old 07-02-21 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by onyerleft
Every city with more than a few bike shops will have at least one bike mechanic who is more than capable of building great wheels. Not only that, but all wheels built by the thousands and thousands of skilled bike mechanics will be built to just about the same level of quality. Indisputable FACTS.
Sure, but if they're not experienced with wood rims, that list shrinks a LOT.
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Old 07-02-21 | 06:07 PM
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Recommend a wheel builder? Me! I learned to do this years ago and have been getting better at it with every build. I cannot imagine the pain in the butt it would be, for me, to not know how to build and maintain my vintage wheels...
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Old 07-02-21 | 08:52 PM
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Dave’s Wheels in AZ

Dave at Dave’s Wheels has built six sets of vintage wheels for me and they have always been perfect:
https://daves-wheels.com/
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Old 07-02-21 | 10:46 PM
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Earle Young is my go to. I have built for myself but find sending things off to Earle and getting back a nice set of wheels rather satisfying.

Earle Wheels
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