I got my LBS to build wheels for my Raleigh Sport and while they are fine, I won't be taking my wheelbuilding business to them again. I have a Raleigh Super Course Mixte that I really want to build. I need 700c wheels -- a 3-speed IGH rear and a dynamo hub front. Recommendations for online sources appreciated.

What happened?

No communication. No one even told me they had arrived. I handed them the old wheel and said "Use this hub if possible, there's nothing wrong with it." I got a wheel with a new hub that was 10mm wider than the one I brought in. They did not build the wheels, they bought them from somewhere in FL. I did not pay more @ the LBS to get wheels that were slightly wrong -- I could have ordered the wrong hub by myself.

Wow. You should write a review on Yelp! How do you know that they bought them? Was there stickers on it saying it was built in FL? Did they sell you the wheels saying that they handbuilt them? If so, that's shady. I bet none of the mechanics there even know how to build a wheel, that's why they resorted to selling you a prebuilt one.

I hear folks at Rivendell can build a solid wheel.

They probably are prebuilt wheels from J&B (based in Miami with 8 various warehouses across the country). I can't comment on what they did, but can make a few comments. I worked at a LBS for 2.5 yrs and we did build wheels, but not extremely often. Prebuilt wheels are usually cheaper to buy than build, and most people what cheaper. Even reusing hubs with new spokes and rims with labor often came out more expensive than the prebuilts. But, with that said if you brought me hubs to build with and told me what you wanted that is what you would get. I might discuss other options at that time, but I would never just order up a different set of wheels when you brought in hub(s) to do a wheel build with.

Velo-Orange previously had 3s IGH hubbed 700c wheels, they only show 650b right now...might want to give them a call. They still show the dynohub front.

Alternatively, just order the SA hub and matching VO or Sun rim to go with the front and go to a decent LBS.

Where are you located...someone might have a shop recommendation...

universalcycles.com, assuming they stock the hubs you want. cheap, fast, and the builds're strong.

-rob

There's Soma for a pre-built rear wheel (Sturmey-Archer SRF3). Harris offers generator front hub wheels (Shimano Alfine).

I did say "If it's cheaper to use a new hub, go ahead." Two weeks went by and I heard nothing. I assumed at that point that they were unable to get wheels and started searching on my own again. Then the shop owner, who rides with me regularly said one night "We thought your wheels would get here today but they did not. They should be here tomorrow." I stopped by the next day, no wheels. And the next as well. Maybe three or four days later I stopped by again to ask if there was any news and learned that they had indeed been delivered. No one had called me; there was a ticket on the wheels with my phone number. When I got them home, I found that the new hub was wider than the old one. Do I want to go through all of this again? No, and it was a small difference, so we bent (excuse me, cold set) the frame.

I don't have a problem with them buying pre-built wheels or sending out for them. I have a problem with them not communicating with me AT ALL and not handing me a wheel that actually fit the bicycle.

It's the best shop around for customer service, usually. I still give them money. They actually do minor repairs for free, while I'm standing there. They let me in after hours. The wheel job was a fail. It's not a job they will get often here. This is a low population area and there just is not even a market for many WHEELS, much less 3 speed and dynamo hubs.

The bike shops around here (and I know all of them, it's a small cycling community) don't want to built wheels or work on vintage bikes. They need to sell new bicycles to stay in business.

Thanks for the recommendations. I *do* have an LBS owner friend in Seattle who builds wheels, but I'm not getting a response on price from him. I'll bug him again, too.

Peter White Cycles does custom wheel building and can supply dynohub wheels complete. If you want to re-use your old rear hub, he's apparently okay with that. I've bought dyno lights through him (actually my LBS bought them; apparently Peter White does both retail and wholesale business).

Eileen, what's your price range? There are a lot of world -class builders on-line, but should the wheels cost more than the bicycle does?

TCS beat me to it. I would consider the Soma 3 speed prebuilt wheel. Better yet, I would go for the S-RF5 wheel for one higher and lower gear. I don't see them on the Soma website, but they are available via Merry Sales. Your LBS will be able to order them for you.

Alternatively, you can order wheels from J&B Importers via your LBS. You can select the hub, rim and spokes. They're build charge is very, very reasonable.

I sent them a message about a month ago. While they do not have any in stock, they do plan to offer them again, or so I was told.

Spinlitecycling.com built wheels for me as well as harriscyclery.net

I've contacted them recently regarding the prebuilt wheels as well. I was told they expect to have them in stock again in the spring (maybe March) along with new wheels built with their new cartridge bearing freewheel and cassette hubs and, I assume, their new dynamo hub.

Try Norm at the Bicycle Post in Greenville, NC. Builds, ships, knows wheels, old and new, in and out.
If it rolls, he's probably built or fixed it.

Probably $350 or less. The frame cost $25, so the wheels will definitely cost more.

UH did we address the spacing issue before we started recomendig wheels? I thought I read in one of Eileen's first post the new hub was wider??

The OP mentioned a 3 speed IGH hub. I would think the rear hub could be had with ~119mm spacing as easily as any other.