Hey everyone,

I'm thinking about having some wheels built up by Excel Sports in Boulder, CO. These wheels will be used for everything except racing so they need to be durable, but I'd still like to keep them somewhat low in weight. I've been spoiled by my Dura Ace c24 clinchers, which are 1380 grams and extremely durable.

I plan on buying some Bora One carbon tubulars at some point next year, but I want to get a set of 32h handbuilts first so I have something more practical to train on. I'm looking at Mavic Open Pro rims laced to Record hubs with DT Revolution spokes. $550 for 1550 grams.

I have a couple questions though. How should these be laced? 3x front and rear, DS and NDS? Should I go with 28h up front to save some weight? Are DT Revolution spokes a good choice? They are slightly more expensive and weigh less than the DT competitions.

Thanks!

Nice setup, though if you want lighter with similar durability, look at the Stan's No Tubes rims with the Record hubs and DT Revolution spokes: even with brass nipples and 3x lacing (which is the way to go for durability), you'll get 1 gram under 1,400! Go with alloy nipples and you'll be at 1,359 grams for the set - nice and light!

Also, seeing as you're in NoVA: give Travis Evans a call up at Just Riding Along Bike Shop in Laytonsville, MD: he does some top-quality builds at competitive prices. I have Campy wheels built by him (on older Chorus hubs with Velocity Aerohead rims) that are very light and durable.

Thanks songfta! I might just give him a call to see if he has any Campy hubs laying around to build up. I actually wanted silver hubs with black spokes and rims, but the newer Record hubs only come in black. I'd definitely be okay with some older silver Chorus hubs. I doubt he'll have any laying around, but who knows, maybe he'll be able to source something else comparable. Thanks again!

+1 on the Velocity Aeroheads. The offset spoke bed rear rim is especially useful on Campagnolo-compatible hubs (includes Record) since Campagnolo cassettes are slightly wider than Shimano cassettes. If your builder is willing, I've also found the IRD Cadence rims to be good; these too have an offset version for the rear. In case you don't know, IRD Cadence rims are a variant of Kinlin's well-regarded Niobium-doped aluminum (stronger than garden variety aluminum) rims.

FYI, current generation Record hubs are 32-holes only and never came in a 28-hole version. They used to have the 36-hole version but no more. Previous generation hubs (the silver kind) have ridiculous prices on eBay nowadays, especially 28-hole or 36-hole versions.

Thanks! There's actually a seller on eBay trying to sell a Record/Open Pro wheelset with silver 32h rear/28h front hubs. He's selling the front and rear separately for some reason. $250 each. Of course, these are from 2005-2006. When I asked about possibly going 28h up front I forgot that the new Record hubs don't come in 28h. I'd have to go with a DT Swiss or Chris King hub to go 28h up front, but I'm not doing that because they are more expensive than the Record hubs.

You can also try Bill Mould at Spokes Etc. on Quaker Lane in Alexandria. I was referred to him and am happy with the wheels he built for me. He also teaches a wheel-building class, where you just sit and build your own wheels under his supervision and guidance.

It would be awesome to attend a class like that. I'm definitely going to look into it.

Can anyone tell me if the Record hubs on these wheels will work with 11-speed?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/250966248633...#ht_500wt_1378

Thanks!

The DT Swiss 350 front hub is available in 28h, and it is not expensive.

You are right. They are less expensive, but also weigh more. I also like the bearing system on the Record hub for maintenance reasons.

I would recommend avoiding the Stan's rim, I have had a lot of Stan's wheels, and while REALLY light, they go out of true FAST. I have to assume that this is due in part to the really light rim. Moved to Fulcrum's w/ 2 way fit, never looking back.

+1 on Bill Mould's wheel building class. I took it a couple of years ago and have had fun building up my wheels.

IIRC, 11-speed cassettes will fit on those hubs. The cog spacing is tighter hence the narrower chain but shouldn't be a problem.

BTW, those are the nicer Record hubs before the changed the design and went all black. I'd snag the wheels myself just for the hubs if I thought I could get away with it.

I've had poor luck with Open Pro rims. They tend to crack at the eyelets, and many of them have something inside that rattles and can't be removed.

Stans are nice weight weenie/race rims but not for a training set unless you're very light or live somewhere that has only smooth pavement.

What's wrong with the C24s? Shimano wheels are usually bulletproof.

32h wheels can bel laced 3x. Use thicker spokes on the DS for a stiffer wheel.

Nothing wrong with the DA wheels. They are without a doubt the best wheels I've ever used and owned. Problem is that I no longer own anything Shimano/SRAM. Hence the reason I'm looking for a CAMPAGNOLO wheelset to replace them.

+1 on the Velocity Aeroheads.
The DS flange offset is even worse on a Campy hub than a Shimano hub, and the 4mm O/C version of the Aerohead makes a *huge* improvement in NDS tension.

I just checked out Velocity's website and I really like what I see. I just might go with the offset Aeroheads instead of the Open Pros. I can see the offset design working because the DA c24's actually have an offset/asymmetrical spoke bed on the rear as well. Probably why they are so darn strong and stay true at 1380 grams with a 20/16 spoke count.

So.....Record hubs, Velocity Aerohead O/C rims, but what spokes? Should I do a combination of DT Swiss Competition DS and Revolution NDS in the rear? All Revolution to save weight? How about Sapim Lasers? I'm looking for spokes that will give me the optimum balance of strength and low weight.

Don't use revolution spokes on the rear drive side. OK everywhere else. I used 28H DT rims on the last set of wheels that I had Excel build for me. They were tough to mount the tires to them. Apparently the "crotch" is shallow.

Excel builds good wheels, but skip the OPs. They were great race rims in the 90s. Now, not so much.

Any reason not to use Revolution spokes on the drive side?

Here's what I am having built up, you could go with a 32h setup if you want the strength, but I'd discuss with a knowledgeable wheel builder about how much is too much.

White Industries hubs: H2/H3, Campagnolo 11sp, polished silver
HED Belgium C2 rims (23mm wide, 25mm tall), 24/28h
CX-Ray spokes front and rear non-driveside, DT-Comp drive side.

That build was quoted to be around 1500g, should be plenty strong as a daily riding set for my current less than ideal weight, and came in well under $700 delivered. Up the spoke count to 28/32, go with heavier spokes if you want to make something really durable if that's your goal.

The RR465 from DT is a good 'Open Pro' style rim. Slightly heavier, yes, but in my experience stronger and better for rough conditions.

My home built training wheels are Campy Record hubs, RR465 rims and DT comp spokes 3X mirror laced with pull spokes inside..

How about these? Will they work with 11-speed?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Campy-Campag...#ht_500wt_1378

Also, I read something in another auction for an 8-speed Record hubset that the freehub body can be changed out for a 9-10 speed body. Does this mean it can also work with 11-speed? I was under the impression that 8-speed hubs are NOT compatible or upgradeable to 11-speed.

Thanks!

You're on the right track with Open Pros. I built my Campy set with C2 Belgiums and Record hubs, and will probably swap out to Open Pros (the hard anodized kind) this Fall. The eyelets make it easier to get them round and true (in my opinion). Also, yes, Campy 11 works with the hubs.

Word to the wise though, watch the hubs out of the box. Both of mine needed tightening after the first ride. It's easy to do, but still something to be aware of.

+1 on open pros, the new ones are terrible and will crack at the eyelets.. I 2nd the Velocity aeroheads or Fusion rims.