oldpjams

Looking to buy some new custom wheels. Would like to read recommendations from anyone that owns wheels from these builders. Thanks!

55/Rad

All of them have great reputations. That stated, I've heard the names Joe Young and Dave Thomas mentioned more often than the guys at Oddsandendos. FWIW.

55/Rad

oldpjams

Me too. Mike @ Oddsandendos is a LOT less expensive for an identical build, though. I'm happy to pay a higher price for a better built wheel, but not sure how much different the wheels would be using the same rim/spoke/hub?

55/Rad

A great build is a great build. And all 3 are great builders. Hard to believe there is that big of a difference in price. What is it on an apples to apples?

55/Rad

oldpjams

$440 vs $600 on all DT Swiss

baxtefer

mike at oddsandendos gets tons of good reviews on the roadbikereview.com forums.

oldpjams

cool, i'll check that out. thanks

pgreene

i've heard nothing but good things about dave thomas. don't have them myself, but a friend i ride with all the time does, and he loves them. great wheels, and even better service.

Cycling Giraffe

I own a pair of wheels built by Mike at OddsandEndos. Very sweet wheels -- Mike was great to talk to and order from. I spoke with him at length about what I wanted from a "daily-use" lightweight and very high quality wheel. My build is as follows: DT Swiss 1.1 Rims, 28 H front and back, White Industries LTA hubs, and Sapim CX-Ray spokes. I don't remember what the exact cost was, but it was in the $500 ballpark, incl. shipping and American Classic Ti skewers. The weight of the wheelset is just under 1500 grams. So far, I've put about 1000 miles on the set, hit potholes hard enough to get pinchflats, even (rather carefully) ridden on and off curbs occassionally to avoid traffic, and have not had to true the wheels yet (knock on wood). The wheels feel light and more laterally solid under my 175-180 lbs weight than the Mavic Cosmos wheels they replaced. Nothing bad to say about the wheels at all, and, based on my experience I highly recommend them.

My wife also has a pair of Mike's wheels, a super-lightweight build with Am Classic hubs 24 H front, 28 H rear, IRD Niobium rims, and Wheelsmith spokes. I think that this wheelset weighs under 1400 grams. I took her bike for a brief spin around the block, and these wheels on her bike just feel quick and featherlight, but I can also feel some definite flex in them. Of course they were specc'ed for my wife who weighs only about 100 lbs, and she seems pleased with them. Obviously, such a build would probably be unsuitable for a rider of my mass as an everyday-use wheel. Like me she has had no trouble with the wheelset, though she isn't generally very hard on her gear. These wheels, if I recall correctly were under $400, including Am Classic Ti skewers and shipping.

I've only heard good things about all these builders, but I thought I'd give you personal feedback on the one that I have experience with.

jedi_rider

I looked at Mike's website. He doesn't list the wheels you had him built. How long ago did you buy from him? Maybe he changed his product line...or did you just have him do something customized with stuff not on his website?

Just asking because I plan on building up a bike in the next 3 months and a new wheelset is on my mind. I'll give Mike a call when the time comes...

92degrees

I think Mike is using American Classic or White, Velocity Aero, and Wheelsmith spokes at this time for road wheels. That's what he recently told me.

Cycling Giraffe

I think it was mid to late summer (2004) when I got my wheels. My wife's wheels were ordered a little earlier, like early summer.

Yes, I had Mike do a total custom job for me; at the time I ordered from Mike, the wheels I ordered for myself were not on his website either. I just had an idea of what I wanted -- strong, best-quality components, light, some bling factor -- and spoke with him for about half an hour, discussing my weight, typical riding speed, terrain, etc., before we decided on the kind of build and components that suited my requirements. For example, his stock Speedcific hubs are likely just as good for a rider like me as the White Hubs I chose, but the White Hubs are much prettier, and, because I always wanted either a set of Whites, Kings or Ringle hubs for my mountain bike when I was in college, but couldn't afford such extravagances, I went with the Whites on Mike's recommendation, as I was willing to spend extra over the Speedcifics. Mike also stated that the Wheelsmith spokes he generally uses would be a fine choice for my wheels, but since I had heard so many good things about Sapim CX-Rays, and, again was willing to spend the extra to get what many regard as "the best," Mike used them in my build. Mike didn't stock the parts used in my wheels other than the DT rims and the Am Classic Ti skewers, but it only took about an extra week for him to get the hubs and spokes.

Don't get me wrong, Mike's standard builds on his website should be fine choices (I know someone who has one of his standard Am Classic/Wheelsmith/Velocity builds, and thinks they are excellent). I just wanted something a little "extra."

I'm not sure whether or not Mike still makes "totally custom" wheels like the set he did for me, but I have not heard otherwise, and it might be worth it giving him a call if you're curious. With regard to the IRD niobium rims used in my wife's wheels (I think the same as the Am Classic 350 rims, but with eyelets), I understand that they may no longer be available, generally, so if you want to use those, you might be out of luck. Best of luck.

92degrees

My mistake -- that was my conversation with Dave Thomas not Mike Garcia. Sorry for the confusion.

jedi_rider

I know this thread is old, but I had to send this update...

Got my wheels from OddsandEndos and have put about 150miles on them.

Wheelset is:
Rear - 28 count Speedcific Hubs w/ AE14-XE15 bladed spokes w/ DT Swiss RR1.1 rim
Front - 24 count Speedcific Hubs w/ XE15 bladed spokes w/ IRC Cadence Road rim

Total weight was 1444 grams---cost $350.

These wheels want to climb---and I really tried to flex the heck out of them, but at 140lbs how much flex can I really do??? No problems descending with them either---straight as an arrow.

They take a pretty good beating, too as I went through some semi-completed construction roads and they are still true.

Instead of rim tape, I used some red plugs that Mike suggested. I'll try anything once ! My only fear is that if I ever flatted and had to change a tube that the plugs would fall out and leave the rim hole uncovered, thus leading to a blowout.

I wouldn't hesitate to order from Mike again.

In fact, I just bought a UST MTB disc wheelset made by him. Can't wait to give that a whirl, too.