david58

So, were you standing behind me at the LBS? We have pretty much arrived at Velocity rims, DT swiss spokes, and 105 hubs. Decided I could live with black hubs for the difference in price between 105 and Ultegra (and lack of difference in performance, for me at least). Quoted about $400, seems reasonable enough - should get a lot of mileage out of them.

bigfred 

That's pretty much the most frequent value leader. I hope the $400 was for a set and not just a rear. If you're budget is really tight I wouldn't get to concerned about purchasing just a rear and riding a mismatched set (presuming your front is fine).

With regard to differences between Tiara/105/Ultegra, it's largely cosmetic. I haven't looked to see if the internal part numbers are identical, but, the weights are. I have both a Tiara and Ultegra rear hub and they weigh within 5 grams of each other.

canam73

Reportedly as you go up the Shimano hub line the seals get better. But like you, I haven't checked tec docs or anything. And obviously the DA hub with the Ti cassette holder is a big jump up.

To OP, make sure you are getting double butted spokes for that price. If you shopped around you may get a better price, especially on line. But finding a quality wheel builder is the most important thing so if you trust your LBS then I would stick with them. At least you won't have far to go if you break a spoke.

merlinextraligh

Thanks for supporting the local economy!

david58

The $400 is for the set. I think the other differences between the Ultegra and the 105 hubs is the bearings themselves, but all are cup and cone and the seals do seem to be different.

The intent is double butted spokes. Lots of them.

I'm sure I can get the same or better on the web, but this way I kind of repay the shop for the time they spent diagnosing my noise to determine the wheel was the issue, swapping tires and cassettes and basically bending over backward to help me get on the road for my trip to Shasta on Saturday.

I don't shop local just to shop local - these folks, though not perfect, have worked hard for my business. I'm not their typical college student Customer - when I am spending dad's money, it's mine (my sons are both still in college), so the money hurts. But they have consistently treated me like they want my business, so I consistently take it there.

But I haven't supported the economy yet - even though I have permission from my Bride, I'm going to sell a shotgun to cover the cost of the wheels. Shucks, I'm riding way more than shooting, haven't pointed the shotgun downrange in over a year, and the fitness value of the cycling is a bit more than a spare shotgun.

david58

Now I have to fess up. Just found the same wheel - Velocity rim, 105 hubs, DT Swiss spokes - for $150 less online (from a brick and mortar store back east). Wheel with Mavic Open Pro another $35 less than that. Free shipping. I'm afraid I'm going to have to support someone else's local economy at that price.

canam73

I'd double check on the spokes. A lot of those 'great' deals use DT Champion spokes which are straight gage in lieu of the DT Competition which is double butted. A stupid substitution because it saves about 12 cents a spoke.

And typically they won't make substitutions which is a sure sign that their 'handbuilders' are in a different country and/or they are machine built wheels.

bigfred 

"hand built", "elbows formed", "stress relieved" to excess and "tension balanced" for that price?

You may save $150, but, still need the above. It may still prove cost effective to go with your local if they are going to provide a level of attention to detail beyond what the budget build may deliver.

And, as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing at all wrong with Champion (2.0mm/14 ga./ straight) spokes vs. Comp's (2.0/1.8/2.0 14/15ga double butted) for a clyde wheel build. Most spokes will ultimately break at either the elbow or the threads. So, while the Champions may not be any more "durable" than the Comps, they certainly exhibit less elastic elongation at high tensions. A number of prominent wheel builders have suggested that double butted spokes can build into a more "durable" wheel even if it isn't as "strong". However, I suspect that the difference is more pronounced in lighter weight rims and less so on heavier V section rims. At this point I've built 36 and 32 spoke rears with all Champs, all Comps and a drive/non drive mix of Champs and Comps. Of the three the mixed rear "feels" the stiffest. Purely subjective. However, other wheel builders have pointed out that a drive/non drive mix of heavier/lighter spokes does provide more non drive side elongation at the lower tension and may help ensure that non drive spokes are less likely to back off.

david58

Ended up with Velocity rims, 105 Hubs, DT Swiss spokes, black, brass nipples, shipped for $215. From Velo Mine, in Springfield, IL.