Which is stronger, lighter, and/or smoother? I'm trying to decid between 2 sets of pre-built wheels. Mils with Open Pros, or Formulas with Deep Vs. I really want Formulas with Open Pros, but I can't find them anywhere online, and the price quote I got for the build is now out of my price range as my car got hit

Milwalkee woth open Pro. the hubs are comparable, the Open Pros are much nicer rims. If you want Formula with open Pro, milwakee with open Pro is much closer to what you want.

open pros are lighter. hubs are essentially the same.

Milwaukee hubs are essentially the same hub as Formulas right? Just like how the Surly/IRO/Swobo are?

same sealed bearing type. i dont remember if they come from the same factory tho.

if i remember correctly the milwakee are the same as the nashbar ones that people thought were formula for a while so i'd say they're probably just as strong a hub

Why don't you simply telephone the guys at Ben's tomorrow. They are extremely helpful and, apparently, honest about their goods. Half-jacked conjecture, while fun, is half-jacked conjecture.

Yes, but this has been conjectured about so often I would say it's thoroughly jacked conjecture. The Ben's huba are the same as the ones branded Soma, and Nashbar in the past, and they are good hubs by all accounts.

I tracked down a place to do Formula/Open Pro for $220, so I am going that route

It sounds like you already made up your mind but, I'd encourage you to give wheel building a try. I don't think it is that difficult at all and is actually pretty easy with some patience and prep work reading about it. This would also allow you to save a bit of money, but the satisfaction of riding your own wheels is the most significant reason to build wheels (and that they are well done).

My last build was Formulas to OPs 32 spoke x3. The materials are so nice that they will make your first shot at building smooth.

I don't think he'll save any money unless he gets the parts for a bargain. I get $230+ for the same build if you buy the components seperately at regular prices. $60 ea for the rims, $80 for the hubset, and $32 for spokes.

I still recommend wheelbuilding to anyone who's interested. I think it is a very satisfying process, but is usually not significantly cheaper than buying build wheels.

I don't think they're the same hub.

They take the same bearing size, and have the same flange dimensions...

They have different axles (nice hollow one on the Nashbar/Milwaukee/Dimension), and different flange cutouts.

That being said. I run both my bikes with the dimensions, and have never stripped anything.
The bearings in my first one lasted over 6000km, thats with bunnyhopping, skidding, towing a trailer etc.

I'm fine with just knowing how to true, and even that I don't do very well, but I've been practicing on beat to **** wheels with semi-stripped nipples anyways. That being said I work 50-60 hours a week and barely have time to ride. Spending a few hours building then rebuilding the wheels when I screw up just isn't that attractive at the moment.

They're not the same hub. Though they are remarkably similar

Milwaukee=Soma=Nashbar=Dimension -> made by Novatec/Joytech
IRO=Velocity=Harris -> Made by Formula