EpicSchwinn

So I've been wanting to build/buy a new rear wheel to upgrade from my eighth inch Amelia which is about as entry level as they get. I started looking around but the amount of options is pretty overwhelming. I'm looking for something that will be light and fast. It doesn't need to be 'bomb-proof' because I'm already super careful about curbs/potholes due to my front spinergy. I'd like to put $200 or less into it.

Does anyone have some suggestions that will get me a lot of bang for my buck? Should I try to build it myself (haven't done this before and will need some tools), have my LBS build it, or get something that's ready to roll?

thanks bfssfgbffbbqs!

Scrodzilla

Velocity A23.

/thread.

Lilcphoto

kinlin to novatec from retrogression?

yummygooey

Kinlin XR-200 to Novatec with some double butted spokes would be an awesome relatively lightweight build. $200 can buy you one heckuva wheel, and you can even splurge on spokes with that budget.

I would suggest trying to build it yourself and then bring it to your LBS to have them do a check.

homebrewk

H+Son Formation Face x Phil Wood high flange.

JK. A23's aren't a bad choice, XR-200's are even better.

prooftheory

+1 All you need tool-wise is a spoke wrench. If you don't feel comfortable with the tensioning then you can have the lbs check it.

homebrewk

Don't forget the lube too!

Scrodzilla

That depends. I really like XR-200s but wanted something sturdier so I chose A23s over KinLins. My new wheels kick amazing amounts of ass.

rithem

+1 - A23.
just built 8 CX wheels with Major Tom tubulars which are nearly the same with the A23 being the clincher version

max5480

kinlinilnik

EpicSchwinn

I was looking at those novatec hubs and both rims mentioned on retrogression. It looks like the hubs only come in 32h. I assume it would be a weight and aerodynamics advantage to go with less spokes. I also like the looks of fewer spokes. I know the wheelset below is uber rare and probably discontinued but aesthetically I really like them.

Scrodzilla

Radial rear wheel is never a good idea. If you want a Novatec with less holes, buy from our friends at BDop:

https://www.bdopcycling.com/Hubs-FGSS.asp#A165SBT

If you use nice butted spokes though, a 32 will be strong as hell and still be really light.

calbob76

open pro or a23 imo.

adriano 

that rear isnt radial.

adriano 

my gipiemmes with the same rim and a low flange rear hub had a similar effect.

Scrodzilla

I know but before he edited, Epic said something about a radial rear wheel.

andrizzle

fwiw, i'm going to do Velocity Fusions to Novatecs when the time comes.

EpicSchwinn

The colors on their site make me wanna puke!

Well, I rode over to my LBS to see what they could do for me or recommend. I talked with a mechanic for a while and we came up with a wheel that would be about 850G and cost me less than $200.

It would be a

-Novatec 32h track hub
-DT Swiss Competition double butted 2.0-1.8 spokes
-Alex rim (forgot what model but it was about 450g and not deep)

I think I'd just pay them to built it up for me. They've been a really great LBS and I trust them way more than I trust myself for wheel building. We talked about going for fewer spokes but it sounds like it would add a lot more cost and probably wouldn't benefit me that much.

yummygooey

850g isn't too shabby, but I think you can do a little better with that rim choice if you're not looking for a deep profile rim.

EpicSchwinn

I did look at a DT-Swiss rim that would drop me to 800G but it would cost me $1 per gram to get there :/

For anybody who's wondering why I would care about weight on a steel conversion, at this point I'm trying to upgrade components a little bit so when I buy a better frame in the next year or so I can swap the parts over. It's easier for me to drop $50-200 here and there on components while I'm in school than plunk down a ton of cash on a frame and be stuck without any decent parts.

Scrodzilla

Go with 2.0/1.5 spokes and shave off a few more grams.

Kayce

The further out you go from the rotational center, the more the weight matters. So a light rim and heavy spokes is easier to spin than a heavy rim and light spokes. This is just a general thing to keep in mind, not a critique on any one's ideas.

yummygooey

Why does a lower spoke count build cost more money...?

Scrodzilla

I was confused about that as well...

Lilcphoto

Not too many companies make low spoke count drillings, american classic is one of the only companies to make a 24h track hub...

you spend less on spokes, but sometimes its tough to find the right rim, and the right hub with low drillings