I was riding on it maybe 9 months. My last one lasted a lot longer than that. I put new wheels on that are a lot smoother and made skidding a lot easier a couple of weeks ago, so I was skidding a lot more than back pedaling just because I could. The day it failed, I was being stupid and drunk and heading towards red lights at full bore then pulling really hard, digging, in-the-saddle 6-10 foot skids. It failed on the 5th light...

edit : Not sure I really want to sell that wheel yet - I may have a use for it come next week.

How about Soma cogs? The Hub carries them. Don't remember if they are just 3/32 or 1/8.

I looked at the ones the Hub had, and wasn't all that impressed. I'm probably just going to stick with what I have on the rear and get a new chainring.

Cool. Here's another option too

Ooh - that would match one of my lockrings!

A $160? That seems awful pricey for lacing a $60 rim to an existing hub. I picked up a pair of new High Flange DA's laced to blue OP's for ~$200, included lockring and nuts.

I guess I got ***** by the LBS. I needed it in a pinch though because some car sideswiped my rim and made a nice taco out of it. I don't mind paying the local LBS extra if I know he's going to take care of me and get me parts pronto when I need it.

I wouldn't say you necessarily got screwed. You also have to add in the cost of of box of spokes and nipples. That's a good $25-35 more. So about 70 or so for labor which also isn't bad if you have a really good wheel builder.

Excellent wheel builder, but not only that. They just scored me a NOS black, steel Colnago track fork, so I can finally seal the deal on that frame I've had my sights on.

Finally got out and did some miles on the new wheel - WOW IT'S SMOOTH!

If I didn't know better, I would have swore I was coasting. There was pretty much NO friction... I'm really really really happy now.