Lew.

Hey guys, it's nice to see the track forum liven up a bit more recently.

Anyway - I'm posting to ask about a (custom) wheel build I am considering. I've been racing a Fondriest on wheels with Miche hubs, Fondriest rims and I'm not too sure on the spokes (steel plain gauge) with a 32 hole 3x pattern. Soon, I will be giving the bike back as I only really 'loaned' it off a family member for a season. So now I'm hooked on the track - will be buying my own bike and building it up.

I'm looking at Miche Primato small flange hubs, Velocity Deep V rims and I'm unsure on spokes and spoke count.
The actual questions:
Do the hub/rim 'choices' seem okay? I'm not looking to spend too much money.
Would it be acceptable to run a 16 or 18 hole front wheel? I'm only 140 lbs, so I don't really stress components too much compared to you sprinters!
Could I go much lower than 32 holes in the rear wheel? They will be mainly used for endurance efforts as thats all my track really does. However, I prefer sprint events and win them at my local level - would like a solid wheel for this.
I was looking at bladed spokes, could you recommend any?

Sorry if my 'choices' so far are ridiculous and will make an awful wheel - I'm mostly into building MTB wheels, never built a road wheel (I'll get my LBS to build these - they're great wheel builders). I say 'choices' because I'm not set on using those hubs/rims. If I've said something stupid, go easy - I'm new to this stuff.
Sorry for the long post too.

Tman1965

About the frontwheel:
I run either a 16 spoke Shimano road or 20 spoke American Classic track front wheel with my 175+lbs.
No problems so far.
But then again, I'm a beginner, not a sprinter.
And I've heard that we have one of the smoothest tracks in the world (DLV).
Depending on your budget I'd opt for something more aero for the front. If you want to go cheap most road frontwheels with a hex key skewer will do the trick.

Thomas

Lew.

I can't really afford to budget much more - I know I'll gain more benefits from an aero front compared to the rear, but at my level I don't see much more than a 'normal' clincher being beneficial.
I ride a 30mm deep rim on the road, and was going to do the same on the track, unless I could find a rim 'better' than the Velocity Deep V (I've heard great reviews from these).

Thanks - I guess the 16h and 32h wouldn't be out of place - I've just not seen it at my track before.

I forgot to ask in the first post - what would people recommend for lacing? I'm guessing radial front and 2 or 3 cross rear?..

Kayce

For a track racing wheel, I would steer clear of the Deep V. It is a good amount of added weight, without any benefit. They are great for the road because they are so durable, but that is unnecessary for the track. If you are going for something simple I would suggest you look in the Mavic Open Sport, Velocity areohead, etc. route.

carleton

I wouldn't say "steer clear". That implies that they are a bad choice. I think what you are saying is that there are better choices out there. Deep Vs (and replicas) come stock on many off-the-shelf track bikes.

carleton

Lew.,

I have some custom training wheels:
- 32/36h Velocity Pro Elite (AKA Deep V tubular) laced to Dura ace hubs. I had them made because I like tubular on the track.
- 36h Velocity Aerohead clincher rear laced to formula hub. I made this wheel in case my tubular went down and I didn't have time/money to have it replaced soon. Easy to change a clincher.

I have also had some Mavic Ellipse clincher off-the-shelf track wheels. These were very nice and relatively fast with the 20 bladed spokes. I like to recommend these as good beginner/intermediate wheels that will be both "training" and "race" wheels for a beginner/intermediate racers then be demoted to training wheels when fancy wheels are purchased later. Believe it or not, I set my (non-altitude) flying 200M PB on Mavic Ellipse which matched the same times that I was getting on my Mavic Io/Comete wheelset

I guess my point is that, unless you go tubular, many off-the-shelf wheels are good options too.

Here are some great options at great prices: https://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...x&cPath=87_172

JMR

I got my training wheels from Velomine... DuraAce 32H laced to Velocity Deep-V's. They are a great wheel and Velomine were great to deal with and have probably the best prices around.

JMR

Lew.

I couldn't see myself going tubular - I haven't used them before and don't think I would benefit at my level of performance.
Also, I can only see myself and a liquid adhesive being a messy job.
If the Deep V rim isn't the best choice, what else would offer some sort of marginal gain over a 'standard' box rim? I'm new to the market of rims/spokes/hubs as separate affairs and usually look at wheels as a whole component.
Also, what bladed spokes can be recommended, is DT the 'standard' of good spokes? (They're the king in MTB builds, in my findings atleast).

JMR

Personally I think the Velocity Deep-V's are great... yeah not light, but a good solid slightly deeper dish rim.

One night a week we do training races (ie. races but with no prize money), so I wanted something more aero than a box section rim... been very happy with the Deep-V's.

JMR

Ohbejoyful

Check out the DT Aerolites and Sapim CX-Rays.