Wheel build from Chain Reaction Cycles, or build it myself

benny2891 · Post by **benny2891** » 10 Oct 2007, 8:14pm

Greetings all,

I've been commuting on my Ridgeback Cyclone for about 4 years now, averaging around 50 miles a week, supplemented with the odd weekend ride.

I'm naturally finding myself doing more / longer recreational rides of late, and I am thinking that it's time for some upgrades. I'm on a budget, so I am forced to do this piece by piece as I can afford it. The idea being that I buy components that hit the sweet spot as far as price / quality goes.

I'm starting out with new wheels, as my old rear wheel is pretty knackered.

Mavic xc717's 36 hole with shimano LX hubs and DT swiss double butted spokes.

I've pretty much decided on getting the bits from chain reaction, but I wonder if the they will do good job building the wheels. I'm debating between having them build the wheels and learning and doing it myself. I've never built a wheel before, but I am pretty adept mechanically and would imagine I should be able to give it a good go.

If CR doesn't do the best job with the build, what is the likely outcome ? Will it just be a matter of me having to true it, or is something more sinister a possible outcome?

I'm not looking for an explanation on how to build a wheel, just wondering if chain reaction will build me a good wheel.

I'd love to have my LBS do it, but I'm afraid it's out of my budget.

Any comments would be most appreciated

Apologies if this isn't the correct forum for this question.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:13pm

I don't know the quality of Chain Reaction's wheel building but think that if you've got a bit of basic "sense" you'll have no trouble building a set of wheels. There used to be a good book produced by a guy called Roger Musson who ran a site called wheelpro.com I've checked and the book isn't on offer any more but I'd suggest emailing him and seeing if he has got any copies left - I've used it and am happy with the results.
I would guess that you'll find building your own wheels to be more expensive than buying - the sum of the parts is usually greater than the whole plus labour. However, you'll get a great sense of achievement in doing it yourself.

PW · Post by PW » 10 Oct 2007, 9:18pm

I always build my own. Apart from the satisfaction I know the job's been done properly, not rushed to meet a management imposed deadline. (Guess who's worked in a bike shop!) I taught myself using "The Bicycle Wheel" by Jobst Brandt. It may not be cheaper initially, but it becomes cheaper when wheels don't fall apart & you're still using the same spokes 3 rims later.

Post by **Mick F** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:25pm

Hi Benny,

You can get a pair of wheels done professionally from CR, and I'll bet they're as good as anybody's wheels.

DIY is another thing entirely. The plus points are many and varied, not least of which is getting what YOU want and not what a shop wants you to have. The good deals on wheels from a shop are usually good and not to be sniffed at, but sometimes you want something different. From a shop, "something different" will cost more.

That's when DIY comes in. Buy the hubs you want, the rims you want, the spokes you want, and get stuck in! Wheelbuilding is theraputic and fun and rewarding!

It ain't rocket science, and if you have a practical bent, not too difficult. I've built a few now, not many I'll grant you, and I'm no expert, but I'll not buy any more off the peg!

Take a read at:
http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
Its a good explanation of how it's done, and it's all I read before building my first. I practiced with an old pair, stripping and re-building a couple of times before I perfected the art. I had no special tools or facilities other than a good quality spoke key, and an upturned bike frame in the living room!

Good luck!

GeoffL · Post by **GeoffL** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:27pm

Richard wrote:There used to be a good book produced by a guy called Roger Musson who ran a site called wheelpro.com I've checked and the book isn't on offer any more but I'd suggest emailing him and seeing if he has got any copies left - I've used it and am happy with the results.

Hopefully, this (link to downloadable version in PDF format) will help.

Geoff

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:30pm

Bear in mind that it's all very well people saying build your own, but if you are on a tight budget you could easily end up having to fork out for a new rim & more if your attempt isn't successful. It might well be worth paying extra to make sure you get a good wheel in the first place & give the wheel building a go when you can afford to make mistakes.

Post by **Mick F** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:35pm

True what you say, Steve, but actually you aren't going to do much damage unless your building is so bad that the wheel collapses when you ride it.

As I said, get some practice done on a pair of old wheels first.

benny2891 · Post by **benny2891** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:41pm

Thanks for all the responses!

I've looked at the Sheldon Brown site, and it's what led me to believe that I could do it myself without too much trouble.

Unfortunately, I am pressed for time these days so If I can get someone else to build them, and they do a good job at a price I can afford I'll probably go that route for now. That's why I was asking about CR. Their prices seem lower than others for handbuilt wheels. I was skeptical of the quality they would give.

I'm going to be building a bike for Mrs 2891 next year out of spare parts, and that might be a better time to give wheel building a go, when I've got time to zen out over the whole thing.

Thanks so much for links Goeff & Mick.

I'm still undecided but unless I find some horror stories about CR built wheels, I'll give 'em a go. I'll be sure to post back my impressions when / if I get my new wheels.

--
Ben

benny2891 · Post by **benny2891** » 10 Oct 2007, 9:43pm

Steve,

I didn't see your post until after I sent my reply. Oops.

I would definitely try it out on my old rims / spokes before having a go on the new stuff.

--
Ben