touring wheels

marko · Post by **marko** » 3 Dec 2007, 9:57pm

Hi Guys
I am thinking of having some touring wheels (26in) made up on royce hubs, any advice on
1) Best wheel makers
2) Best spokes
3) Best Rims
Thanks in advance for your replys listed in the order above.
Cheers Mark.

Post by Si » 4 Dec 2007, 9:39am

Spa cycles tend to get good reviews for their touring wheels.

CJ · Post by CJ » 4 Dec 2007, 12:41pm

For a start I wouldn't choose Royce hubs, as the only tourists I know who use them have broken them - twice. I'd choose Shimano Deore XT, 36 hole. The bearings might not last quite as long, but they seem to last perfectly well and if they don't you can fix them at the side of the road with a few balls and a dollop of grease, and in spite of the millions in use, I've never once heard of spokes pulling chunks out of their flanges!

Then I'd choose Sapin Strong, single-butted 13/14g spokes in the right hand (i.e. tighter) side of the rear wheel, with any good double-butted spokes everywhere else.

Rims depend on what sizes of tyre you want to use.

olon1968 · Post by **olon1968** » 4 Dec 2007, 1:24pm

Speak to Harry Rowland (look him up on Google).

He will work out all your requirements and build you a real quality pair.

bikepacker · Post by **bikepacker** » 4 Dec 2007, 3:20pm

I would second CJ on the hubs. Shimano XT's are great for touring wheels. I build all my own wheels and standardise on; XT hubs, Sapim double butted spokes and Mavic 719 rims.

PW · Post by PW » 4 Dec 2007, 9:55pm

As CJ. The rims I'd look at the 26" version of the DRC ST19 touring rim. (Subject to intended tyre width of course).

marko · Post by **marko** » 4 Dec 2007, 10:29pm

Thanks Guys
I liking my new found knowledge. thanks for the advice on the hubs.
I'm hoping to be doing half on and half off road (dirt tracks mainly you know how sometimes these get rougher than anticipated) any advice on rims for this.

Wildoo · Post by **Wildoo** » 6 Dec 2007, 10:15am

Try Rigida Sputnik rims (From Spa Cycles). They are have a super strong box section and ultra reliable. Another nice feature is the deep braking surface.

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 7 Dec 2007, 8:35am

Wildoo wrote:Try Rigida Sputnik rims (From Spa Cycles). They are have a super strong box section and ultra reliable. Another nice feature is the deep braking surface.

I'll second these rims, great ims and they last.
I'll second the XT hubs too.
Spa build good wheels with the very good sapim spokes.