🛞Wheel Builders. Where can I send my Hope hubs to be rebuilt into a new wheel set?

Why not have a go yourself?

Posted by: ScotRoutes

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Why not have a go yourself?

Damn it! You reminded me just in time as I forgot to put that in the post. Just added a crafty edit. For various reasons, building them myself isn't an option I want to consider I'm afraid.

Posted by: Poopscoop

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a side hustle

Using this phrase should have an instant ban

Drop me a line, I could do them for you.

paul.sal@btinternet.com

I'd do it for you Poopscoop. I'm in no way professional, but all my previous wheels have been decently strong and reliable. Two conditions.

1. I offer no guarantees.

2. I'll not be offended if you get a better offer. 

TBH, by the time you've paid for postage, spokes, rims it's likely to be no cheaper than a proper local shop/wheel builder who has a trade account for the parts. Home wheel building is honestly more about the hobby and satisfaction than a financial benefit. 

Ryanbuildswheels will do an excellent job ...

Where are you in the country? As above, someone local enough to drop off and collect from will make a big difference.

I build wheels. I'm good, even if I do say so myself. The main reason for that is I'm not fast so couldn't do it professionally.

If you're getting ball park 120kgf, +/-5% and you're measuring lateral and vertical in decimals of a mm, it's a good wheel. 

18 Bikes have done a few rebuilds for me. Always had great service and never a problem with the builds

I build wheels for myself and mates but unless you can find someone local on here by the time you've posted them back and forth be just as cheap to find a LBS to do it. Have you said where you are located?

I've got a park jig, tension meter etc but the first 3-4 sets I did in the frame with a multitool spoke wrench a business card and blue tac.  Tension meter is worth it IMO to get them consistent but apart from that anyone could do it DIY following Ali Clarksons videos on youtube. Alternatively you could lace them up and have a LBS tension and true them. 

At least with a shop you will have a sort of guarantee with the work, although, the one time I've had a shop do it(warranty) I checked it at home and it wasn't great - that shop is now closed...

Moonglu at ripon. Neil builds a beautiful wheel

 as I haven't ridden a bike in a few years now for reasons some of you might be aware of. 

AIUI, its very difficult riding a bike for any distance whilst sporting a raging erection... 🙃

Moonglu - I went in there a few years back when passing given the positive reviews I'd seen on here in the past, but it was one of the most unwelcoming, uninspiring shops I'd ever been in! Passing glance giving the vibe of 'who the hell are you' and was barely any stock and nothing in the shop had a bloody price on! Why I don't agree with the support LBS nonsense, support good shops; some don't help themselves.

Can highly recommend Evolution cycles in Eastbourne.

Posted by: Matt

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Ryanbuildswheels will do an excellent job ...

i came here to recommend Ryan 🙂

There’s a chap I know through the local active travel group who builds wheels (I think for North Road cycles, though I might be imagining that). Don’t know what he costs but can find out. He’s in Middleton.

Ryan Builds Wheels recommendation here to. I'm on my third set of wheels from Ryan, very well built and had no issues whatsoever.

One with Pro4 hubs, Sapim Spokes and DT Rims,the other two with Pro5 hubs same spokes, hubs.

STRADA HANDBUILT WHEELS 

Sorry all, posted this then promptly forgot about it! 

Still desperate to get the bike back on the (off) road.

First!

boblo

AIUI, its very difficult riding a bike for any distance whilst sporting a raging erection... 🙃

^^ True but at least I can dab without even using my feet.😁

For those that asked, I'm based in Medway, Kent.

Right, I've taken on board the above comments and thanks so  much for the offers of potentially building up the wheels for me and info on places that might.👍 

I've spent a while today phoning local places that build wheels or might build them only to be met with non answered phones, "we don't do wheel building", or huge delays in building them. That said, just got through to a place and it sounds hopeful. 

£55 to build each wheel plus the cost of the rims/ spokes etc which sounds reasonable? 

Once again, thanks for all the offers of help guys but I see the logic in staying local and not needing the faff of postage unless @Speshpaul , @tthew , @Onzadog happen to be from Kent?!

So I'm now considering what rims to go with. Current are Alexrims Volar, which in truth were pretty good for budget rims... It's just that have been corroded inside by the sealant I use unfortunately. They have an ID of 25mm and are the same width spec as my 2016 Jeffsy came with. I'm not sure if going upto 30mm world be prudent as the frame isn't designed for + sized tyres anyway. 

So, I'm looking at perhaps EX471 or XM421's? Both have an ID if 25mm. Overkill for me but I want something pretty strong as I'm a bit of a lump these days and psychologically don't want to worry about a wheel folding up on me. That said, if there are cheaper options that are busy as good in all ears. 👍

I don't know a great deal about spokes/nipples really so busy thinking black anodised, double butted jobs and perhaps brass nipples? The alloy nipples on the current wheeler address surprisingly corroded.

Thanks for the info/ opinions as always!

https://www.stradawheels.co.uk/

get my vote

I'm in Cheshire, so not near Kent sorry. 

I've got EX471's on my MTB, a hard tail so the back gets a pummeling and made by me, they've been great. Plus you get nipple's and washers with them so that's a bonus. Alloy, but I suspect high grade ones being DT Swiss. No corrosion on mine anyway. 

DCR Wheels are very close to you and build an excellent wheel

I don't know a great deal about spokes/nipples really so busy thinking black anodised, double butted jobs and perhaps brass nipples? The alloy nipples on the current wheeler address surprisingly corroded.

Definitely go for brass. Very minor weight saving against bombproof reliability. Recently dismantled and alloy nippled wheel and it was horrible. I would never have them on my bike.

Hi I’m in sunny Shropshire so postage would be involved.

brass nips for the win😂

Posted by: Poopscoop

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So, I'm looking at perhaps EX471 or XM421's? Both have an ID if 25mm. Overkill for me but I want something pretty strong as I'm a bit of a lump these days and psychologically don't want to worry about a wheel folding up on me.

Both those are brilliant rims - I'd recommend either. I'm 88kg and not known for my finesse: XM421s/Pro4s on my trail FSer and I didn't destroy them, and EX471 on the rear of my Geometron and Heckler SL, neither of which get a gentle life (but then you'll know all about 471s, Aaron Gwin and Leogang I'm sure). XM481 is a good option if you want wider - I use 30mm wide rims on the front, 25mm on the back wheel. 

One point about any DT rimL don't use the alloy squrox nipples that come supplied with the rim. Buy the brass squorx nipples instead. 

Posted by: K A

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DCR Wheels are very close to you and build an excellent wheel

 

+1 Always had great service and wheel builds from DCR

Hope hubs, Dt rims, Sapim or Dt spokes and brass nipples and you'll be golden. Although, I've never had an issue with the Dt squorx alloy nips that come with the rims. 

Yeah alloy DT squorx have been fine for me also (despite my reservations)

I don't think the DT alloy nipples are made like the fancy anodized ones that were all the rage a few years ago. They're either a different alloy or have some kind of protective coating on them. Look like new on both wheel sets I built with them. 

Having said all that, I'd still buy brass ones had they not come with the rims. 

Nice to hear the recommendations for Strada as I'm about to buy a set of wheels for the gravel bike from them. Same price range as hunt but local to me and seem to have a great reputation.

Harry Rowland is in Kent. He’s been building wheels for a very, very long time. 

I’d have thought the XM rim would be plenty strong for the front, but if you’re after maximum reassurance then the EX is the one to go for. 

Its good to hear that you’re getting back on your bike, op. I was thinking about you/your situation recently and wondered what the end result was. I’m pleased to see you posting. 

I've spent a while today phoning local places that build wheels or might build them only to be met with non answered phones, "we don't do wheel building"

This still amazes me... I wouldn't consider a bike shop that can't build custom wheels to be worthy of being called a bike shop myself! In fact, it was the sub standard quality of the most local shops to myself that prompted me to open my own shop 12 years ago (since closed, but that's another story)...

I'm not in Kent sadly, otherwise would happily build them for you. Been building for 25yrs now, in fact back in the early days of the STW forum, I had a bit of a side hustle way back then (around 2003/4) building custom wheels for quite a few customers from here...

Oh and 25mm internal is fine, there's arguments for and against going wider, so unless you know you want/need wider then stick with 25mm I'd suggest... Oh and EX471's are superb, you won't regret them... For those of us carrying a bit of christmas weight (or several years off a bike weight in yours and my case!) then it's probably not worth going to the XM421's for a minimal weight saving, unless the bike is only pootled about on or a dedicated XC bike. EX471's are tough as old boots, and not that heavy in the grand scheme of things anyway.

Don't know of any decent wheel builders in Kent I'm afraid, but by all means drop me a PM if you want help/advice or you're happy to post them to me...

I've spent a while today phoning local places that build wheels or might build them only to be met with non answered phones, "we don't do wheel building", or huge delays in building them.

I'd be wary of the quality of any builder who doesn't have a waiting list at the start of spring. If they can do it straight away and are not busy then there's probably a reason for that.