The front rim on my 29er has exploded (I know I was warned), it is a sealed, but inexpensive hub and almost new. Is it worth the bother of having it built up with a new rim or not really cost effective? What is an average price of a wheel build? Thanks in advance.
It depends on a lot of factors...if you're talking about a Deore hub with replaceable ball bearings then I'd say go for it. Despite the lack of bells and whistles, Deore hubs just run and run.
If you're talking about a no-name cartridge bearing hub then I simply wouldn't bother.
Wheel builds vary, my advice would be to check out Merlin Cycles and see what they have on their website.
My experience is a bit different: my deore rear hub is shockingly bad, no sealing at all but the 15mm no name hub on the front has been absolutely perfect. I haven't touched it
Not a fan of the old cup and cone, they usually end up in the bin when the rim is still perfectly good.
I should add that they run and run with the appropriate maintenence...
...but having said that, the three Deore hubs that I've used have been absolutely faultless in terms of reliability, even if they've sounded a little agricultural from new.
What hub is it if the quality is there even if cheap id just rebuild it costs vary I normally charge £25 labour plus spokes if that's any help
I made a pair of Deore hubs last 6 years before they were binned
Front hubs have very few components so it pretty much comes down to whether the hub is light and what bearings it uses. Since the bearings are toast, they're going to be as good as whatever you buy to replace them.
I'd replace the bearings unless it's such an ugly, heavy, nasty thing that it's worth spending money on a new hub plus the rebuild cost.
The hub is fine, bearings are smooth, generic sealed hub from my voodoo 29er.Destroyed the rim in a head on collision with another cyclist! Don't ask. 😳