Cost of wheel building...

Mindmap3

Senior Retro Guru
Feedback
View
Due to my rear wheel digesting itself, I need to get a new wheel. Originally I planned on just getting a new hub and using my existing rim however the quotes I have been given for wheel building and spokes are outrageous.

CRC can build be a new wheel on the hub that I was going to buy anyway and a new rim, for less than all of my LBS's will charge just for labour and spokes. How can that be right?

I've had a few wheels built by CRC now and they've all been really good and been delivered quickly.

Madness.
 
I've come to this conclusion in my head a few times, even truing seems to cost about a tenner per wheel. And then buying bits seperate bits at shop prices. CRC wheels seem fairly good, Merlin are a good option too.
 
Care to share your quotes?
Over the past 10 years, the build labour cost of all of my handbuilt wheels from places like Merlin, Bikepark, etc has been £25 per wheel. I think that's completely fine. Are you getting quotes way above that?
 
I was going to say that too, but it can be a faff.
If you can be bothered, it's not a major hassle to build a wheel. The main tool that you need to do the job properly is a bottle opener...
 
N/B":3gm3oiou said:
Care to share your quotes?
Over the past 10 years, the build labour cost of all of my handbuilt wheels from places like Merlin, Bikepark, etc has been £25 per wheel. I think that's completely fine. Are you getting quotes way above that?

It was £30 plus spokes at a £1 each. So £62 in total, plus the cost of the new hub. Whereas CRC will £15 less for a new rim too!

I used to be able to build wheels when I worked in a shop but I haven't built one for years now. Given how competitive CRC are, I may as well let them build it for me (unless a get a bonus in tomorrow's pay cheque in which case hello Easton Havocs).
 
cyfa2809":jhya7o5c said:
Ask cannondale king? Say 'christmas discount please!' haha.

To be honest mate I'm still hoping for a bonus so I can get some pimp wheels. I doubt it will happen though as construction is still suffering.
 
Mindmap3":1gh41wnk said:
I used to be able to build wheels when I worked in a shop but I haven't built one for years now.

I hadn't built a wheel in over forty years (my father showed me how when I was about 12) but it's a thing that you easily get back into.
It's a nice way to spend an hour or so on these dark, wet evenings - somewhere nice and warm, a glass of red wine and some Miles Davis.

It's what I'll be doing this evening, as my wife is out on a Christmas works do.
 
Andy R":3gks6yvp said:
Mindmap3":3gks6yvp said:
I used to be able to build wheels when I worked in a shop but I haven't built one for years now.

I hadn't built a wheel in over forty years (my father showed me how when I was about 12) but it's a thing that you easily get back into.
It's a nice way to spend an hour or so on these dark, wet evenings - somewhere nice and warm, a glass of red wine and some Miles Davis.

It's what I'll be doing this evening, as my wife is out on a Christmas works do.

A wee bit drunk, listening to Miles?

Jazz wheels!

I just finished rebuilding a modern XT wheelset, made two knackered sets into one.

No creative input involved, and that was the bit I miss.

Very easy task though.

Well, we shall see once I hammer them!
 
Back
Top