New wheels

[Will]

As I was hammering along the Kings Road today chasing down a hardcore rider who had leapfrogged me by pulling a crafty manoeuvre at the lights, I heard what is becoming an increasingly common pinging sound from my rear wheel. Another pursuit; another broken spoke....

My spoke tensions are all over the place. I've tweaked them a bit myself, but I think they've reached the end of their useful life. And I can't be bothered playing the daily game of Kerplunk with my spokes. So time for some new wheels I think.

Any recommendations for a decent shop to get some well-built wheels?

I'm after something for commuting, and training. Not too flash, but good enough. Say between Tiagra and 105 in quality.

I'd also like something "standard", using conventional hubs and spokes, rather than a system wheel (e.g. Cosmos, etc.).

What do you reckon?

[jon avery]

Hi Will, I've just bought a pair of campag Scirrocco's i also commute and they are ideal. Cost was £165. You don't ride down the Kings road at approx 6.10 do you?

[Will]

6:10? Are you a milkman?

No, it was quite late this morning, about 8:20. That meant I got the pleasure of seeing Nigella Lawson (walking her kids to school somewhere around Belgravia).

But my times vary - usually any time after 7:30. Doubt I'll bump into you though!

[jon avery]

Not literately i hope

[David Lombari]

I think Condor build wheels themselves, or I noticed last night that Decathlon do good wheels at a good price, c.£110 for a pair that are Rigida branded.

I've had my Campag Protons for 5 years now and they are still going strong, even with 13 stone + sitting on them.

[richv]

Most decent local bike shops will know a good wheel builder they send their wheels out to be built by.

I have two sets of handbuilt wheels for my training bike, one from my LBS Bigfoot bikes in Bromley the other from Condor. In my view the Bigfoot ones have been better built, they are still perfectly true having been used more frequently than the Condor ones which are now somewhat less than true.

[Andrew G]

If you want something cheap and reliable I can recommend Campag Vento wheels. Not "standard" spoking I know but I've had mine over a year now and they seem fairly bullit proof. Never had to touch them and they still run perfectly true, even after a few unavoidable whacks from pot holes in the country lanes. Only about £100 for the 2005 ones, 2006 are lighter and still only £120. Not the lightest but very strong.

[Elliot M]

tell us more about nigella.

i have the sciroccos too...

[Grahame]

I think we need pictures.

[Will]

Thanks for the replies. Will visit some shops at the weekend I think.

Mmmmm Nigella... I've seen her a few times now.

She's always dressed entirely in black, and looks damned fine. Just like she does on TV.

Often she's carrying a big basket of cakes with her that she presumably dishes out to the mums at the school.

And on one occasion she was nibbling erotically on a banana as she was sashaying her way along the street.

[Grahame]

BTW, I'd get a shop that you trust to build up some normal wheels, either 32 or 36 spoke will be fine. Or buy the components and bring them round to my house with a cake and I'll teach you how to build them properly for yourself.

[Will]

A whole cake?!

Wait a minute, this is coming together beautifully...

Next time I'm round at Nigella's place, I'll ask if she can whip something up (if you'll excuse my choice of words).

[stevefunkster]

for wheel builds and ANYTHING bike related id reccomend dauphins at top of box hill, i know they can be expensive but i was lucky enough to be with rob one day when he had some trouble with his brakes so we popped into their shop, i was extremely impressed with their knowledge and skill, not only did he do amazing jobs with robs bike but instantly solved my gears problem that had been evading other bike shop mechanics.