Cycling Tips #8: Build a Custom Wheelset

Like the bike itself, the development of the parts of the bike has grown very fast and getting sophisticated. Even some parts are priced more than certain bike, and the result is the bike has very complicated and also very expensive. One of the part is the wheelset. Basically all parts are important because when the bike is missing one part, the bike can work as usual; but why wheelset that become the topic today? A consideration about this is that wheelset is the part that most people see after the frames. So, I'm sure that you will be proud if you have a pair of expensive wheelset, or custom wheelset which is only you that own that kind of wheelset. But, are there any considerations when I want to build custom wheelset? What should I notice for that? What are the supporting parts to get best custom wheelset?

Wheel Builder

What does it mean? You have to know first about the difference between handmade product or factory product, because those are very different. But this depends on your taste, where do you want to be installed on your bike. The wheel from factory of course will be produced massively, it means that there are people that own the wheel like yours, but that's not a big problem because you can modify it with your touch. But, choose the handmade wheel will make you looks very custom, because only you that owned the wheel, nobody else. Now, depends on your decision.

Hubs

Don't forget that wheelset is a combination of some parts, and this is the base of the wheel, the hubs. You have to consider several things about the hubs before you installed to your wheelset. What are they; first of all you have to consider the size of the hubs. The recommendation hubs size is 142mm both rear and front. Then you have to find out also the axles of the hubs. Today we know two ways, QR (quick releases) and TA (tappered), and on the biking activity today, QR is the most used in many bikes. Before decide this, you have to see your fork and rear dropout frame design. Consider also the weight/durability; the holes, you have to choose the hubs with the holes same with the holes on the rims. Then for the sweetness, choose the color of the hubs that match with frame or rims.

Rims

You have to decide first what size of the rims you want to use, 29er, 650b, or 26" wheel? You have to learn about this first (see my article about this, here and here), because this is the hottest issue in the world biking today. After you decide the size, take a note about the strength of the rims, weight, width, and think about tubeless or not.

Spokes and Nipples

These are the last parts before your wheelset is ready to be installed on your bike. Choose the color as you like, and the material used for the spokes. If you passed this step, it means that your custom wheelset is ready and be prepared because you will look different with your partners! 

Those are the things you have to be considered when you want to build a custom wheelset. You can make it more different with adding the stickers of you. Oh one more important thing, you have to adjust it with your budget, lest you have build a great custom wheelset, but the fact your budget is minus. Let's make it simple, more money you have, you are free to build a custom wheelset as you like.