32-spoke wheelset ideas

hey nsmb, I'm putting this here because it's more appropriate than the 'gear' section.

in the year 2012, if you were building a 32-spoke training/daily ride purpose wheelset to strike a balance between strength and economy, what parts would you use?

I am looking to get something built up, right around 1800g for the set, 32 spoke front and rear, with good quality road hubs that use some commonly available cartridge bearings. semi aero profile. no deep aero and no box section rims. ideas?

If you're into EBAY look up Velomine. I just bought a Mavic Open Pro/ Ultegra 32 spoke rim set for $256 US with free shipping. The build quality was okay, but I wasn't too worried about that as I build my own wheels. I couldn't pass up the deal, I can't even buy the parts for that.

hey nsmb, I'm putting this here because it's more appropriate than the 'gear' section.

in the year 2012, if you were building a 32-spoke training/daily ride purpose wheelset to strike a balance between strength and economy, what parts would you use?

I am looking to get something built up, right around 1800g for the set, 32 spoke front and rear, with good quality road hubs that use some commonly available cartridge bearings. semi aero profile. no deep aero and no box section rims. ideas?

Kinlin XR-270 (2x445g) or Velocity A23 (2x441g)
Sapim Laser spokes (stronger DS spokes depending on your weight)(2x140g)
Brass nips (2x32g)
Bikehubstore Taiwanese hubs (290g/set)
[HTML_REMOVED] $350 in parts, just slightly over 1500 grams.

Or go the easy way and buy a BWW Race wheelset.

Kinlin XR-270 (2x445g) or Velocity A23 (2x441g)
Sapim Laser spokes (stronger DS spokes depending on your weight)(2x140g)
Brass nips (2x32g)
Bikehubstore Taiwanese hubs (290g/set)
[HTML_REMOVED] $350 in parts, just slightly over 1500 grams.

Or go the easy way and buy a BWW Race wheelset.

A23's, Mine are bombproof and I race Clydesdale(over 200lbs) CX on them, train and jump 'em like crazy.
The only problem is that I noticed today washing the bike is that the black anodizing is fading to brown on one of the rims. the wider rime is really great for preventing pinch flats too. My Khamsins will flat like crazy unless the tires are good to great, and tire pressure is perfect. The A23's have had rim contacting sharp edge hits and only flatted once. It was a cement curb that I hit straight on.

I like the wider rims but going from regular to wider can be a pain getting the brakes just right.

^^ I forgot about that bit, they took some adjusting for sure

Kinlin XR-270 (2x445g) or Velocity A23 (2x441g)
Sapim Laser spokes (stronger DS spokes depending on your weight)(2x140g)
Brass nips (2x32g)
Bikehubstore Taiwanese hubs (290g/set)
[HTML_REMOVED] $350 in parts, just slightly over 1500 grams.

Or go the easy way and buy a BWW Race wheelset.

that sounds really good but I already have a very nice 20/24 1450g wheelset with white industries hubs… I'm looking for more like $215-$250 USD all in (thus the 1800g requirement for a heavier but less expensive 32/32 rather than the above spec).

that sounds really good but I already have a very nice 20/24 1450g wheelset with white industries hubs… I'm looking for more like $215-$250 USD all in (thus the 1800g requirement for a heavier but less expensive 32/32 rather than the above spec).

Kinlin XR-270 (2x$40=$80)
Sapim Laser spokes (64x.9=$58.00)
Brass nips (64x.15=$10)
Bikehubstore Taiwanese hubs ($105)

$253 + shipping

I like the wider rims but going from regular to wider can be a pain getting the brakes just right.

Cartridge pads are your friend. Set and forget!

The A23's are rapidly becoming our go-to rim at Mighty, although the jury is still out on the 0.9mm brake track thickness over the long run. Velocity Deep V's, at 1.25mm thick,have a reputation for premature wear amongst couriers, but I seriously doubt that a courier's wear schedule is even a remote consideration for the recreational, or even the competitive rider. If box-section was allowable, there's always Ambrosio Excellence.

Also, why are cartridge-bearing hubs such a strict necessity for the OP, when the answer to "training/daily ride purpose wheelset to strike a balance between strength and economy" is so obviously Ultegra or Centaur?

Cartridge pads are your friend. Set and forget!

Not that easy on a cross bike with Paul canti's. I had to re and re the whole setup for just a wider rim.

But yes Cartridge pads are the only way, especially when commuting/training. I want a disc bike bad!

Also, why are cartridge-bearing hubs such a strict necessity for the OP, when the answer to "training/daily ride purpose wheelset to strike a balance between strength and economy" is so obviously Ultegra or Centaur?

Because I hate cup and cone… And cartridge bearings are relatively cheap. I don't a Shimano WH-R500 or similar.

Not that easy on a cross bike with Paul canti's. I had to re and re the whole setup for just a wider rim.

But yes Cartridge pads are the only way, especially when commuting/training. I want a disc bike bad!

Cartridge pads + kool-stop rubber (for alu. rims) are ideal. It's amazing the braking performance you can get out of even a basic set of older 105 brakes by swapping the pads.

Khamsin are Cartridge bearing wear well on the brake track and cheapish (300 new) 8 bucks per wheel to replace the bearings last rebuild, but campy only. no good, if you are running sram/shimano. Not super helpful i know, i lust after ambrosio rims even if they are box section.

What I want to know is how some 'budget' wheelsets which are 20 front / 24 rear like the Mavic Aksium, or Shimano WH-R500, manage to be 1850-1900g… that's like the weight of a 32/32 wheelset. Heavy-ass rims?

And yeah, I need a Shimano/SRAM cassette rear hub.