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2,273 Posts
First of all I have just ordered a new custom wheelset - Velocity Aerohead rims, Dura-Ace hubs, butted spokes (not sure of guage) and brass nipples. These new wheels were a totally unexpected but necessary purchase. Two weeks ago I was just riding along when, pop, i hear the unmistakeble sound of a broken spoke. Sure enough, the culprit was on my rear wheel, so I head home (fortunately I was just 5 miles away). I brought my wheels in to a my LBS which is an incredible boutique shop that specializes in very high-end rides. A day later I get a call from the shop that not only had I broken a spoke but elsewhere on the wheel there was a crack on the rim. I went in to check it out and I see that one of the spokes has pulled through the rim - or actually caused the inside of the rim to pull away from the sides. This is a Mavic Reflex rim that is probably seven years old. I bought my bike used 4 years ago and the person who sold me the bike said that it had been sitting in his basement for a few years.
This LBS offers to sell me a pair of Mavic Cosoms at a decent price as replacements. I ask if they do builds, as I have a perfectly good set of DA hubs. He says no, they don't feel it is worth their time. So I say, let me do some research and I'll get back to you. So I spend several of the next 12 hours on this site and elsewhere online (much to teh chagrin of my wife) and come to the conclusion that I am better off building OP, CX33 or Aerohead wheels, than buying the Cosmos. I call around to several bike shops in my area and finally speak to someone who seems very knowledgable and says they will build me the above wheels at a reasonable price.
So the whole point of this rambling post is, he asks if I want my rear wheel tied and soldered, as I am a big rider (6'2", 250 lbs) he suggests it would make a stonger wheel. I said no, but I still have time to change my mind. What's the benefit of this and is it something I should consider?
This LBS offers to sell me a pair of Mavic Cosoms at a decent price as replacements. I ask if they do builds, as I have a perfectly good set of DA hubs. He says no, they don't feel it is worth their time. So I say, let me do some research and I'll get back to you. So I spend several of the next 12 hours on this site and elsewhere online (much to teh chagrin of my wife) and come to the conclusion that I am better off building OP, CX33 or Aerohead wheels, than buying the Cosmos. I call around to several bike shops in my area and finally speak to someone who seems very knowledgable and says they will build me the above wheels at a reasonable price.
So the whole point of this rambling post is, he asks if I want my rear wheel tied and soldered, as I am a big rider (6'2", 250 lbs) he suggests it would make a stonger wheel. I said no, but I still have time to change my mind. What's the benefit of this and is it something I should consider?