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nick_the_wheelbuilder

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Everything posted by nick_the_wheelbuilder

  1. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Mountain bikes. The rotate through 3 or 4 chains thing is a game changer. The only con is you need to start with new chainrings, cassette and the 3 or 4 chains all at the same time.
  2. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    You could just use regular non-Mavic bladed spokes and nipples.... Shout if you need a hand sourcing any.
  3. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    How many km's are you guys getting out of the chainrings? I've been on the same alloy chainring on my own bike for over 20 000km and it's almost like new. (Absolute Black 34t oval) I am however hyper-pedantic about replacing chains as soon as they reach 0.75%. For even better wear over time, use 3 chains and rotate them every 250km. This will extend the life of your cassette and chainrings 3x.
  4. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I can't quote the science behind it, but I'm a huge believer in oval rings and will never ride a round chainring if I can help it. I was chatting to someone else about this the other day. I notice little difference moving from a round to an oval ring BUT when switching back, it's very noticable. On a road bike, when getting out of the saddle to hit a steep climb, with a round ring it feels like the back wheel slips under power. Strange, I know. The oval ring's "peak" in the power zone helps and the "squashed" part helps you get through the non-power part of the pedal cycle more easily. I'm a total convert, never going back to round rings.
  5. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I can't believe I've not shared these pics here yet! Since the OneUp Components hubs launched last year I've been absolutely aching to get my hands on a set, and build some cool wheels with them. After a few phone calls I arranged a gorgeous red set, and a set of incredible South Industries rims to, literally, round out the build. To keep the already low weight as low as possible, I opted for Pillar's PBA1420 bladed spokes, but as usual insisted on brass nipples. Enough words, enjoy the pics. P.S. these are currently the only set like them in the world, and they're for sale on the website:
  6. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I've just been asked to compare some very good and very light XC racing wheels from two big brands with what I can build and supply - and the results are interesting! The 3 wheelsets in question are: Roval Control SL 29 Bontrager Kovee RSL 30 Nextie Supreme 30 All sets feature carbon rims with 30mm inner width, boost hubs with centerlock brake rotor interface, star ratchet freehub mechanisms, and bladed steel spokes. I've tabulated the data for easy analysis. It's kinda cool that I can build wheels equivalent to the world's best, for almost half price... Keen to hear your thoughts on why you'd choose either of these 3 options over the rest...
  7. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Finally we're able to get DT Swiss gravel bike rims and hubs again, and I'm so happy! The GR531 rims and non-boost, centerlock DT350 hubs are in stock and available to build some killer wheels. More info here: https://wheelbuilder.co.za/product/dt-swiss-350-gr531-gravel-wheelset/
  8. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    UPDATE: The BOOST Alloy MTB wheelset customizer is now ready on the website. (Carbon wheel customizer and Gravel wheel customizer coming soon!) At the moment you can choose from the following components, with more being added all the time. - Hubs from DT Swiss, Hope, OneUp, Spank and Cure. - Rims from DT Swiss, Spank and Stans - DT Swiss, Pillar or Sapim spokes Do you remember click-click-ding-dong? Yup, just like that! Please click through and check it out, and let me know if there are any snags. https://wheelbuilder.co.za/.../custom-boost-alloy-mtb.../
  9. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    You'll look 80 - 200% cooler with a new wheelset. 😀 In all seriousness, a new wheelset MIGHT save you loads of time during a race if you don't break spokes, your tubeless tyres don't burp, or if you don't have another mechanical failure. While riding, new better wheels might save a few seconds here and there if they're lighter and more aero... Performance gains with wheels, like any other bike component are normally pretty marginal. New wheels might look a lot nicer than the old ones. Stronger wheels will be more durable and reliable and need less maintenance. Pick your favorite reason that justifies your investment
  10. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Friday afternoon announcement! I've just launched what I think is South Africa's first and only online custom wheel build portal. In this first version, you can design and spec, and buy your own choice of DT Swiss MTB rims and hubs, spokes and nipples, and I'll build them and ship them to your door. Phase 2 will be adding in rims and hubs from other brands so that you can mix and match, and put together a wheelset using any available components, from a raft of premium brands. I'm keen to get your feedback on this, so that I can iron out any kinks. Please check it out here: https://wheelbuilder.co.za/product/dt-mtb-custom-build/
  11. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    That's exactly how I started out! ...then I fell in love with the process and the rest is history!
  12. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I see now you're after a 30mm inner width rim option. That increases weight a bit from the 25mm rims I had in mind (Stan's Crest Mk4) If you're after 30mm rims I'd go with either the DT Swiss XM481, Stan's Arch (28mm) or Flow (30mm) or the Raceface ARC Offset. The wheelset will be about 1750-1900g depending. For ultimate light weight I'd suggest using the Nextie Rollingstar II hubs as in the carbon wheelset above (silver hubs, but also available in red, black or gold). Another excellent lightweight option are the new OneUp Components hubs. Unless you're running wider than 2.4" tyres, you can definitely use 25mm inner width rims to save 100g per wheel if you're looking for the lightest option. Happy to have a chat to walk you through all the options. Feel free to PM, email or WhatsApp me.
  13. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    A very light carbon set is in the region of 1200-1300g. (approx R25k) A light alloy set for XC riding is about 1500-1600g. (approx R15k)
  14. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Some more wheel p*rn for your viewing pleasure. The 2nd wheelset for 2025 is an all-DT Swiss affair featuring EX511 enduro rims, 350 hubs and double butted spokes with brass nipples. These are up for some serious punishment!
  15. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Who am I to argue? 🤣
  16. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    The first wheelset of 2025 has left the building! 1235g for the set. Nextie carbon 29er wheels with asymmetric 30mm inner width rims and 140kg system weight limit. Beautiful, but not fragile. I'm especially enamoured by the silver hubs. Laced with lightweight Pillar PSR Xtra1420 bladed spokes and Sapim Securelock black brass nipples. What say you?
  17. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I recently helped a customer get a 24" Avalanche Ignite for his son and was very impressed by the little bike. Shout if I can help get you one.
  18. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I've built a handful of dynamo front wheels using SON hubs, for ultra-distance MTB riding, like Munga etc. I've never had one come back to me with an issue.
  19. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    They're still great rims for XC with up to 2.25" wide tyres. I wouldn't use them for road - they're not designed for higher tyre pressures. For gravel they're cool.
  20. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    My favourite Maxxis front tyre for all-round MTB riding is the Forecaster. More grip than the Ardent and not as heavy and "dead" feeling. On my own bike I use a Vittoria Agarro which has been faultless. Very grippy, durable and compliant. No experience with the Pirelli's though...
  21. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    A quick photo dump of the last few year-end wheels to roll out of my workshop: An e-bike wheelset featuring Stan's Flow EX3 rims built onto Hope Pro5 hubs with e-bike rated rear hub (steel freehub body) and Vittoria Mazza 27.5 x 2.6" tyres A Nextie 60mm deep rim-brake road wheel laced onto a Hope RS4 hub with Pillar bladed spokes. A pretty rare 27.5" Stan's Valour wheel rebuilt with new spokes and nipples. Merry Christmas everyone, and have a happy, safe and blessed New Year!
  22. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I've just published my e-bike wheels buyer's guide on my website. I hope this is helpful for anyone looking for new e-bike wheels, and are overwhelmed by the available choices. https://wheelbuilder.co.za/buyers-guide-e-bike-wheels/
  23. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    I wrote a gravel tyre buyer's guide not so long ago - hopefully helpful: https://wheelbuilder.co.za/buyers-guide-gravel-tyres/
  24. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Yup, looks like the end cap adapters are available to convert that wheel to thru-axle. PM me if you'd like to get it done.
  25. nick_the_wheelbuilder
    Can you tell what make/model the hubs are? Adapter end caps are incredibly hub-specific. If available, swapping end caps to thru-axle could be very easy.
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