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Mulling over new wheels to go 27.5" on the bike and caught between getting a set custom built or buying something factory built.
Options are (currently):
DT Swiss 240's on XM481 or EX471 with Comp spokes
DT Swiss EX1501 wheel set
Syntace M30/35MX wheelset
It looks like the 1501's might use the 471 rim as the dimensions are the same.
Can get the custom ones for about the same price as the EX1501's, the Syntace are a bit more money.
Weight-wise, there's only about 75g's in it.
Also trying to decide whether to go 27.5" F & R or 27.5" F, 26" R..
Thoughts?
The advantage of custom built is you have normal spokes you can buy anywhere, fancy dancy wheelsets invariably use bespoke spokes which can be a ballache to buy. Oh and go 27.5" front and rear.
I would always go custom build rather than factory, if only cos factory builds tend to use weird spokes, odd spoking patterns or parts that are near impossible to source (Mavic R-Sys, Campag Zonda etc).
However DT Swiss generally use J bend spokes and normal hubs and rims, so a reasonable choice there!
Yeah, good point about the odd spokes. The DT wheels use Comp straight pulls (I think) so would get some spares in just in case.
Custom builds every time.
Because:
I'd rather invest in some good hubs that will last through several builds.
I can build my own wheels so it's often cheaper.
Greater choice of rims, although arguably sometimes not the top of the range (e.g. the machined mavic and DT ones).
I can treat a £50 rim as disposable if it breaks, I'd be gutted if I was breaking £500 wheelsets at a similar rate!
If the 240s are the same price as EX1501 then probably the 240s as when you break a rim you can replace it with a matching one. Basically the same wheel, the 240 hub is a fraction heavier but nothing you would care about.
You can get the syntace rims separately, them on dt Swiss hubs would be a very nice wheelset.
^ did think about that bit they're bloody expensive c€180 each..