a good set of wheels

Many bicycles, old or new, have original factory-equipment wheels that are mediocre at best. Fancy names on your parts are of little benefit if your wheels are constantly going out of true, breaking spokes, or flexing too much under load. On the other hand, a nice, well-built wheel set tends to give the bicycle a high-quality feel and inspires confidence.

Building bicycle wheels is a craft. The fundamental process can be taught in a few hours - it isn't magic or an "art" - but it takes hundreds of wheelbuilds, perhaps, before the process is internalized. It starts to feel like instinct, but I use technological tools, like spoke-tension meters, to keep myself honest. The result of this combination of experience and technology is a dependable set of wheels that will last, with minimal maintenance and adjustment, until your brake pads wear through the rims after tens of thousands of hard miles.

Aside from the obvious quality advantages of good handbuilt wheels, another reason to order a custom wheelset is to match the appropriate rim and hub to your needs. Often, we have needs for something just a little weird, and we can't buy it off the shelf. Need a generator wheel with 40 spokes? Want to try a 650B fixed-gear? How about putting nice new rims on your 1972 10-speed bike with 120 mm hub spacing? You simply can't order the appropriate wheels from QBP or anywhere else. They have to be made-to-order.


Materials:
I use a wide variety of hubs and rims that I feel are sufficiently high-quality. I tend to shy away from hubs and rims that have a proprietary design that limits inter-compatibility or future serviceability. I use Wheelsmith stainless spokes, primarily because Wheelsmith spokes are available to me through my usual sources in bulk quantities at reasonable prices, and because Wheelsmith spokes have always impressed me with their quality and consistency. I usually recommend 14g spokes (2.0 mm thickness), but when it's desirable to save a little weight I will use 14/15g double-butted (thinner 1.8 mm center section) spokes, which cost a little more. Wheelsmith spokes and nipples are available in shiny silver or black. Black costs more.

I use a variety of rims and hubs, but have a few favorites that I use again and again. Scroll down to the wheel packages sections for details of some of my favorite combinations.

700C Wheel Packages

If you are ordering a set of wheels from me, the rim/hub/spoke combinations are many, and I can work with you to make sure you get the correct wheels for your needs and budget. Over time, however, I have developed some go-to wheel packages. Here are a few (all prices are close estimates, which may not be accurate to the penny):

Economical 700C wheels:
For upgrading older steel road bikes from 5/6/7sp freewheel hubs to 8/9sp cassette hubs (may require re-spacing the frame from 120 or 126 mm to 130 mm) or for upgrading cheesy factory wheels on more modern bikes that can clear a tire that is 28 mm or wider.
Hubs: Shimano Tiagra
Rims: Salsa Delgado Cross 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14g

Rear wheel price: $160
Front wheel price: $140
Wheel set price: $270


For touring bikes, cross bikes, hybrids, and other 700C bikes that have a 135 mm rear end.
Hubs: Shimano Deore
Rims: Salsa Delgado Cross 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14g

Rear wheel price: $160
Front wheel price: $140
Wheel set price: $270


Fancier 700C wheels:


For upgrading older steel road bikes from 5/6/7sp freewheel hubs to 8/9sp cassette hubs (may require re-spacing the frame from 120 or 126 mm to 130 mm) or for replacing cheesy factory wheels on more modern 8/9sp bikes where light weight is a priority.
Hubs: Shimano Tiagra
Rims: Velocity Aerohead 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $200
Front wheel price: $180
Wheel set price: $360


For upgrading older steel road bikes from 5/6/7sp freewheel hubs to 9/10sp cassette hubs (may require re-spacing the frame from 120 or 126 mm to 130 mm) or for replacing cheesy factory wheels on more modern 9/10sp bikes where light weight is a priority.
Hubs: Shimano Ultegra 6700
Rims: Velocity Aerohead 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $270
Front wheel price: $230
Wheel set price: $470

For touring bikes, cross bikes, hybrids, and other 700C bikes that have a 135 mm rear end.
Hubs: Shimano XT
Rims: Velocity Dyad 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $220
Front wheel price: $190
Wheel set price: $390


Wheels with Phil Wood hubs:
Phil Wood freewheel hubs are available in 120, 126, 130, and 135 mm spacings, so you can match your bike without having to re-space your frame.

road/lightweight:
Hubs: Phil Wood road freewheel
Rims: Velocity Aerohead 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $290
Front wheel price: $270
Wheel set price: $540

touring/commuting:
Hubs: Phil Wood touring freewheel
Rims: Velocity Dyad 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $290
Front wheel price: $270
Wheel set price: $540

Phil Wood also makes a cassette hub that is arguably the most durable cassette hub on the market.
road/lightweight:
Hubs: Phil Wood road cassette
Rims: Velocity Aerohead 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $540
Front wheel price: $270
Wheel set price: $780

touring/commuting:
Hubs: Phil Wood touring cassette
Rims: Velocity Dyad 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $540
Front wheel price: $270
Wheel set price: $780

super-heavy touring and tandem, 40h or 48h:
Hubs: Phil Wood touring cassette
Rims: Velocity Dyad 700C
Spokes: Wheelsmith 14/15g

Rear wheel price: $590
Front wheel price: $300
Wheel set price: $820