[johnbryanpeters]

...I have been rooting around on the web, decided I want something in the line of a Mavic 321 (Rhino Lite would be an alternative), 32 spokes, three cross, Wheelsmith or DT 2.0 / 1.8 mm double butted spokes, XT FH-M756 hub.

Thought of building it myself, but can't seem to find complete specs so as to calculate spoke lengths. Alfred E. Bike or Jensen USA will build it to specification, and AEB has a prebuilt for $115- with the right hub and rim, but unspecified spokes.

Guess I'll wait and see how much LBS #3 wants to nail me for the pieces and/or a built wheel.

Comments or suggestions?

J

 

[RD]

www.dtswiss.com you can use their spoke calculator to get the lengths you'll need. Buy your spokes and then get building.

 

[binary visions]

Just to mention, there is a big strength difference between the Mavic d321 and a Rhyno Lite. Rhyno Lite = agressive trail bike/light FR rim, the d321 is one of the stronger rims available.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Thanks. Both of those comments were very useful.

J

 

[binary visions]

Just saw your other thread in the Mechanics forum. What's the wheel going on? What are you planning on using the wheel for?

Just curious. The d321 is mucho overkill for the Raleigh unless you're particularly heavy or pushing the bike past what it's intended for. I think you would do very well with a Rhyno Lite XL on the XT hub. I would not worry too much about butted spokes vs. no name, possibly straight gauge spokes, on a trail bike wheel - the XT hub is heavy so the weight saved is a moot point, and the strength increase for butted spokes isn't very significant. Get the Rhyno Lite XL if at all possible - the rim is welded rather than pinned.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I'm riding an Ellsworth Joker now. I have two wheelsets, both of which have pinned rims (Alex and Vuelta). I seem to destroy a little more than a rim a year as measured over five years or so, usually as a result of crashing.

So... I wanted disk-specific, welded, not pinned, and the double butted choice is overengineering, not weight savings. I'm a Shimano whore, but not rich, hence XT.

Riding tends to technical, roots, logs, ledges, but I'm not a hucker at this point, much as I might aspire...

What would I be gaining by using the Rhyno Lite XL other than saving a few bucks?

J

 

[binary visions]

Sorry, thought the rim was going on the Raleigh.

If you're destroying rims through crashes and not through abuse of the wheel, I'd go with some trail bike rims like the Rhyno Lite which will save you some money and some weight, and go with inexpensive spokes as they are usually destroyed in a bad crash. Just my personal opinion, though.

A d321 w/ double butted spokes would make a fantastically strong wheel and the Mavics have a very high strength to weight ratio. It will be more expensive and heavier, but would last longer - however, like I said, most rims don't survive a wheel-destroying crash. It depends, to a certain extent, on your ability to afford a new d321 if the wheel ends up getting damaged beyond repair - if you can front the $$ for it, then go for it. Otherwise, Rhyno Lites will last and be cheaper.

 

[Phatswalla]

If you're gonna build it yourself, Sheldon Brown's website is very helpful.

To calculate spoke lengths, I just measure and then plug into this excel spreadsheet. If you bring your rim and hub into your LBS, they will probably gladly measure them for you and sell you the proper length spokes.

I've measured the ERD of the D321 and the dimensions on the new XT disc hubs and they are both accurate on Mavic and Shimano's websites.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Well...

LBS #3 had a new wheel hung up with XT, double-butted spokes, and an 823, so I ponied up about $150 and now have a wheel. They're a Mavic dealer and the guy I talked to had built the wheel himself.

I asked 'em about getting me parts, which they were up for, although they said that my spoke lengths per the dtswiss calculator were wrong...

Thanks for all the help.

J