Polo Bikes

Try it tho'... It's a piss around cuz you'll have to move your V-brake blocks as well... More hassle than it's worth, IMHO... :/

Yeah that happens when you flip your flop for road gear anyways, so I just leave it off :-/

42x16 and 37x21 are 0.6 of a half link different in chain length.
30x15 and 34x13 are pretty close too.

Looking for a 13T fixed sprocket, got a 22T for swap :)

I've noticed some people are using radial front wheels. I know in theory they should be tougher laterally than crossed patterns, but in reality, have you noticed a difference?

I'm thinking of building a Mavic D521, 32h.

32h radial, no way.

The radials you've seen are 48h, and strong enough. Whatever you're using for polo 32h isn't pretty weak.

Sounds fair.

I've got a pair of Halo 48s. One pre-built, one handbuilt (with Alpine spokes) hoping they'd be the end of buckled wheels, but they seem to be no stronger than 32h wheels I've had in the past. I guess running dual mini-V brakes doesn't help as the pads need to be really close to the rim.

I'm going to experiment with this 32h D521 rim that's knocking around the shop I work in. Maybe the drop in size to 26" with a massive protective tyre will do it.

or wheel covers..

Looking for a 13T fixed sprocket, got a 22T for swap :)

I only have spare 15's. PS: How much do I owe you for stem?

Oh, and it turns out my brother needs my old track wheelset, so I can't use it for Polo. In fact, it means I'll be building a new wheelset for polo/commuting. Anybody have any 700C rim and hub recommendations? Was thinking CXP33 laced to SystemEx. But is 36 spokes enough?!

or wheel covers..

I use a pair on the front (although I did experiment without one recently). They definitely help protect the spokes from mallets and balls, but don't make the wheel structurally stronger.

The wheels I have been using to date, albeit 80's steel horrors, have still gone out of true from all the high speed impacts, despite wheel coverings. Granted, none of the spokes have broken, but the fecker still needs truing.

keeping your spokes straight keeps the wheels structurally stronger...

I've been running on front for past year 36h union hub laced 3x to chucker with covers. Solid enough. Wouldn't go below 36 and def without cover. Obviously going forward, I recommend blb 48s front and rear ;-)

built to chukkers, very good wheels

48 goldtecs to sputniks are doing me well, front with a cover.

Only lost one spoke in over a year, that was when rik wound up and just hit my wheel!

haven't lost a spoke on a 48. without discs, as well. 4x.

My rear is 36, 4x, which is holding up fine. When it comes to rebuilding it, I'll do 48, but had everything I needed to make a 36 so went with that.

48 goldtecs to sputniks are doing me well, front with a cover.

Only lost one spoke in over a year, that was when rik wound up and just hit my wheel!

+1 getting on great with mine. Not a cheap wheelset but solid as anything. When Jono has the sputnik contact sorted I think I'll rebuild with machined rims and Sapim strongs ready for next summer.

Thanks for the advice. I think the weak link is the Halo rims. Velocity Chukkers and B43s look perfect, but cost too much and I can't get them on staff discount.

Maybe the main problem is my brakes - mini Vs seem to need very close pad-contact, so if the rim is more than 1-2mm out each side, it's fucked. I'd be interested to know how many of the above people's wheels are that straight. My experience is that different people have different definitions of 'true'. I think the British Standard is 4mm (that's what the Cytech guy said), which is ridiculous.

Don't get b43s, deep rims = dented rims.

Also Chukkas/Dyads/Touring rims are wider so you can run fatter tyres.

Don't get b43s, deep rims = dented rims.

Best rim I have ever used for polo. No dents, really, really strong, really, really true. only -ve was lack of braking surface.

Deep-V rims can be built to higher tensions though, which makes a stronger wheel. Also, the B43s are triple-walled, can't imagine them denting too easy. Just built my D521 wheel up, with more Alpines. Seems very stiff when leaning on it. I'll report back with results if it ever stops snowing.

Bear in mind, for polo, higher tensions mean the spokes will break more easily under impact.

Bear in mind, for polo, higher tensions mean the spokes will break more easily under impact.

I recommend Hassan's build of my B43 - no bent spokes!

That's got nothing to do with the build, it's cos you never go in goal!