Orient Express - Cheap Chinese Rims / Wheels / Forks / Frames / Cranks / Etc

£540

That's pretty good actually. Still rather have had your CAAD though.

CAAD was too big at 53.5 effective TT and 38.2 reach; this was before Internet Bike Fit™ (not really, jammy did the fit in old shop)
I had a flipped 80mm stem and stack of spacers.

Plus a man needs hobby

Yeap pretty much

awesome, I am going to get one with discs once hydraulics get more common.

you mean the canyon ultimate CF SLX copy (FM069 or something) ? I think they are just making it in 56cm atm. Looks like a good frame and top service from hong fu.

Whatever it is, it's not really relevant. 16 CX-Rays are strong enough for a front wheel. Using stiffer spokes with low height rims probably makes their problem - too little radial stiffness in the rim - worse, by forcing higher stress concentration, rather than letting the spokes stretch to force rim deflection to spread the asymmetric loads across more spokes.

Anyway, 76kg whippets need not worry too much. My 24mm deep RS80s with just 16 spokes up front seem fine for moderate off road use under my near 100kg body.

Cheers. That makes sense. I hadn't really thought about it like that before - essentially the spokes are pulling a smaller/larger circle depending on rim size.

In contrast to that i have found 2 front wheels with low profile carbon rims both in 20 holes to be anything but stiff. 1 was reynolds kom and the other a nimble fly. And im not really a guy concerned with stiffness at all and im pretty lightweight at 75ish. Could have been other factors ofc maybe poorly built but id get more spokes if i were building a low profile carbon rim today.

You mean in support of that?

I think the overall point was while you'd need spokes that are strong enough, you want more spokes where there is less strength coming from the rim.

I'm thinking 28 spokes F/R, 20mm carbon tubs, CX-Rays and Novatec hubs.

You mean in support of that?

I think the overall point was while you'd need spokes that are strong enough, you want more spokes where there is less strength coming from the rim.

Well in support of the rim itself beeing important in the equation i guess but in contrast to 76kg ppl need not to worry. Im no wheel-guro by any means just passing along experiences.

you mean the canyon ultimate CF SLX copy (FM069 or something) ? I think they are just making it in 56cm atm. Looks like a good frame and top service from hong fu.

I will probably go with a cross frame for better tyre clearance

I'm thinking 28 spokes F/R, 20mm carbon tubs, CX-Rays and Novatec hubs.

I'd definitely consider the extra wide flanged front hub from Bicycle hub shop. Gives a notable amount of extra bracing angle.

Sorry SF - which one?

http://www.bikehubstore.com/category-s/143.htm

This one:
http://www.bikehubstore.com/SL71W-p/slf71w.htm

or http://www.bikehubstore.com/SL85W-p/slf85w.htm if you can stand an extra 14g in exchange for bigger bearings

Sorry SF - which one?

http://www.bikehubstore.com/category-s/143.htm

The one I used on my mates front was the second one mdcc tester posted.
We have the same rims, and you can literally see the improvement in spoke angle.

This one:
http://www.bikehubstore.com/SL71W-p/slf71w.htm

or http://www.bikehubstore.com/SL85W-p/slf85w.htm if you can stand an extra 14g in exchange for bigger bearings

Also. These spokes are lighter than CX-rays. Built 2 front with them and they seem more than up for the job. Nice quality too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CN-Aero360-ultralite-bladed-spoke-20pcs-Black-J-Bend-/160934603490?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2578732ae2

(used the cx-ray equivalent CN aero 420 on the rear)

This is all theoretical at the moment- I'll be starting to buy parts next year I expect.

I might go for a Powertap at the back- the newer G3, how do you think that would build up given a 20mm carbon rim and 28 spokes?

I was reading about taxation of imported bits and bobs when I stumbled across this.

Apparently the EU has enforced heavy taxation on bicycles imported from China as bikes from there were deemed to be much too below our local market prices. A whopping 48.5% !!!!!

Up until recently the exporters managed to sidestep this by routing their shipments through indonesia, tunisia, malaysia and other such countries. But the EU people have now put a stop to that.

I just thought this was massively surprising and a bit shocking, it is OK for commodity traders and bankers to enjoy a free for all but the notion of a free market is not compatible with the humble bicycle.

Some chinese stuff already seems so cheap (particularly BSO's) it would be interesting to see how much cheaper they could be without this outrageous tax. Perhaps it could allow better quality bikes to be sold at more reasonable prices. Decent Entry/Enthusiast level brand name OTP's have gotten crazy expensive over the past couple years. I think it would be better to have laws banning "disposable" BSO's and encouraging quality bikes that can be upgraded and repaired.

Did you know that Laptops, Games Consoles and Camera's are duty free? What is this madness.

You know what the real shocker is? The bike industry lobbied for these levys that only affect consumers and small bike shops as they have made sure they have the chance to exempt themselves. Instant profit FTW! So basically most accessory components are still produced in the Far East somebody just takes the cut. Whocares about healthy benefits of cycling and making them more accessible to the common man.

This is all theoretical at the moment- I'll be starting to buy parts next year I expect.

I might go for a Powertap at the back- the newer G3, how do you think that would build up given a 20mm carbon rim and 28 spokes?

2x both sides would be my choice.

Boring but effective.

Black ultra-wide front hub, black Powertap G3, those bladed spokes you linked to and 20mm carbon tubs, wallop.

that's funny. I'm planning a similar build atm, but clincher.
I'll go 28 f and r.
not decided on hubs yet though veering towards hope. 90g heavier for the set though.

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/HF-W22-T02-270.html

I've always used Farsports before, but the Hong-Fu stuff seems (from SF's experience) to be good.

Those 22mm wheels are available in both clincher and tub versions it would appear.

already have the rims, just got to save up for, and decide on hubs and spokes.
hows the quality of bhs compared to hope? what would make my peers more envious of the two?

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/HF-W22-T02-270.html

I've always used Farsports before, but the Hong-Fu stuff seems (from SF's experience) to be good.

Those 22mm wheels are available in both clincher and tub versions it would appear.

Anyone used this specific 22mm rim in clincher that wants to share their experience ?

These work out to being £315 delivered, Shimano 11 speed rear hub and CX-rays.

http://www.wheelsfar.com/24mm-tubular-wheels1075g-30g-p-214.html

http://www.yoeleobike.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/3/-/3-spokes-00_2.jpg
Anyone bought one of these from Yoeleo? I did a cursory search but couldn't find anything. If you know someone who has dealt with them could you point me in the right direction.
Thank you kindly