Latest Custom Builds — Carbon

We’ve known Steve since the turn off the century when both he and XLR8 worked as bike messengers in Sydney. He’s a big unit and got in contact to discuss some new carbon hoops for his road bike, to service him on the rural roads of mid western New South Wales.Those roads are somewhere between awful and terrible, and Steve wanted a shallow depth carbon wheel that would still be stiff to accomodate his considerable power output. Having owned a retail bike store, and currently working as a mobile mechanic, he knows his stuff but appreciated our spec advice.Bigger guys...

XLR8 rides with Scott whenever on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where the trails are rocky, steep and very technical. Scott really wanted a lighter set of hoops for his 27.5+ Rocky Mountain - but they also had to be stiffer and lighter than the alloy hoops that came with the bike.Being a bit of a gear smasher, and not one for doing much maintenance, Project321 hubs are a wise choice. They are super tough, ultra reliable and have the fastest engagement he required for steep step ups and rock slabs. Even in black (they come in a wide array of cool...

Ben is another ex bicycle courier (messenger) who XLR8 worked with in a past life. We remember he was always a big fan of Paul Components hubs, and when he ordered a new Singlespeed frame, they were a given. He came to use for advice on a solid carbon 27.5" wheel build. Light, but not too light. Wide, but not too wide (he wanted to keep the bike spritely), at reasonable price and with good warranty. We suggested Nextie Classic XC rims with a 25mm internal width. These work well with narrower tyres, and are super light and stiff. They'll bag...

We've helped Marcel out a couple of times now. He loves his new trail technology, and every time he buys a new bike, we get a call from him! This time he could not resist something very special, the new Mondraker Foxy 29er. Those Spaniards seem to know how to make a sexy bike! Such a sexy new frame needed some sexy and tough wheels for the heavy duty trails that Marcel rides on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Together we agreed that the Nextie Ultralight 34mm 29″ carbon rim would be a tough, wide, reliable and light front. It's 28mm internal...

Bec is a former Australian SingleSpeed National Champ who has decided to make the leap across to big travel and (gasp!) gears! She has a custom made steel Starling Murmur that she is putting together as her ultimate build, and asked for our advice on the best wheels.  We've known and ridden with Bec for years, so understand her riding style well. As a result, she asked us to spec "what you would spec - if you were me". Easy then! White Industries XMR Boost hubs laced to Nextie Premium Carbon 36mm wide 29er rims (29mm internal width) for double duty as an...