Latest Custom Builds — Sapim

Ian phoned with a requirement to replace an ageing and unreliable front 29er wheel. He's a rider from the nearby Gold Coast, so we knew well the tracks he rode. Initially we discussed an alloy replacement for his wheel, very similar to what he had. However, Nextie carbon offerings are so well priced, the cost to upgrade to wider, stiffer and lighter carbon is not great. Together we decided that a 30mm internal width rim would be a great choice for the XC/Trail style usage he needed. Coming in at just over 500g, these rims are light for their sturdiness,...

The brief was simple, could this once ridden pair MTB hubs be reused in a pair of Gravel/Grandfondo wheels for a road bike? At XLR8 we relish these challenges. These hubs had been ridden once on a test ride, and then the wheels parked. They were a 10s hub, but we had the freehub and the hub body machined to ensure that an 11s cassette would clear (note this is not possible on all hubs*), and adapted the front 15mm thru axle front hub to 9mm quick release (using White Industries adaptors). The Hplusson THE HYDRA is an excellent choice for lightweight disc...

Graham called us up and described his new fascination with riding gravel. We concur, it's awesome to get out on the "Strade Bianche" (Italian for "White Road") - less traffic, more challenge! He advised us that he had recently replaced a broken rear rim with and entire wheelset. The old Italian Bianchi Reparto Corse (Miche) hubs were fine, and we suggested they be re-used as a basis for a wider gravel focussed wheelset. Not needing tubeless, the Hplusson Archetype is the logical choice. They are light, wide, nicely finished, and the braking surface is so smooth. Of course, we used...

Matt is an old friend from way back. He's an avid singlespeeder and very very handy down hill. He was keen to build some new XC wheels for his old singlespeed and came to us for this, his fourth set of XLR8 wheels. Matt likes the Light Bicycle product and selected their 27mm wide 29er rim, that comes in at a scant 360g! On his supplied Hope hubs we used plain gauge Sapim Leader spokes on the rear wheel (to ensure optimum stiffness - he rides hard) and double butted Sapim Race spokes on the front - both in no frills...

You might remember Andy had us build an awesome set of yellow and gold Nextie wheels with Project 321 hubs. Well, John is a member of his family, and once he saw Andy's wheels, he needed just the same, except this time in blue!