Choosing wheels was one of the most time consuming and laborious parts of the bike build. Everything from the type of spoke (single, double, triple, plain gauge, mixed) to the type of valve hole was deliberated (read: argued) over, with procrastination being the most common element.
Ultimately it broke down into the following parts:
Rims
Rigida Grizzly 26″ MTB Tungsten Carbide Rim 36h Rear 32h Front (79.99)
Swisstop Blue Sky CSS Brake Pads (24)
From SJS Cycles
Superstrong rims with supersonically embedded carbide for an ultra hard wearing coating.
The tungsten carbide rims should allow for more effective stopping power, all the more important when you’re shooting down a mountain in the rain, on a fully laden bike. I wish I had these in Japan!
The valve holes have been drilled for Schraeder valves, with grommets to enable use of Presta valved tubes.
These rims have been specifically designed for use with Swisstop Blue Sky brake blocks.
At the moment, the front is squealing like a squealer, so we’re currently considering using brake boosters…
Hubs
Titan Venus Rear Cassette Hub 36h (189)
Mid Flange Front Hub 32h (124)
From Royce UK
With no reviews or feedback to go on, the decision making process for buying these hubs was rather… odd.
One moment we were holding some very nice looking XTR hubs, the next we had bought beautifully shiny British made Royce hubs.
From a man called Cliff, no less.
Described as “virtually indestructable”, the all weather seals and titanium freehub body and axle mean that these hubs should long outlive us. And I intend to live to be a grumpy old man.
Hopefully this leap of faith proves worthwhile.
Spokes and Bike Build
DT Swiss Champion/Competition
From Paul Hewitt Cycles
The final part of getting our wheels turned out to be one of the hardest. Any LBS can build a set of wheels, but to find someone who truely understands what is needed in a touring wheel is a different matter.
Paul Hewitt (based in Northern England) was recommended to us by Cliff of Royce UK, and from the outset was happy to advise, recommend and listen to our needs.
Although we had originally intended to go with DT Swiss Alpine 3s, their diameter was too large for the hubs, and ultimately we went with DT SWiss Competition (double butted) and Champion (plain gauge), with Pro Lock brass nipples to keep the wheels rolling as sturdily as possible.
Tyres
Continental Ultra Gatorskins
From Evans.co.uk
With all the different terrains out there, there was never going to be one tyre that suited everything. To start ourselves through Europe, we chose a slick, skinny, and puncture resistant tyre. A combination of low resistance, light-weight while still being hard-wearing .
Beyond Europe, there’s a whole host of tyres still to choose from…
More about the wheels to follow, as they rack up the miles…
