Spec me a rim brake wheelset

I have just acquired my first ever set of handbuilt wheels via my LBS - 28 spoke Open Pro C with Miche Primato QR hubs, the wheelbuilder's own preference. 1740g (w/o QR) for about £300, all parts off-the-shelf and simple to service.

I didn't see the point of spending lots more money to save 100-200g and the parts wear out faster (though I'd still love to try some really lightweight carbon wheels, just to see what the fuss is about).

Hope you get something you enjoy riding.

That's the kind of conservative choices I make for my home wheelbuilding, so it's good to hear pros doing this.  Some are quite disparaging about Open Pro. 

I stick with what's affordable, is on the spoke calculator and available - particularly if I want a higher spoke count on the rear. E.g. Lots of hype about Pacenti Brevet, but hard to find any stocks.  I've liked the H+Son rims I've used. 

I don't know if there are many hubs these days where the drillings aren't all bi-directional. There are a fair few rims where the holes are left-right specific, or the whole lot is offset for rear wheels. That's all more stuff to go wrong in my simple book.  Online descriptions can be pretty vague.

I use Sapim Race (couldn't get hold of the triple butted model in the length in black I wanted for my next build) and Sapim Strong for the rear drive side. I like the Primatos, something a bit different to Shimano, with a pleasing red anodised QR lever. 

One deep section DT Swiss pair I did early on do make a really noticeable difference - making a slow bike faster and a fast bike a tricky ride.
 

David9694 wrote:

I stick with what's affordable, is on the spoke calculator and available - particularly if I want a higher spoke count on the rear. E.g. Lots of hype about Pacenti Brevet, but hard to find any stocks.  I've liked the H+Son rims I've used.

I give more credence to the voices of people that build (Ugo.Santalucia and Cycle Clinic used to post extensively on Bikeradar forums, for example). Pacenti copped some grief at one stage for the poor QC on their 23mm rims. The latest Open Pro (2019-on?) is supposedly an improvement on the original. Kinlin rims are widely used and are often rebadged for other brands.

The shop mechanics didn't have any time for wheels like Aksiums, especially if the bike is ridden in the wet. I suspect they would say the same about Fulcrum as lots of people used to complain about the poor bearing seals.

A low spoke count does not usually make for a good, long-lasting wheelset and the weight saved by doing so is pretty small, something like 5-7g per spoke. Having said that, I've ridden inexpensive Shimano wheels for years - RS10, RS010 etc with 16/20 spokes - which have mostly been great but I was told I could treat myself to something a bit more interesting as a birthday gift.

I recall good memories on some R500's, bit flexy but tightened the spokes & 👌