After getting the Chris King R45 11 speed rear hub, my initial idea was to rebuild the rear wheel, using the new Chris King hub and the current Wheelsport rear rim. However, I figured that it would be much easier to build a complete set of front and rear wheels, and I will be able to sell the Wheelsport wheelset. It also allows me to compare the complete Wheelsport wheelset with the new wheelset.
With that in mind, it means that I have to get a new front hub and also a new pair of rims. Getting a good quality front hub is not so easy, as a narrow 74mm front hub for Dahon / Tern bikes is required. To make it even harder, a gold coloured 74mm front hub is desired.
After trawling Taobao, it seems that the only good 74mm front hub that comes in gold is made by Novatec.
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This hub is inexpensive at less than SGD 30, which is quite amazing. It is super smooth, and feels just as good as sealed ceramic bearings. It is also a lot cheaper than the Chris King hub!
With my itchy hands, I always like to take things apart (provided that I have the confidence to put it back together)!
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As for the 20" rims, there are a few more choices available. However, gold coloured rims are not so widely available. The most popular rims are LitePro rims, and they are available in different number of spoke holes, which means compatibility with many different hubs. Also, LitePro claims that their rims are made in the same factory as the highly rated Kinetix Pro rims, which means at least a decent quality.
I selected a 20 hole rim for the front wheel, and a 24 hole rim for the rear wheel. These rims have the same number of spokes as the current Wheelsport wheelset.
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After some effort gathering all these parts, I now have:
1 x Chris King R45 11 Speed Rear Hub
1 x Novatec A551SB 74mm Front Hub
1 x 20H 20" Rim
1 x 24H 24" Rim
all in gold colour, of course.
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I don't have any wheelbuilding skill or experience, therefore it is best to let the professionals do it. With the hubs and rim, I can then bring it to the bike shop, and they will build the wheels with the necessary spoke lengths and spoke nipples.
The next part of this wheelbuilding adventure will be up soon! There will be a detailed comparison between the Wheelsport wheelset and the new custom Chris King + Novatec wheelset.
With that in mind, it means that I have to get a new front hub and also a new pair of rims. Getting a good quality front hub is not so easy, as a narrow 74mm front hub for Dahon / Tern bikes is required. To make it even harder, a gold coloured 74mm front hub is desired.
After trawling Taobao, it seems that the only good 74mm front hub that comes in gold is made by Novatec.
Novatec Gold Front Hub in 74mm. Model number is A551SB, made in Taiwan.
This hub is inexpensive at less than SGD 30, which is quite amazing. It is super smooth, and feels just as good as sealed ceramic bearings. It is also a lot cheaper than the Chris King hub!
With my itchy hands, I always like to take things apart (provided that I have the confidence to put it back together)!
Removing the two axle inserts is easy, just stick in two M5 Allen keys and turn in the opposite direction.
The sealed bearing can be seen once the axle inserts are removed. 20 spoke holes.
Axle inserts are threaded onto the hub axle, instead of just inserted like the Wheelsport / Kinetix Comp front hubs.
As for the 20" rims, there are a few more choices available. However, gold coloured rims are not so widely available. The most popular rims are LitePro rims, and they are available in different number of spoke holes, which means compatibility with many different hubs. Also, LitePro claims that their rims are made in the same factory as the highly rated Kinetix Pro rims, which means at least a decent quality.
I selected a 20 hole rim for the front wheel, and a 24 hole rim for the rear wheel. These rims have the same number of spokes as the current Wheelsport wheelset.
Shiny new gold rims!
The joint where the ends of the rim are spot welded together.
Double walled rims
Rim is about 25mm tall, slightly lower than the 30mm of the Wheelsport rims.
LitePro sticker on the rims.
Weight of the Novatec front hub. Quite a bit heavier as most 74mm front hubs are around 50 grams.
The pair of LitePro rims (20H and 24H). Not the lightest pair around.
After some effort gathering all these parts, I now have:
1 x Chris King R45 11 Speed Rear Hub
1 x Novatec A551SB 74mm Front Hub
1 x 20H 20" Rim
1 x 24H 24" Rim
all in gold colour, of course.
The hubs! Sharing a quiet time together before being laced into individual wheels.
Rough spoke lengths calculated. Radial lacing for the front wheel, and 2-cross lacing for the rear wheel.
I don't have any wheelbuilding skill or experience, therefore it is best to let the professionals do it. With the hubs and rim, I can then bring it to the bike shop, and they will build the wheels with the necessary spoke lengths and spoke nipples.
The next part of this wheelbuilding adventure will be up soon! There will be a detailed comparison between the Wheelsport wheelset and the new custom Chris King + Novatec wheelset.