Samuel D wrote:Thanks for the interesting discussion about hubs and bearings.
Rose Bikes have amazing wheel prices from the point of view of components included. But as I said, I am more interested in a top-notch build. The Rose wheels likely don’t have the spokes punched into the flanges (though whether this matters is another thing), aren’t stress-relieved (according to user reviews), and I am not sure they use both double-butted and plain-gauge spokes in rear wheels (surely essential?). There’s also no option for 32- and 36-spoke mixed sets, or even an option for 32 spokes at all.
While Rose bikes regularly changes their build practices, they do stress relieve their wheels. (Even wheel building robots have finally caught on with this.) This is why they give a ten year warranty on their spokes. They produce and sell a rather massive amount of traditionally designed 36H 3X wheels, so if their wheels mostly weren't good enough they would have problems. Rose bikes don't really compete on prices, but on service, so if you get a bad wheel build they will exchange it. Anyway, I thought they where worth mentioning since price and postage to France seemed to be an issue.
Regarding the choice of components, then Rose bikes will build any wheel using components they stock, so you can specify what you want like a 32H front hub dynamo and a 36H rear hub. The price for such individual build are higher than the batch produced offers on their homepage.
However; the engineering design optimum for 700C wheels using standard components are 36H 3X lacing. The 32H hubs are the optimum for smaller 26" wheels and meant for such. The weight savings going from 32 to 36 spokes on 700C wheels are minimal, while the reduction in strength and durability is quite measurable. Research papers and Finite Element Analysis have repeatedly showed this.
Mixing plain and double butted spokes isn't essential either. I don't think it is even desirable.
Samuel D wrote:I should even consider a dynamo front hub while I’m at this, though the ones I can afford don’t seem to be very user-serviceable. Probably not, then.
Shimano 3 Watt "Sport" hub dynamos (3N72 and above) are serviceable in basically 3 different ways;
1. Taking it apart; require some studying first and being careful when disassembling since there is an internal wire that easily break. Have done this many times now.
2. Slightly loosen the cones and inject grease into the bearings. No personal experience with the procedure, but based on my experience with Shimano dynamo hubs, this the best and easiest approach. The sealing and races are of an extremely high quality, so cleaning the bearings are much less important than replenishing the grease.
3. Exchanging the entire internal assembly at once, by either buying spare parts or cannibalizing another hub. This is very easy and fast to do.