I've done factory wheels and built my own wheels in the past, which has lead to a preference for a good quality, hand built set of wheels on each of my bikes. This time, I was looking to do something unique, and possibly custom, for my road bike.
After a fair bit of searching, comparing and general navel gazing trying to figure out what I'd build, I found that ProWheelBuilder.com (PWB) would give me the best bang for the buck on the parts I had decided on. I ended up having PWB assemble the wheels too...it was a free service with the parts purchase and the incremental cost for duties (wheelsets vs. parts have different duty rates when bringing them into Canada) more than makes up for my time in assembling them myself.
My going more custom than just selecting the parts threw a bit of a wrench in the system, but the gang at PWB made sure things got sorted out in short order. My custom colored, custom engraved Onyx hubs with a leading / trailing pattern of colored spokes were well built into my selected rims. Obvious quality and attention to detail were evident from the packaging of the rims for shipment to the wheels themselves. Straight and true hand built wheels done using the parts I wanted and in the way I wanted them put together...who could ask for more?
Whether for parts or complete wheels, I recommend PWB.
Michael Halliwell
May 26, 2017
My build: H Plus Son Archetype Rims, Sapim Race spokes with brass nipples, 2x front and 3x/3x rear, laced to White Industries T11 Hubs.
My thoughts out of the box: Nothing is quite as nice as a new set of wheels to throw onto your ride. Quality of the parts looked very nice, and the quick tone test revealed all spokes were tensioned evenly...now to pop the wheels into the bike and see how true they actually were.
On the Bike (not riding): First impression is the hubs spin very very smoothly. I own fulcrum racing 1 wheels, and supposedly those hubs are very good, but I can feel the ball bearings swirling around in them. The WI hubs spin so smoothly and quietly as to be imperceptible. I felt no vibration, and spun well. The wheels were within 0.5 mm of true by my estimate and after having put a few hundred miles on them over some pothole ridden rodes, that's how they have stayed.
The Ride: The wide rims of the archetype help make the ride be a bit more compliant, but in my opinion I really felt a difference in the wide rims with CORNERING. The wheels have felt absolutely planted no matter how aggressively I take a turn. Very confidence inspiring. Out of the saddle and during sprints there is no perceptible flex. And the braking surface really allows my brakes to have a solid bite.
Final words: The service has been great, the wheels are excellent, and I got every thing I wanted in a wheel set. Would definitely recommend PWB if what you desire is a solidly built wheel set catered to your riding style, body weight, and intended use!