Pre-built vs Custom wheels: Bikefanclub.com

My experience with Young Wheels (dt Swiss 240 hubs and Velocity Aerohead rims) and my experience with Shimano 7701 wheels have been favorable. Here are the differences, as I see them. The Shimano wheels have a deeper rim and fewer spokes. I probably don't ride fast enough for their improved aerodynamics to make much difference, compared with the lighter, lower profile rim and more spokes (28F, 32R) of Joe Young's wheels. My Shimano wheels have the crossover spokes which are attached on the side of the rim. That requires that I remove the nylon screw on the Ultegra brakes which would otherwise hit the spokes, make noise, and wear out. The purpose of these screws is to contact the rim and give an audible signal when the brake pads are worn out. This is not an essential function. The Shimano wheels coast silently, while the dt Swiss rear hub makes a racket when coasting, like a Chris King hub. The freehub body on these 9 speed Shimano wheels is titanium, while it is aluminum and therefore more likely to get notched by cassette cogs on the dt Swiss hub. This has not been a problem as most of the cogs on my cassettes are on carriers and linked to other cogs rather than individual cogs. I expect to wear out the bearings in the freehub body before I wear out the splines holding the cassette. Both sets of wheels have been durable and are stiff enough that I cannot detect any flexibility. I can't really feel any difference when riding them. If I had my eyes closed, I'm sure I couldn't tell which set of wheels I had except by the different sounds made by the freehubs when coasting. The Shimano wheels are a little easier to pack in the S & S hard case when I travel because they have fewer spokes, but I have traveled conveniently with both sets of wheels. I wanted a conventional set of wheels after breaking a rear spoke on a Rolf Vector wheel in the middle of nowhere several years ago. That wheel would have been unrideable expect that my companion had a spare spoke taped to his frame which he was able to put on my Rolf wheel in 15 minutes by the side of the road. The Shimano wheel would probably not be rideable with a broken spoke, while the conventional wheels with more spokes would be okay. But I've had no trouble with the Shimano wheels and don't give any thought to the idea that a spoke could break. In short, I've been happy with both. But if I were buying wheels today, I would try to ride a set of Shimano road tubeless wheels. They take 9 or 10 speed cassettes, tubeless or standard clincher tires, and have a durable titanium freehub body. I also understand that Campy or Fulcrum will have road tubeless wheels on the market before the end of this year. I have several friends who've had Eurus wheels and been very pleased with them. If you have Campy shifters and don't want to deal with compatibility issues, you may wish to look at those Campy wheels.