I'm sure there are some fine custom wheel builders out there. But it sure is an expensive proposition if you get stuck with a bad wheelset and you're shipping back and forth, retruing, rebuilding. Over the last 25 years I've had about 2 really superb hand-built wheelsets. They were worth every penny. OTOH, I've had at least 10 sets if not more, that routinely needed truing and a couple which required complete rebuilds due to breaking spokes. I got very tired of the high-maintenance. I've also run into the recurring problem of The Mavic "pop" from several sets of "custom wheels". That "pop" will drive anyone crazy!
I'm now on my 5th set of "boutiques". Two Proton sets, Ksyrium SL, DA 7800 and Rolf Elan. I've never done a thing to any of these except for routine hub maintenance and replacing a bent (rock damage) Proton spoke with a spoke which the shop had on hand. I mean, put any of these wheels on the bike and forget about 'em. Light and durable...what more do you want?
Again, I'm sure there are wheel mavens out there but I think by far you're safer with a big name "boutique" wheelset. In my limited experience anyway.
Final note. I'm not big on mail order anything. If my shop sells them they also service them, stand behind them and make them right. You don't get that on the net.
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