Sometimes you need a custom wheelset because your current wheelset is worn out, and sometimes you need one because you're building your dream bike and there isn't a stock wheelset that will do the trick!
That was certainly the case with this trio of AVT Works Custom Wheels that we recently built for a customer's new bike! This rider wanted two front wheel options for his new bike, and they needed to match, so he had us build two front wheels-one with the tougher Enve M930 laced to 20mm thru-axle Chris King ISO AB hub, and one M630 laced to a 15mm thru axle Chris King ISO AB hub–and one rear wheel built around a Chris King ISO-B hub. He has two different forks for this bike, and needed a wheel for each, hence the different spec. All three wheels were laced with Sapim CX Ray spokes which are the strongest as well as one of the lightest spokes on the market today. If you've been checking our posts recently, you'll remember that we posted some photos of this wheelset in process as we got the parts and again once we'd finished the wheels. We did that not only because it's a trio of wheels that uses rad parts, but because this rider wanted silver accents!
We love black parts, but sometimes it's really refreshing to see something that's really different, and this wheelset is nothing if not different! We started out by switching the hardware on the hubs out to silver. Chris King had just recently changed all of their hubs (apart from silver) to being supplied with black hardware, so we had to swap the axles and adjuster caps out.
Once we got the hubs prepared, we built the wheels.
The finished wheels are gorgeous. The silver Sapim CX Ray spokes give the wheelset give the wheels a completely different appearance than the black spokes we're used to seeing laced to carbon rims, and we think it's a rad way to pull together a classic look with modern parts to create something truly unique!
The resulting bike is an impressive combination of the latest tech and a very thorough matching color scheme! Notice that the final touch on the wheels was to swap out the stock decals to matching matte punch ones. This is a detail that we like about Enve rims, and it's certainly used to full advantage here!
There are many ways in which a wheelset can be custom for its rider, and this one is a perfect example of someone making use of just about all of them: the rider needed a wheelset that would match the quality and color scheme of his bike, that would be able to accommodate his two different forks and their intended use, and finally, he needed a wheelset that would handle the kind of riding for which his bike was designed!
Admittedly, this set might not be in everyone's budget, but whether you are looking for one where money is no object or one on more of a budget, there's no reason to think a custom wheelset is out of reach! We have a whole host of options to help you get the best wheelset for your riding style, bike, and budget; and with 34 years of experience, our wheelbuilder will build you the best wheelset around, and we think you'll be happy you took the leap!
For more info, head over to our AVT Works Custom Wheels page!
