"Hand-built is the way to go!" This is something we at the Circles "Gorilla Spun" department continue to share both in our shop and on our blog.
In this day and age when the world is overflowing with pre-built wheelsets, many cyclists often misunderstand hand-built wheels as being:
＊Time-consuming
(Unlike pre-built wheels, there are many steps involved before you can even start building them)
＊Expensive
(You can find budget-friendly pre-built sets for under 20,000 yen)
＊Average in performance
(With pre-built wheels, you can use the same specs as professional riders)
Because of this, it’s no surprise that many people question, "Why bother with hand-built wheels?"
Perhaps for those who live in the world of professional racing, the benefits of "hand-built" might be slim.
But I, for one, declare that "Hand-built is the best."
"Why?"
That is the theme for today, and it’s not to suggest that "pre-built wheels are the worst."
Both "pre-built" and "hand-built" have their pros and cons, and when you weigh them out, I think "hand-built" offers more advantages for us. This might not be interesting to those who think, "Bicycles are race gear; who cares what they cost?! Victory is justice!" But as we all know, learning about opinions different from your own is the food for growth. I hope you'll stick with me until the end.
Well then, let’s begin.
Take a look at this photo.
A bicycle is a tool.
You never know when it might end up looking like this.
Yes, it is precisely when something breaks that you see the biggest difference between "hand-built" and "pre-built" wheels.
Why is that?
To maximize their performance, "pre-built wheels" are constructed with many proprietary parts. This extends to every detail—not just the hubs and rims, but even the spokes and nipples are specially designed.
The performance of wheels that utilize the latest technology, materials, and feedback from pro riders indeed offers a blissful feeling. This is the greatest advantage of pre-built wheels.
On the other hand, "hand-built wheels" cannot escape from their orthodox shape, so their performance is dictated by the components you choose, making it somewhat difficult for them to exceed expectations in a flashy way.
However, it is precisely because of the high level of compatibility brought about by this orthodox shape that "hand-built" wheels can sometimes be the best.
Let me tell you a story from the past.
When I was active in racing, I used cool, high-performance pre-built wheels. I loved those wheels, and I used them relentlessly for everything from races to daily riding day after day.
Like many troubles, it arrived suddenly.
The rear wheel started freewheeling; no matter how hard I pedaled, the bike wouldn't move forward.
After dragging myself home—taking three times longer than usual—I took the wheel apart to find the cause. The spring holding the notches inside the hub had broken.
It was a very small, simple part, so I was relieved. I thought, "A part like this shouldn't cost much and will be easy to replace."
But the tragedy starts here.
The next day, I called the manufacturer to order the part, and this is the response I got:
"We don't have that part."
"Huh? Why? I just bought these wheels last year."
"Well, the model changed this year, so it's been discontinued."
"No, no, that can't be true. Are you telling me that because I can't get a part that costs a few hundred yen, these wheels that cost over a hundred thousand yen are now useless?"
"I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do."
"..."
I felt very sad.
If it were me today, I might think to look for a substitute or try to make one, but back then, I didn't have that kind of mindset, nor did I know that there were laws regarding how long parts must be kept in stock. So, I had to begrudgingly give up on those wheels.
After that incident, I moved away from pre-built wheels.
Time passed, and this happened just recently.
While I was on a trip touring trails overseas, I destroyed the "hand-built wheel" I was using. It was entirely my own mistake, so I had no one to blame. But since I had more riding to do, I panicked a little.
However, because it was a hand-built wheel, the solution was simple.
I rushed down the mountain, ran to a nearby bike shop, and bought a rim and spokes. I rebuilt the wheel that night, and I was able to ride again the next day without issue.
The rims ended up being mismatched front and rear, but that was a minor problem compared to not being able to ride at all.
Yes, this is it.
This is the part I want to shout from the rooftops: "Hand-built is the best."
A bicycle is a tool used for riding through all kinds of places every day.
The city streets, the mountains, races, and so on.
If that's the case, then the criteria for choosing components—like the wheels—should simply be: they should be durable, and if they do break, they should be easy to repair. Yes, it really comes down to this.
While there are other factors to consider like "performance," "appearance," and "price," I believe the basic premise must be to satisfy this absolute condition first.
Most of us are not professional riders, so we pay for our own gear.
If that's true, isn't "durable, and easy to repair if it breaks" a requirement you absolutely cannot compromise on?
I don't think you should ever have to lose an entire wheelset just because one tiny proprietary part is unavailable. Recently, there was even a case where it took over four months to get replacement aluminum spokes from a certain manufacturer.
That is why for us, hand-built wheels, which can be repaired by replacing only the broken part at any time and in any environment, are truly the best.
Everything based on your ideals.
With hand-built wheels, you don't have to suffer from back or knee pain caused by using wheels designed for the legs of a pro athlete; you can turn your "I wish I could do this" into reality.
There are infinite choices awaiting you in hand-spun wheels, where you pick from three components: rims, hubs, and spokes. And Gorilla Spun will do our best to accommodate more detailed requests, such as "only the rear wheel," "I want to use the hubs and rims I already have," or "I want them built this way."
We can also suggest setups tailored to your physical characteristics, riding style, and favorite courses.
Because it is a tool that moves between the ordinary and the extraordinary, I believe that one-size-fits-all isn't enough—a wheelset designed for *you* is what matters.
The path of wheel building is endless, but it's not without a guide.
First, let’s start riding.
A wheelset made for you will surely change the quality of your ride.
So, start by asking about things you don't understand.
We look forward to your questions.