I am notoriously cheap. At 270 lbs. I am a heavy rider. My needs in a wheel are distinctly differerent from the majority of of riders here. I have rebuilt a couple of wheels, but never from scratch. I am quite happy with the performance of these wheels.

I would like to have a wheel set kitted up to build myself. Spoke length calculation seems to be an as yet unstudied black art. I don't need light wheels, I need strong wheels. I feel like I can build a better $200 wheelset than I can purchase.

Two questions:
Can/how do I get a wheelset kit?
Am I pissing in the wind?

Your LBS should be able to set you up with the right spokes for your project. I'm a big guy as well and I can recommend the Velocity Deep V rims as being nearly indestructible. I you use your existing hubs, new rims and spokes will be a ways under your 200.00 cap. Check out the DT Swiss spoke calculator for spoke sizing (http://www.dtswiss.com/SpokesCalc/Welcome.aspx?language=en). Go with a three cross and straight 14g spokes.

Go with a three cross and straight 14g spokes.

Butted spokes should be better. If you need greater stiffness, then put in more of them.

Your LBS should be able to set you up with the right spokes for your project. I'm a big guy as well and I can recommend the Velocity Deep V rims as being nearly indestructible. I you use your existing hubs, new rims and spokes will be a ways under your 200.00 cap. Check out the DT Swiss spoke calculator for spoke sizing (http://www.dtswiss.com/SpokesCalc/Welcome.aspx?language=en). Go with a three cross and straight 14g spokes.
+1. I agree exactly with everything BeeCharmes said. 32 spokes are enough with the Deep Vs. I have 2 sets of wheels like this, and they're strong enough that you could use them at a tractor pull. :thumbsup:

Talk to Mike at OddsandEndos.com. I wanted to build a set for my wife. I called him and we discussed what to build her and he sent me the parts needed at a decent price. He helped with component selection and spoke calcs. They were the first set I built from the ground up and they've been true for 1000+ miles now. I think her set of Velocity aeroheads and speedcifics was under 300 bucks. Of course for you that wouldn't be a strong enough combination. It may run a bit more than 200 bucks but you'll get what you need.