I am a long time mountain biker who has gotten into building wheels and now I am probably getting a road bike. I notice on Road Bike Review there is a lot less talk about building and getting wheels built. The focus seems to be more on fancy prebuilt wheels. Why would this be? Are road wheels so different that regular wheels have a disadvantage or are roadies just more likely to buy into the prebuilt hype?

I am a long time mountain biker who has gotten into building wheels and now I am probably getting a road bike. I notice on Road Bike Review there is a lot less talk about building and getting wheels built. The focus seems to be more on fancy prebuilt wheels. Why would this be? Are road wheels so different that regular wheels have a disadvantage or are roadies just more likely to buy into the prebuilt hype?
Lot more money put into road bikes. Different demographic. Only have to buy them once since they will last until you get tired of them. - TF

I am a long time mountain biker who has gotten into building wheels and now I am probably getting a road bike. I notice on Road Bike Review there is a lot less talk about building and getting wheels built. The focus seems to be more on fancy prebuilt wheels. Why would this be? Are road wheels so different that regular wheels have a disadvantage or are roadies just more likely to buy into the prebuilt hype?
Interesting observation......I am a mountain biker about to buy his first roadbike and you are right about the wheelbuild thing....in mountain biking, most of us lean towards custom wheelbuilds but Turbo Turtles explanation makes sense....interesting.

For my mountain bikes in the last few months, I have had 2 wheelbuilds and will miss that part of the game with roadbikes....

Cheers

Lot more money put into road bikes. Different demographic. Only have to buy them once since they will last until you get tired of them. - TF

Are you saying that wheels from a good builder (not me) won't last as long as prebuilt?

Why?

Are you saying that wheels from a good builder (not me) won't last as long as prebuilt?

Why?
No, not at all. I'm say wheels used on the road will last a lot longer than wheels used off. Less abuse and much, much cleaner. - TF

Interesting observation......I am a mountain biker about to buy his first roadbike and you are right about the wheelbuild thing....in mountain biking, most of us lean towards custom wheelbuilds but Turbo Turtles explanation makes sense....interesting.

For my mountain bikes in the last few months, I have had 2 wheelbuilds and will miss that part of the game with roadbikes....

Cheers
I also like to build my own and would prefer them, but find that I can get near new to new factory wheels much cheaper than I can build a set. - TF

I also like to build my own and would prefer them, but find that I can get near new to new factory wheels much cheaper than I can build a set. - TF

My LBS has specials on wheels that are amazing. Open pro DA for less than I can buy the hubset. Or even Open pro Chorus for less than I can buy the hubset. Although you do have to retention every other ride.
Wade2

My LBS has specials on wheels that are amazing. Open pro DA for less than I can buy the hubset. Or even Open pro Chorus for less than I can buy the hubset. Although you do have to retention every other ride.
Wade2

If you or a good wheelbuider retensions them they will be strong and true.