I know that buying the Wheelsmith wheels online from some of the major online retailers you can get wheels that may not be tensioned properly, and should probably be checked out by a good wheel person before putting any miles on them etc. What I'm curious about is what there is to gain by having a wheel custom built? I know that you can use beefier spokes on the drive side of the rear wheel, you can upgrade spokes, etc. The wheels that I've seen online use DT 14/15/14 double butted spokes with brass nipples laced to Ultegra hubs for around $200. You definately don't get the custom spoke combinations like you would with custom wheels. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of buying a custom wheel, but are spokes going to make that big of a difference?

Wheelsmith built wheels should be good to go out of the box. You might want to get them checked after 500 miles or so if they go out of true so include this cost into your total.

As far as the spokes go, 14/15's are stout. You can go lighter on the non-drive rear and maybe even the front depending on how much you weigh. Stay away from aluminum nipples though if you value durability.

Good luck.

Ed