Washington, DC area wheelbuilder
Moderators: robbosmans, Moderator Team
Can anyone offer me a recommendation regarding a competent wheelbuilder in the Washington, DC area? I don't need any elaborate work done, just some truing, but of course want someone who is reliable.
Thanks,
Salvatore
Thanks,
Salvatore
"Deserve's got nothing to do with it." William Munny
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- HammerTime2
- Posts: 5813
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 4:43 pm
- Location: Wherever there's a mountain beckoning to be climbed
Did I forget to mention the difference in density of high end bike shops and mechanics?On October 27, 2009 in Riding/Living in Washington, DC, HammerTime2 wrote:If you like to ride in the mountains, you like to ride in the mountains on relatively deserted roads, you like to just hop on your bike and in short order be in the mountains, you like to be able to ride year round without worrying about snow, ice, or sub-freezing weather, you like to have a large variety of road races (not just crits) nearby, then NorCal is great and D.C. blows. You have to love the girl more than cycling. It's as simple as that.
...
You better really love that girl, because you may resent her for making you give up the NorCal riding. By the way, once you move to D.C., you might not ever wind up leaving, whether you want to or not. Yeah, it's only for 3 years ... and it's possible it might be ... and it's possible you'll be stuck there the rest of your life.l.
BTW, as your 3 years is nearly up, I hope you have paid attention to my warning above.
PM sent with specific suggestions I don't feel comfortable airing on the board.
The clock is ticking! Should be out of here the end of this year. Where? No idea yet, but we should find out sometime this summer. I have to say the experience has been... well, let's just say it's been an experience.
BTW: She's worth it, and so is the little fellow who decided to join us!
BTW: She's worth it, and so is the little fellow who decided to join us!
"Deserve's got nothing to do with it." William Munny
HammerTime2 wrote:Did I forget to mention the difference in density of high end bike shops and mechanics?On October 27, 2009 in Riding/Living in Washington, DC, HammerTime2 wrote:If you like to ride in the mountains, you like to ride in the mountains on relatively deserted roads, you like to just hop on your bike and in short order be in the mountains, you like to be able to ride year round without worrying about snow, ice, or sub-freezing weather, you like to have a large variety of road races (not just crits) nearby, then NorCal is great and D.C. blows. You have to love the girl more than cycling. It's as simple as that.
...
You better really love that girl, because you may resent her for making you give up the NorCal riding. By the way, once you move to D.C., you might not ever wind up leaving, whether you want to or not. Yeah, it's only for 3 years ... and it's possible it might be ... and it's possible you'll be stuck there the rest of your life.l.
BTW, as your 3 years is nearly up, I hope you have paid attention to my warning above.
PM sent with specific suggestions I don't feel comfortable airing on the board.
Weird, because MABRA turned out Ben King, Joe Dombrowski, Brent Bookwalter, and a shitload of other pros so the region can't be that bad.
As for competent wheelbuilders there aren't many, but for basic truing talk to Matt at CycleLife in Georgetown and tell him Karsten sent you. If that's too much of a stretch for you try Jared at Haymarket Bikes in Haymarket. I don't know him too well, but their shop does solid work. No matter what DO NOT go to City Bikes or Revolution Cycles. Freshbikes is a nice shop, but I don't know anything about their wheelbuilders, however, they have locations in Arlington and Bethesda if either are closer.
- HammerTime2
- Posts: 5813
- Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 4:43 pm
- Location: Wherever there's a mountain beckoning to be climbed
I never said there aren't any good riders in the area. That does not negate anything I said.
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- Posts: 2594
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:09 pm
I am self-taught and not a professional. but I have built a few sets of wheels for myself, friends, and family. I can definitly tru a wheel... unless it is really ruined. And I work for beer!
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Yah, truing should be something that almost any shop can do unless its a really bizarre build.