How much should I pay for a wheelbuild?

[Smacks]

See title.

I've been quoted anywhere from $2-300 for a 36h build with $2 spokes.

Am I being over/undercharged?

 

[moodybluebob]

well there around $72 for spokes, lets throw in $30 for labour.

so nah.. it shouldbt be $300.. unless your buying the rim included into it.

 

[b_S]

lets throw in $30 for labour.

Unfortunately monkeys don't do the best builds. That's what you're expecting for so little, yeah?

 

[tu plang]

Yup, atleast $50 labour anywhere i've ever worked/shopped.

 

[moodybluebob]

Unfortunately monkeys don't do the best builds. That's what you're expecting for so little, yeah?

i think i got charged for that a ForTheRiders...

may have been $40 or so, not sure.

 

['Ross]

$60 is the standard for a quality build, at least at Shifterbikes (top wheelbuilder for Mavic) and the guy at BSC (some good reputation) That being said Im building my next wheelset myself Ill probably take it in to someone proper after to true/tune it though.

 

[Stacks!]

as was said,m $72 for spokes is unavoidable, but i wouldn't be paying more than $40 for labour. That's what my lbs charges and they do a awesome job every time. Wheels that just refuse to break, even with dh

 

[---Matt---]

Yeah, never paid over $40 for a build and again, really good builds. Never had a problem.

 

[LJohn]

$40-$60 is generally the accepted rate. $300 would buy you a wheelcraft wheel.

 

[tallongdownhill]

We recently got a rim built up for my mate,we supplied the hub and needed a rim and to be laced to the hub.We were supplied with a mavic ex729 rim and DT spokes all fitted and trued for $195 form my local LBS.If they are sayin 200 to 300 just for spokes fitted and trued, I would look elsewhere.

 

[Matt H]

Yeah, I'd say you're being F'd in the A.

Where I work we usually charge $50 tops for labour, depending on the wheel.
If you like the store just say you've been quoted x amount somewhere else and if they'll match it for you or something. $230 for labour is definitely exorbitant.

 

[Ty]

I've charged $30 to $50 depending on the the pattern, quality required and who I was building it for, I'd expect to pay about the same if not more for a quality job with a re-true/tension after a few weeks.

 

[BeNny_Boyy]

well there around $72 for spokes, lets throw in $30 for labour.

The chinese wouldn't work for $30 labour.

Looking at atleast $50 labour and $2 a spoke.

 

[b_S]

expect to pay about the same if not more for a quality job with a re-true/tension after a few weeks.

That's the good stuff. Anyone can build a wheel and have it hold true for a few weeks. But it's the ones that are willing to back their work and offer a quick check/tension over the next few weeks that are worth looking at.