Touring Bike Wheelset Advice

[Plax]

I have a 2007 Dawes Ultra Galaxy.
The rim line on my front wheel has gone and the rear wheel has a bad buckle that can't be fixed. You can true it only so much and it eventually comes back. So time for a new wheelset.

I think I have WTB dual duty rims spoked 36x3 with a Shimano Deore XT hub.

I've been looking at Spa cycles and think I have found what I need;
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s178p2234
Handbuilt wheelset Shimano Deore hub with Rigida Sputnik rims 700c 36h. The OLN is 135mm (I don't know what the OLN is on my current wheelset is, but I'm presuming the same).

Is this alright and is there any particular benefit for me going for a Shimano XT hub instead?

Ta

 

[numbnuts]

I have never used their wheels, but I've heard lots of good comments from people on other forums.

 

[Bodhbh]

I had some Rigida Sputniks on XT hubs done by them. They've been absolutely solid, but then I'd expect that given they're touring specalists. I know zilch about wheelbuilds, but a couple of points you might want to question: i) Rigida Sputniks are very solid, and very heavy. They may actually be overkill, unless you're doing crossing continents type touring. ii) Maybe someone else can elaborate, but I heard some of the XT hubs used smaller, less robust bearings for a while - so the plain Deores were more robust (or SLXs, or LXs, or whatever the next one down are called). Why not just phone and ask? - they seemed very helpful when I did the same and didn't know exactly what I wanted.

 

[Plax]

I had some Rigida Sputniks on XT hubs done by them. They've been absolutely solid, but then I'd expect that given they're touring specalists. I know zilch about wheelbuilds, but a couple of points you might want to question: i) Rigida Sputniks are very solid, and very heavy. They may actually be overkill, unless you're doing crossing continents type touring. ii) Maybe someone else can elaborate, but I heard some of the XT hubs used smaller, less robust bearings for a while - so the plain Deores were more robust (or SLXs, or LXs, or whatever the next one down are called). Why not just phone and ask? - they seemed very helpful when I did the same and didn't know exactly what I wanted.

I've asked them and they said Deore hubs are a good choice, and they'd suggest Rigida Sputniks for maximum strength and load carrying capacity, or Exal LX17s for something a bit lighter and if I don't plan on fitting tyres wider than 32mm. I failed to ask the difference in weight though. I'm not too fussed about weight if there isn't much in it, but I am rather keen on them not buckling again. The reason why my back wheel buckled was probably because I regularly load my bike up with the kitchen sink and then go on bumpy trails (broke my ruddy bottle holder the last time, the vibrations made it break at the weld!).

 

[MichaelW2]

I think I have WTB dual duty rims spoked 36x3 with a Shimano Deore XT hub.

Unless your XT hubs are damaged it is almost always worthwhile rebuilding high-end hubs when the consumable rims wear out. Find a local wheel-builder with a good reputation.
Old XT were the gold standard for touring. Modern XT uses an aluminium axle which is fatter, so the bearings have to be smaller. Even if you have the new style, you should keep and rebuild them.