Harry Rowland Wheels
Hand built bicycle wheels made to order
Hand built bicycle wheels to your specification. Harry Rowland is an established wheel builder living in Ramsgate, Kent. A pair of hand built wheels is one of the best investments you can make to a bicycle. Whether it be for your commuter bike, tourer, MTB or fully fledged racing bike a pair of good wheels can really make all the difference. Wheels built with all types of components and for all ranges of prices, from less than £100 to over £1000.
Phone Harry on 01843 597443 to discuss your requirements. There are so many different combinations the can be be used to build your wheel and it will depend on what you want to use your wheels for, and on which sort of bike you want to put them on. A commuter would want a heavier rim whilst a racer might want a light weight rim as weight is a big issue. Prices start at around £100 set a set of wheels.
Harry's current thoughts on wheels:-
"I recently rebuilt a rear Cosmos wheel and was impressed with the rim. The hub however is a heavy lump. Spokes are overlong to accommodate Nylock nipples which help to hold a loose wheel together. I thought I could build a better, lighter wheel at about the same price and I have using Ambrosio hubs, Cosmos rims (28 hole) and Sapin Laser/Race mix spokes. Cosmos rims are sold as spares and not always available but Open Pro Black now come in 28 hole and only cost a little more. Another rim I like is the CXP33, a little heavy but if built with 28 Sapim Laser/Race mix or DT Rev/Comp mix makes a great Crit wheel.
Ambrosio Zenith Hubs
I have been using these hubs for 3 years now and they are always the hub I would recommend. They are now available in 28, 32 & 36 hole and in both Shimano and Campag 9 speed and are not expensive. Do not, however, be put off by the low price as the hub is of very good quality."
Read Sheldon Browns wheelbuilding page
Magazine reviews include:
March 2003 - Cycling Plus - Edition 142:-Reviewed the Storck Scenario Comp bike (£2500) which featured wheels built by Harry:- "Mavic's CXP33s are an incredibly strong rim, if on the weighty side at 470g each. CXP33s are a semi-deep section rim featuring a recessed spoke bed, machined side walls and a welded joint. They're a good all round rim, suitable for almost all weight of rider, and all kinds of riding, and when hand-built by Harry Rowland onto Shimano Dura-Ace hubs with DT Revolution III spokes the form a pair of wheels that should last for ages."
Poshbikes can be found at a www.poshbikes.com and the bike received a rating of 10/10.
April/Mays 2002 CTC Cycling:-
Magazine carries a review of a pair of 'Toad' wheels built by Harry and available through the CTC shop.
Cycling Plus January 2002 Edition:-
Best of the year article:-
Touring Wheels "Well respected hoopmeister Mr Rowland scored well with his Mavic X517/Sapin/XT wheels; top quality, ideal for audax"
And in a review of lightweight bikes "For £1250 you can get a pair of LEW's Atlanta clincher rims built into wheels by the highly reputable Harry Rowland"
Cycling Plus Christmas 2001 Edition:-
In reference to someone who's wheel was starting to break spokes:- "Broken spokes are a sure sign that it's time for new wheels or at the very least a re-spoke using stainless steel spokes - that is if the existing rim and hub are good enough. Check out you local shops' wheelbuilders or the likes of Harry Rowland (01843 597443)" Sound familiar???
Cycling Plus April 2001 Edition 117:-
Touring Wheels: 26" 32H Mavic X517, Sapin 14/16g DB, Shimano Deore XT £146.70
"Harry Rowland's wheels feature some of the highest spoke tensions on test and the spoke tensions are very even. Spoke wind up had been completely controlled; not a single twang was heard when they were ridden and the build accuracy was excellent. The Mavic X517 rims have reasonably thick walls and the XT hubs feature excellent sealing. These wheels with just 32 spokes are definitely on the light side for loaded touring; for Audax or day touring they would be great."
VERDICT: Beautifully built light wheels for lighter loads. 9/10 and Cycling + Recommended buy.
