Building the Perfect Wheelset: Components Chosen With Purpose

When it comes to upgrading a bike, few changes transform the ride feel as dramatically as a well-chosen custom wheelset. In this case, the brief was clear: replace the heavy, slow-engaging factory wheels on an Orbea Occam LT with something lighter, more responsive, and better suited to the rider’s favourite trails—without sacrificing durability when the hits inevitably come.

Why custom wheels solve common stock wheel problems

Component Choices

At the heart of the build sits the DT Swiss XM481 rim, a standout option for aggressive trail and all-mountain riding. Its internal width offers excellent tyre support, while its proven strength-to-weight ratio makes it confident in rough terrain without feeling overbuilt. It’s the kind of rim that encourages you to ride harder, knowing it can shrug off impacts while keeping rotational weight in check.

Spokes are often overlooked, yet they’re one of the most critical elements in a wheel build. Every ride subjects them to thousands of cycles of tension, compression, and release. To keep weight as low as possible while maintaining exceptional strength and fatigue resistance, Sapim CX-Ray spokes were the natural choice. Widely regarded as the gold standard, these bladed spokes combine low weight with outstanding durability. We opted for a J-bend configuration, paired with the supplied DT Swiss Squorx nipples and PHR washers, ensuring the rim interface works exactly as the manufacturer intended—maximising load distribution, ease of build, and long-term reliability.

Finally, no wheelset would be complete without the hub. The hubs chosen for this build come from Bitex, a Taiwanese manufacturer that has quietly built a strong reputation in the wheel-building world. Bitex hubs are known for offering excellent engagement, sensible weights, and reliable internals, all without the premium price tag of some boutique brands. Their focus on high-quality machining and readily available spare parts makes them a favourite among custom builders looking to strike the right balance between performance and cost.

A Brief Look at the Build Process

Just as important as the components themselves is how they're prepared and assembled. Before lacing began, the contact patch between every nipple and washer was lubricated with a high quality bio-grease, reducing friction at the rim bed and allowing the nipples to seat smoothly and consistently during tensions.

The threads of each spoke were also treated with a light dip in Stan's Spoke Powder. This helps the nipples turn freely without grabbing the spoke, significantly reducing spoke wind-up as tension is added later in the process. That smoother interaction makes it easier to reach target tensions accurately and evenly, while also helping the wheel settle more predicatably during stress relieving. Finally once built, the powder acts as a secure thread lock, to help prevent the spokes from loosening. Over time, this approach contributes to better tension stability and fewer unwanted noises or tension drops after the first few rides.

To keep every wheel consistent and true to the rider's brief, the build followed a simple but deliberate process: confirming the rider's priorities and component compatibility, carefully prepaing each part before lacing, bringing tension up gradually and evenly, and stress-releiving multiple times before final truing and dish checks. With any wheel the goal is always the same - balanced tension, long-term durability, and a wheel that rides exactly as intended from the first ride.

Why Spoke Tension Matters

Spoke tension ins't about making a wheel "as tight as possible". Instead, it's about achieving even, appropriate tension across all spokes, within the component manufacturer's limits. Too little tension can allow spokes to unload under riding forces, leading to fatigue and broken spokes over time. Too much tension risks damaging the rim or pulling nipples through the spoke bed.

Common wheel myths around spoke tension and strength

Equally important in tension balance. A wheel with perfectly straight rims but uneven spoke tension will often go out of true quickly or develop creaks and pings as the spokes settle. By working within the rim's recommended tension range and carefully equalising spoke loads, the wheel remains quieter, stronger, and more stable over the long term - exactly what's needed to unlock the potential in today's ultra capable trail and enduro bikes.

Finished Product

The end result is a wheelset that delivers precisely what the rider asked for: quicker engagement, reduced weight, and trail-ready durability, all wrapped into a custom package tailored to their riding style and terrain. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful component selection can marry performance, longevity, and value—ready to be bolted on and pushed hard on the trails worry free.

Related Reading

Why Custom Wheels?

Common Wheel Myths