But for free... What a dealI agree
Aksium wheels are an interesting marketing case that appeals to many people, they come with tyres and tubes already mounted at an affordable price and they don't look too bad. They aren't designed for commuting or hard riding, in fact, I wouldn't classify any 20 spokes rear wheel in the bombproof category.
get some hand built by Spa Cycles or any wheel builder these friendly forum types recommend. Mine are still as solid now as they were two years ago when purchased... the only downside of Spa Cycles is one of the guys will try to tell you what he thinks you want rather than what you think you want, and can get a tad shirty if you don't take his advice... but they do build a cracking wheel
or whatever device you use to write your posts. I'm thinking if I worked for Spa Cycles building wheels and somebody comes with an ideas of components for a wheel build and I consider they are not strong enough for the rider or perhaps the rim / hub combination don't add up to a good wheel or the choice of spokes, etc. I'd have to build the wheels..... maybe not happy about it so it's understandable they can get a bit funny. An independent wheel builder might refuse to build the wheels, end of story.
But for free... What a deal
Ohh that, yes I noticed that
. They aren't the only wheel builders still doing it. Old school 
I'm not the lightest of riders and my Mavic Kysrium Elites (18 spoke front, 20 rear) are as true today as when I bought them - probably 7,000 miles ago. I'd classify them as bomb-proof - more so than the 36 spoke hand builts I got from a reputable wheel builder that needed to be re-tensioned and trued with less than 1,000 miles on the clock. They weren't as expensive as the Mavics, but neither were they budget wheels (XT hubs, Exal rims).
Well you say that, but that depends on the intended usage. Somebody requiring a set of wheels for a commute might have to go through several sets of Aksiums while somebody that got proper commuting wheels might have to buy tyres only. I don't commute but the people that come to me asking for wheels that are not going to be constantly failing make me think that is a high priority.
Horses for courses.... if you need a set of wheels for a ride around the park then you don't need anything that is bombproof
I really have no idea why I feel the need to defend these wheels, and I do bow to your superior knowledge, but after a few thousand miles my wheels are fine and dandy, although the braking surface is pretty well worn
if the wheels are fine for you then that is fine. My point was about that I don't think such wheels would be suitable for somebody that likes riding hard, besides, these are road wheels and the PO is after 26" wheels, he would trash the Aksium pretty fast I'd think
That'll buff out.
Strange. I self built a set of wheels and the rear is 36 spokes with XT hub and Mavic rims. I don't claim to be a pro wheel builder and haven't had any training but this wheel set has so far completed around 9000 miles and apart from a hub regrease a couple of months ago have been untouched since the day they were built.
