Ian S, I think the pricing would go the other way, up, if you had a wheel built in the UK rather than in China. I bought the whole kit (from a British supplier) and expected to have to rebuild or retune the Chinese wheel, or just cut the motor out and start from scratch (not a waste, as you would be able to measure spoke length and suchlike, important to get right the first time because I import my Sapim Strong spokes from Germany) but it turned out to be exceedingly well-built with an excellent rim, spokes, nipples and a brand name rim band. My problem with the wheel isn't the workmanship or the quality of the components but that it is too narrow for my preferred 60mm Big Apples. (It does fine though with the 47mm Kenda thornproof tyre supplied in the price, which at its lowest inflation is more comfortable than its knobbly appearance would suggest.) -- Andre Jute