I have owned and ridden many bikes, and as sensitive as I am to many variables, I can't say that I could really tell one 5, 6 or 7 speed 3 cross wheel from another by feel. All of them have been of the "light variety", (ie box section narrow rims). Some have been anodized, some with 14 guage other with 14/15/14 guage etc, and all feel about the same. I have tried many builders and always touched up after a build bringing the spoke tension up a bit at times and always getting a shade truer wheel than was delivered before massaging. I have noticed differences between one tire and another (sometimes astounding). I can tell a Regina freewheel from a Suntour Perfect or Shimano Dura Ace by sound. I can feel small differences in saddle tilt (microscopic) or height. One derailleur is never like another. Brake pad composition, lever design, centerpull, sidepull, I can tell differences in my sleep. Bar style makes a big difference, and frame geometry is evident in under 1 second. However I am being honest here... I don't think I could feel wheel build styles appart, within the narrow range of wheels that I gravitate to, and quality ranges that I am willing to accept. Am I plain missing something and showing my vulgar lack of taste? I know that badly built wheels go out of true in a day and don't last a year, but after you mess with them, it seems that even a defective wheel can be brought back into the flock. No?
Garth Libre in Miami Shores. Fl. (waiting for my latest E-bay purchase, a cherry 1985 Yosi Konno 3Rensho 56 cm. c-t, all Suntour, 6 speed bought for $590 plus $50 shipping, BIN).