Best Lightweight Wheelset Under $1000

[jckid]

I currently have Easton Circuit's. This wheelset is supposed to weigh in at about 1650 grams. My bike is still new, but I am considering a possible future wheelset upgrade. One option I'm thinking of is Rolf Prima Elan Aero's--1295 grams according to the Rolf website. Anyone here run the Elan Aero's? How about other suggestions? What can I get that's substantially lighter and better than the Circuit's, but under $1000? I am a very lightweight rider, so rider weight should be no issue.

[gasman]

There are a lot of great wheels out there. I bought a pair of Rolf elans last year for my Calfee. I have about 5,000 miles on them and am very happy with them. I am about 6'1" and 170 lbs. I mostly ride for fun. I did race this summer for the first time ever and they worked just fine. They held the corners well and I never felt much flex in them. They really shine climbing. It may be all in my head but I feel faster on them than my Shimano or OP wheels.There are sure to be different opinions on this board, as usual, but I am glad I made the purchase.

[mdeeds71]

There are some ebay listings for new Reynolds Stratus DVs that are 2005 needing to be cleared out for the 2006 models...no change on them...price is 1095 down from 1600 or so.

[Fixed]

bro the csc zipps cheers :beer:

[Sandy]

Why not handbuilt wheelsets? You can get excellent handbuilt wheelsets that weigh 1300-1400 grams for less than $1,000. Some much less.


Mommy and Daddy Built,

Simpleton Sandy

[Fixed]

Why not handbuilt wheelsets? You can get excellent handbuilt wheelsets that weigh 1300-1400 grams for less than $1,000. Some much less.


Mommy and Daddy Built,

Simpleton Sandybro that is what I would do cos I'm cheap/poor cheers :beer:

[kkasper4]

I just got back from my first ride on my Rolf Prima Elans. They certainly spin up much faster than my other wheels (Zipp 303's, Mavic Ksyrium SSL's, and Campy Eurus), though at this point it's hard to tell if it's just acceleration that has increased significantly and not overall speed. I didn't notice any flex (also 6'1", 170lbs). I paid around $950 for the Elans.

[Fixed]

bro just don't hit any potholes with those paired spokes thump thump thump cheers :beer:

[Tailwinds]

I like my Topolino's on my Litespeed, but for my Kirk, I'm buying a set of custom wheels (about 1300 grams) from Jeremy at Alchemy. He's got a great reputation on this forum, and his price is a good bit under your price point.

[809stockz]

http://www.pedalpushersonline.com/index.php?CID=886
I am having a Concours built for me and this is the wheelset I plan to put on the bike. Good luck!

[shinomaster]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Campagnolo-Eurus-05-10-9s-Wheels-Wheelset-NEW-Campy_W0QQitemZ7196435746QQcategoryZ58096QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem :banana:

[vaxn8r]

I own the Rolf Elan Aero's. Mine are 1305g/set. They come with a nice set of skewers, machined braking surface, rim tape. They also come with a printout of each spoke's tension and the wheel builder. These are handbuilt wheels. I've also raced mine. They climb great. I've heard some complain of braking chatter but mine have demonstrated none of that.

I also own a set of Reynolds CF. About the same weight, maybe a little lighter. Definitely more aero. But CF braking surface. You have to consider changing out brake pads each time you switch wheels. Never riding your CF wheels in the rain etc. Cool wheels but they are not everyday wheels IMO. The Rolfs could be.

If I had to choose 1 wheelset it would be DA 7800 without a doubt. They feel lighter than they are. Very smooth and solid. Nicely designed.

There's lots of good wheelsets and you don't have to spend $1,000 to find a good one. But there's nothing wrong if you want to spend that. I gotta wonder about Serotta owners who balk at spending more than $400 on a wheelset...but who thought nothing of spending $3-6K for a frame. Don't be shamed into anything. Get what you want.

[Serpico]

anyone have a pic they can post of Ksyrium Sls without the decals

[Johny]

NIMBLE FLY TUBULAR $900

http://www.nimble.net

http://www.nimble.net/images/FLY%20F6F12%20screenres%205.jpg

[toaster]

I would steer clear (no pun intended) of the Rolf paired spoke design. If you want aerodynamics get a deep section wheel and lower spoke count, otherwise balance the weight, spoke count and rim profile for your bodyweight and intended use.

1500 grams is probably a good target for clincher wheelsets that give a good combination of strength and lightweight. This can be accomplished with the best wheel components available (rim, spokes, hubs) and built by a knowledgeable builder.

Factory built wheels try to be a one size fits all concept.

[shinomaster]

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=25583

[vaxn8r]

I would steer clear (no pun intended) of the Rolf paired spoke design.....
What are other builders suppposed to say? Rolf has a patent on the paired spoke design so if you want to use it you have to pony up.

Any scientific data or just not loving Rolf?

They have awesome customer service and support and they are bike geeks. Not just guys hired to lace wheels.

[Argos]

SHino....

For that price, how could they be bad! Holy cow! If they suck... I mean SUCK! They are about as much as a tire! Wow!

[Ken Lehner]

American Classic 350 clinchers (http://www.amclassic.com/Wheels_350.html)

1331g, $699, standard parts, plenty of spokes, durable (I'm 170 lbs.) as an everyday wheel set.

[Bruce Jacobs]

on ebay. CarbonLord (www.carbonLord.com) had a set of Carbon clinchers that were in the 1200 gram range and $600. I have known CL through email for many years and have bought from him, all high quality products. While I am not in the market for a wheelset at this time, $600 for a set with pads sounded like a great deal. :banana:

[Serotta PETE]

Spokes sells a DT wheel and hub combo that i think is at or under 1500 grams. Radial lace on front wheel. They have held together great for the guys around here. I think the price is under $700 and the look great too,


Yes I am advertising for him :beer: :beer: He promised a good bottle of red for each pair sold. (And he does not drink)

[Fixed]

American Classic 350 clinchers (http://www.amclassic.com/Wheels_350.html)

1331g, $699, standard parts, plenty of spokes, durable (I'm 170 lbs.) as an everyday wheel set.
bro don't get mad but I know these guys at a.c. they have wheels comin back in the boxes everyday they are way over priced for a wheel made in taiwan i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

[nm87710]

Don't know about the AC 350's but I put 2000+ race miles on a pair of AC 420's this past season without any issues whatsoever. 1400grams, more aero than most wheels, smooth bearings, standard spokes and only ~$450 new on ebay. At 140lbs I'm not tough on wheels but they seem to be the best wheel for the money by far. Now as far as overpriced, nothing is more overpriced/rated than Mavic wheels...

[ClutchCargo]

bro don't get mad but I know these guys at a.c. they have wheels comin back in the boxes everyday they are way over priced for a wheel made in taiwan i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

and they are light and stiff enough for me (150 lbs), but like Fixee said, they've had some issues lately, and mine have gone out of true from time to time. but in defense I would say that any really lightweight wheel is gonna be more finicky, unless you're plain lucky, and the roads in this neck of the woods can be rough at times as the winters do a number on them each year. and I don't think I'd say AC's are particularly overpriced (look for them on eBay or RBReview)

my two cents on the original question is to seriously consider one of the custom builders often mentioned here (Joe Young, Jeremy at Alchemy (does he have a last name?) or the esteemed ergott (does he have a name?), GravyWheels, etc.).
you get:
personalized service
high quality
a build that won't cripple you even if you do blow a spoke, and
that good feeling that comes with supporting the 'little guy' over the faceless conglomerate!

that's all ... ride on!

[Ken Lehner]

bro don't get mad but I know these guys at a.c. they have wheels comin back in the boxes everyday they are way over priced for a wheel made in taiwan i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

They haven't gotten mine back in the three years I've had them. In addition, they were only $499 (I think, or $599) when I got them.

[saab2000]

Neutron by Campagnolo

[Frustration]

I have had 350's 420's and the new Magnesiums and have had no "problems".

American Classic did a vouluntary recall of a cam plate and my wheels all had a few thousand miles with the "bad" cam plate and absolutely no issues. In fact few people did.

For the money, they have been great. Rides great of the 350's and a bit stiffer is the 420's... Money is good and you can have em build and spoke count to get you exactly what we need.

[Fixed]

I have had 350's 420's and the new Magnesiums and have had no "problems".

American Classic did a vouluntary recall of a cam plate and my wheels all had a few thousand miles with the "bad" cam plate and absolutely no issues. In fact few people did.

For the money, they have been great. Rides great of the 350's and a bit stiffer is the 420's... Money is good and you can have em build and spoke count to get you exactly what we need.
bro you guys are right they are just wonderful .hey are all you guys ridin bikes from taiwan too? . a lot of bikes are from taiwan now . cheers :beer:

[Ken Lehner]

bro don't get mad but I know these guys at a.c. they have wheels comin back in the boxes everyday they are way over priced for a wheel made in taiwan i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

Just out of curiosity, I asked American Classice about my wheels:

"Our US aftermarket wheels (like yours) are built in Tampa, FL. Our products
are made in Taiwan."

[flydhest]

what's wrong with Taiwan?

[nm87710]

Taiwan bike? Yea, sometimes since in a global economy country of origin has nothing to do with quality anymore - unless you believe the marketing hyperbole

[Fixed]

Just out of curiosity, I asked American Classice about my wheels:

"Our US aftermarket wheels (like yours) are built in Tampa, FL. Our products
are made in Taiwan." bro that just means they just put the spokes on with a spoke lacing machine they don't make anything there . anyway what wrong with taiwan ? maybe serotta 's will be made there someday. cheers :beer:

[bostondrunk]

Oh, man, here is a totally wild idea!!!!!!!!!

Buy 2 Mavic Mach2 tubular rims from Nashbar at $9.99 each.
Buy a set of Ultegra or Chorus hubs. Buy spokes. Build them.
Just as light as most already mentioned, and should come in at about....$200?

[Fixed]

Oh, man, here is a totally wild idea!!!!!!!!!

Buy 2 Mavic Mach2 tubular rims from Nashbar at $9.99 each.
Buy a set of Ultegra or Chorus hubs. Buy spokes. Build them.
Just as light as most already mentioned, and should come in at about....$200?
bro i'm with you cheers :beer:

[cpg]

Can you do that? You must be drunk. I mean that as a compliment, of course.

Curt

[bostondrunk]

Can you do that? You must be drunk. I mean that as a compliment, of course.

Curt

I can and I will!!!!!!! :banana: :beer: