Under $600 wheel recommendation

[SamIAm]

Have a friend, running Shimano 10 speed. They asked for a good wheelset under $600. I usually buy my wheels from Ergott and run Campy so don't have much to offer here.

Any good options?

[avalonracing]

On sale for $600

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1111745_-1_400222__400222

They are relatively light, strong and look good too. I have three pair of the very similar EA90SLX and they all have been problem free.

[jmoore]

Ergott can build Shimano wheels too.


Barring that, the tried and true Open Pro/Ultegra is always a good, inexpensive choice.

[katematt]

I've got a set of the velocity hubs with their A23 rim that so far have held up VW.

Wide rims, roll very nice with a 23 tire.

[kramnnim]

Shimano prebuilts? WH-RS80, WH-6700, WH-7850...

[eddief]

comp or pro:

http://www.bikemania.biz/road-wheels/velocity-a23-road-wheelset/

[christian]

Shimano pre-builts are ok, I guess.

I'd go with Ultegra, 2.0-1.8-2.0 butted spokes, brass nips and the rims of your choice, handbuild. Eric built me some nice wheels but I've now replaced both rims, so they're sort of like Washington's axe I guess.

[xeladragon]

Free advertisement for a forum member...

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=131376

Archetypes laced to WI T11 hubs. Buy 'em before I do. :P

[shovelhd]

$600 is custom build territory. I'd go that way. EA90's are very nice, though.

[echelon_john]

Plenty to choose from at that price point. H+Son on Dura Ace for right around there; on Ultegra for quite a bit less.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I would definitely go with handbuilts.

[kurto]

Shimano prebuilts? WH-RS80, WH-6700, WH-7850...

This, if going prebuilt. RS80-C24 are great wheels and can be found for less than $500.

[johnniecakes]

Shimano Ultegra WH-6700 are a great wheel set that can be had for $400. Gives you the option to run tubes or tubeless. I have 2 sets, the first has at least 3K miles and have never had to be touched by a spoke wrench

[false_Aest]

H + Son Archetype + Ultegra
Velocity A23 + Ultegra
Velocity Fusion + Ultegra
Open Pros + Ultegra

It's also possible to find some cheap D.A. hubsets. I like those more because they're oh so quiet.

[rnhood]

I'm in the Shimano wheel camp also. The Ultegra or RS80 as mentioned above are solid recommendations....with an equally solid warranty.

[biker72]

Velomine has some good prices.
http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86_235_242&products_id=2502

[weisan]

How 'bout under $400? :p

ritchey WCS zeta
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=355378

[killerrabbit]

http://www.wiggle.com/campagnolo-zonda-clincher-wheelset/

i've got these; nice wheels, can't complain. wiggle usually has a coupon out that you can apply on top.

[beeatnik]

Fulcrums from the UK

or

rims/hubs/spokes from bikehubstore.com combined with a good local builder

easily under 600

[MattyMo]

i def. agree with biker... velomine is the best place to buy wheels for me personally...

personally i am riding h plus son archetypes, mavic open pros... love both of them equally!

[weiwentg]

How 'bout under $400? :p

ritchey WCS zeta
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=355378

That's under $400 for the front wheel alone. :p

[weisan]

That's under $400 for the front wheel alone. :p

Oops, sorry, didn't realize that .

Wow! I got a lightly used set here from a forum pal three years ago for 200 bucks...shipped! :banana:

It has served me well over the years, really happy with it, in fact i bought it to replace a previous ritchey wheel set that i had, i think it's called wcs protocol, which is an earlier version of zeta. Anyway, I find them to be a solid all rounder, don't get mentioned very often here, because it's not hand built or carbon sexy.:rolleyes:

[Columbus SLX]

rims/hubs/spokes from bikehubstore.com combined with a good local builder

Good idea, Brandon is a good guy, but avoid the "Superlight" hubs. I built a set to Archetypes and may need to replace the rear if I can't get the freehub to stop slipping (it's a design problem with the pawl retainer coil spring causing the pawls to stick in the closed position)

[oldpotatoe]

Have a friend, running Shimano 10 speed. They asked for a good wheelset under $600. I usually buy my wheels from Ergott and run Campy so don't have much to offer here.

Any good options?

Ultegra, DT, Velocity, even Mavic rims, handbuilt by somebody that knows what they are doing is about $600. easy
As far as the wheelsouttaboxes, shimano included..try to find a 3 or 4 year old shimano wheel's spoke...Just my opinion..really rankle when a $$ wheelset becomes a $$ pen holder when the rims/spokes can't be found.

[oldpotatoe]

Plenty to choose from at that price point. H+Son on Dura Ace for right around there; on Ultegra for quite a bit less.

Hi John..not to quibble but the 9000 hubs have gotten very expensive...in the $450 range per hubset-IME

[buddybikes]

velomine - DT RR 415 Rims White Industries 28h H2 & 32h H3 Hubs Road Bike Wheel

quality american made hub, well made rim - even some cash leftover to upgrade to some fancier spokes

[SamIAm]

Thanks for all the replies, plenty to recommend here.

[bfd]

One more option. Bicycle Wheel Warehouse sells a wheelset for $550 that supposedly weighs in at about 1400g! My buddy called and was asking about these wheels. I never heard of it and looking at the website, presumed cheap chinese made parts.

Well, he bought a set and loves it! In fact, it motivated him so much that he lost 15lbs and is flying up the hills! He credits the wheels. We credit the loss of 15lbs....still, he's riding like a bat out of hell on the climbs and the biggest thing is the wheels seem to be very durable too! Now, he's only about 180lbs, so I don't know how these wheels will hold up under someone heavier. Nevertheless, a prebuilt wheelset for not much money - check out the Podium version here:

http://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/Road/Road-Training/Blackset-Race-13.html

Good Luck! :banana::eek::butt:;)

[crossjunkee]

ROL has a loyal following. I just picked up a set of Race SL's, and the quality is top notch!

[classtimesailer]

My next wheel set: Velocity Escapes on Ultegra hubs 32x. Use Aeroheads for clinchers. I ride on Aerohead/Velocity Road, Open Pro/Ultegra, Nemesis/Dura Ace, Major Tom/Ultegra. All 32x.

[oldpotatoe]

My next wheel set: Velocity Escapes on Ultegra hubs 32x. Use Aeroheads for clinchers. I ride on Aerohead/Velocity Road, Open Pro/Ultegra, Nemesis/Dura Ace, Major Tom/Ultegra. All 32x.

luddite

[majorpat]

I'll risk sounding like a broken record on the wheel issue: get the guy in the post above to build you some wheels, you won't regret it.

[SlackMan]

Hi John..not to quibble but the 9000 hubs have gotten very expensive...in the $450 range per hubset-IME

Patience and diligent searching on the eBay can overcome this. I just bought a new Dura Ace 9000 / HED Belgium / CX-Ray wheel set for $630+shipping.:banana:

[gngroup]

For slightly above the OP's price range, competitivecyclist.com has a great deal on Chris King R45/Ambrosio Nemesis Tubular Wheelset. For $674 this is a pretty good deal on a bombproof set of wheels, IMO.

[MattyMo]

I have to agree due diligence and patience can do so much with eBay.

[Louis]

Since they aren't looking for bling, how about some Neuvation (http://www.neuvationcycling.com/itemlist.cfm?rb_ct=1321&sort=priceasc)?

[oldpotatoe]

Patience and diligent searching on the eBay can overcome this. I just bought a new Dura Ace 9000 / HED Belgium / CX-Ray wheel set for $630+shipping.:banana:

I only know apples, ya know, buy at wholesale, sell at retail type 'dilemma'.

[cp43]

Since they aren't looking for bling, how about some Neuvation (http://www.neuvationcycling.com/itemlist.cfm?rb_ct=1321&sort=priceasc)?

I'm not sure if they've resolved this by now, but for a while it was pretty common for the nipples to pull through the rims on Neuvations. The set I have is doing this, but it's 4ish years old. So, new rims may be more durable.

Other than that issue, I was very happy with my Neuvations.

Chris

[GregL]

I'm not sure if they've resolved this by now, but for a while it was pretty common for the nipples to pull through the rims on Neuvations. The set I have is doing this, but it's 4ish years old. So, new rims may be more durable.

Other than that issue, I was very happy with my Neuvations.

Chris
My Neuvations (c2009) did the exact same thing. Every spoke hole on the back wheel and half on the front were cracked out in 3,500 miles. That's for a 175 lb rider who is very easy on his gear. I learned my lesson and went back to handbuilts (by me) for training wheels. No more cracked rims...

Greg

[classtimesailer]

luddite

The Major Tom's are a fashionable 23 mm and the Velocity Road hubs have modern sealed bearings. I'd like to use the Velocity Race hubset with the escapes, but the front only comes with 28 holes. Baby Steps.

[echelon_john]

I pair the Road front hub with the Race rear all the time. I like the spacing/flange size better on the road front, and any weight difference is negligible. They match fine visually, too. Have no fear; if you're looking for 32/32 the Race/Road combo works great.


The Major Tom's are a fashionable 23 mm and the Velocity Road hubs have modern sealed bearings. I'd like to use the Velocity Race hubset with the escapes, but the front only comes with 28 holes. Baby Steps.

[oldpotatoe]

The Major Tom's are a fashionable 23 mm and the Velocity Road hubs have modern sealed bearings. I'd like to use the Velocity Race hubset with the escapes, but the front only comes with 28 holes. Baby Steps.

joke

[Pete Mckeon]

Over the life of wheels. :):bike:

The Major Tom's are a fashionable 23 mm and the Velocity Road hubs have modern sealed bearings. I'd like to use the Velocity Race hubset with the escapes, but the front only comes with 28 holes. Baby Steps.

[EA120711]

comp or pro:

http://www.bikemania.biz/road-wheels/velocity-a23-road-wheelset/

I agree. A23's are hard to beat and the velocity hubs will do the job. I have some A23 hoops laced to CK R45's and they're my everyday wheel. Never had any issues so far.