mid range wheel shopping

[Fat Robert]

sister fat gave me this gift certificate for some mail-order bike place in colorado, that's actually her LBS, but not mine, because, well, I'm in another time zone

but anyway

dare I enter the world of budget pre-builts? I've always been an open pro guy. with the cost of building up the pacenti, i could swing a 500.00 set of wheels with the help of this certificate thing...but which one sucks the least?

[stevep]

ive been using fsa 200 wheels for 2 yrs. they are very good atmo.
they probably run under 4 bills... the 400s probably run near 5.
stayed true, decent stiffness, semi aero, kinda light.
i bet you could also get something built up by hand for approx that.

[LegendRider]

Colorado Cyclist has the Dura Ace 7801 wheelset on sale for $499.99. It's not the current scandium version that will accept tubeless, but who cares? it's a good solid performer. I have a set that I like very much.

At Excel, I'd go with the Swiss Comp. It's actually a handbuilt, but it's in your price range and a better wheel IMO than the low-end Mavics, etc.

[zap]

For the Pacenti.

Easy.

Zonda.

They have panache. They are strong. They are a wee bit more aero.

[merckx]

go campy

[sg8357]

For the Pacenti, FunkMaster Flex sez......

Centaur hubs, Red Velocity Aeroheads, OC rear.

Lower dish, a cooler color. whats not to like ?

Record/Chorus/Centaur hubs use all the same internal bits.

Scott G.

[TomP]

I have a couple of pair of the DT Swiss and absolutely love them. Chorus with open pro 32 spoke will be strong, responsive and last forever - reasonably light also.

Personally, I don't like the Mavics. I've had some, both road and MTB as do many of my friends. They ride fine, but in my opinion are very high maintenance. I am frequently having to rebuild the rear hub body.

[Chris]

Those DT Swiss are nice.

Another nice set in $500.00 price range with which I have had good luck are the Cane Creek Volos. These are an incredible wheel at that price. Maintenance on them is a breeze too.

[alancw3]

i'm a big guy (6'4", 215#) and when i bought a c'dale six13 team got mavic elite wheels with it. i was somewhat skeptical but now after 2500 miles have to say that i have never owned a wheel as durable as these elites. they have stayed 100% true, even after a couple of bad pot holes). the only think i can find fault with is that they take about 1000 miles or so to break in. sealed bearings seal causes a drag for that time. i even contacted mavic and they told be not to adjust bearings for at least 1000-1200 miles. they were they spin silky smooth now. just love the wheels now.

[djg]

For clinchers? What about protons? They should be a good dependable wheelset, and they'll leave you money left over for a cassette and tires.

Or you could have either shop build you a set of record/reflex wheels with good spokes.

Or you could blow the whole gift certificate on one bling carbon wheel and save your pennies for the other one.

Or get some shorts if you need 'em. Even if you keep some credit, get some substantial thing or pile o' things so that you can say, "hey, thanks, this is awesome, I got ...."

[obtuse]

these.

obtuse

[LegendRider]

Any tips on where to find the Bontrager Classics at a good price?

[coylifut]

i think the jerk's been chewing on the peyote

[MartyE]

From Excel

Campy Record hubs; 32hole; 3x, 14/15ga spokes; Reflex CD rims: $487.

From Colorado Cyclist

Campy Record hubs; 32 hole; 3x; 14 or 15ga spokes; Reflex rims $415
(additional charge for 14/15 ga spokes)

[Kevan]

either that or it's giving you the finger.

Don't count out Velocity rims.

[tv_vt]

I actually emailed Excel a few days ago about the Mavic K's on sale. Instead they recommended the DT RR1.1 rim, with any hub. If they offered them, get the Aerolite spokes up front and Revos/14-15db spokes in back.

[coylifut]

At Excel, for $450, you can get Record hubs with Revolution spokes laced to DT 1.1 rims. Light, serviceable with low-cost and easy to obtain replacement parts. (They're pre built, because someone else built-'em). Take the extra $50, add another $50 and buy some of special Pro2 Race Service Course tires. There, for $550 you've got the ultimate Cat III/Masters hack set-up.

[Fat Robert]

its an excel certificate...


this just got put to the back burner because the 250.00 I was going to splurge on wheels now has to replace my rusted-out oil pan.


looks like those dt swiss comp wheels, or chorus/open pro...in february....

[Fat Robert]

yo james and andrew

it is personal, or is it just because I never use the logout?

:banana: