Need help on selecting a carbon wheelset

[FixedNotBroken]

I am looking into buying a set of carbon wheels..I am looking for something light (sub 1300 gram range) and a set that is good for all around riding climbing/flats/descending. Any suggestions? I am looking to pay less than $2000. I am able to get a set of 202's for $1800 which seems good but let me know!

[AngryScientist]

are you thinking clinchers or tubies?

[firerescuefin]

How much do you weigh...ride in a lot of crosswinds...will you use them possibly on other types of bikes like a TT.

[FixedNotBroken]

Tubular most likely. Which would be better? I weigh 165, and i'm 5'7. Also I don't think i'll be using them on a TT since I don't have a TT bike.

[wooly]

I'm thinking of taking the same plunge. Look forward to the recommendations.

Those new Zipp 303's look nice and have gotten great reviews.

[firerescuefin]

I'm thinking of taking the same plunge. Look forward to the recommendations.

Those new Zipp 303's look nice and have gotten great reviews.

Too bad Woolys Edges are gone...I would have said buy those. ;)

[wooly]

Those were sweet. I just couldn't get over the carbon clincher thing. But tubies are another story. The new Edge Smart wheels look good too. But then I ask myself if I need another set of wheels... Yup. :D

[ergott]

The best benefits of going carbon are in getting more aero wheels. Since you mention TT use, I would suggest you think about a build with Enve 66mm rims. The will be strong, aero and close to that budget mark with the right hub selection.

[firerescuefin]

I am a fan of the 404s you were looking at. Those or wheels like Rockdude has up for sale..(Reynolds Deep V's/even deeper profile than the 404s) can be a handful in STRONG crosswinds for smaller folks. Both are great wheels at a great price. I think the 404s would be a better overall do it all profile/depth....hence the TT or Multi Sport question where the Deep Vs may be a better wheel depending on app.

Wooly referenced the new 303's and Pez(Charles) gave them a rockstar review, but the buy in may be a little more than your willing to pay.

Tubular/Clincher debate is just that...pros and cons. Have and would ride either w/ a good wheel.

[endosch2]

I have been thinking of the same thing, question - what has everyones experience been with Reynolds Assaults? for 2011 they re-did the braking surface and they seem like a good value.

[R2D2]

I love my Eastons. If you look around they can sometimes be found on closeout. Maybe the new Zipps are good but the older ones I had sure disappointed.

[FlashUNC]

Mavic Cosmic Carbone?

Or is that out of the price range?

[rice rocket]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Ultimate is the only version of the CC that's tubular, and they're $3500.

[FlashUNC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Ultimate is the only version of the CC that's tubular, and they're $3500.

Ah, missed the tubular bit. Disregard then.

[forrestw]

I love my '06 303s, used to have a set of '08 650c 404s, which were also amazing. A good friend has 202s for climbing that he's equally pleased with.

If you've got a good deal on 202s and you know they're in good shape etc I'd say go for 'em.

Zipp introduced a good bit of new stuff in '08 and later wheels/rims so I'd go with more recent Zipps if it's an option. I would not pay 1800 for zipps earlier than '08.

[Scott Shire]

Lightweight Ventoux (http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=89409&sid=aaf1b8b57f0c6838d0f4c2387cf6ab0e)
"Lightweight Ventoux Gen II tubulars. Bought in 2008 with very low milage on them, about 1,000km. Have been only used with the LW brake pads and every thing in perfect order. Just the wheels and Campagnolo free hub, although you can easily changed if you like.

Price is USD 2,300 via paypal. Shipping is included to anywhere, located in Singapore."

Too bad you don't rock Shimano -- http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2479046789.html

Personally, I would eat ramen for a month and buy a brand new, warrantied set of Madfibers in this price range.

[FixedNotBroken]

I love my Eastons. If you look around they can sometimes be found on closeout. Maybe the new Zipps are good but the older ones I had sure disappointed.

I am checking out the 2010 Easton EC90 SLX carbon wheels, they are 1127 grams and apparently pretty popular and I can get them for $975. Also, I am looking at the 2011 Easton EC90 SL carbon wheels and those seem to be a better all around wheel for climbing and for the flats. The SLX seems to be a great climbing wheel and the rims aren't very deep but the SL's are 38mm and those seems to be a good flats/sprint wheel along with a good climbing wheel..what do you guys think?

Flash,

The Mavic Carbone's are a bit out of my price range..but I hear great things about them!

Forest,

I can get the 2011 202's or 303's for $1800. They would be brand new and everything.

I possibly might be doing TT but I highly doubt it..I guess overall I want something that is lighter than my training wheelset (DT 240s lace to DT415s) which are pretty light and something that will climb well but also be good on the flats. A good all around wheel.

[Joachim]

My vote is for Reynolds 46's. I have DV46ULT's with the warranty replacement program, 3 years no questions asked, each wheel can be replaced once. They weigh about 1180 and have Reynolds branded DT240s hubs. You should be able to get those for a good price if you shop around.

[FixedNotBroken]

My vote is for Reynolds 46's. I have DV46ULT's with the warranty replacement program, 3 years no questions asked, each wheel can be replaced once. They weigh about 1180 and have Reynolds branded DT240s hubs. You should be able to get those for a good price if you shop around.

Those do look like..do you know if the 2011 Easton EC90 SL's with a Shimano/SRAM spline can be switched out for a Campy one?

[Joachim]

I have no idea. I've heard good things from Easton also. For me, durability was top on my list and then warranty (they are my race wheels). Enve has a 50% off MSRP, but that will still be too expensive for me to replace them. Also, the Reynolds logo's are really easy to remove :) (at least the 2010 DV46ULT's)

[firerescuefin]

Those do look like..do you know if the 2011 Easton EC90 SL's with a Shimano/SRAM spline can be switched out for a Campy one?


Yes...and those are nice wheels (if you're referring to the ones in the classifiieds)

[R2D2]

Those do look like..do you know if the 2011 Easton EC90 SL's with a Shimano/SRAM spline can be switched out for a Campy one?

Yes. Freehub is about 60.00.

[FixedNotBroken]

Yes...and those are nice wheels (if you're referring to the ones in the classifiieds)

Those are the ones I am referring to. Would this be a better all around wheelset compared to the EC90 SLX's?

[Joachim]

Those are the ones I am referring to. Would this be a better all around wheelset compared to the EC90 SLX's?

Yes (but that is my opinion and what do I know).

:beer:

[norcalbiker]

I have no connection with this seller whatsoever. I just thought it's a very good price. Don't know whether the wheels are good or not though.

http://classifieds.roadbikereview.com/showproduct.php

[rice rocket]

These showed up on Competitive Cyclist.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-components/2010-mavic-cosmic-carbone-pro-powertap-tubular-wheelset-6750.267.0.html

You get a Powertap for the price of a regular wheelset?

[forrestw]

I got a sharp reminder this morning that my Zipps don't ride the same as my regular wheels, went to take a corner on slightly rough pavement and slid out. I attribute it to the 303s being more stiff laterally and the 22mm tires I have mounted offering a little less traction than the 24mm Contis on my regular wheelset.

Happily the only damage was a to bar tape that's already in need of replacement and a scuff on the RD. A bit of road rash of course but I heal quick so that's no big deal :-).

[zap]

Check out Bontragers.

[Scott Shire]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nimble-Crosswind-Wheelset-/170663514724?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27bc569264
^You don't see these every day.