Wheels, why oh why!

[ljmiller]

Hey all,

I've been in the market for a set of light racing/training wheels, and believe it is time for me to narrow the selection. I've been looking at ROL D'huez's and Race SL's, Ksyrium's, Roval Fusée Star E5's, and DA clinchers. What do you guys think would be best for a climber with a price range of 325 preff and 400 max? Do you think other sets should be prioritized? Do you think my price range is absurd (because I do, but its all there is)?

[false_Aest]

I say a set of DA-7700 hubs 28H laced to a set of HED C2 or Velocity A23.

Light-ish and bombproof.

[ljmiller]

Where do you think I could find a set of those, and what do you think they would run me?

[Louis]

Where do you think I could find a set of those, and what do you think they would run me?

You can "build" a wheel virtually on wheebuilder.com (http://www.wheelbuilder.com) and get a ballpark estimate on price. (and weight)

You can have a real one built any number of places, including several of the excellent builders who post here.

[ljmiller]

Thanks for the tools/advice! However I am looking more towards the used market because, to be honest, if I tried to buy anything new now it simply is more than I can afford :(

[cat6]

sell some stuff or wait and save your dollars till you can get what you want.

[kramnnim]

I bought a set of used American Classic Sprint 350's for $220, they're ~1350g. Then I got some Ksyrium ES wheels for ~$400...1550g, if I remember right. They were noticably stiffer, and very harsh. I hated them, and traded them (plus cash) for a set of DA 7850 C24's (1400g). I really like the DA wheels, they're stiff but not harsh like the K's. Might be out of your price range... (I'm trying to sell mine for $550), though I think I've seen the Scandium version for ~400ish.

I've seen AC 420's in your price range, too...

[John H.]

Check out Zipp 101. More aero than your choices, likely lighter, and ride really nice.

[eddief]

i know nothing about the hubs, but this could be a fine set:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Velocity-A23-Custom-Wheels-Wheelset-w-Real-Design-DT-/280692070437?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415a8d1825

[ljmiller]

The AC 350's sound like a great option for me, if only I could find a used set for 220 :( , however, I found a set of 420's for the same range. Any opinions on them?

[firerescuefin]

Campy/Shimano?

[kramnnim]

420s are more valuable than 350s, from what I understand... Same hubs, deeper and heavier rims...still pretty light, though.

[fatallightning]

Check out Zipp 101. More aero than your choices, likely lighter, and ride really nice.
Not even close to budget.

For cheap and light, circus monkey hubs to kinlin rims. For cheap and smooth, and fairly light, circus to velocity a23/h plus son tb14/ c4 v22

[CaptStash]

Hey Lucien,

Lots of great choices. I have some DA 7801's coming in you can try and compare them against some Ksyrium Elites I could loan you as well to get a feel for the differences and see what style you enjoy. There is a huge difference in their ride even though their weights are quite similar.

Saul

[false_Aest]

listen,

if you're dealign with $$ tightness check out neuvation cycling.

they aren't bombdiggiddy fly hoops but they get the job done. they're cheap and sometimes things go wrong with the hubs BUT the customer service is top notch.

I bought a set and beat the eff out of em then used them for cyclocross (and as a flotation device when I fell into the chicago river in December). Then I sold em to a friend who racked up a few more thousand miles on em until he got hit by a car.

-----


Also consider holding off for a few months (if you have a set of hoops alreadY). IF you can squirrel away a few hundred more, you can easily afford a set of hand-built wheels that'll do ya good for thousands and thousands and thousands of miles.

[ljmiller]

Again, more help than I could have ever expected haha.

Saul, if you could let me test ride those that would be incredible!

Firefin, I'm looking for shimano freehubs

[weiwentg]

Check out Zipp 101. More aero than your choices, likely lighter, and ride really nice.

They look like great wheels. But perhaps you read the OP's second post - s/he wants a budget set. And the 101s are NOT a budget set. :crap:

[classtimesailer]

I haven't ridden Neuvations, but I aways hear nice things re quality and service. Just no bling. I often ride a pair of Velocity Nuvians that I got for 300 new. Spin like crazy, light for $300. Buy Neuvation or Velocity now, or save your money.

[Steve in SLO]

Another vote for Neuvations.
I have been riding R28SLs in various iterations for the past 5 years and they compare favoribly to my Neutrons, and are perhaps a bit stiffer. I am 180# and no longevity issues yet (the wheels, not me).