Newb wheelset/hub question

[Zackus]

Just bought a bike off facebook marketplace. Independent Fabrication Ti Crown Jewel. I'm pretty excited about it, although it seems to be a bit bigger than I thought it would be, so we'll see how it works after a few rides.

The bike has come with DT 190 hubs (ceramic bearings) laced to Velocity A23 rims. I had originally thought about replacing the wheels with maybe: Hunt Aero Race Wide, Ardennes/Belgium +, Pacenti SL25 or something like these in the new-school style, wider profile etc. The ceramic bearings have me curious though. Does anyone have any info on these or opinions on if this makes a good wheelset? I can't seem to find much info them, other than the hubs used to be pretty pricey. They don't seem to be any lighter than the Pacenti SL23s I have on my other bike and the free hub is much noisier.

I haven't been able to take the bike/wheels for a ride yet as it just arrived this afternoon and it was raining, so i'll take them for a few rides before pulling any triggers, just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on them. If I do decide to switch, what do you think a wheelset like this would go for?

[charliedid]

If they are in good shape those are a solid set of wheels.

Cool bike

[weisan]

This bike is built to ride...away.

[madsciencenow]

I have a set of these hubs laced to Belgiums and they are fantastic! Put some nice tires on and you should be good to go.


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[jtakeda]

I have this exact wheelset on my Kirk. 24/28h A23 to 190 ceramic and they’re fantastic wheels.

I’d say the hunt are a downgrade

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by jtakeda

I have this exact wheelset on my Kirk. 24/28h A23 to 190 ceramic and they’re fantastic wheels.

I’d say the hunt are a downgrade

Agreed. These hubs are solid and the A23 are hardly a narrow rim if that is your concern.

If you're dying to upgrade I'd find a DA9K crank to match the rest of your drivetrain.

[cinema]

those are extremely nice wheels. i will buy them if you want to get rid of em. unless you are ready to spend over $1500 you wont find anything nicer. no other aluminum clincher wheelset will give you any gains. i think the cables look short, could start there.

pull off the freehub and grease the ratchets they will quiet down a (little) bit

[oldpotatoe]

The bike has come with DT 190 hubs (ceramic bearings) laced to Velocity A23 rims. I had originally thought about replacing the wheels with maybe: Hunt Aero Race Wide, Ardennes/Belgium +, Pacenti SL25 or something like these in the new-school style, wider profile etc. The ceramic bearings have me curious though. Does anyone have any info on these or opinions on if this makes a good wheelset? I can't seem to find much info them, other than the hubs used to be pretty pricey. They don't seem to be any lighter than the Pacenti SL23s I have on my other bike and the free hub is much noisier.

First great hubs laced to great rims(OffCenter drilled rear?) and they can support a fatter tire. Remember, with caliper brakes, a mucho wide rim may not work..

BUT GREAT wheelset, looks like 24/28 and those mentioned 'might' weight the same or a wee bit less but a few grams means nuthin. BUT it's a handbuilt, designed by somebody who buys hubs, spokes and rims..and then builds..not a 'factory' wheelset.

I'd keep them.

[AngryScientist]

As the others mentioned, those are already great wheels and you should stick with them. your other proposed wheels would not be a move up the ladder.

That bike though: wow, it is very much aesthetically pleasing. it looks really great. i love the color and everything, very nice score!

[Veloo]

With the white accents, it almost looks like the seller took a raw Ti S&S back end and mated it to a red S&S front end to make a complete bike.

[Zackus]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Sounds like the wheels are absolutely worth keeping. And a step up would be made of carbon and say Zipp or Enve on the side.

Thanks also for pointing out the crank is not Dura Ace 9000. I was already looking at replacing either the whole set or just the chain rings because it's currently 53/39 and 50/34 is much more my speed. I kept looking at the DA9k and wondering if there were two color options since it looked black and mine looked grey, failing to realize that one has 4 arms and the other 5 arms.

The bike is nicer than I need, but for $2k it was a deal I couldn't pass up.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Zackus

replacing either the whole set or just the chain rings because it's currently 53/39 and 50/34 is much more my speed.

unfortunately that crank will have a 130 BCD spacing, and can not support compact chainrings, so you would need a different crankset to go to 50/34.

the newer 4-arm style shimano cranks like the R8000 and DA9100 etc can support either standard or compact rings on the same BCD, FYI.

[tuxbailey]

The bike is nicer than I need, but for $2k it was a deal I couldn't pass up.

$2K and you are in DC?

Translation: Very nice deal and I would be tempted to buy it and flip mine. That looks like a 54 And I agree with Angry, very pretty in an understated way. I just noticed the different colors in the headset, match nicely for the fork and steer tube.

I see a box, so it is not in the local FB marketplace?

[Zackus]

Originally Posted by tuxbailey

$2K and you are in DC?

Translation: Very nice deal and I would be tempted to buy it and flip mine. That looks like a 54 And I agree with Angry, very pretty in an understated way. I just noticed the different colors in the headset, match nicely for the fork and steer tube.

I see a box, so it is not in the local FB marketplace?

Yes I'm in DC. Bike was in northern PA. Shipped it.
Bike is 56cm TT 55cm ST. I agree bike is beautiful and was a deal, didn't hesitate on pulling the trigger. It may have to be flipped as there is not a lot of standover room for me, but we'll see what I can live with. Probably would be perfect for someone an inch longer in the leg than me.

[Zackus]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

unfortunately that crank will have a 130 BCD spacing, and can not support compact chainrings, so you would need a different crankset to go to 50/34.

the newer 4-arm style shimano cranks like the R8000 and DA9100 etc can support either standard or compact rings on the same BCD, FYI.

Very helpful to know! Thank you. I knew I came to the right place.