Dreaming of "Nicer" Wheels

[tuxbailey]

I joined the 2020 Paceline weightloss challenge and I have lost 33 lbs so far through intermittent fasting as well as calories monitoring (side note, this approach proves very useful for the current situation to reduce grocery shopping )

I am also keeping up with training by doing 4-5 1 hr session of zwift each week. This is nothing for many here but for me it is more consistent compared to my past winters' effort.

For an added incentive, I promise myself to get a "nicer" set of wheels if I hit mid 160s. Although I am still far from it at 180 lbs, the target seem achievable so I am allowing myself to dream.

The thing is I don't know what nicer wheels for me means. Right now I am riding DTRR440 laced with record hubs built by old spud, 32x32. I got them used here and they have served me well, even surviving a big accident with a car when my Merlin Extralight snapped in half.

Staring at the big 5-0 in couple years, I don't think I will need something that is very deep for aero as I have never been fast, and probably will never be fast enough to benefit from it. I think I want something that will help me climb better and get going quicker (lighter?)

Stats:

Male, will be 49 this year.
Height: 5'8" - 5'9"
Target weight: 160-170
Budget: $600-$800 new or used. Call it under $1K in general.
Wheels: Clincher - Rim Brake. Chainstays allow 25 max tire width. Not sure if that will be a factor.


I have been following the various wheel discussion and it seems like Durace C24/40 or Campy Bora One 35 are well received here. Bora Ones are really expensive new but I have seen them listed here that is near my price range.

Of course, there is always custom built from old spud and other vendors here. But one reason for the incentive is to add some bling to the bike for my own vanity

Hopefully you can recommend some direction for me to chew on for the next few months.

Lastly, I can also stick with my current wheels.

Edit:

Picture of my bike if wheel choice will help improve the "aesthetics." It has the Ksyrium SL that came with the bike.

[dbnm]

I've been running Mavic Ksyrium Pro on my Moots Vamoots RSL and love them.

Fast, light, tubeless

Shop around and you'll find them for around $900 with tires.

https://shop.mavic.com/en-us/ksyrium...html#1028=3283

[ThasFACE]

I vote for holding out for a set of nice used Bora One 35's. Outstanding wheels.

EDIT: And congrats on the progress!

[Thrust]

Congrats on the weightloss! Your starting weight is my goal weight

You could build custom for around $900 no doubt.

DT 350's on Lightbicycle carbon hoops for example. Bombproof and light.

[colker]

Originally Posted by Thrust

Congrats on the weightloss! Your starting weight is my goal weight

You could build custom for around $900 no doubt.

DT 350's on Lightbicycle carbon hoops for example. Bombproof and light.

How is the brake track on those?

[pdmtong]

If you are "wanting" a wheelset with a "wider" rim and planing to run 28s it would be a good idea to test fit that configuration into your frameset and fork BEFORE you do a search and spend some money.

It may fit
It may fit if you also change brake calipers
It may not fit

My 2013 Moots CR needed new brake calipers to run Bora One with Conti 4ks2 25's.

[colker]

Originally Posted by Thrust

Congrats on the weightloss! Your starting weight is my goal weight

You could build custom for around $900 no doubt.

DT 350's on Lightbicycle carbon hoops for example. Bombproof and light.

How is the brake track on those?

[tuxbailey]

Originally Posted by pdmtong

If you are "wanting" a wheelset with a "wider" rim and planing to run 28s it would be a good idea to test fit that configuration into your frameset and fork BEFORE you do a search and spend some money.

It may fit
It may fit if you also change brake calipers
It may not fit

My 2013 Moots CR needed new brake calipers to run Bora One with Conti 4ks2 25's.

I can't run 28s in the rear. 25s is the max clearance due to "beefier" chainstays.

[tuxbailey]

Originally Posted by Thrust

Congrats on the weightloss! Your starting weight is my goal weight

You could build custom for around $900 no doubt.

DT 350's on Lightbicycle carbon hoops for example. Bombproof and light.

Wow. They look nice. R35 with DT350 built at around $850 depending on options. 1500g. I guess price is comparable to used Boras'.

[flying]

Originally Posted by tuxbailey

Wow. They look nice. R35 with DT350 built at around $850 depending on options. 1500g. I guess price is comparable to used Boras'.

Let me throw in what some may say is the boring option....

Campy C17 Zonda
These wheels give up very little in weight at 1550grams to wheels costing 4x
Priced at a measly $345 shipped from PBK
represent incredible value

You never need to think twice about them
Bombing down mountains even if you hit pot holes root cracks etc you will
not be worried. They are strong & stay true with great braking

I have had very light alloy & I have had carbon Hyperons Not aero deep types as I climb a lot. At the end of the day I prefer these overall.

To tell you the truth for me this is as good as it ever was

[Thrust]

Originally Posted by colker

How is the brake track on those?

Like Zipp or any other high-end brand. They also have the graphene finish which seems quite nice but I haven't tried that yet. Might build up a WW wheelset with them, and I might try it out.

[NHAero]

I bought these wheels from nmrt and they feel super on the bike. 1,384g with tape and still using aluminum rims. Suggest you look through that thread and then perhaps start your own. Keep it up (off?) on the weight loss challenge!

On the bike:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...7&postcount=47

Post here:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...9&postcount=10

[tuxbailey]

Originally Posted by flying

Let me throw in what some may say is the boring option....

Campy C17 Zonda

Thanks for the input, very much appreciated.

My question is if these are better than what I have now, RR440+Record hubs?

[mtechnica]

I’d get boras if possible. I have the zondas and they’re great but they aren’t a real aero wheel.

[tuxbailey]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I bought these wheels from nmrt and they feel super on the bike. 1,384g with tape and still using aluminum rims. Suggest you look through that thread and then perhaps start your own. Keep it up (off?) on the weight loss challenge!

On the bike:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...7&postcount=47

Post here:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...9&postcount=10

Oh I remember those and Easton 90 SL are well reviewed here. Also with AL brake track I don't have to worry about brake pads.

How are the hubs for you? Not sure if i am a fan of rainbow spokes

Wheelset is right at the upper limit of my budget.