Wheelset recommendation

The rear wheel on the Specialized Dolce Elite needs to be replaced and I am trying to figure out what to get. The old wheelset is an Alex AS1, which is what came with the bike, and which I believe is a lower end model. MY LBS has suggested a Shimano 105 hub and Mavic rim which he tells me will run about $300 for both wheels. So I have a few questions: The front wheel still works so should I just replace the back wheel? My initial research tells me that upgrading my wheelset is one of the first ways to upgrade a bike. But I'm not clear on what the advantages are and what I should be looking for. I am short (5'2") but heavy (210 lbs). Hoping to reduce the weight but that will take a while. I'd really love to get a better wheelset that would help me get up the hills, but it needs to be something appropriate for my size. I probably want to stay w/in the $350 range. The whole bike only cost me about $1400 so it doesn't seem to make sense to spend a lot of money on new wheels.

Can you give me any advice? Thanks!

Is your LBS suggesting something off the rack or custom made? From what I have read, many wheelsets are designed with riders under 200lbs, and spoke counts are important (a recommendation I found suggested 28-32 spokes for heavier riders).

I replaced the cheap Alex rim in my old bike for a set of Mavic Aksiums ($250) after my rear wheel started to fail and I could notice the difference -- the Aksiums where definitely an upgrade. A brand I have seen recommended in this forum is Williams Cycling. Their system 30x is a bit above your price range, but might be just the upgrade to get. I'm guessing they will be lighter than the stock Alex rims.

105 is a good hub. Mavic makes good rims.

at your weight go with 36 hole mavic CXP 33, open pro CD. Both CXP 33 and open pro CD are very strong rims. I've ridden using both rims.

Spoke lacing should be 3x (not radial on both side, not radial on one side and 2x on the other side, not 2x on both side). 3x lacing will be much stronger and bit more forgiving in ride quality.

I don't know about the state of your front wheel, so I can't say one way or another regarding whether to purchase the wheel as a rear only or as a pair. All I know is that for just a tad more you get both front and rear.

I think you can buy the wheel 105 hub with Mavic rims with 36 hole as a standard wheel(set).

Bicycle Wheel Warehouse has a 105/Open Pro wheelset for $299.99 and a 105/Open Sport wheelset for $229.99. Either would serve you well.

On my road bikes, I have 32-hole Velocity Deep V rims with Ultegra hubs that I've been really pleased with. They're handbuilt, and outside of your budget, but it's another combo that heavier riders really can't go wrong with.

IMHO you'd be better off with a wheelset made for you. The wheels would be stronger and lighter and might spin better for you. Really. If you want to reuse your hub, have it checked out by the wheel builder. You can always take the wheelset to your next bike.

I've got 3x laced 32 spoke wheels, which have put up with my neglect and abuse and 60 lb weight gain quite well.

Used to think about 36 spoke, and might still get them some day if I wear out my 32 spoke. Handbuilt wheels are up high on my list of "some day I will get" goodies...

Never heard anyone complain about handbuilt wheelsets, seems they are well worth the cost of the upgrade.

I'm a big fan of handbuilt wheels. They're durable and easily repaired.

A 32-hole Mavic Open Pro or CXP 33 rim would be a good choice. My husband has more than a few pounds on you, and his wheelset of choice is 32-hole CXP 33s with Ultegra hubs.

Build quality is as important as the components selected. Proper spoke tension and balancing it evenly around the wheel will make for a very strong, resiliant wheel.

I run Open Pros on one of my fixed gears--I bought the set with Formula hubs from ebay and they were *well* under $300. But Formula flip-flip hubs are going to be cheaper than the 105 hubs for sure. I like the Open Pros, but they are definitely not as high quality as the Aksiums I run on my road bike.

Wheels are often the most expensive component on any bike, because it is in the wheels where you can really gain speed. I've been reading a bunch of TT blogs and articles and they say that the most important upgrade you can make to a bike to make it competitive is to change the wheels. You're not talking about racing obviously, but the logic still holds: if you're going to invest, invest in wheels.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Becky

I'm a big fan of handbuilt wheels. They're durable and easily repaired.

A 32-hole Mavic Open Pro or CXP 33 rim would be a good choice. My husband has more than a few pounds on you, and his wheelset of choice is 32-hole CXP 33s with Ultegra hubs.

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I've lost rack of how many sets of Open Pro rim on Ultegra or Dura Ace 32h hub wheelsets we have in the fleet. Maybe 6 sets.

They would be great on 105 hubs too. They are not fancy looking but ride very nicely and last a long time with regular maintenance.

At 210 lbs you will be fine with a good rim and 32 spokes.
Does your shop have a good wheelbuilder? If yes ask him for a quote, if not tell the shop to ask QBP to quote you a build for a set of DT Swiss.
You can make a very good budget wheelset from RR465 and 340 hubs. It will not be the lightest wheelset, but it will be totally fireproof. RR465 rims come in black or white. Use competition spokes for the build, they are practically indestructible.
Good luck!

I just spotted an interesting article in Bike Rumor, where representatives of several wheel manufacturers were asked for a recommendation for heavier riders (specifically, someone around 250lbs):

http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/12/07/...rs/#more-37805

Since it is topic that comes up periodically in the forum, I thought it was worth posting the link.

I know the thread is a tad old...but hopefully someone recommended to ZiggysMom that she should change her tire size. This will not only improve wheel durability but make the bike ride much better too,
700 x 23 is pretty common for a Specialized Dolce. However, once a rider clears about 170 they should start to consider moving up to a 700x25 tire.
At 200 the bike will behave much better, be more stable in braking/cornering and actually be faster AND more comfortable with 700x28.
We have had good luck getting the Continental 28s in Dolce frames.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

105 is a good hub. Mavic makes good rims.

at your weight go with 36 hole mavic CXP 33, open pro CD. Both CXP 33 and open pro CD are very strong rims. I've ridden using both rims.

Spoke lacing should be 3x (not radial on both side, not radial on one side and 2x on the other side, not 2x on both side). 3x lacing will be much stronger and bit more forgiving in ride quality.

I don't know about the state of your front wheel, so I can't say one way or another regarding whether to purchase the wheel as a rear only or as a pair. All I know is that for just a tad more you get both front and rear.

I think you can buy the wheel 105 hub with Mavic rims with 36 hole as a standard wheel(set).

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My SO builds a lot of wheels. When I say a lot, I mean more than 100 wheelsets in a year and I've heard him give very similar advice over the phone before. He actually does many wheelsets for larger riders. He loves the Mavic Open Pros, would definitely suggest 3 cross and 32 spokes. I think he uses DT Swiss and White industries hubs more often than Shimano.

If you'd like to play with the wheelbuilder tool on his website here's the link:

Going custom is definitely the way to do it. You may be able to reuse some parts, you'll get an excellent wheelset that is spins better than a production wheel and custom built wheels are not any more expensive. In fact, they are often cheaper.

ETA - Just noticed that this is an old thread. You probably already have this sorted out!