Wheel Recommendations?

[casisenyora]

After riding 2-1/2 years on my Xero XR-1 wheels, I am looking for an upgrade. The first reason is that my chain rode off the cassette and chewed every spoke on that side; the second is that I'm riding with some much faster groups this season and want every advantage I can get. My LBS recommended Ksyrium wheels, but another trusted source says those are crap. Any thoughts? Budget is around $1000, and I'm not racing (yet).

[nscrbug]

With that budget, I'd probably look at something custom-built from a reliable wheel-builder in your area. That way you could get something that totally suits your style of riding, along with any other specifics (weight, durability, spoke count, rim depth, hubs, bearings, etc.)...that you wouldn't be able to spec out on a factory wheelset. Do you climb a lot of hills? If so, then you might want to look at a wheelset designed for climbing. If you ride a lot of flats, then perhaps something a bit more "aero" might suit you better. Or, just stick with a general "all around" training wheelset.

I too, am looking at upgrading my stock wheels. My budget is quite a bit less than yours, though. At the moment, I'm looking at 2 different wheelsets - the Williams System 30's, and the Shimano RS-80's...both are billed as an "all around" training wheel and have good durability, which are the 2 characteristics that I'm looking for. Plus, they both fall into my price range of $5-700.

[malaholic]

I've never ridden Mavics but they seem to be pretty polarizing...people either love 'em or hate 'em.

But, from what I can see online on the XR-1's you've got, I don't think a set of Mavics (at least the models they offer in the sub-$1k range) really gets you much in the way of weight savings? And if you want a faster wheel you are probably either talking lighter weight, or more aero. If you're drafting on your group rides, and if you're doing hilly rides, then the rotational weight is probably more a factor than the aero profile.

A couple options (assuming you want to stick with clinchers for ease of fixing flats):

- Rolf Prima Elan - these retail right at about $1k. They come in at about 1345 g which is fairly light. Haven't ridden them myself, but I've heard a lot of people say a lot of good things about Rolfs.

- American Classic Sprint 350 - a little heavier, about 1410 g, but more affordable at around $750. My hubby has these and loves them.

You could also look into some more expensive and even lighter wheelsets and see if you can find a previous year model on clearance in a shop or online...eBay often has good deals (but of course check seller reputation, etc to stay safe).

[MartianDestiny]

I would get a set of customs, something along the lines of a Ultegra or Dura Ace hubset laced to Mavic Open pros (Classic, durable, reasonably light, easy to maintain, and probably well under your $1k budget). Get some fancy hubs like Hopes or Kings if you want to blow some cash.

I have Ksyrium Equipes and I will never buy a set of these as an only wheelset. They ride fine on the flats, but they are nothing special. At my weight, however, they blow me all over the frakin' road in any sort of cross wind or any kind of descent. Bladed spokes just suck when you are tiny and aren't worth any aero advantage (if I were time trialing a lot I'd consider a set of bladed spokes or deep rims as a SECOND wheelset, but not again as a primary.)

The other issue with Mavics is that if you do manage to bust them up it's harder to find someone to service them (and they frequently have to go back to Mavic). A set of custom built wheels can typically be repaired (true, replace a few spokes, re-lace to a new rim) by just about any wheelbuilder (and minor stuff by just about any experienced mechanic). Grant the Krsyiums seem pretty robust and resilient, so maybe that's not the end of the world.

For pre-builts the Shimano Ultegra and Dura Ace models look really nice and are getting great reviews. Bonus, you can go tubeless! (or get a fancy carbon rim, your choice).

[ridebikeme]

Lots of good choices here already. I just wanted to add another... I have built several wheelsets with Velocity rims/hubs and they are very nice as well. There are TONS of options here, not only with the number of spokes you want, but also tons of colors which are fun. Generally in the $1000 price range you will find wheels in the 1300- 1400 weight range.

Have fun and keep us posted!

[Miranda]

Gotta head off to work atm, but below are a couple past threads of mine regarding wheels w/great discussion. Maybe some more info later if my brain remembers to come back to the thread lol.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=wind

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=wheels

I currently am considering carbon wheels (Reynolds Attacks). Tho I have some Eastons I could wrench on atm as well. Here are those wheels pictured on another TE members bike thread... http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...light=Finishes

My stock wheels are pictured on my bike here (Reynolds Solitude)...
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=candy

[casisenyora]

Thanks for the suggestions, now to check them out... Then its time to clean all the pollen off my baby! Will update the status soon!

[roguedog]

I agree with Martian.. At that budget get customs.

Just like a custom frame, tell him/her what you're looking for and work with them on all the pros n cons.

Don't know where you are but have heard good things about the following builders (though I haven't been able to swallow spending the coin to drop for customs so I don't have personal experience with any of these folks):

Joe Young (http://www.youngwheels.com)
Mike Garcia (http://www.oddsandendos.com).
David Thomas (http://speeddream.com/)
People have also been happy w/ Excel Sports

Let us know what ya end up with!

[Jiffer]

I just got Easton EA90 SLX for Valentine's Day. Hubby is very romantic that way.

I don't know all the details that he does about wheels, but I know he has researched a lot and says these are pretty much the lightest wheels out there and competitively priced. He found a great deal on them online for around $675 (typically around $1,000 I believe). My friend, who was coveting my old Ksyriums for so long ended up buying a pair as well.

I'm forever trying to climb better, so I he chose them with that in mind. I also feel good going downhill on them, cornering and stopping, unlike another more expensive version of the Easton's Dh tried. He's awesome on the climbs, but wanted something to help him on the descents and flats, so the one's he tried had a bigger rim. Yet, they were too frustrating on climbs and he didn't like how they felt descending.

Then he tried another brand, which I can't think of (I'll ask if you want to know). They were horrid on the descents. He blew right through a stop sign at the bottom of a hill, which he knew was coming and has stopped at just fine more than once before. So, those are off the bike and he's onto Campi tubeless (don't know which one's), which he tried today for the first time and said he could stop on a dime. Not sure he's settled on them, though. The funny thing is, he's so strong on the climbs that he actually bends his wheels! The force of his weight coming down on the pedals with his strong quads actually bends his wheels, which then rub on his brake ... so he's looking for something strong enough for that as well as everything else.

Maybe he should go custom as some people have suggested to you. Hmmm.

[MartianDestiny]

People have also been happy w/ Excel Sports

I walked into Excel Sports once. Made sure the door didn't hit me on the way out. HORRIBLE customer service. They'll never see a dime of my business. Certainly wouldn't recommend them for anything custom (where service and knowledge what makes the product).

(I realize they are primarily mail order, but if they are going to have a storefront for the locals then it needs to be a storefront with good service, etc. not some high school kid with a bad attitude and no knowledge.)

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm not an expert on wheels, but I encouage you to put as much thought into your choice of tires. When I upgraded, my pace improvements came 5% from the wheels and then another 5% with my tires. That combined 10% improvement compares to an only 7% pace improvement with the purchase of my Madone!

I ride RaceXLites (purchased new on eBay) with Vittoria Open Corso tires (which I absolutely love!)

Good Luck

[casisenyora]

I stopped in the LBS today and priced out a custom set, which my usual guy would built in-house. DT Swiss rims and hubs, 14 gauge double butted spokes (28/28), totaling 1400-something in weight and just over $1000 with tax. (Is it crazy that my bike cost only twice that?)

That said, my mechanic still highly recommends the ksyrium elites at $650 (He also shared some unsavory tales about the guy who regards them as crap). They'd weigh a bit more (1550g), but I do think that rolling resistance and stiffness take priority. I suppose that I just need to decide whether the hand-built DT Swiss set is worth an extra $350.

[smilingcat]

I've ridden on Mavic open CD with Ultegra hub. Pretty nice.
Also rode with Mavic CXP-30?? with Campy hub. Pretty nice.

Currently, I ride with Xero XR-1 wheel and hub. Very nice cause it was really cheap. My BIL use it for all around training cause he doesn't care about the wear and tear at that price. It's also very dependable and very rugged. Unless you are racing why switch it out. 2-1/2 years of riding. But, how many miles have you logged? My ultegra hubbed wheels lasted more than 10,000 miles.

Oh my other bike have Rolf Prima echelon and love that too. Both bike uses Michellin Pro Race tires.

Stay with a rugged all round wheel. Don't go for the lightest wheels unless you plan to race seriously.

[wavedancer]

Check out Neuvation Cycling. 1500 G alloy sets for ~$300. I got a set that are a big step up from my stock wheels. They are not custom built, but no middle-man costs. All the reviews have been excellent, and I have noticed a difference in my ride since switching over.

Neuvation