Your Favorite Wheelset

[itself]

I am wondering what your favorite wheelset is, and if you bought them stock, or had a master wheelbuilder build up your wheels.

I don't want Aero wheels, I want light wheels that will hold up.

Thanks for your input!

[indysteel]

I have a custom set with specs that were recommended by Sadie Kate and Jobob. Velocity Aerohead rims, Sapim double butted spokes (20 1x front, 24 2x rear) and White Industries hubs. My husband has basically the same wheelset, too, but with Wheelsmith spokes). We both love them and they have been maintenance free. Both were built my master wheelbuilders. There's nothing all that bling about them (although I do think the hubs are pretty), but I wasn't going for that look anyway.

[Eden]

I've heard the saying you can have cheap, light, or durable - pick 2.....

and I believe it to be very true.

The stock Dura-Ace wheels (alu clinchers, all DA from Shimano - rims & hubs) that came on my race bike have been great. They've held up well for about 5 years and are just coming to the point that I will need to replace them- though I rarely ride that bike in the rain. The only drawback to them is that they have aero spokes and if you do happen to need a truing or break one they take a special spoke wrench and have to be special ordered. I did once break a spoke.... but it wasn't really from everyday wear and tear - it was bent in a crash in a race and broke about 6 mos later.

I've been through many, many wheels on my rain bike. I've had Velocity, Sunrim and Mavic rims. All of them have been pretty heavy.... the Velocitys really sucked.... they were fragile like tissue paper in wet weather. All 105lbs of me managed to bust 3 of them out of the 2 sets I purchased and none lasted more than a year. The Sunrim was a little better, though probably the heaviest of the 3. The Mavics have been doing a bit better. They will probably last me 2 rainy seasons. They aren't light Mavic racing rims mind you - but heavy ones meant for mean and nasty weather (CPX23's I believe). All of the wheels I've had on my rain bike have been custom builds.

[maillotpois]

I am really loving my new Campy Eurus 2 ways. they run tubeless or with tubes. I am tubeless for the last 3- 4 months and loving it. they are light and durable. not cheap.

I had Mavic Ksyriums on my old bike. they were pretty bulletproof but not maintainable. the spoke nipples got frozen, they developed annoying rattles. I shouldnt complain after 25k miles, but I dont miss then.

[Becky]

I have Mavic CXP 33s with Ultegra hubs on one bike, built by a local master builder, and a set of Mavic Open Pros with Ultegra hubs from Performance on my commuter. I love Ultegra hubs- bomb-proof, easily serviced, and they roll like a greased watermelon downhill when properly adjusted.

My favorite wheels are the Mavic XC717s with XTR hubs that I built myself for my mountain bike

I'm curious to see what others like- I'm in the market for a set of road wheels for another bike and I'd like something different than my CXP33s/Ultegras. Still on the fence about buy vs. build.

[nscrbug]

I am really liking my stock Shimano RS-80 C24 wheelset. These are, essentially, a Dura-Ace wheelset...but with some durability added in. They are a carbon/alloy rim, as opposed to an all-carbon rim that comes on the DA. So far, they've held up great on the crappy IL roads that I have to ride. Plus, they look pretty cool, too...with the flashy red nipples and white text graphics on the rim. I see absolutely no reason to swap them out, at the moment...so I'll probably ride these wheels for a long time.

Linda

[eofelis]

a set of Mavic Open Pros with Ultegra hubs from Performance on my commuter. I love Ultegra hubs- bomb-proof, easily serviced, and they roll like a greased watermelon downhill when properly adjusted.

+1 for the Open Pros on Ultegra (or DA) hubs. The bf likes to build his own wheels and he likes this set up a lot. We have a slew of these wheels in the house and they are great for everyday riding.

[tzvia]

I have a custom set with specs that were recommended by Sadie Kate and Jobob. Velocity Aerohead rims, Sapim double butted spokes (20 1x front, 24 2x rear) and White Industries hubs. My husband has basically the same wheelset, too, but with Wheelsmith spokes). We both love them and they have been maintenance free. Both were built my master wheelbuilders. There's nothing all that bling about them (although I do think the hubs are pretty), but I wasn't going for that look anyway.

I spent about a month on several online 'build a wheelset' sites, and kept coming back to this very setup, Aeroheads, CX-Rays, WI hubs. Had a set built by Prowheelbuilder.com, 24-2x front, 28-2x rear (yea a bit conservative, but been bombproof so far). Spokes and hubs in chrome, black alu nipples, very classic looking. No carbon bling or black stealth, they look almost retro 70's. Great combo if you want a solid build that is not too pricey, and not heavy.

[bcipam]

I had a beautiful set of wheels built for me some time ago - very classy looking, Mavic CXP33 silver rims with silver CK hubs. I hope they last a lifetime. Expensive but well worth it. I love the CK hub hum as the wheels roll!

[sundial]

I have to put in a plug for Mavic.

I have the Ksyrium SL rims and they survived the impact of my car when it was rear ended with the bike on the hitch mount rack. Only 2 spokes had to be trued. I've had them for 4 years now. The bike shop said they were essentially bomb proof and I believe it.