Wheel Recommendations?

[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!

[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.