How much difference does a new wheelset make?

[redrhodie]

You should read Peter White's page on wheels (especially his rant). I love this guy. He cracks me up.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/wheels.asp

[jobob]

You should read Peter White's page on wheels (especially his rant). I love this guy. He cracks me up.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/wheels.asp

Very good call, redrhodie! Peter White's a grumpy old guy but he speaks the truth and makes a whole lot of sense.

Those of you who are convinced you cannot afford custom built wheels, take a moment and look at the prices he's quoting, you might be in for a bit of a surprise.

Yes, I know, these prices are circa 2007-2008 and will no doubt be higher now (how much higher, I have absolutely no idea -- that's where you contact Peter White).

At the very least, it should give those of you contemplating new wheels (including the OP) a starting point.

PW builds mtn bike wheels too, and has (outdated) quotes on the page for those as well. Again, its a good starting point.

One could always approach other wheel builders (or heck, write to Peter White) and ask how much they would charge today for one of those builds. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Seriously, email a few good wheel builders (if you want any suggestions, ask here) and tell them what you are looking for, even if it's just along the lines of :

• "I have xxx bike, it takes (700c? 650b? 26"?) wheels and I usually ride xx width tires, and I'm looking to upgrade the wheelset because (why are you looking to upgrade the wheelset, btw?). It would also help to specify what your current wheelset is, at least what is the brand name written on the hub and on the rims.
• I weigh xxx.
• I ride xxx (frequency, terrain).
• I was wondering what wheels you would suggest, in the $$$ price range.

That's what I did a few years back and I was pleasantly surprised.

You might be pleasantly surprised as well.

At the very least, it might give you a better idea of what you should be looking for.

[indysteel]

Very good call, redrhodie! Peter White's a grumpy old guy but he speaks the truth and makes a whole lot of sense.

Those of you who are convinced you cannot afford custom built wheels, take a moment and look at the prices he's quoting, you might be in for a bit of a surprise.

Yes, I know, these prices are circa 2007-2008 and will no doubt be higher now (how much higher, I have absolutely no idea -- that's where you contact Peter White).

At the very least, it should give those of you contemplating new wheels (including the OP) a starting point.

PW builds mtn bike wheels too, and has (outdated) quotes on the page for those as well. Again, its a good starting point.

One could always approach other wheel builders (or heck, write to Peter White) and ask how much they would charge today for one of those builds. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Seriously, email a few good wheel builders (if you want any suggestions, ask here) and tell them what you are looking for, even if it's just along the lines of :

• "I have xxx bike, it takes (700c? 650b? 26"?) wheels and I usually ride xx width tires, and I'm looking to upgrade the wheelset because (why are you looking to upgrade the wheelset, btw?). It would also help to specify what your current wheelset is, at least what is the brand name written on the hub and on the rims.
• I weigh xxx.
• I ride xxx (frequency, terrain).
• I was wondering what wheels you would suggest, in the $$$ price range.

That's what I did a few years back and I was pleasantly surprised.

You might be pleasantly surprised as well.

At the very least, it might give you a better idea of what you should be looking for.

That's about how my conversation with my fitter went. I'd note--although I'm not necessarily trying to push a particular build--that my DH has a lovely pair of 2009 handbuilt wheels by Ron Ruff that cost $600. I know that's above your price range, but with some tweaking to the build, he or another builder could potentially build you something in your price range. Whether they'll be a big enough improvement to your stock wheels to justify the expense, I don't know. I would suggest figuring out first what your current wheelset weighs--not (as Peter White indicates) that weight is everything.