brianappleby

I've been trying to do my homework to find the best wheels for me and these are what i've come up with. Reynolds Carbon Clinchers are actually my first choice but I know they rock and I'm trying to learn about the other (cheaper) options.

Ritchey WCS 58mm. I think these are my first choice if I can't get a deal on the Reynoldses. Their advertised weight is somewhere between 1282 and 1386g (tubular rims). I can find them for under $1000, and they come with TI skewers. Can anybody vouch for their stiffness/durability?


HED stinger 60. Also a good choice judging from numbers on the internet. Experiences?

Williams system 50c are 1560g carbon clinchers. They come with brakes, skewers, valve extenders, the whole thing... and they're only $1000. They weigh 200g more than the Reynolds wheels but retail for half as much. Williams is from the bay area and they sponsor some local events so it'd be cool to help out someone who's helping my community.

About me:
185lbs, just back from vacation so I will be 180 in a few weeks. San Francisco, but moving to Denver, CO in 3 months. I'm category 4, goal is to be a 3 by the end of the season. Judging from my one 4/5 race, this isn't impossible. I train 16 hours/wk and my LT is somewhere around 300-320 watts. I've never ridden tubulars but I'm not really stoked on the idea. I'd rather ride clinchers if I can afford them and the weight penalty isn't too great. Rolling resistance and ease of use are more important than the magical ride quality people talk about, and i've never gotten a pinch flat. These will be race day only wheels.

My current racing wheelset is a set of Mike Garcia niobium 30's that weigh 1535g. I mostly just use the front wheel and leave the PT on the back.

Information, thoughts, ideas?

Thanks,
B.

jrennie

On a budget, I would go with the williams. They are at almost all the races and support seems to be great.

dmotoguy

race only wheels and you still say no to tubular?

I got my first tubulars as race only and was instantly addicted, now i train on them as well.

brianappleby

elaborate please

dmotoguy

lighter, better feel, and tufo tape eliminates 95% of what people consider the hassle of tubulars.

Nacho Speedee

I have a set of the Williams 50Cs and I think they're great -- light, stiff, and roll well. Customer Service is incredible too. You might want to contact Keith and ask about the hubs though -- I think he's moving to ceramic bearings on all of his wheelsets over the coming months so it might be worth waiting.

merlinextraligh

Deep dish CF rims are where tubulars really have an advantage. The weight difference is pretty significant (around 1 pound for the set). While tubulars definitely have their drawbacks, if you're going with CF rims as race wheels, I would strongly consider going tubular.

UmneyDurak

I have the Ritchey carbon ones. The wheels are great. Acceleration is pretty good. They are somewhat sketchy on a 50mph descent thought. Although that could have been just the crosswind/my arms shivering. Durability wise, my rear one survived a crash, RD being shifted in to it. Last crash caused a crack in one of the carbon layers thought. My front one survived two crashes. I think all things considered they are durable enough. Maybe a little flexie at high speeds, and tight high speed turns (tighter then what I encountered in crits so far).