Touring - Touring Wheelset Under $250

I am looking for a touring wheelset for under $250. I am building a Surly Long Haul Trucker with Ultegra components and would like to match my components with a nice wheelset. Was hoping someone might have some recommendations for high quality rims and hubs that would be ideal for a cross country trip. I have a red headset and was looking at matching the color with Velocity Deep V 36 spoke rims. Not sure if they are strong enough. I also saw a deal on some Mavic open pro rims with ultegra hubs. Please let me know if any of you have any advice.

Thanks


Seth

Either should be fine. I commute on deep Vs and have have had no problems, even on rough stuff. Velocity is an excellent company and stands behind their products. Open Pros seem to have very good reviews as well.

ultegra/open pro is a standard for road racing/training/commuting. For touring something a little heavier duty may be useful.
36spoke XT are the hub of choice unless you can afford a Phil Woods. The lower Sgimano MTB hubs are also good and the LHT frame accepts that size.

One of my friends rode cross country on a pair of Velocity Aeroheads, which are significantly less beefey than the DeepV, and had no problems at all, she's only bought velocity since then.

I recently got the OpenPro/Ultegra wheel set for my touring bike. I have yet to put significant miles on it, but I'm not too worried. The wheels are 32 hole while 36 would have been more appropriate. How heavy are you? What type of touring are you going to do? I am around 150 lbs. and plan on doing 7 - 10 day jaunts with this wheel set. I think we'll be fine.

I would day go with the Mavic Cxp33 or the Velocity rims.. The cxp's are a little more sturdy than the open pro's.. Performance also has the mavic a719 which is normally a cross country mtb rim, but in 700c size that is made specifically for touring

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=20202&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=5321&CFID=50652820&CFTOKEN=46653452

Mavic A719s laced to XT hubs shouldnt run very much over 250 if at all and would make a really solid touring wheelset.

What hubs are you using with your velocity rims?

Again... Shimano STI == Baaaaaaaddddd... They die and can't be repaired. (no parts availability). I wouldn't want them on my touring bike, and I had a pair give out on my road bike. :( If you need brifters, go with Campy Ergo, cheaper now than the Shimano stuff, and with a http://www.jtekengineering.com shiftmate, they'll work with shimano drivetrain. Just some thoughts... :) They shift better too.