Road Cycling - Opinions on wheels

Ok, like i mentioned a couple weeks ago, I was going to get a pair of wheels from my buddy. It so happens that he needs those wheels for his 2nd bike, so I'm going to have to buy my own wheels. Any wheels that I buy will be handbuilt by people I trust to build wheels. The question is what wheels should I buy. First of all, I need it to have DT spokes and Ultegra 9 speed hubs. I would like a wheelset that is somewhat light as I right long and far. Anything that is lighter than my 15 year old Ambrosio Elites will make me happy. I dont want under than 32 spokes though as I want truability (is that a word) and since I am not racing I dont need the extra few grams. My question is basically what rim should I get. The labour to build them will be free so more money can be spent on the rims. Currently, I am able to get the Sun Rim Venus wheelset with Ultegra 9 speed hubs and DT Competition spokes (32 hole) for $200 CDN plus 7% tax so $214. Is this a good price for these wheels or would it still be in my best interest to go to Mavic. I am willing to spend $300 on this wheelset. Please send me your recommendations on what I should do. Remember, im in Canada so I guess $200 US at most for my wheels.

Sorry about the large paragraph.

If you already have a trusted wheelbuilder, he will know what works for you, your weight and riding style and area. Why don't you ask him.

Because he knows jack s**t about bike brands and stuff. He is one of the only mechanics who understands only mechanics. You give him a bike with XTR or Record and he may proceed to say that it looks expensive but he wont really have any idea. Thats why I'm asking you guys. And my boss is biased with his Miele opinion. If it wasn't on any of his Miele crap road bikes, then it wasn't any good so yah.. My buddy / wheelbuilder just builds them.

I recently had a set built with CXP33s. Open Pros are pretty common. The CXP33 is a little heavier, and a little more aerodyamically designed. You can also keep in mind that less spokes also result in more aerodynamic wheels. I built mine with 36 though! Sorry, I don't have any experience with anything else.

I have been real happy with the CXP 33s with Ultegra hubs that Colorado Cyclist built for me with 32 spokes. I have put about 1,500 miles (2400 km) on them and they really do great on the crappy roads we have around here. Faster, smoother, and very durable against potholes and boneshaking RR crossings. Cost me US$217 for a set of the black rims. And one other small matter: they look great, too.

Avoid the CXP 21s. They gave me grief.

Rich

The Venus looks ok to me. The large cross-section should make it pretty strong for its weight.

I would go with 14-15ga double-butted spokes in the rear and straight 15ga in front, or 15-16ga if you're light enough and have the extra money. I like alloy nipples, particularly Wheelsmith's forged 7075-T6 ones, but many wheelbuilders shy away from alloy nipples, so that's between you and your wheelbuilder.

It really depends on what you want the wheels for, I guess. The Sun rims look like a pretty good value and, at 440g, pretty light. I really don't know much about them, though.

I do know about Mavic Open Pros, which are marginally lighter at 425g. These are, IMO, still the best value in lightweight rims out there. They are bomb prooof, I have them on my road bike as well as on my cyclocross bike, and they've taken all kinds of abuse well. In terms of price, you should be able to get the rims for @ C$75.

Thanks guys, looks like most of you are using Mavic rims so I guess I will spend the extra little bit of money and go to Mavic.

Yeah, IMO Open Pros are the best rims out there if you want to have a wheel built. CXP 33s are not that aero, but are a bit heavy. Open Pros are plenty tough as they are. My Open Pros have hit countless potholes, but remain as good as they were when I got them almost 2 years ago. Although I am getting a more aero and lighter wheelseet my 36 spoke 105/Open Pros will be my wheel of choice when I need to cycle far from home.

aight the secondary store that i shop at said they would give me the mavic open pro rims with ultegra hubs and skewers for 300 tax in. So in a couple weeks when i get my money, Im gonna have him build the wheels for me since I'm really too lazy to do it myself. The only reason I cant buy from my shop is because we only sell mid end crap so we dont have a dealer for Mavic products.

Is the 25g off each wheel really worth the extra $100?

Originally posted by WorldIRC
Is the 25g off each wheel really worth the extra $100? That's a bit vague as to what you're referring to... rims, I'm guessing?

For perspective, the tire, tube, rim and Velox rim tape come to around 750 grams per wheel. 25 grams is around 3.5% of 750 grams. Whether it's worth $100 to save 3.5% of the weight is questionable, unless there are other compelling benefits to go along with it.

Originally posted by WorldIRC
Is the 25g off each wheel really worth the extra $100?
Well... the difference is more than the weight. I don't have any experience with the Sun rims, but I know the Open Pros are pretty tough, and have an enviable reputation for toughness. If the $100 buys you lighter AND tougher wheels, then it's worth it. The other thing to keep in mind is that 25g at the outside of a wheel is as significant as considerably more weight anywhere else on the bike.

Fork over the dough for a set of Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL. You WILL be HAPPY.

ic ic.. Well, I still got a few weeks to think about it so until then, I remain on my Ambrosio Elites.

CPX 33's are slightly heavier than Open 4 Pro's, but I've heard are stronger. Personally, I've had AMAZING durability with MAVIC ceramic rims.

You should be able to get a nice set of wheels for under 300 bucks.