Cyclocross - decent all-around wheelset

I'm looking for opinions on wheelsets. I'm looking for something that is less than $400 for the set and is decent for both road and CX use.

I'm considering Mavic Open Pros with Ultegra hubs. I've glanced at Mavic Cosmos, but I'm unsure how they would hold up off road. What else should I look at?

Thanks,
++schmeckp

Pretty much any wheelset will work fine for both. The open pros are good. A "V" shaped rim is good because it is a bit better at shedding mud but it will be slightly heavier than a box rim.

I've heard that the seals on Ultegra hubs aren't that great (which is a shame, because that's what are on the wheels that are going on the cross bike I'm putting together).

You could probably find some decent cartridge bearing mtb hubs quite cheap, as everyone wants disk brake compatible hubs, so the non-disk ones are quite cheap.

new price or used price of $400? I picked up some spinergy spox wheels for cross $200 on ebay. Plus you can get the spox w/ tubular rims. So for $400 you can get a wheelset and a couple of Dugast tires. I've used some mavic ksyriums for tandem racing. I havent tried them for cross but they seem strong. I'm not sure what a used set goes for. I've broken a set of spinergy rev-x and a set of rolf vector pros in cross racing. My mavic cxp-33 set just was really bent and heavy. I sold those.

I used open pros all season without a problem, till the last race. The rear tube keeps going flat - something is puncturing it from inside the rim and I can't figure out what the hell it is. :rolleyes: If anybody has some ideas please let me know - the rim strip appears intact.

add some more tape to the rim. cloth medical tape works well for a second strip. That works for a cheap fix if it is the rim strip that is bad. Are your tubes going in the same location every time? Do they puncture with one hole like a puncture or two holes like a pinch flat?

Thanks Providence, it's one smooth hole - like a thick pin was pushed in to the tube. I'll try the medical tape. I'm not sure if it is in the same spot because I replaced the tube and, of course, I'm at work.

Wheels can be a tough call since everybody appears to ride a little differently. I have a friend who's had to resort to CPX 33 rims with 36 spokes since he destroys wheels. He's also 6+ and 235, and strong as a ox.

Even if you buy some moderately priced wheels, if you take care of them, they should last you a couple of seasons.

I'm lucky. I can spend the coin, and typically do so. : )