Road Cycling - Vuelta XRP wheels?

Anyone run these wheels? And if so, what are your thoughts?

I'm bumping this thread because it's better than making a new one asking the same thing! Anyone have a response yet?

anyone?

Yea i have some XRP mountain wheels on my mountain bike. So far have worked fine. Really light. I dunno about durability though as i've only put on about 1100 miles on them, and most of that has been on the road.

came with my motobecane

they are heavy but no worse than velocity deep v's, only have 2300 miles on em, ask me again when they have 15,000

the 08 wheels are pretty dang light, the team SLs are 1530g for $270 shipped.

they've also ditched the paired spoke lacing which i've never been a fan of. radial front and 2x in the back is where it's at.

can't speak for their durability since I've only run the Elites since June, but the hubs are super smooth out of the box and haven't required any maintenance from my 200 lb. of daily abuse.

I can't get past the decals...

what about the carbons that are in the bikesdirect group buy? Anyone have those?

I can't get past the decals...

me neither, luckily I have a thumbnail

From the BikesDirect group buy thread....


I think they are under clear
and you would not want to remove them as that voids Vuelta warranty [as with most brands]

Your fingernail may make a mess of the wheels...

yeah, everything I've read says they are heavy, but the site specs the pro sl wheelset at 1550. That's not heavy in my mind.

yeah, everything I've read says they are heavy, but the site specs the pro sl wheelset at 1550. That's not heavy in my mind.

Perhaps you missed the post in the thread:

The Vuelta XRP wheels that are on Vuelta XRP's website ARE NOT the wheels in the group buy.

Get that through your head.

These are full carbon tubulars.

The ones on their site are aluminum rimmed clinchers.

The 50mm carbon tubulars being offered are around 1450g. As Mike has stated.

Perhaps you missed the post in the thread:

The Vuelta XRP wheels that are on Vuelta XRP's website ARE NOT the wheels in the group buy.

Get that through your head.

These are full carbon tubulars.

The ones on their site are aluminum rimmed clinchers.

The 50mm carbon tubulars being offered are around 1450g. As Mike has stated.

I wasn't refering to the group buy wheels.

I've heard that the Vuelta XRP wheels in general are heavy. However, the Road Pro SL wheels are stated as being <1550. http://vueltaxrpwheels.com/pro_sl.asp

I've got a pair of Vuelta Team SL's. Officially 1533g, (I didn't weigh them myself), came with rim strips, $270 and change. Found them on ebay, ordered from their website, arrived when they said they would, in perfect condition, true. I've ridden them ~200 miles, no problems, rides smooth, fast. I like the quiet rear hub. I like that they're medium flashy, yet obviously not big $$ show-off, yet not econo-Forte. I think they're an excellent value -- looks, weight, price.

If you get them, don't toss the box nor the plastic axle end protectors. I took mine on a trip and the airline checked the box with no oversize fees, even though it measures 3 or 5 inches more than the 62 linear inch limit.

The Campy-compatible Vueltas that came with my Bottecchia were listed at 1900+ grams. They've got 3800 miles on them and have stayed true. I've little to compare them with but prefer them to the Alex 300's I later bought used. They are lighter (with the mounted tires) and seem more rigid in cornering. The bearings on the rear Vuelta seem to have a bit more friction than I am used to from older Campagnolo NR and Mirage hubs. The hubs are made by Joy-tech, I think.

This is from the Vueltaxrpwheels.com website.

http://vueltaxrpwheels.com/carbon_sl.asp These are the clincher wheels being offered in the bikesdirect.com deal. These are not an aluminum rimmed 38 or 50mm cross section rim and Vuelta does not state that the wheel on their site has aluminum rims.


Road Carbon Team SuperLite Wheels

Rim: Carbon 50mm (700c)
Bead: clincher
Hub: Team SL Road
Bearing: 2x5 precision
Drilling: 20f/24r
Pattern: radial / two cross
Spoke Gauge: 2.8
Spoke Profile: Aero-bladed
Nipple: brass integrated
Quick Release: cro-moly
Spacing: 130mm
Color: black

Weight: 765g / 996g

The bikesdirect offer has both tubular and clincher wheels offered. The Vuelta site does not show the tubular version. These are the clincher wheels being offered in the bikesdirect.com deal, albeit in a 38mm section. The bikesdirect guy has weighed them at close to 1600grams for the pair. Vuelta says they weigh qty. 100 of a product then publish the simple average as the weight of the product to compensate for individual variations in manufacturing. Vuelta's published weight is 1761grams for the pair, not particularly light, but wheels with 50 mm cross section carbon rims aren't made to be unusually light. They are made for their aerodynamic advantage. YMMV.

I have a set that came on my CX bike. I have thrashed them in the rocks and roots and cx racing and they are still dead nut. so I think they are fine.

This is from the Vueltaxrpwheels.com website.

http://vueltaxrpwheels.com/carbon_sl.asp These are the clincher wheels being offered in the bikesdirect.com deal. These are not an aluminum rimmed 38 or 50mm cross section rim and Vuelta does not state that the wheel on their site has aluminum rims.


Road Carbon Team SuperLite Wheels

Rim: Carbon 50mm (700c)
Bead: clincher
Hub: Team SL Road
Bearing: 2x5 precision
Drilling: 20f/24r
Pattern: radial / two cross
Spoke Gauge: 2.8
Spoke Profile: Aero-bladed
Nipple: brass integrated
Quick Release: cro-moly
Spacing: 130mm
Color: black

Weight: 765g / 996g

The bikesdirect offer has both tubular and clincher wheels offered. The Vuelta site does not show the tubular version. These are the clincher wheels being offered in the bikesdirect.com deal, albeit in a 38mm section. The bikesdirect guy has weighed them at close to 1600grams for the pair. Vuelta says they weigh qty. 100 of a product then publish the simple average as the weight of the product to compensate for individual variations in manufacturing. Vuelta's published weight is 1761grams for the pair, not particularly light, but wheels with 50 mm cross section carbon rims aren't made to be unusually light. They are made for their aerodynamic advantage. YMMV.

Uhhhh those wheels you linked to most definitely have a aluminum rim. It's very visible in the picture.

The wheels in the bikesdirect.com deal are both all-carbon. So, no, those are not the wheels being offered in the bikesdirect deal.

If you actually looked at the information that Mike posted, that would be pretty apparent.

This is the correct information:


NOW FOR THE WHEELS
SAMPLES LOOK GREAT

BUT -- 38mm CLINCHER IS HEAVIER THAN I WAS QUOTED [THAT'S THE BAD NEWS]
50mm CLINCHER WHICH I DID NOT ORDER IS LIGHTER THAN ORIGINAL QUOTE
and 50mm SEWUP WHEEL SET IS LIGHTER THAN QUOTED [THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS]

ALL THREE LOOK GREAT IN PERSON - MY ENTIRE STAFF IS IMPRESSED AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO SPEC THE SEWUP SET ON A BIKE! I'LL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT

anyway here are my not too professional pictures in order of
50mm wireon [f-692;r-913; total 1605]
38mm wireon [f-680;r-930; total 1610]
50mm sewup [f-612;r-845; total 1457]
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t213/bikedoctor/vuelta50mmwireon.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t213/bikedoctor/vuelta38mmwireon.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t213/bikedoctor/vuelta50mmsewup.jpg

if ordering wheels please base decision off my actual weights
I am trying to add 50mm wireon to my order since weight now looks better than before

Notice that there is no aluminum rim? Yeah.

Uhhhh those wheels you linked to most definitely have a aluminum rim. It's very visible in the picture.

The wheels in the bikesdirect.com deal are both all-carbon. So, no, those are not the wheels being offered in the bikesdirect deal.

If you actually looked at the information that Mike posted, that would be pretty apparent.How about you look at the pictures. That seems to be more your speed. The rest of us will read the specifications, which say carbon rim. . And I have read the info Mike posted.

How about you look at the pictures. That seems to be more your speed. The rest of us will read the specifications, which say carbon rim. . And I have read the info Mike posted.

So, Mike has said that his wheels are a full carbon clincher. They weigh significantly less than these.

The Vuelta XRP wheels have multiple pictures with an aluminum rim, and no where on there does it say "full carbon clincher". They also weigh what an aluminum-rimmed clincher would. You'd have to have lead spokes and mercury-greased hubs for a full carbon, 50mm rimmed wheelset to weigh that much.

Just like with carbon forks: you can have a full carbon fork, or a carbon fork with an aluminum steerer, and each of them are called carbon forks. Both of these products are carbon rims; the difference is one is fully carbon, the other is an aluminum rim bonded to a carbon fairing, a la Zipp and Mavic. Yet we still call those carbon rims, right?

So, Mike has said that his wheels are a full carbon clincher. They weigh significantly less than these.

The Vuelta XRP wheels have multiple pictures with an aluminum rim, and no where on there does it say "full carbon clincher". They also weigh what an aluminum-rimmed clincher would.

Just like with carbon forks: you can have a full carbon fork, or a carbon fork with an aluminum steerer, and each of them are called carbon forks. Both of these products are carbon rims; the difference is one is fully carbon, the other is an aluminum rim bonded to a carbon fairing, a la Zipp and Mavic. Yet we still call those carbon rims, right?Carbon wheelsets vary in weight depending on the manufacturer. The standard, Zipp 404, have a published weight of 1670gr a pair, which is 4-5% more than the ones the bikedirect guy weighed. YMMV.

Carbon wheelsets vary in weight depending on the manufacturer. The standard, Zipp 404, have a published weight of 1670gr a pair, which is 4-5% more than the ones the bikedirect guy weighed. YMMV.

Which makes sense given their 8mm increase in rim depth (Zipps being 58mm).

Do you agree with me now that the Vuelta wheels listed on their site aren't the ones Mike has in the group buy?

Which makes sense given their 8mm increase in rim depth (Zipps being 58mm).Given this logic, why do the 38mm depth rims Mike weighed weigh more than the 50mm depth rims???:rolleyes:



Do you agree with me now that the Vuelta wheels listed on their site aren't the ones Mike has in the group buy?I really don't agree with most of the crap you post on these forums. I think you should go to your bedroom now.

Given this logic, why do the 38mm depth rims Mike weighed weigh more than the 50mm depth rims???:rolleyes:


I really don't agree with most of the crap you post on these forums. I think you should go to your bedroom now.

Differences in manufacturing processes, the actual manufacturer, spoke length, nipple material, spoke choice, etc. All of them can lead to variance. Because these wheels, particularly the rims, are certainly not made by Vuelta XRP.

But you thought of all of that, right?

And what statements of mine, pray tell, do you disagree with?

How about you look at the pictures. That seems to be more your speed. The rest of us will read the specifications, which say carbon rim. . And I have read the info Mike posted.

Why dont you just look at the pictures? You can obviously see that the ones on Vuelta's site have an aluminum rim while the ones Mike posted are all carbon. If you had actually read what Mike has been posting then you would know that the group buy wheels are being made specifically for this group buy, Vuelta doesnt offer them yet.

Why dont you just look at the pictures? You can obviously see that the ones on Vuelta's site have an aluminum rim while the ones Mike posted are all carbon. If you had actually read what Mike has been posting then you would know that the group buy wheels are being made specifically for this group buy, Vuelta doesnt offer them yet.


THANK YOU.

As I was the person who suggested that Mike contact Gigantex and see what was available in terms of a new wheelset or two, I was well aware of their current selection...having called them a while back. Vuelta DOES NOT currently offer a full carbon wheelset, as Mike has stated several times, but Skinny can't seem to understand.

That would be post #3, Mike's response is #6, and my response is #7 of the group buy thread.

Sorry to interrupt the pissing match, but does anyone know anything about these? (http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=737)

http://bikeisland.com/images/08-pro-sl2.jpg

1589g, $220.00.

.

Sorry to interrupt the pissing match, but does anyone know anything about these? (http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=737)

http://bikeisland.com/images/08-pro-sl2.jpg

1589g, $220.00.

.

I think those are the ones that were spec'd on my Boettchia that I'm now ridding on my Pedal Force. I rode all summer, admittedly not as much as most of you, on them and haven't had to worry about trueing them yet. I was 195ish in the beginning of summer and about 185 now, for a point of reference. I can't say I've been too hard on them but I have had a couple of good impacts from a pot hole or two.

Thanks Bike Lover. What's your take on how stiff or flexy they are?

So I take it no one has direct experience with carbon rimmed tubulars listed on the group buy?

So I take it no one has direct experience with carbon rimmed tubulars listed on the group buy?

We could not have had experience with them thus far, since they are being manufactured specifically for the group buy.

On my first ride, the wheels pinged a bit when starting. I also noticed a bit of brake rub once on that run during a sprint. However, after that, I never heard a peep, or ping, from them. I also have yet to get any further brake rub. Beyond my experiences I listed, I am hesitant to give an opinion on how stiff/flexy they are as they are my first road wheels and I don't have alot of experience with others.

FWIW, I thought I'd try to get a new set of wheels shortly after I put the bike together. I haven't really found a reason to, until the group buy, that is...

I am interested in trying the CF tubulars in the BD group buy! $400, 50mm CF, how can you go wrong? As for anyone trying these, that's a big no. As mentioned above, these are new that Mike had Vuelta make specifically for this GB. Now, I don't know if Vuelta will make more and sell these seperately, but as of now, they're new. The only thing I wish I had more infomation on with these wheels is the hub.

So I take it no one has direct experience with carbon rimmed tubulars listed on the group buy?

If you're referring to this specific total wheel package, no, no one knows much.

The rims, yeah. There are plenty of companies that use these rims. Planet X, for starters. You can go search weight weenies and I'm sure there will be plenty of reviews of them.

If you're referring to this specific total wheel package, no, no one knows much.

The rims, yeah. There are plenty of companies that use these rims. Planet X, for starters. You can go search weight weenies and I'm sure there will be plenty of reviews of them.


I'm not so sure about that. One of the things that I noticed right away was the lack of a visible weave present on the rim. Now, planet x's first generation wheels had a visible weave, and their new wheels use an "organic" type fiber that looks like it has tiger stripes. The wheels shown in the pictures from the group buy have neither of these features. I asked the bikesdirect guy if this was just from the poor photo quality, but he replied saying that is actually how they are, matte black with no weave showing, except for on the "inside", whatever that means. So, they may be made by gigantex, and they may have been layed up on the same molds, but they sure are not the same rims, or even simmilar to anything out there. This is one of the things that is keeping me from buying them right now. I'm still trying to figure this one out.

I'm not so sure about that. One of the things that I noticed right away was the lack of a visible weave present on the rim. Now, planet x's first generation wheels had a visible weave, and their new wheels use an "organic" type fiber that looks like it has tiger stripes. The wheels shown in the pictures from the group buy have neither of these features. I asked the bikesdirect guy if this was just from the poor photo quality, but he replied saying that is actually how they are, matte black with no weave showing, except for on the "inside", whatever that means. So, they may be made by gigantex, and they may have been layed up on the same molds, but they sure are not the same rims, or even simmilar to anything out there. This is one of the things that is keeping me from buying them right now. I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Well, in almost all cases, the exterior weave is purely cosmetic, and has no bearing on the structural quality of the rim.

I've seen several iterations of Gigantex rims, and none looked exactly alike. But, you could very well be right and these could be made by someone else entirely.

Part of the reason why this could be confusing is that it is tough to pin down who/what Vuelta are.
http://www.vueltausa.com/
http://www.vueltaxrpwheels.com/

Vuelta Chromelites are popular budget wheels in Britain, comparing well to the lower end Shimano wheels.
So far as I can see, none of the products featured in the Vuelta USA site are on the Vuelta XRP site, although both note Andrej Sosenka!

I've seen Vuelta Italy and Vuelta Germany stickers before too. Eek!

The only thing I wish I had more infomation on with these wheels is the hub.

Bingo. Hubs are the big question.

Well, in almost all cases, the exterior weave is purely cosmetic, and has no bearing on the structural quality of the rim.

I've seen several iterations of Gigantex rims, and none looked exactly alike. But, you could very well be right and these could be made by someone else entirely.

Here is the closest match I could find, Karbonas...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FULL-CARBON-50MM-TUBULAR-WHEELSET_W0QQitemZ320191630587QQihZ011QQcategoryZ58099QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Very simmilar looking...

There are a couple of others selling similar rims/wheels:

Carbon Accessory:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Speedmax-50mm-CARBON-aero-wheels-700c-TUBS-RPP999gb_W0QQitemZ120192811507QQihZ002QQcategoryZ58099QQcmdZViewItem

Similar matte black rims, pretty plain-Jane. Some others out there, but I can't remember them at the moment.

Bingo. Hubs are the big question.

I'm planning on replacing the rear hub and throwing on some nice DT Swiss spokes.

The front, meh, whatever. Front hubs of any make are pretty easy to service. Or pop bearings in and out of, for that matter.

Not related, but I might be buying another rim from Planet X to build into a rear for my soon to be purchased track bike. 85mm wouldn't be too bad...

Whats the word on these rims???

Vuelta XRP-Comp SB Wheels
Size: 700C X 18MM
Material 6061 T6 Aluminum
Type: Double Wall
Finish (Color) Matt Black
Braking Surface: CNC Machined Sides
Valve Hole: Presta 6.5MM
Material/Type: Stainless Bladed 3.5MM Black
Count: Front: 24 Rear: 24
Lacing: 2 Left 2 Right
Nipple: Brass CP Finish
Compatibility: 7 (with a spacer) /8 / 9 / 10 Speed
Type: Cassette Shimano
Shell Material 6061 T6 Aluminum
Shell Finish Blast Matt Black
Bearing: Double Sealed Cartridge Bearing
Axle Material: 6061 T6 Aluminum
Axle Type: Q/R With Alloy Skewer
Price on ebay for NIB = $145

They're "OK" for general use and can be considered a low cost wheel upgrade if you have a heavier set of wheels. I recently bought the $200 set, which is the lightest in the Vuelta line with AL rims. I had to retrue the spokes on both wheels, and the hub bearings were set way too tight, requiring some disassembly and reassembly to get them to spin free. The braking surface wasn't as flat as I hoped, which makes for some uneven braking under certain conditions. After the initial retruing, they've remained true. I'm sure I'll be replacing them within the year, mostly to get a smoother braking surface. I'll probably sell them to someone who needs a set of wheels for little $.