Road Cycling - Wheels...a tough decision...(help)

Hey folks, I'm getting ready to upgrade my wheels. I'm riding a 2003 Bianchi XL Boron frame, which I bought recently, and the 36-spoke old wheels I've been riding on just aren't going to cut it.

I've narrowed my choices to two wheelsets, both available for around US$500 or so. I'm thinking Campy Zondas or Ksyrium Elites. The Zondas are a hair lighter, have Record hubs and are beautifully Italian, but Ksyriums are proven to be really great wheels as well. In the event that some others out there have some good recommendations, or that I have failed to consider something I don't know much about (like ease of repair), I'd love to hear everyone's suggestions.

FYI, I run Campy on the bike but it is a bit of a mix, including some Veloce, Chorus and Record parts.

Have you looked at the Shimano Dura-ace wheels? You can get them brand new for a little over $500 off of ebay.

pletcgm, I just can't bring myself to put Shimano wheels on my otherwise completely Italian machine. It just wouldn't sit right in my head. My wife runs Shimano though so I'll remember that when she wants a new pair of wheels!

I wouldn't trade my Eurus wheelset for Ksyriums and the Zonda's look to be just a slightly more economical incarnation....

http://www.cbike.com/campy.htm

What exactly about the 36 hole wheels won't cut it?
Is it just wanting high zoot boutique wheels, or
are the old ones really heavy clunker wheels?

what I'd do, is have a set of wheels made, using
mavic open pro's or reflex (if you like tubulars), with
your choice of hubs.

I see you are in Lewisville, Talk to David at Bluebonnet
(if he is still there on weekends), or go up to
Richardson Bike Mart. (they also have some nice used
wheelsets).

Marty

lotek: while I don't care much for the weight of the 36-spoke wheels, that isn't my only reason for upgrading. another reason is because they will not completely true. i think dave and adam have both given it a shot and they got it pretty close to true, but on descents close doesn't feel too great at over 40mph. another reason for upgrading is that the wheels are old mistral wheels that came on the bike used and the braking surface doesn't do a very good job in the rain. when it comes to weight, these suckers are pretty heavy so that is certainly also a consideration. if i wanted high zoot boutique wheels i'd be going for the higher end ksyriums or campys. i just want something that i can depend on and that i can use for recreational riding as well as competition. now that i'm doing triathlon, speed is more important to me than it used to be, and i can't afford zipps!

Another option check out speeddream's wheels, they are handbuilt wheels. Are lighter then the Ksyrium Elites and use standard parts so easier to repair in long run. I know I bought a set completely black to match my bike. They are beautiful wheels and are still true after a year, I also own a pair of Ksyrium SSC's and I actualy prefer riding my speed dream wheels.
Check out the reviews at road bike review.
http://www.roadbikereview.com/Wheelsets/Speed,Dream,Wheels,Aerolight/PRD_33166_2490crx.aspx

Ok, I didn't mean to sound condescending with
the high zoot stuff. I agree if you can't keep em true,
and can't brake safely get new wheels.

Interestingly when you look at wheel weights some of
the older tubular wheels are lighter than the new stuff.

I have read some recent reports of the American Classic
A420s having problems, can recall specifics right now
but I'd stay away from those. I still like the idea of
custom built wheels.

Dave had a set of Neutrons last time I checked and he
was just lovin them (this was a while ago tho).
I forgot to mention in last post, if you did put shimaNo
wheels on your bike, the mix of italian and japanese
components would cause cataclysmic cozmic discordance
roughly equivilant to WWII.
Ask Dave what he thinks of shimaNo. :lol:
by the way, tell him Marty says hi.
Did you do crosstimbers ride? if so how was it?

Marty

Go for the Campy wheels. They are nice wheels and since its an all Italian bike so far....you just gotta go Campy.

Put a set of Ksyrium Elites on my all Italian ride (Scapin with Record 10-speed group) and like just fine. Lighter than my Open Pro 36/Chorus wheels and I can tell the difference in the hills I ride over by Philadelphia. But, that said, I will treat myself to a pair of Campy Neutons as soon as I shed another 20 pounds and stay under 170. Italian all the way. Enjoy!!

hehe, i think that entire bike shop would probably agree with dave too! i'm not a Shimano hater, but i definitely prefer Campy. i appreciate the info on the speed dream stuff from Kev, because that is something i wouldn't have known about from anywhere else. that being said, i'd have to check out the probs with the bearings before buying. great price for incredibly light wheels, but again i want to feel confident in their reliability and build quality. looks like everyone likes the campys so far. that's where i was leaning so that is probably where i'll start. thanks everybody!

Jeremy

Speedream wheels have not come with American Classic hubs in over a year. I asked him about that when I purchased my wheels, he said that he did realize the problem with the american classic hubs, so before selling any wheels he would repalce the bearings in them to fix that problem, but has since switched hubs. Mine came with White Industry hubs, which have been wonderful! He is not a stickler for hubs/rims he will periodicaly change when new products come out. Only way to get the current setup is to talk with him. Just taling with him is fun, check out the reviews on his MTB wheels, his customer service is excellent.

Go campy, keep your bike italian.

No brainer, Campy sprockets don;'t fiton Shimano free hubs so your choice is either the campy wheels or the mavics.

If you're doing tri athlons as well then go for the Ksyrium Elites.

I hope I don't get bashed for this, but what's wrong with wanting new wheels just because they're cool? I mean, people put new rims are their cars, SUVs, and motorcycles.

I have the Alx rims that came on my Specialized. They look pretty good, surely aren't the very best by any stretch, but I'll have no hesitation to buy a new wheelset soon. For me, any higher end set will be better performance-wise, but I see nothing wrong with wanting a carbon disc or spoke wheel, or any other for asthetic reasons. I'm looking at 4 spoke Corima and a 4 spoke Spynergy wheel that I just think would look so damn cool on my bike. The result would be that I'd like my bike that much better and want to ride even more.

itschris, i don't think anyone thinks there is anything wrong with sprucing up the looks of the ol' steed. and you're definitely right about how you feel about your bike. it has often been said, a perceived advantage is still an advantage. if you feel faster, you probably are even if it is just a little bit because attitude is an important factor in your riding. having said that, i'm sure most of us know what a poser is. when i road the Tahoe century last year i saw guys pushing their lightspeeds up the mountain roads. if you can't pedal up the switchbacks, you are probably going to look a lot sillier pushing a $4000 lightspeed up the mountain than if you were pushing a trek 1000. but what is most important is how you feel about yourself and how much confidence and joy you have in your bike, regardless of how you look. and hey, i'm sure we can all appreciate the beauty of a great looking bike!

I totally agree. Honestly, no one I really know, my friends at least, have any idea about bikes. They can't nor would they even notice that my bike is any different than any bike hanging from the ceiling at Wal-Mart. So I have no one to impress. That being said, there is something about the pschological factor you talk about and I find that it's very true in a lot of different things. Now that I've become more knowledgeable about the sport, I find it cool that I have some of the same equipment on my bike that the guys in the magazines who I admire have. Some do buy things just to be cool, others buy things just because THEY think it's cool. Excellent response.

Itschris-if the 4 spoke Spinnergy you mention is the RevX (and I imagine it is), do yourself a favor and stay away from 'em. They can (and do) go pretty far out of true, and once that happens you can put a fork in 'em. All the older RevX wheels we've seen in our shop have exhibited this behavior to some degree. Today I had a set that was out about 1/8" on either side.

I think we all have bought something because they look cool, anyone who owns a set of carbon cranks :)

The way things usually work for me is that I get into something, and pretty much immerse myself in it. Since I just started getting into triathlons, I've gone out and bought every magazine I could find. I see things that look cool and interesting and initially those are the things I think I need, then I learn all I can about it and then try to make an informed decision as opposed to one out of pure excitement. Case in point - the rims. After writing in this forum yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time researchng and trying to educate myself about what wheelsets are available and the differing reasons for having each. Now just one day later, I've already determined that for me, it'd be rather silly to get a 4 spoke rear rim. I'd be far better served to get a more "traditional" spoke set. There's countless options to choose from that will allow me to select a wheelset that balances performance, utilization for me and the way I ride, and appearance. As always, your opinions, suggestions, and experience are welcome.