Road Cycling - Where to stop? - need wheelset advice

I've got a 98 Klein Stage Comp w/all 105's and average Matrix wheels (I think made by Trek as they own Klein).

I'm loooking to upgrade the wheelsets and need your advice.

When purchasing wheels, I'll probably need a new rear cog also, correct? Should I upgrade from 8 to 9spd, then I'll need a new rear derailer (new shifters?) or should I buy one of the "upgrade kits"? My goal in all of this is to get a little weight off my bike (I need more on my body :-) - I'm one of those wackos that can eat anything/everything).

You can see where I'm going with this. What exactly will I need in replacing a set of wheels? What wheels would you all recommend (I've seen some of your rides and know you have some opinions on this!)? What's the next best upgrade? Fork? Move up to Ultegra?

Btw, I'm 6' tall and weigh 150 lbs and end up riding a lot of hills/rollers and ride 100-150/wk.

Thanks!!!

You do not need to replace your cassetee just because you want to upgrade your wheels. However you will if you switch to 9 speed. Is your nine speed broken or do you just want to switch?

I would that a set Mavic Ksyrium would do you just find. I ride a set and Helium's and love them. If you are looking to upgrade the fork and groupo, it might be cheaper to upgrade the whole bike. But if you want to upgrade, a carbon fork would a good start. As far as the groupo goes, if you have the 8 105, I would upgrade to 9 Ultegra.
Dave

Yes, I currently have an 8spd, but don't necessarily need a 9, unless you've found it better to have one more cog.

I have a carbon fork (steel steerer - Trek Icon) and can probably do better/lighter.

I've thought about selling the whole rig and starting over, but I really like the Klein gradient frame (gradient tubing/nice paint job).

Thanks!

Hi,
not to be crass, but you can get a wheel for $100 and you can prob find a wheel for $1K...... What's the budget? Btw, the current issue of Bicycling reviews several wheels.

I'd like to stay around $400.00.

Hi,
do a search of the archives here for $400 wheelsets. You'll see opinions on
Velomax's Circuit Comps. Bontrager Race Lites, and a few others.
Hopefully one of them won't be 'average'.

Get the Gipiemme Grecal Parade wheels. I have them on my bike and I think they ROCK! They are a cool 16 spoke design and they look good.

I did a search and found some good info earlier but my question also included info about other items that could/should be included in the upgrade etc.

Thanks for the advice.

I noticed that one place had decent buy on a 9sp upgrade of rear cog/der/shifters which I may consider also.

It's like playing "the hip bone's connected to leg bone, the leg bone..."

It's all good though :-)