Road Bike Racing - Wheels

In the process of getting a road bike, I would like to ask you fellow forum members what wheels I should get. I read from your other post that you all lean towards the mavic cosmic, and ksyrium sl. Well i'm actually considering on a pair of american classic c420, not sure if you guys heard of it, but I would like to hear your opinion about these wheels. They are infact lighter then the ksyrium sl scc wheels, but i'm not sure if they are as reliable. My friend has a pair of the ksyrium on his bike, I honestly can say WOW hahaha, but i honestly don't know much about trueing wheels, nor do I have the right tools to fix my bike, so right now i'm looking at wheels that's reliable and cost affective. Any opinions on dura ace wheels as well?

actually, you have another option than just buying wheelsets..

You can have one custom built..

All my wheels had been custom built.. Never got one of those wheelsets since.. nevermind. :)

Anyway, I like the freedom of building wheels. I can choose the rim, hubs, spokes, spokepatterns, etc..

Although it doesn't have the appeal of those from Mavic, etc wheelsets.. My wheels do perform well..

I used an Shimano XTR hubs, DT spokes, and Rigida Rims..

I don't really like building wheels because I honestly don't know how, and second it does cost a lot more than just factory wheelset. But personally if I had the chance to learn, I would most certainly step towards that level.

I have Kysrium SSC... they're not SL or Elite but falls somewhere in between while leaning more towards the SLs. It was the only model of Kysrium at the time I bought it but the the SSC SLs are considered the successor. I am very happy with the robustness and reliability of these wheels. I've had them for over two years and close to 10,000 miles now and they've not needed any maintenance. They're extremely tough wheels. However, that said... if they do break on the road, I'm going to be calling for a pickup from my wife as it will be difficult to replace spokes in the field. Even truing is difficult without use of the special tools (albiet supplied with the wheels). They are also a bit expensive (~US$800) and quite costly to repair. I can't honestly say I've heard much about the American Classic C420 but I do know that American Classic has a strong reputation for quality if that means anything. I will also second dexmax's suggestion for custom built wheels. I think a good wheelbuilder can turn out as strong if not stronger and a higher quality wheel than a factory wheelset. If you're really looking to tune the feel of your ride then a custom wheel from a reputable wheelbuilder is the way to go. It'll also be comparable in price if not cheaper than a high-end factory wheelset.

I have campy Zondas and like them. I would go with them again. I'd like to get a pair of Protons for climbing wheels. I boycott all French products, so Mavics are not an option for me.

The main problem with the American Classic wheels is the bearings, check out some reviews there are alot of complaints about them and having to replace them. I own a few wheelsets, Mavic Ksyrium SSC (2001 if I remember correctly), great wheelset drawback is the spokes are very expensive and not all LBS stock them.

My other set of wheels for my road bike are some custom wheels built by speed dream. With Velocity Fusion rims and White Industry hubs which are actualy few grams lighter then the Ksyrium. Customer service is excellent and speeddream sends you extra spokes for your wheels when you get them and acutal weight is on you're receipt. He uses Sapim CX-Ray spokes, which are extremely strong and aero. He actualy took the time to find out what would happen of a spoke broke if you could still ride the bike.

Another wheelset in same weight class as the Mavic's is the Campy Eurus.
Campy Zeurus is another wheelset in same price range.

Go campy. By the way, Chicago Bike has them on sale right now. Italians are our friends and they make superior bike parts because they don't whine as much and strike all the time.

Or you can get wheels to totally blow your budget. :D

Fir Ronda Corsa. I think they go for around US$2000 per wheel. :eek:

http://www.fircerchi.com/Dati/immagini/rondacorsa.jpg

What happened to my reply in this thread? Any reason why it was deleted?

Originally posted by Timo
What happened to my reply in this thread? Any reason why it was deleted?
There was a database problem and after several attempts to get things working failed, Joe reloaded a backup from a day or two ago.

Have been riding the Ksyrium Elites and find them to be a very tough and reliable wheel. They were out of true when I first got them but have not required any maintenance in 2000 miles of riding and the occasional pothole, etc. Several of the people I ride with use the SSC and SL models (I weigh 200) and they report the same reliability over the past 2-3 years. If I ever get down to 175 I am going to get a pair of Campy Neutrons. But I have to earn them.

BTW flyefisher, I spent July in France watching the TdF, ate only French food and drank only French wines. Spent many thousand U.S. dollars. Mavic wheels are as good as you can get and the French people are just like the people in the U.S., despite what our stupid president (and other narrow-minded people) may say.

Originally posted by bmp
In the process of getting a road bike, I would like to ask you fellow forum members what wheels I should get. I read from your other post that you all lean towards the mavic cosmic, and ksyrium sl. Well i'm actually considering on a pair of american classic c420, not sure if you guys heard of it, but I would like to hear your opinion about these wheels. They are infact lighter then the ksyrium sl scc wheels, but i'm not sure if they are as reliable. My friend has a pair of the ksyrium on his bike, I honestly can say WOW hahaha, but i honestly don't know much about trueing wheels, nor do I have the right tools to fix my bike, so right now i'm looking at wheels that's reliable and cost affective. Any opinions on dura ace wheels as well?
What wheels are on your bike now?

Thanks Roadbuzz :)

The best roadwheels around (but for a lot of money) is a set of ADA's...

955 gram per pair and used by (to name a few): Michael Boogerd, Oskar Camenzind, Danilo Di Luca, Richard Groenendaal (cyclocross!), Tyler Hamilton, Lance Armstrong, Laurent Jalabert, Johan Museeuw, Gilberto Simoni, Jan Ullrich, Frank Vandenbroucke, Leon Van Bon and Richard Virenque. € 3500.00, but production is limited (long waiting list, even for pro's)

Jaja...
http://www.ada.prorider.org/Jaja2.jpg

Virenque...
http://www.ada.prorider.org/Virenque2.jpg

http://www.ada.prorider.org/images/wiel21.jpg


http://www.ada.prorider.org/carbonwheel.html

Originally posted by flyefisher
Go campy. By the way, Chicago Bike has them on sale right now. Italians are our friends and they make superior bike parts because they don't whine as much and strike all the time.
...Do you mean Italians don't strike? Only last year the complete country went down due to massive strikes following Berlusconi's financial politics and problems with the FIAT car company closing several factories. :rolleyes:

Take a look at the Ambrosio rims and wheels as well. Very nice stuff.

Originally posted by Timo
...Do you mean Italians don't strike? Only last year the complete country went down due to massive strikes following Berlusconi's financial politics and problems with the FIAT car company closing several factories. :rolleyes:

He's got an agenda, and he thinks slipping innuendo into his posts will advance his agenda. He may even think we won't notice. There is a political discussion forum, flyfisher.:rolleyes:

***i believe that all mavics are undergoing facelifts for 2004. there are/will be deals on all remaining stock of cosmic and kyserium's now or soon. there are getting new hubs. i am excited to pick up a pair soon!! ask your local dealers.

seriously, cosmic's for $300? how can you beat that. if you see some on a training ride, lift the guy's front wheel (ask first) and spin it and see how smoothly it spins. the goal is to get the best equipment for the least amt of $$$. if that is your goal, even try and stretch to the kyserium's (top of line $600/pr down from $800 now or soon)

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
***i believe that all mavics are undergoing facelifts for 2004. there are/will be deals on all remaining stock of cosmic and kyserium's now or soon. there are getting new hubs. i am excited to pick up a pair soon!! ask your local dealers.

That's good news and bad news.

Good News: New and improved models. Older but still good models going for cheap.

Bad News: My current Mavic wheels are still doing so well that I don't have an excuse to pick up any new wheels. :(

How do you get around equipment lust when what you have is working perfectly fine?

Originally posted by khuon
How do you get around equipment lust when what you have is working perfectly fine?

A budget cut, perhaps? :D

Khuon, Khoun,Khoun,
you disappoint us. I mean, really, it's not that hard. Everybody needs two sets of wheel. You need a set for everyday use, and a superfine set for 'Sunday go to meeting'. Or at least that's what I am gong to tell my wife (Ouch! Hey! Cut that out!) :D

Originally posted by don d.
He's got an agenda, and he thinks slipping innuendo into his posts will advance his agenda. He may even think we won't notice. There is a political discussion forum, flyfisher.:rolleyes:
...Aha, I didn't notice his agenda before. Just curious why he made that comment. Thanks for pointing out, I will ignore such messages from now on.

Regards,
Timo

The Italians strike too (one of the first words I learned in Italy was 'fare lo sciopero'). But they whine less. You may not like our president but at least he has the cojones to stick by his convictions and tell rogue states where to go. The last guy just rolled over and appeased everyone from North Korea to the Sudan.

As for Mavics, I agree 100% they are great wheels. I have a pair now that are 10 years old and they still show no signs of aging. But they are still French and having also spent time in France I am even more convinced that they tend to be very contrary, i.e. they'll generally contradict the US just to spite. That's why I no longer buy their products.

Politics aside, campy is still better.

Originally posted by flyefisher The Italians strike too (one of the first words I learned in Italy was 'fare lo sciopero'). But they whine less. You may not like our president but at least he has the cojones to stick by his convictions and tell rogue states where to go. The last guy just rolled over and appeased everyone from North Korea to the Sudan.
...Aha, before I ignore this guy just one more reply. Do you know how to read and do you know the meaning of words? I said Italians do strike and all over sudden you bring in my pressumed opinion regarding your president and then you bring in roque stats, North Korea and Sudan. Did I miss something? Please feel free to buy Italian because they are your political friends, but don't annoy us with it :rolleyes:

flyefisher, A member of flat earth society???
Dubya's little helper.

Mavic wheels are the bee's knees.
Only problem with them is they last so long that you'll find it hard to justify another pair.

That said there are plenty of other companies that make decent wheels which will last.
Don't know anything about american classic raod wheels but their MTB hubs seem to come highly recommended.

uhm, Gentlemen lets keep the politics over in the "Policital
rants and flameWars" thread ok?

Are the $300 mavic wheels COSMOS and not COSMICs?
thats more in line with what I'd expect to see.

How do you get around equipment lust when what you have is working perfectly fine?
you don't. The way it works is you continuously want more,
newer, better "stuff" till you realize that its all cr@p and you buy
a mid 70's Bridgestone, grow your hair long and join critical
mass.

:D

Marty

Originally posted by lotek
you don't. The way it works is you continuously want more,
newer, better "stuff" till you realize that its all cr@p and you buy
a mid 70's Bridgestone, grow your hair long and join critical
mass.

Now you're just scaring me... especially the very last part. :eek:

Gilligan had a nice pair the Professor built up for him. Member?

Bridgestone made some nice bikes, Khoun. A few used tubing designed for bicycles; and those were very nice.

cosmos, cosmics. either way, it is now a discontinued line. no 2004 line.

Originally posted by late
Bridgestone made some nice bikes, Khoun. A few used tubing designed for bicycles; and those were very nice.

Oh, it's not the Bridgestones I had issues with. As a matter of fact I really liked and admired the MB-* and XO-* line of bikes.

My LBS whom I do trust swear by the Ksyrium SL. They claim they put a 275#er on a LiteSpeed with those wheels and have had no problems.

They're also the guys who built my "modern" (at least for me) wheels which are Chorus 8 on Mavic OPs. A wheelset that could certainly be raced and I've had no problems with even though I let my weight get over 250# a year ago (lighter now but certainly not a lightweight).

My other wheelsets are Campy Moskva 80 rims and Record hubs and Campy Omega (sewup) and early Chorus hubs.

Those Ksyriums are VERY expensive btw.

Marty, I'm with you on Bridgestones though I've never owned one. Long hair would be cool too..but Critical Mass?

Speaking of wheels, I built up a pair of wheels using the classic Mavic MA2 rims and Campy Veloce hubs. They're shiny and beautiful, much more so than those carbon thingys!

Unfortunately, the rims are too wide (19.5mm) for my Cannondale CAAD3 frame! I can't get the rear rim dished enough to center it in the rear triangle just right. It's probably around a half-centimeter off and nobody notices it unless I point it out to them but it really bugs me!

It doesn't affect the ride or handling any and I had no trouble centering the Campy dual-pivot brake arch over the wheel. Any suggestions, besides new rims? I thought most rims would be about the same but apparently they're not!

There was a major difference between the Cosmics and
the Cosmos wheels. Cosmos was bottom of the line
prebuilts. Cosmic (and Cosmic Carbone) were top of the line
prebuilts.

As for bridgestone, Long hair and critical mass, very tongue
in cheek there, forgot the smilie.

Marty

sorry. i didn't even know there were cosmo kramers AND cosmic charlies.

i owned a bridgestone RB-1 in the 80's and early 90's.