Road Cycling - Bontrager VS Shimano Wheelsets

I'm looking at a couple different bikes and it seems like a big difference is the wheelsets they come with. For instance the Litespeed's come with Shimano wheelsets and Trek's come with Bontrager. Do you guys have any preferences on these wheelsets? (We're talking about 1.5-2G packaged bikes ... the Shimano wheelset with like 8 spokes)

Which bike is a better fit when you went for a test ride? That's what i would base my purchase off of...You can always throw the wheels & tires on ebay if you end up wanting a different wheel & tire combo. I see people doing that all the time. It's far better than not being happy with your bike.

I agree with the point hta fit is most important... as far as wheelsets go.. I am riding the Shimano R540's and they have been great for nearly 700 miles now... I've heard decent things about both wheelsets... they are both good, slightly above entry level sets...

good luck

Jeff

I'm looking at a Trek 2200 or the Litespeed Vela(haven't test ridden this one yet). AL frames seem really nice ... I like the feeling over steel frames (I test rode a Lemond). Klein's are also nice, but they're a little more expensive.

As of now I'm leaning towards the 04 Trek 2200 (test rode a 03 2300 and I loved it), but I want to get on a Litespeed and see how they ride. I guess I shouldn't look at the wheelsets, but how it feels instead.

We bought an 03 Trek 2200 for my wife and so far she loves the bike. She got it fit properly at the LBS, so that was important.:D

I had a Litespeed Vela that I loved... until this happened when a car pulled out in front of me...

http://webpages.charter.net/notjohndavid/bike3.jpg

Dont like the shimano's.Bontragers are pretty nice.

LItespeed's Capella cameout 2nd (to a C40) in Cycling Plus Race bike Of the Year competition.
Bearing in mind that the geometry of the Vela and Capella are similar I'd go for the Litespeed ( I would would'nt I, beeeeeitch).
Never liked the Al Treks and always prefered the feel of Cannondale over them anyday.

Originally posted by Ritalin
I had a Litespeed Vela that I loved... until this happened when a car pulled out in front of me...

http://webpages.charter.net/notjohndavid/bike3.jpg
holy ouch. how did your body fare in that crash?

what are you riding now?

My hybrid hit 838 miles tonite, the rear wheel was destroyed after 14 miles so has less than the front but both are over 800 miles. They are used mostly on crushed gravel tow paths, but have seen a bit of asphalt, I have gone off trails and through grassy areas, and I am a clydesdales working on my aspirations of a palamino!!! The rims are still true, and in twanging the spokes seem very evenly tensioned even after all those hard miles, and not having touched the spokes. Don't know Shimano wheelsets, but have gone through a set of mavics in my younger and lighter years and found them not nearly as durable as the Bontragers have been!

I can't seem to find any online stores that sell Bontrager wheelsets. If I bust up a wheel will it be hard to get a replacement for a decent price?

Try this link for dealers and auctions for Bontragers
http://www.qbike.com/manufacturer/Bontrager/

i've heard that people hate the wear of bontrager hubs and swear by the shimano. again, this is a hub that you'd want to last many seasons. i have no firsthand knowledge though, only stories.

Lite speed Capela and Vela feature the same frame.
The only diffrence is the groupo.

BTW I have the vela and it is a ROCKET SHIP!

It accelerates like nothing I have ever ridden
in part because of the wheels shi540's.
Highly recomended.

Bontrager is one of Trek's "house" brands. Any Trek dealer would be able to get you a replacement if something were to go wrong. That is also why you don't usually see them on anything else besides Trek bikes.

That's right. We bought our tandem (Trek T2000) from the LBS. It came with a Bontrager Tandem wheelset. We had a little spill & destroyed the front wheel. I took it to the LBS. They said the spokes & hub were fine. So they ordered a new rim and moved the spokes & hub to the new rim. It cost $120 & took about 2 weeks to get the rim in. They gave us a loaner wheel to use in the meantime (wheel didn't match the rear, less psi than the rear tire, but we could still ride). Your Trek dealer will be able to help you out. I've read elsewhere that Bontrager wouldn't break up a wheelset, so at first thought that we'd need at least 1 whole wheel if they would break it up & we may have to get a whole set, but the LBS took care of it. They ordered the rim on the spot while I was there with the damaged one..

ok, I figured any trek dealer would be able to get a new wheel if something happened, but at what cost? Are they going to charge me $300 for a new wheel? With the Shimano's I can get them readily online and at various prices.

The 04 Vela looks enticing. It would match my Stumpjumper. :D

http://www.jamesfong.com/img/random/fsr05.jpg

http://www.jamesfong.com/img/random/bike_vela.jpg

Lame or neat?

I agree the '04 Vela is very appetizing
but for $1200 the '03 cant be touched
go test ride one you won't will leave with it
most dealers are blowing them out

Originally posted by hcivic91
I agree the '04 Vela is very appetizing
but for $1200 the '03 cant be touched
go test ride one you won't will leave with it
most dealers are blowing them out

ya I need to get in a shop and ride a litespeed. I've test ridden Trek, Lemond, and Klein so far.