Road Cycling - Any Wheel set suggestions?

Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum but not to cycling...I raced mountain all through highschool but now live in the city so have switched back riding primarily on the road. Although I used to be in touch with the equipment, I have lost touch over the past couple of years, just pounding out miles on a 1993 Trek 2300 with stock everything. However, I have just picked up a Trek 5200 frameset and am looking to upgrade a few things. Having said this I was hoping any or all of you could recommend a wheelset for training/everyday riding which are light yet strong as I weigh about 210 lbs. In addition I was wondering whether I should upgrade to the new dura ace 10 spd or stick with my ultegra 600 8 spd. Thanks!

Also, I need a 32 spoke rear rim at least as I ride hard and have broke many spokes on 28 spoke rims.

For just "workout" riding, you might try the Mavic Open Pros. You can have them built for 32 spokes, use a heavier gauge spoke, and for bigger guys they work well. Good solid comfortable rim. A friend of mine is 210 lbs and rides about 200 miles a week and only had to have them trued up once in two years.

I second the Mavic Open Pro suggestion. Go with the CD version for a bit more durability. I have used two pairs and both were bullet-proof. My weight during that time was 225. I would also suggest you go with the 36 spoke hub rather than 32. And 3-cross lacing, as well. Go to the Colorado Cyclist website and check out their wheels. They will build whatever you want for less money than most. And they do an excellent job and stand behind their work. Most LBS do not build enough wheels to be good at it. And they are generally more expensive as they don't buy in quantity like CC. Wheelsmith is another option like CC. Check out their website, as well.

Also, check eBay. Can get some great deals on new wheels. I bought two pairs of Mavic Ksyrium wheels over the past two years and saved about $150/pair over LBS pricing. They have proved to be about as rugged as the Open Pro's I rode before them and about the same weight. But they are better looking IMHO. There are other excellent wheels out there, as well. Velomax, Bontrager, etc., are all very good. Am sure you will hear from others on this. Also, do a forum search.

As far as the group goes, I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra cog or two for your hills. Being that it is Shimano and you generally can't get it repaired if it breaks (like you can if it is Campy) you will be replacing it as it wears out in any event. You can go to DA at that time. Or, make the quality jump to Campy and not be like every other 5200 you'll run into out there on the road. I don't recall ever seeing a Campy equipped 5200. Again, check out eBay for some great buys on groups or individual components.

For hacking around a city, 36 give you an extra margin of reliability. A 36 rear/32 front puts the extra strength where you need it.

I would go to dura-ace 10....got a couple of friends on it and they are amazed. If you could bare the $1400+ price tag then go for it.
Wheels are think the new Mavic Ksyrium SL 2004 is the way to go. There is just no better wheel out there. Check specs for weight limit, but I think you should have no problem.

I hope it helps.

For a complete wheel build check out the Velocity Wheels. I think they are the best value for the $

thanks for your help, any suggestion on shimano vs. campy?

Mavic K Elites.You wont hurt them.

go looking for a 2003 Campy 10spd setup, not only is it cheaper because they now have 2004 stuff in stock and need to offload '03, but you'll have that whole campy equipped 5200 Trek thing going which is cool!

Brendon

if you're gonna shell out $1400 for dura ace, i say go the extra 10 feet and pick up campy record instead. shimano is what it always has been - the best value in components.

my first campy groupo still works like a charm, 10 years later. i've gone through three ultegra shifters since then.

as for wheels, if you're not racing i wouldn't bother with the ksyriums, they're way too expensive. get some ultegra or 105 hubs with open pro rims.

Campy is 10-speed throughout the line. Most folks in the know (magazine testers, etc.) consider Campy Record to be the pinnicle of components. This might change after some experience is gained with the new Shimano 10-speed, but not at the moment. Chorus and DuraAce are generally considered the same, as are Centaur and Ultegra. I prefer Campy as I have always used and I like the idea of being able to repair a part. Something that Shimano frowns on. Their components are designed to be replaced if something goes wrong. Break a part in an STI shifter and buy a new $100 shifter. Do the same in a Campy Ergo shifter and replace a $10 part. Same throughout the line.

Look on eBay, either way. This is the low point in prices for biking and lots of good, new '03 groups and parts there at the moment for good prices. But don't shy away from good used groups, either. Especially Campy, as they can be repaired if not working perfectly.

Another good source for Campy gear is CampyOnly.com. Is a website that contains about anything and everything you would want to know about Campy gear, past and present.

Have fun! And let us know what you go with.

Campy is 10-speed throughout the line. Most folks in the know (magazine testers, etc.) consider Campy Record to be the pinnicle of components. This might change after some experience is gained with the new Shimano 10-speed, but not at the moment. Chorus and DuraAce are generally considered the same, as are Centaur and Ultegra. I prefer Campy as I have always used and I like the idea of being able to repair a part. Something that Shimano frowns on. Their components are designed to be replaced if something goes wrong. Break a part in an STI shifter and buy a new $100 shifter. Do the same in a Campy Ergo shifter and replace a $10 part. Same throughout the line.

Look on eBay, either way. This is the low point in prices for biking and lots of good, new '03 groups and parts there at the moment for good prices. But don't shy away from good used groups, either. Especially Campy, as they can be repaired if not working perfectly.

Another good source for Campy gear is CampyOnly.com. Is a website that contains about anything and everything you would want to know about Campy gear, past and present.

Have fun! And let us know what you go with.
Doesnt that make shimano more money?Bad for us and good business for them.They are a business.

Does anyone have any experiences with Velocity Spartacus wheel sets? They seem to be a price performer and I've read some positive things about them but don't know anyone who's ridden on a pair. All of your suggestions have been really helpful. Thanks!

While it may make more money for Shimano, my guess is it is also driven by the fact that most LBS mechanics are as worthless as most auto mechanics. Little formal training and not the brightest of lights. Just what you would expect for $10/hour and no benefits. They can't 'fix' most gear anyway. How often do you get your car fixed? They simply replace the part and send the old one back to the repair center to actually be fixed. That is why I do 95% of my own wrenching and only let one LBS touch my bikes. A good LBS mechanic is like a good doctor. Very far and few between. The rest are just parts changers who toss your non-working $100 STI shifter with the broken $2 part in the trash because it can't be repaired (they don't know how and Shimano won't let them). While I can sympathize with Shimano, I'll take Campy, thank you.

Wheels?

I would like to throw in a plug for the guys at Colorado Cyclist. They built me a set of Mavic CPX33's with Chris King hubs for under $460. Not the lightest wheels in the world, but they ride great and are very strong for "real world" riding.

On the group - I rode Shimano for years and have switched this year to a Campy Chorus group. I LOVE IT!!!! There is not a thing wrong with Shimano and I am not going to bash them. They make great stuff too. There is something that is so intuitive about the ergo shifting that I just can't explain. Someone already said it - Chorus is most often compared to Dura Ace. That is before the new 10 Spd dura ace came out. I imagine new DA is better compared to Record. If Money is no object you may want to go with the new DA since it is rather cool stuff. Record is alco cool with the carbon fibre cranks, levers, etc. If you are looking for serious race level performance and 10 spd, but are on a more limited budget - get the Chorus - you will like it every bit as much. To tell the truth, I don't notice much difference between 10 and 9 speed. Maybe if I got back on the 9 speed bike I would, but the extra cog gets lost in the shuffle of the other 9 most times. Thats probably since I ahhed it to the extreme end of the cogset. Wheels become a little harder to find sometimes with Campy. They're out there - just a little more effort to get.

On wheels. Someone suggested Ksyeriums - I concur. Mavic makes an excellent wheel. If you want to cut the cost a little you might consider the Mavic Cosmos. A little heavier, but still an excellent wheel. There are some on E-bay - new for $197 "buy it now".

I have to say that everyone has their favs for wheels but there seems to be a two camps, Ksyriums or Open Pros. We have yet to really discuss why. I agree that these are both excellent wheels, but why would one choose one over the other?

Open Pros are pretty much the gold standard, the're a good mix of lightweight, durability and price. I would not rule out your LBS for wheels, very few LBSs build their own wheels today, most of them get them from wheelsmith pre-built. The advantage of getting them from your LBS would be that they might offer free truing for a year, check and adjust the chainline and address any warranty issues. There are other rims out there that are lighter, but are harder to get.

Ksyriums use less spokes and look cool, but there are trade offs. In order to make a wheel with less spokes, the use of a semi aero rim which is stiffer. This is great if you want an aero wheel, but this does effect the ride quality. I believe 32 spokes offer a smoother ride.

If weight is an issue, you could spend a few extra bucks on revolution spokes. I too break a few spokes every year, and the spokes always break on the ends so I don't think butting the spokes will result in a weaker wheel.

If you're looking for speed, semi aero wheels will get you better times in a time trail, but in cross winds, you're going to notice them.

my vote is for campy.

Just wanted to thank you all for your input and advice, as it's all greatly appreciated. Wanted to let everyone know I went with a set of Mavic Cosmos off ebay for $196 for the set. Also, I will be going to 9 spd instead of 10 since it was the economical way to go (who needs a 10th gear anyways?!). I'll post a picture of the bike when it's all set up.

Just wanted to thank you all for your input and advice, as it's all greatly appreciated. Wanted to let everyone know I went with a set of Mavic Cosmos off ebay for $196 for the set. Also, I will be going to 9 spd instead of 10 since it was the economical way to go (who needs a 10th gear anyways?!). I'll post a picture of the bike when it's all set up.

Cosmos is basically the Open Pro. I put a front wheel Cosmos on my older bike during the summer....no problems.

Enjoy.

Mavic is great choice. Especially because they are French. Just as good as their wines.

Good for you. I think you'll enjoy those Cosmos wheels and I think they will last you a good long time. I just bought a set too in Campy compatible as a training wheelset. Had to special order it so it cost me $230 instead of the $196, but I think its still a great value on a good wheelset. Happy riding.

Does anyone have any experiences with Velocity Spartacus wheel sets? They seem to be a price performer and I've read some positive things about them but don't know anyone who's ridden on a pair. All of your suggestions have been really helpful. Thanks!

Yup! i've got a set of Sparticus on right now. Very tough set of wheels. I ride them in the winter months because pot holes become a way of life for us Iowans. I'm a big guy too! (220) I just can't seem to break these wheels, but I'll keep trying! :D