Road Cycling - Another wheel question.

So, I've ordered my Marinoni Leggero....with a Veloche groupo. I've also chosen to go with Ambrosio built up wheels instead of either Campy Vento's (for only a little more than the Ambrosio's) or the Protons (which were significantly more expensive.)
I decided that I wanted a decent first wheel and considered the Ambrosio Excellence.... But I'm also being offered an option for the Excelight rims (an extra $10 Can per rim) or the FCS (Focus) (an extra $20 per rim). Most of my riding will be fitness training/execise, with very few if any races, but frequent 50 to 100 km rides.

I'm now seriously thinking about the excelights, but am wondering about serious drawbacks. The focus definelty look sweet, however they seem to be slightly heavier, though more aerodynamic.

If anyone has any suggestions, recomendations, or thoughts about any of these particular rims, please pass them on.

My LBS does carry Mavic...but recomends the Ambrossio's over Mavics as the Ambrossio's are less expensive and of equal or better quality. Otherwise he has most of the Campy wheel sets.

Thanks for any input.
Richard

lighter wheels the better. The only time you should consider a heavier/more aero wheel is if you just ride on the flats.

How many wheel sets u looking for? Just one set for everything? or one for training and one for racing?

If just one set, (im not familiar with campy wheels etc) get some decent rims (dont skimp on strength for some weight savings) and get them hand built 32 spoke (maybe 36 rear if over 80-85kg) 3 cross lacing to some solid Campy hubs. If you do a lot of racing, use these for training and get some nice race wheels. BTW, Mavic Open Pro rims are meant to be good for what i just mentioned.

Brendon

I'm not planning on racing. I'm more interested in fitness training, so I'll only be purchasing one set of wheels. From what I understand, the Excellence rims are similar to the open pros, but a little less expensive. As for spokes, my LBS suggested 32 (I'm 160 lbs / 72kilos).

There is around a 30 gram per rim difference between the excellight and the excellence rims. This does not sound like a lot. My LBS wll be building the wheels with Centaur Hubs and ? spokes. Actually, I never even asked what spokes they're using. In all honesty, for a non competitive rider, are the differences in spokes that noticeable.

Unfortunately the ambrosio (http://www.ambrosiospa.com/provajpg/PAG24.HTM) website is in italian. For some English info check here. (http://www.ridecampy.com/newitem.htm?405) If you scroll down the page, you will find the info.

Does anyone ride with either of these rims. If so, what's your opinion on them?

Thanks again.

Richard

i never had much success with ambrosio wheels, but my preference would be the excelight over the excellence. it's a pretty good wim, and lightness does not mean less robust. in fact, i ma given to understand that the excelight is tougher than the excellence.

If I had the extra money, I'd upgrade to Chorus hubs instead for about $35 US. Both the rims are good rims.
If you are looking to save some weight, make sure the spokes are double butted. At least use 15 gauge in the front if you don't want to spend anything extra on the spokes.

Velocipedio, what did you not like witht he Ambrosio's? Would you think it smarter to go with the Mavic open pros....or even the campy protons?
Richard

Is there a large difference between the Chorus, the Centaur and the Veloche hubs. I'm not sure what the cost difference would be to move up to the Chorus hubs, but if that $35US is per hub, then that would add close to $100 to the cost of the bike. At this point...I would have to seriously think twice before upgrading. One thing I noticed with researching all of this is that it's really easy to get caught up in this "it's only a ??$ increase for that piece. Unfortunately, you have to add up all of those extras together.

Richard

i pooched two ambrosio excellence wheels in one summer, both in low-speed, slow-motion incidents. neither was a crash, and one was just a fall-over. in both cases, the rim was warped so badly that it had to be replaced. i don't know if that'd the rim's fault, it could just as easily been the build -- they were built by marinoni. on the other hand, i have never had any problems with mavic open pros. in fact, i ride those offroad in cyclo-cross, and they've stayed straight and true.

i rode a set of ptotons on the road for most of last season -- about 9,000 km -- they held up well and are still straight. protons are good, solid, relatively light wheels.

I'm not planning on racing. I'm more interested in fitness training, so I'll only be purchasing one set of wheels....My LBS wll be building the wheels with Centaur Hubs

Richard, would you consider something a little bit different like the Mavic Cosmos wheelset? The rims are pretty much the same as the Open Pros mentioned above, but what I think is even more important is the incredibly smooth hubs they are built on. If you do a search on the forums on these wheels I think you'll see how many consider these as bulletproof. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the sealed bearings on these hubs are the same bearings Mavic uses on their $800 Ksyriums. I love mine. Soooo smooth.

The mavic cosmos does sound interesting...I'll have to check it out. My LBS will let me change the wheelset before the bike comes in. They seem to carry most of the Campy, Ambrosio and Mavic sets. The Campy's are very expensice :( , and they seem to try and sell the Ambrosio over the Mavic....however it seems that most people here seem to prefer the Mavic's.

Choices, choices, choices.
Richard

Is there a large difference between the Chorus, the Centaur and the Veloche hubs. I'm not sure what the cost difference would be to move up to the Chorus hubs, but if that $35US is per hub, then that would add close to $100 to the cost of the bike. At this point...I would have to seriously think twice before upgrading. One thing I noticed with researching all of this is that it's really easy to get caught up in this "it's only a ??$ increase for that piece. Unfortunately, you have to add up all of those extras together.

Richard

Its $35 a pair, but how would 2 times $35 be nearly $100?

$35 US for a pair sounds alright. That would be a little over $45 Canadian. $70 US is closer to $95 Canadian...

Unfortunately....my Canadian $ doesn't always get me that far. :rolleyes:

But I will look into both the Chorus Hubs and the Mavic Cosmos wheelsets. I'm a little busy at work this week, but will try to make it into my LBS as soon as possible.

Only 5 more weeks till my bike.


Even more important... Only 3 weeks until my new baby girl. :p


Richard

i don't think you can get the mavic cosmos with campy-compatible hubs. having said that, the cosmos are just low-spoke open pros laced to mavic hubs. the spokes are straight-gauge... so in terms of weight, they'll be about the same as a 32-spoke open pro laced to centaur hubs.

onbelay, where in montreal do you live?

i don't think you can get the mavic cosmos with campy-compatible hubs.

Just FYI this is from Mavic's website re: 2004 Cosmos:

"The FTS-L free hub body, in addition to ensuring perfect transmission of energy to the pedals, allows for compatability with both Campagnolo and Shimano."

Richard, I know this is not a fool-proof way to test wheels, but if you get a chance, grab a Cosmos wheel by the axle and spin it, and see how much friction you feel. Then grab whatever other wheel/hub you're considering and spin that and see if there's any difference. That might help you decide. By the way, congratulations in advance on your new baby girl!!!

Thanks rjtokyo :)

I'll be going in this weekend to talk and look at different wheel sets. I'm looking forward to hearing what the LBS people say. From what I've heard, the wheel builder is supposed to be excellent. He's one of the two owners and has been doing it for around 25 years.

Velocipedio, I'm in the West (waste) Island. Roxboro/DDO is the new borough, but it's all one city one island now isn't it. ;) (sorry, a little political sarcasm)