Cyclocross - Low end cross wheelset - advice needed

I have been following the "Let's Build a Wheelset" post with interest however I need something a bit less expensive.

I have just started with the sport having completed my 1st race last weekend. I want to get a 2nd wheelset for my Surly Cross Check.

What do you recommend in the lower end category? I am not too weight conscious, however I dont want them to weigh much more than the stock wheels on the Cross Check complete which are:

Hubs: Shimano Deore M510. 32 hole, 100mm front, 135mm rear
Spokes: DT Swiss Stainless Steel, straight-gauge (14) w/ brass nipples
Rims: Alex DA16. 32 hole x 700c

I asked Surly if they would sell a 2nd set of stock wheels but they will not.

Also where do you recommend buying wheels online?

Jenson can have some good deals online. Lots of other places as well.

I'd try to get some mavic open pro 32 or 36h rims laced to shimano hubs. Preferably Ultegra or 105. Performance used to have these for 200 bucks, but now I think they're up to 300 or so.

Mavic Aksiums are considered to be pretty solid as well, though it'll be more of a pain to get replacement spokes.

Since the Surly has 132.5 spacing, you can use a 29er wheelset too, but the rim may be too wide if you want to run narrower than 35mm or so. I think Jenson has some non-disc XT hubs laced to a WTB or similar rimf or pretty cheap right now.

Deals can be found on eBay. I got these this summer for less than $100, delivered price: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130236509663

Jenson can have some good deals online. Lots of other places as well.

I'd try to get some mavic open pro 32 or 36h rims laced to shimano hubs. Preferably Ultegra or 105. Performance used to have these for 200 bucks, but now I think they're up to 300 or so.

Mavic Aksiums are considered to be pretty solid as well, though it'll be more of a pain to get replacement spokes.

Since the Surly has 132.5 spacing, you can use a 29er wheelset too, but the rim may be too wide if you want to run narrower than 35mm or so. I think Jenson has some non-disc XT hubs laced to a WTB or similar rimf or pretty cheap right now.

Thanks- I hadn't thought of the 29er wheel option.

If you want to go tubular
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=142

Clincher
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=47

Thanks again for the tips, I found some wheels that fit my budget, what do you think of these choices:

1.) Rim: Alex DH-19 700c, 36 hole, black with machined sides for v-brake compatibility
Hub: Shimano Deore®, 8/9 speed compatible, 36 hole, silver
Spokes: Stainless steel spokes, 2.0
Nipples: 1/2" brass nipples
Cost: $80.00 for the pair.

2.) Rim: Mavic CXP22 700c, 32 hole, silver
Hub: Shimano 2200® road series, 8/9 speed compatible, 32 hole, silver
Spokes: Silver Stainless 2.0
Nipples: brass nipples
Cost: $120.00 for the pair.

3.)Rim: Mavic CXP22® 700c, 32 hole, black
Hub: Shimano 105® road hubs (5600® series), 8/ 9/ 10 speed compatible, 32 hole, silver
Spokes: Silver Stainless 2.0
Nipples: brass nipples
Cost: $170.00 for the pair.

4.) Rims: Sun Venus 700c black, 32 holes
Hubs: Shimano 105 road hubs (5600 series), 32 hole
Spokes: DT Swiss Competition®, 1.8/1.6/1.8, black
Nipples: DT Swiss alloy nipples
Cost: $190.00 for the pair.

#2 gets my vote, the upgrade from Alex to Mavic is worth the price difference.

Keep in mind that #2 & 3 are limited to 28mm wide tires. If you ever want something wider, you will be looking at new rims again.

Michael

Edit, the Alex (#1) will fit up to 42. The Mavic website states that 28 is the max on the CXP22.

Does anyone know if the Alex DH-19 rim will fit 42c tires or will I need to go with a 29er rim?

http://www.alexrims.com/product_deta...=4&cat=4&id=95

http://velospec.com/components/alexrims/dh19cross

This will help: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

Scroll down to the green & red spreadsheet.

I would say yes, but that 42 is the largest size possible.

Michael

This will help: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

Scroll down to the green & red spreadsheet.

I would say yes, but that 42 is the largest size possible.

Michael

Thanks, that chart is great.

#2 gets my vote, the upgrade from Alex to Mavic is worth the price difference.

Keep in mind that #2 & 3 are limited to 28mm wide tires. If you ever want something wider, you will be looking at new rims again.

Michael

Edit, the Alex (#1) will fit up to 42. The Mavic website states that 28 is the max on the CXP22.

It's true that Mavic only recommends 28mm tires for most of their road clincher rims (Open Pro, CXP series, etc.), but in practice, many people use tires up to 42mm on these rims. I do, with no ill effects. Don't make that overly cautious recommendation the basis of your choice.

If it were me, I'd go for #3 of the choices you listed.

It's true that Mavic only recommends 28mm tires for most of their road clincher rims (Open Pro, CXP series, etc.), but in practice, many people use tires up to 42mm on these rims. I do, with no ill effects. Don't make that overly cautious recommendation the basis of your choice.

If it were me, I'd go for #3 of the choices you listed.

+1
You can run tires much wider then 28's on the mavics. And the mavic rims are a big upgrade over the alex's.

It's true that Mavic only recommends 28mm tires for most of their road clincher rims (Open Pro, CXP series, etc.), but in practice, many people use tires up to 42mm on these rims. I do, with no ill effects. Don't make that overly cautious recommendation the basis of your choice.

If it were me, I'd go for #3 of the choices you listed.

+2

My Felt came with 34mm wide CX tires on Mavic CXP rims. I removed the CX tires and installed 28's for street use. The OP wants to go as wide as 42, that will be a problem.

Michael

I suppose it really depends on the specific tire rim interface, but I don't think a 42mm tire on a CXP rim would be a major issue. Mine work just fine. The casing profile of the same tire is a little better on my wider WTB SpeedDisc rims, but I've never felt unsecure with the CXP setup.

I guess if he wants to specifically run wide tires only, something like Salsa Delgado laced to 105 hubs would be a decent option.

The 220 hubs on option two are pretty low end. For 50 bucks the upgrade to 105 is more than worth it IMO.

Thanks again guys for the help.

I was going to keep the stock wheels for racing with 32c Ritchey SpeedMax cross tires. The 2nd set of wheels would be my commuter/ single-track set with 42c Kenda Kross Plus tires - so therefore I am leaning more towards a wider rim, and am looking at these:

1.) Deore XT M770 32h, Salsa Delgado Cross

http://www.ebikestop.com/rear_700c_d..._3x-WE7269.php

2.) Shimano 105 FH-5501, Mavic A719

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...-_-null-_-null

3.) Shimano Deore M525, 29er WTB Dual Duty

http://www.blueskycycling.com/produc..._F R_Rims.htm

4.) My original 1.): Shimano Deore, Alex DH-19

http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...d&productId=39

For commuting, I'd lean towards original choice #1 (Dh-19 with Deore). 2200 hubs are at the bottom of the Shimano road range, but should still be pretty good. However, they will not be as well sealed as Deore. But... it sounds like you are erring towards buying a race wheelset now. In that case, I'd lean towards option #3 (105 on CXP-22) for racing with the stock wheels for everyday, and with the proviso that I really hate the rim wear indicator on cheap Mavic rims.

I was looking at the 2008 Redline 29er specs and noticed that they use the Alex DH19 rims on a few bikes. I think that I have decided to go with my original #1 option Shimano Deore hubs and Alex DH-19 rims. Thanks again.

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/2008_RL_SPEC.pdf

Build up a set with 32h Deore hubs and Salsa Delgado Cross rims with DT or Wheelsmith double-butted spokes and brass nipples. Inexpensive and worthy of whatever you might want to throw at it. I just built some up, except with the cheap Shimano hubs that came with my first road wheelset. I've been commuting, running errands, riding fire roads and singletrack and generally doing everything on them and they ride fantastically.