Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Need Wheels Recomendations 600-800 dollars

I know the wheel thread has been done to death but give what you feel is the best options in the 600-800dollar price range?

Mavic Open Pro with Ultegra hubs (is this one good)
Mavic R-SYS
Fulcrum Racing 3
Easton EA90 Aero
Deep V (do not know much about these but see many posts in search)

I need a good wheelset but I really do not want to be riding a tank either. I weigh around 240 and dropping and try to ride at least 100 miles a week.

I am going to start riding a trainer though to and I will use another rear wheel for this. So these wheels will only be used on the road.

Racing wheels aren't meant for everyday riding.

I weigh about the same (a few pounds more) and I ride 100-125mi/wk.

I'm currently rolling on an Alex DA16 rear laced 3 cross to a Deore hub (Surly Cross Check stock wheel) and the matching front held up fine but was replaced with a DT Swiss RR1.1 on a SON28 hub.

Your weight and mileage aren't going to kill a pair of wheels if you aren't intentionally ramming curbs or hitting potholes. The Open Pro/Ultegra set is great, although a little noisy when compared to the RR1.1 rim.
The R-SYS is a 16f/20r low-count wheel with tubular carbon spokes; radially laced front, radial non-drive / 2 cross drive side rear. Not the best best for us big guys.
Fulcrum Racing 3 is a 16/21 set, and again... while I'm not saying it's not strong enough, most of us bigger guys don't usually go for anything under 32 spokes for a wheel that's going to see a lot of mileage.
Easton EA90s are similar to the R-SYS, but traditionally spoked 18f/20r in the same pattern.

Velocity Deep V...
You're not going to get anything as light as the sets mentioned above because the Deep V is a bit of a tank. However, in that same respect, you can go with a lower spoke count and not kill them because the deep profile increases the rigidity of the wheel. Deep V's come in just about any drilling pattern you're looking for, so you can get a pair built around your favourite hubs and have them spoked up however you want. If you're looking for a long-lasting pair of wheels that you intend to run a lower spoke count on, I'd go with the Deep V.

I really like my Mavic Ksyriums. I think I bought the middle ones, the SL's. Very light and I've never had to true them. at least not yet. I talked to the Mavic rep at the Tour of CA and he said they were a lot stronger than the 36 spoke Open 4CD's that I was riding then. So Ibought them when I built up the new CF frame. It kinda freaks people out to see me at 280-290 riding that bike. It's over a year old and no issues yet. Weight went up when I hurt my back. I have been off the bike for the last 9 months and just got in my first ride last weekend. I can't wait to be out for real rides and putting in some miles and losing weight again

I'd seriously consider having some custom wheels built up. Here are a couple of mail order shops:
http://www.youngwheels.com/
http://www.williamscycling.com/

Call them up, tell them your situation, what you want out of wheels, and ask what they suggest in your price range. You'll be better off with handbuilt custom wheels that were made just for you. And you should be able to get some in your price range, easily.

Ultegra/Dura-ace hubs (32 hole), doublebutted spokes, brass nipples, Mavic Open Pro rims (or cx-33s if you're really worried about durability, but your list says you don't care at all). Stronger than your list, lighter than many, easier to fix.

Ultegra/Dura-ace hubs (32 hole), doublebutted spokes, brass nipples, Mavic Open Pro rims (or cx-33s if you're really worried about durability, but your list says you don't care at all). Stronger than your list, lighter than many, easier to fix.

Not much of an argument against this choice. I would personally go with the Ultegra hubs and save a few bucks.

Check out www.prowheelbuilder.com they have some interesting choices as well.

Thanks everyone I will do some research on the SL's and the Open Pro setups. I will check the websites out also to see what I can order.

Not much of an argument against this choice. I would personally go with the Ultegra hubs and save a few bucks.

Check out www.prowheelbuilder.com they have some interesting choices as well.

I was on there website and I was not sure which spokes to use. Which ones would be best or does it really matter.

The configuration using Ultegra hubs put me around 500.00 for both wheels which is good price. I used the Sapim SAPIM CX RAY SILVER BLADED SPOKES.

Ultegra/Dura-ace hubs (32 hole), doublebutted spokes, brass nipples, Mavic Open Pro rims (or cx-33s if you're really worried about durability, but your list says you don't care at all). Stronger than your list, lighter than many, easier to fix.

I can't say I've tried a lot of wheel sets but +1 on the Ultegra/Open Pro set. I love mine and they are a lot less than $600. You can get sexy black spokes too. (I weigh 235 currently.)

SurfjimC, that rep was doing what it takes to keep you convinced. I've spoken to quite a few wheelbuilders when I had my Ksyrium SLs and each told me that they were strong but the max seat weight on those wheels were 250 lbs. I'm 205-210 right now and I snapped spokes after 13 months of use on those. That was only part of my problem. The real issue was Mavic takes a long time to get you the parts you need. It's sad to say because their spokes are proprietary- you have to get them from Mavic, unfortunately. Any bike shop that carries them will tell you that they back their products, but it takes a while to get the parts needed. That bothered me because I went from Neuvation M28s to Ksyrium SLs and found that the Neuvations lasted a little longer with my weight and the replacement parts were in my hand within a day or two. I now ride Velocity Deep V's. They are a great wheels and while they aren't light, they are very aero and strong. I've hit a few bumps that would've probably had me at a shop for wheel truing on most other wheels. Not these. If you go lower spoke count on these, they are still stronger than the rest and you'll shave off a bit of weight with the right hubs and spokes. I don't know much about Mavic Open Pros, but a lot of people seem to like them too and I believe that you can buy a wheelset at Performance Bike for a little under $300 with Ultegra 6600 hubs.

SurfjimC, that rep was doing what it takes to keep you convinced. I've spoken to quite a few wheelbuilders when I had my Ksyrium SLs and each told me that they were strong but the max seat weight on those wheels were 250 lbs. I'm 205-210 right now and I snapped spokes after 13 months of use on those.

Rep said they were strong? OF course, OP's are as low as $200 a set with Ultegra. SL's are $600-$800!

I have several friends that ride SL's and better. Not one has lasted more than a year. All have developed cracks around the nipples. One bud even bought the red spoke version cause the rep said they were lighter, faster and stronger. He broke a spoke on the very first ride!:eek: Next day found himself sending two sets of Ksyriums back to Mavic. $2200 in broken wheels? This guy is only 220lbs.

I'm wondering how many miles SurfjimC has on his wheels?

The SL hubs are over rated in my opinion. Regular Ultegra is just fine. Swiss 14g are just fine as spokes.

The SL hubs are over rated in my opinion. Regular Ultegra is just fine. Swiss 14g are just fine as spokes.


Reminds me of another event. I was riding up GMR with another fellow on a group ride. 5000 ft climb. The guy was about 50 lbs lighter than I. He's telling me how I should ditch my Ultegra V's to some SL's like is. So much lighter, faster, climb better. I'm wondering why as he's the skinny dude that keeps dropping off( I was in shape back then!:p). A couple minutes later I hear him shout,"oh CARP!" then he pull over cause his fornt hub had mysterioulsy disassembled itself!:eek:.........Thanks, but never a problem with even the 105 or low end RSX hubs I used when I started cycling.:D

Check out colorado cyclist. They will sell you a hand made set of Ult/OP for <$300.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/display/25350/

Get the rear with 36 spokes (you can get 32 on the front if you want). Tell them how much you weigh. I weigh more then you and have >5000 miles on mine and still have all of the original spokes. :)

Check out colorado cyclist. They will sell you a hand made set of Ult/OP for <$300.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/display/25350/

Get the rear with 36 spokes (you can get 32 on the front if you want). Tell them how much you weigh. I weigh more then you and have >5000 miles on mine and still have all of the original spokes. :)


Sometimes they have the CXP33 for about the same price. Little deeper rim, bit heavier but more than likely stronger.

I have a set of Mavic Equipe wheels that came on my bike from the factory. These are my first set of "Boutique" wheels and so far I hvaent had any issues. Im not a fan of "boutique" wheels, mainly from the special part standpoint; I like to have a nice set of wheels that any bike shop on the planet can fix without having to order parts.

36, 3x, Ultegra, Velocity deep V's. Thats got to be a bomb proof set of wheels!

Here's the ones I have on my bike and I havent touched them since I got them. I'm 200#.
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=37

I have a set of Mavic Equipe wheels that came on my bike from the factory. These are my first set of "Boutique" wheels and so far I hvaent had any issues. Im not a fan of "boutique" wheels, mainly from the special part standpoint; I like to have a nice set of wheels that any bike shop on the planet can fix without having to order parts.

36, 3x, Ultegra, Velocity deep V's. Thats got to be a bomb proof set of wheels!

yup. check out the photo thread. lots of sweet rides with deepVs in this group...i have 36 in the back and 28 in the front

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=478600

Here's the ones I have on my bike and I havent touched them since I got them. I'm 200#.
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=37

:thumb: That's the exact same set I bought ($270 delivered with optional black spokes) and I haven't touched them either! (235 lbs)

yup. check out the photo thread. lots of sweet rides with deepVs in this group...i have 36 in the back and 28 in the front

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=478600

Oh yeah, Ive already eyeballed that thread....some very nice bikes in there. Maybe next summer Ill be able to build up a set!:thumb: