"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Aluminum aero tubulars?

So I've got a tax refund coming in, and I've been lusting after a new wheelset. I was wondering whether it was worth building up some aluminum aero wheels, or whether I'm better off saving my money until I can afford carbon. Right now, I'm doing most of my training on box-section tubulars that I built up for cross. I really like the ride quality, but they're noticeably slower on the flats than my crappy Ultegra clinchers (WH-R600).

I'm wondering if it's a terrible idea to build up some aluminum aero wheels. I was looking at the Velocity Pro Elite rims, which are basically the tubular version of the Deep V. However, the weight is a little absurd - 582 g, compared to 375 g for a Mavic Reflex. I'd be building them up with bladed spokes, either Sapim or DT, and probably lacing them to Dura-Ace hubs, although I've also considered DT 240s.

Would that be a wheelset worth owning? Last season, I mostly raced crits, where the weight wouldn't be such a big deal, but I'm trying to make it out to a lot more RR's this season. Is it going to be impossible to spin these up when the pack surges? Will they put me at a disadvantage vs. either of the other wheelsets I own? Are Deep Vs/Pro Elites even appropriate rims for road racing?

Personally, I'd save the money. Sounds like you've got two sets of serviceable wheels.

30mm deep aluminum rims are not going to be a whole lot more aero. So rather than paying a fiar chunck of change for at most a very marginal improvement, save toward something more worthwhile.

Or better yet, if you don't already have a power meter , get the PT Comp deal on Competitive Cyclist.

There's a thread going right now. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=506538
Apparently there are those who say the weight of your rims doesn't matter. I say those Velocitys sound heavy.

Or better yet, if you don't already have a power meter , get the PT Comp deal on Competitive Cyclist.

Yeah, if it's still around when I get the money, I might do that. I'd want to re-lace the hub to a tubular, though - I've been training on tubs for the last few months, and I'm totally hooked. :D

Yeah, if it's still around when I get the money, I might do that. I'd want to re-lace the hub to a tubular, though - I've been training on tubs for the last few months, and I'm totally hooked. :D

http://www.forumspile.com/Blank-Picard_Facepalm.jpg

I recommend you try and find some older Campagnolo Shamal type wheels. Many of those came in tubular because they were popular with TT riders. I'd imagine the original Shamal was reasonably aero, although I can't say for sure. FIR and Gipiemme made similar wheels such as the Super Rialto and the Tecno 416 (this one is still available and also as a tubular - the key is finding the distributor...).

i saw a 40 mm deep aluminum wheelset that wasn't too heavy but i can't remember who made it. anyone else know?

OP... how about these? (http://cgi.ebay.com/C6-CARBON-FIBER-TUBULAR-ROAD-BIKE-WHEELS-WHEELSET-700C_W0QQitemZ350138149349QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item350138149349&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

i saw a 40 mm deep aluminum wheelset that wasn't too heavy but i can't remember who made it. anyone else know?

Probably the Soul 4.0, but that's a clincher wheelset. 41mm, 1680 grams.

OP... how about these? (http://cgi.ebay.com/C6-CARBON-FIBER-TUBULAR-ROAD-BIKE-WHEELS-WHEELSET-700C_W0QQitemZ350138149349QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item350138149349&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

Oooh, those look nice. When my tax refund comes in, if they're still around, it'll be those or a Powertap!

So I've got a tax refund coming in, and I've been lusting after a new wheelset. I was wondering whether it was worth building up some aluminum aero wheels, or whether I'm better off saving my money until I can afford carbon. Right now, I'm doing most of my training on box-section tubulars that I built up for cross. I really like the ride quality, but they're noticeably slower on the flats than my crappy Ultegra clinchers (WH-R600).

Maybe the hubs are mis-adjusted

there are the h+son sl42's.. they are coming out with a tubular at some point.....

The H+Son rims are very expensive, heavy and not proven. I'd rather go for Gipiemme's or NOS FIR or Campagnolo rims. I think the tubular part of the equation limits the OP to one rim in current production, namely the Gipiemme Techno 716. But Gipiemme does not seem to have US distribution atm, so you would probably have to get them from Europe.

Yes, I've read some pretty disturbing reviews on the H+Son rims, and they were really made to appeal to the fixie hipster crowd for bling, not to racers for speed.