Track Cycling - Custom track wheelset - comments

I'm planning to have a set of track wheels built up for this year. I race track only about 4-5 times a year so I only want to spend about 600-700 on a nice set of tubulars that I hope to last me several years. Here's what I'm thinking:

Campagnolo Record hubs, 32 hole
Mavic Revlex rims
Vittoria Corsa Evo tubular tires

I should mention that I weigh 160-165.

Any thoughts?

Sounds like an excellent wheelset, and shouldn't run you $600 if you take the time to shop around... are you getting Record hubs to match other Campy/Italian components on your bike? If not, you can save a little and get Dura Ace, they're just as smooth...

You should be able to put that wheelset together for less than $600, easily. As Andre said, I would consider Dura Ace over Campy. It'll perform as well and cost a lot less. There are tons of track deals on eBay - as popular as track stuff is, tubular race wheel are still a niche market, so search there and you might find something suitable for very little.

A lot of people have recommended the Dura-Ace hubs to me. I'm a long time Campagnolo fan, but I'll give them a look. I mainly would like to keep an all-anodized wheelset.

Thanks for the feedback.

How serious are these 4-5 races a year going to be? Handbuilt formula/reflex wheels are <$200.

The campy would be my last choice. it's not a flipflop which is just going to be a hassle. I train and sometimes race on da/reflex rea and it's fine but when it comes down to it the reflex hub isn't that much better than the formula. I only got it cause it was cheap as ****.

If I needed new non-aero wheels I would probably go with the formula/reflex prebuilts or something used.
If I had $600 to spend on race wheels to make me as fast as possible I'd get the prebuilt formulas and an aero wheel.

Hmmm. Are you suggesting that I can save more than $400 and still get a decent race day wheelset?

This has me thinking about the possibilities...

Hmmm. Are you suggesting that I can save more than $400 and still get a decent race day wheelset?

This has me thinking about the possibilities...
http://wheelandsprocket.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=8236
On sale for $139

yeah, the only possible difference is the bearings. Some may disagree with me but when it comes down to it it's just not going to make that big of a difference. If you are worried about it replace the cartridges with something nicer and possibly unsealed.

If you are worried about it replace the cartridges with something nicer and possibly unsealed.

All cartridge bearings are essentially sealed. You could pop the plate off the front if you wanted, but I doubt you'd reduce much drag that way. You're right though, it's not something worth worrying about. The pro peloton is full of cartridge-bearing wheels (granted, they're ceramic), and those guys get by just fine.

The stock Formula bearings definitely don't spin like a well-packed loose-ball hub, but I imagine that, like anything else, they get better as they break in and the bearings can be upgraded cheaply and with ease.

Makes much more sense to save the money you'd spend on fancy hubs/bearings, and just put it into getting the nicest tires you can.

Thanks for all the comments - I've actually ordered the formula/reflex wheels. Now I'm wondering what tubular tires you would recommend. I've been looking at a range of Vittoria's. Also, does the Tufo rim tape work with Vittoria tires? Or is it preferable to mount the tire using glue?

Thanks for all the comments - I've actually ordered the formula/reflex wheels. Now I'm wondering what tubular tires you would recommend. I've been looking at a range of Vittoria's. Also, does the Tufo rim tape work with Vittoria tires? Or is it preferable to mount the tire using glue?

I prefer glue. Tufo tape is much easier to apply the first time but after that it's a ***** and it may be slower. What tires depends on your track and what you're willing to spend. On most us tracks nicer road tires are the best choice especially in the rear. Talking to people at your track to find out what works best is probably a good idea.