Road Cycling - Wheel choices

So the money is coming back to me. I have to choose on some wheels.

It is new vs used vs used.

Option 1
EW506 - 105 Wheelset
Shimano 105 32 Hole hubs
Alex AT450 Rims - Black
Stainless spokes
Rim Tape

$400.00NZD
by far the cheapest around for a 105 wheelset brand new. 500+ elsewhere.

Option 2
Mavic Open pro CD/CXP11 Rims on Ultegra 9sp Hubs, Butted Spokes, Light use, Very good Cond.
$350.00

Option 3
Every now and then a set of 32 spoke wheels will come up for about $200 with Sora hubs etc. could wait for these?

What would you choose and why? And do you guys know anything about the AT450 rims?

TIA,
Brendon

alex builds good quality rims.. I don't think you would have problems with it.

i would get option2.
open pro ceramic rims + butted spokes + ultegra is a deal at 350nzd

The best advice I can offer is not to get a wheelset with Sora hubs if you plan to ride in anything except perfect dry conditions. They don't have good seals to keep out moisture & contamination and keep the grease in. In my case, problems began about 6 months after purchasing a new bike. Damage to the (irreplaceable) cup races ensued and it was a trial to keep the wheel running at all. After this I checked out hub designs carefully - Shimano have exploded diagrams on the company website. The 105/Ultegra designs are far superior, as one might expect.

I have no experience with Alex rims, but have gone many happy miles on assorted Mavic products.

Hope that is useful,

Cheers,

Ed

I've been burnt a couple of times buying second hand wheels. You've really gotta check out the inside of the hubs (they're not sealed, are they?). Pull the cones and balls out, wipe out all the grease, and make sure the cups and cones are nice and smooth.

So the money is coming back to me. I have to choose on some wheels.

It is new vs used vs used.

Option 1
EW506 - 105 Wheelset
Shimano 105 32 Hole hubs
Alex AT450 Rims - Black
Stainless spokes
Rim Tape

$400.00NZD
by far the cheapest around for a 105 wheelset brand new. 500+ elsewhere.

Option 2
Mavic Open pro CD/CXP11 Rims on Ultegra 9sp Hubs, Butted Spokes, Light use, Very good Cond.
$350.00

Option 3
Every now and then a set of 32 spoke wheels will come up for about $200 with Sora hubs etc. could wait for these?

What would you choose and why? And do you guys know anything about the AT450 rims?

TIA,
Brendon

Regards your option #2: less than two years ago I purchased the Mavic Open Pros on Ultegra hubs from Performance Bike for $230.00, NEW!

Regards your option #2: less than two years ago I purchased the Mavic Open Pros on Ultegra hubs from Performance Bike for $230.00, NEW!

yeah but NZLcyclist is from New Zealand as apposed to USA and i believe 1NZD does not equal 1USD.

i would also suggest not going for the sora hubs. i have them because they came stock on my bike. its worth spending the extra to get good hubs

I agree with everyone else, skip the Sora and go with the Mavic OP. But as one poster said, used wheels can have hidden problems; either you know the guy and trust him or take the wheels to a LBS to have them check it if you don't how.

Regards your option #2: less than two years ago I purchased the Mavic Open Pros on Ultegra hubs from Performance Bike for $230.00, NEW!

You can now get them from Performance for $200... I'm getting the black ones for $210...

not only does 1NZD not equal 1USD, but things can get quite pricey over here. Even with having to pay taxes, sometimes it's cheaper to import from the US...but I dont like the hassle. I dont ahve enough time for riding as it is!

I just looked and the seller of option 2 is about 8 hours drive away (yes, our country is bigger than a peninsula!). I have made a point of viewing anything before buying, in particular frames/forks/wheels.

If I can afford it I shall go for the new wheels. I have budgeted $500 for a rear tri-spoke, 200 for wheels etc. If Mum is feeling generous she might pay for $200 of some other stuff and I'll have $400 for some solid training wheels.

Anyone know of a website for Alex rims?

Brendon

Just dug a little bit up about these rims on the site of the company who builds the wheelset.

RM014 - Alex AT-450 Road Rim
Semi-Aero shaped, the new AT450 road rim with stainless steel eyelets and pinned joint is an economical choice for road racing or club rides. Hi-class CNC sidewall finish is standard.
450 grams 32 Hole

http://reikercycles.co.nz/pics/thumbs/RM014.jpg

http://www.alexrims.com/oe/At450.htm

not only does 1NZD not equal 1USD, but things can get quite pricey over here. Even with having to pay taxes, sometimes it's cheaper to import from the US...but I dont like the hassle. I dont ahve enough time for riding as it is!

I just looked and the seller of option 2 is about 8 hours drive away (yes, our country is bigger than a peninsula!). I have made a point of viewing anything before buying, in particular frames/forks/wheels.

If I can afford it I shall go for the new wheels. I have budgeted $500 for a rear tri-spoke, 200 for wheels etc. If Mum is feeling generous she might pay for $200 of some other stuff and I'll have $400 for some solid training wheels.

Anyone know of a website for Alex rims?

Brendon

its always good to convert your local currency to USD when you post for advice, at least we could compare it better..;)

BTW, are you talking USD or NZD now?

Here, I will confuse theissue even further.

Last week I bought a set of Wheelsmith built Mavic Open Pros (black) laced with 32 double butted spokes to an Ultegra hub for $149.99 CDN, around $115 US.

Shop around your LBS, with all the new wheels on the market they are letting the old standard unsexy wheelsets go for cheap rather than carry the old stock.

Will you guys stop spouting these US online stores? geez.... bad mood tonight sorry. Haven't ridden since Sunday (except 3 commutes of 4km return!)

I can get these wheels online for $400, cheapest around used to be 500 (NZD here) but I can shop around and find cheaper (now have a sort of sponsor)

Brendon