Road Cycling - Wheelsets - Which online outlet?

I'm in the market for DA/OpenPro Ceramic setup. I've been looking at Colorado Cyclist, Excel and Performance.

Anyone had any experience with wheels purchased from these shops and how's the initial setup, truing, quality, etc.

Thanks!
K

I just got a set of Mavic Open Pro wheels (regular anodized AL, not CD), with Campy hubs, from Colorado Cyclist. They were very well-built. I checked them on my truing stand before I put them on my bike and the tension was perfect! I didn't have to tweak them at all. This was my first set of wheels from CC and I'm very impressed. I was going to build a new set myself but after figuring the cost of all the components, I thought it was more economical to get a custom-built set from CC.

I have not tried the other places, so I don't know how they compare.

-Kevin

I've never purchased custom wheels from Excel Sports, but I have from Colorado Cyclist. Colorado Cyclist offers high quality custom wheels at a reasonable price. I know others who are also very satisfied with their custom wheels from Colorado Cyclist.

About 5 years ago I purchased a set of custom mountain bike wheels from Jenson USA and those wheels were also excellent and cheaper than Colorado Cyclist. Unfortunately, Jenson no longer offers custom wheels.

Has anybody ever purchased custom wheels from Excel Sports?

:o

Ed

I have a set of Ultegra, Open Pros, 14-15-14 36 spokes 3 cross from Colorado Cyclist. They have over 10,000 miles on them under my 235 pounds and haven't needed a spoke wrench yet.

If I had time, I'd make them myself, but I have no complaints on these wheels.

I have a set of Open Pros from Excel, built with DT Revolution spokes on Record hubs. They were perfect from the start and still are after about 3,000 miles.

I have a open pro/dura ace/revolution wheelset form excel that I have about 1400 miles on that i like a lot. I have only had to true it once (it was my bad...my foot slipped off the pedal while clicking in...I kicked the spoke with quite a bit of force...knocked the rim out of true)

Good info...keep it coming. :)

I was thinking about trying Performance this time as they offer (as well as all the others) custom/prebuilt wheels and a price point about $20-30 less than the others. I am leaning towards Excel or CC based on perceived experience and longevity in the marketplace and would rather pay a few bucks more and have a "sure" thing than have to pay my local expert wheel builder the diffference to get a lesser product in good shape.

Other experiences?

I just bought some OP/Ultegra wheels built by Wheelsmith using 32 Wheelsmith 14/15/14 spokes. Paid $149.99 CDN for the set. If they are anything like a similar pair of Wheelsmith built Open 4 CD's that are still in service on my beater they will last forever. Look for wheelsmith built wheels seemingly indestructible.

I believe Wheelsmith does make Performances wheels, or at least I have read that on another forum. Also you can get a 20% off coupon number from the hot deals forum for performance, right there you are saving a ton of money on top of the $20-$30 off.

After doing some more research and reading, I'm now leaning towards the Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Seems like a better wheel/hub combo at about the same weight (and a better value, all things considered). More $$$, but I"m worth it ;-). Biketiresdirect has a good deal on them as well.

Now can someone get this rain to stop?

All together my wife and I have 4 sets of wheels from Excel Sports (Ultegra / Open Pros) and two sets from Colorado Cyclists. I prefer the build and durability of the Excel Sports wheels compared to the wheels from CC. While none of them need truing frequently, the CC wheels need truing more often than the Excel Sports wheels.

Howard

I'm in the market for DA/OpenPro Ceramic setup. I've been looking at Colorado Cyclist, Excel and Performance.

Anyone had any experience with wheels purchased from these shops and how's the initial setup, truing, quality, etc.

Thanks!
K

Try Peter White Cycles at http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/Wheels.asp

He guarantees his wheels for life and the prices he quotes are no more than CC quotes. I checked into this a year or more ago, and got a personal reply from Mr. White, quoting the exact price for a set of 36 hole CXP-33's with Ultrega hubs. The price at that time was around $350, plus shipping.