Cyclocross - Critique my wheels

Just looking for advice on a wheelset replacement I have planned (replacing older Bontrager Race wheels). Here's the build I'm thinking of:

(Front and Rear)
Hubs: Ultegra 6600
Rims: DT Swiss RR1.1
Spokes: DT Comp, 3X, brass nipples (I've heard these can make tensioning/truing easier).

I mostly ride singletrack trails, haven't been in any races yet, but am considering it in the upcoming season...just for fun.

Anyone see anything that needs tweaking with these specs? I've been back and forth between the RR1.1's and the 1.2's. I'm 175lbs, so the extra beefiness of the 1.2's isn't necessarily necessary; at the same time I don't want to sacrifice too much wheel strength for the extra lightness of the 1.1's.

Opinions?

I have a wheel built with the dt swiss 1.1 rim and I'll never get one again. It is very difficult to get tires on and off as the rims seem larger than any others that I've ever had. I'd much rather have an open pro rim where I know that I can fix a flat without breaking levers and getting pissed off.
Having said that the wheel has been fine for road riding and a couple of cx races.

Thanks for the heads up. So, you mean the inside sides/flanges of the rim are deeper than an Open Pro? Or wider?

Hmm, this makes me think of another point: the rr1.1 has 19.3mm diameter and is recommended for 32mm tires, max. I've been running 35's on my Bontragers without problem. Any reason to think 35's wouldn't work on these as well?

Synergy front, Synergy O/C rear

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=590

Interesting. I was thinking of getting the wheels through Bicycle Wheel Warhouse. They don't have Synergy's as an option. Know anyone online who does?

There is a local wheel builder here who is good, but pricey (I'd like to keep the set in the $350 range--I don't think that'd be possible by going local).

I would add another Velocity option, the Aerohead/Aerohead OC

You really can't go wrong with open pro/ultegra wheels. It's what everyone recommends as kind of the default cx wheel, but it's true, they're strong, reliable, decently lightweight and can be had for fairly cheap. Open pro/ultegra with butted spokes will run around $250 (if you go silver with everything, cuz silver is cheaper).

At bicycle wheel warehouse they have "Mavic Open Pro Black / Shimano Ultegra 8/9/10 speed - Radial Front" for $190 right now, that's an awesome deal. I think you could get away with radial lacing up front at 175lbs. And the front on that set is 28 hole which I think is preferable to 32 hole cuz unless you're heavy 28 spokes up front is plenty, and lighter than 32.

They are boring, yes, but real solid wheels that won't let you down.

Thanks for the heads up. So, you mean the inside sides/flanges of the rim are deeper than an Open Pro? Or wider?

Hmm, this makes me think of another point: the rr1.1 has 19.3mm diameter and is recommended for 32mm tires, max. I've been running 35's on my Bontragers without problem. Any reason to think 35's wouldn't work on these as well?

I guess that would be deeper... or, they seem to have a larger outside diameter which makes getting tires on and off difficult. It's so tough that, when putting on a normal folding road tire, I need a lever to get the first bead on the rim (before I even put the tube in).

You shouldn't have any more problems with the 35's compared to the 32's.

I believe Velocity sells complete wheelsets, using house brand hubs, through QBP. Look on the Velocity web site under "wheels", road and touring categories. So I think you could order a set through your local shop, and the prices would be quite reasonable, but not bargain basement.

I believe Velocity sells complete wheelsets, using house brand hubs, through QBP. Look on the Velocity web site under "wheels", road and touring categories. So I think you could order a set through your local shop, and the prices would be quite reasonable, but not bargain basement.

Any idea how the Velocity hubs compare to Shimano?

Shimano hubs are pretty awesome...

I'm sure velocity hubs are okay. But I think shimano will have them beat.

Interesting. I was thinking of getting the wheels through Bicycle Wheel Warhouse. They don't have Synergy's as an option. Know anyone online who does?

There is a local wheel builder here who is good, but pricey (I'd like to keep the set in the $350 range--I don't think that'd be possible by going local).

There is an eBay seller named "emacleod702" who always has 32H black Synergy's, both O/C and symmetric for $40/ea.
I bought a pair from him last winter.

Peter White carries a lot of Velocity rims.

Open Pros are really bad rims. Seems like everyone these days blindly recommend OP/Ult wheelsets. i've seen more than my fair share of Open Pros destroying themselves.

Get some Kinlin XR-270 or XR-300's

Oh come on. "Really bad"?

Open Pros are really bad rims. Seems like everyone these days blindly recommend OP/Ult wheelsets. i've seen more than my fair share of Open Pros destroying themselves.

Get some Kinlin XR-270 or XR-300's

yea my open pros have been pretty crappy so far, they have seen a fair share (3000ish miles) of cross, commuting, road, mountain biking and light touring miles. Even with a couple wrecks and dropping the hatch of my car on the rear it is still running pretty straight. the front has only been touched once after the initial build

Any idea how the Velocity hubs compare to Shimano?AFAIK Velocity's hubs are made by Formula. Neither the Formulas nor the lower Shimano hubs are anything to write home about, but spin just fine.

This might be a little out of left field, but I'm also looking at a set of Cane Creek Aros 33's (clincher, not tubular). They're well used (~ 4000 road miles), so might need some maintenance, but they're in my price range (seller is asking $300 OBO).

Anyone with experience on these wheels (or comparable)?

All this hemming and hawing about wheels comes down to the fact that I'm on an Open Pro budget, but want to see what else I can find that might hold up just as well (or better), and doesn't follow the path of least resistance.

Thanks for the tip on the Synergy's (and the ebay seller). I might see if my local wheel builder will let me source the rims and hubs--he used to do that, but the LBS where he works has become much more "boutique" since my last wheel build. I talked to someone else at the shop while the wheel builder is on vacation. They want $89 a piece for the Synergy rims...seems high. And the employee I talked to scoffed at the mention of ordering a full wheelset from Velocity--"we'd never do that" (seems he's not a fan of selling things to people?)--and at my $350 price range.