General Cycling Discussion - Sub 1600 gram wheelsets less than $400?

As part of slimming down my bianchi pista I'm going to upgrade all the rotational weights on the bike first:

1) wheels 2) crankset/pedals (probably FSA carbon w/ speedplays)

Anyone know of quality wheelsets under 1600g for $400? Local builders? Online builders? Production wheels? As long as it holds up nicely (I'm 173 pounds). Currently I'm riding stock Alex SOLOs @ 2011 grams for the pair (4 1/2 pounds of rotational weight that just needs to go!).

Check out www.universalcycles.com (http://www.universalcycles.com) , if they do not have a pre-built wheelset that is to your liking, you can select the rims, hubs and spokes you want, they build at no extra cost. I had a set built for my long-distance bike, and have been pleased with the quality of the work. They are both a local and on-line builder for you, they are located in NW Portland. I have also heard very good things about Sellwood Cycles for wheel building, but no personal experience with them for wheels- seem like good guys otherwise though.

HTH

neuvation (http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html)is bound to get mentioned....

I had a set handbuilt that came in at 1609 grams with rim tape for $385. 28-hole Velocity Aerohead on the front and 32-hole Aerohead O/C on the back with private-labeled hubs from the builder. Weight, BTW, was my number-two priority after strength.

Anyway, the point is that it's an easily achieved goal for any competent wheelbuilder.

thanks guys for the suggestions :)


neuvation (http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html)is bound to get mentioned....

do you have experience with neuvations? any good? Looks like I can get ~1300-1400g weight for the pair for a lot less than I'd imagine spending.

guess it makes me wonder why 1700+g wheelsets are being sold for 3x as much by mavic, campy, etc

i bought a <1500gram set for <$300 from bicyclewheelwarehouse.com. i believe the wheels were the blackset race.

easton wheels present a great weight to price ratios on hand built program wheelsets but not quite at the pricepoint looked for by the OP. definetly more affordable than mavics, shimanos or campys.

easton wheels present a great weight to price ratios on hand built program wheelsets but not quite at the pricepoint looked for by the OP. definetly more affordable than mavics, shimanos or campys.

I'll agree. I picked up a set of Easton Vista SL's for $200 (sale) to use as training wheels and was amazed at how good they are at that price point.