Commuting - Different Commuter Wheelset?

So I shifted from a mountain bike to a roadbike to do my commute and obviously to ride more during the weekend.

I've (knock on wood) never had any accidents and bike damaging incidents on either bikebut I'm thinking that if I did, it would most like be something wheelset related (potholes, minor crashes etc) and since I have AM classics 420s (which was more than I could afford but got them anyways), now I'm thinking of either a) getting an everyday wheelset or B) buying a clunker for my commute (which will inturn be better training).

My LBS says that road bikes can take the regular road abuse and to be fair my route (Santa Monica to Venice) is on fairly nice roads.

Any thoughts on this?

What bike do you currently have? I'd just get another wheelset. If you get another bike and you're like me, you'll just want to upgrade everything on it. :rolleyes:

Mavic Open Pros are great all around wheels and super sturdy. Put some Continental Sport 1000s on 'em (cheap, reliable) and you're good to go.

i have an Orbea Orca and (thankfully) since there are not of accident stories posted, I'm just wondering if I'm being under or over protective of the bike or even of the wheels in general.

Commuting will trash any wheels-- there are potholes, bumps, trash in the road. I hit a piece of a driveshaft last winter and trashed a rim (it was raining like hell at 5 am- I couldn't see crap.) If the roads are good, traffic is light and it's daytime, you can get away with those good *sport* wheels. But heavy traffic, bad weather, darkness--say leave those nice racing wheels at home.

Yes, I'd leave the AC wheels for training only. No sense in wearing them down while commuting. Nothing wrong with a heavier, hardier wheel for commuting even on an Orbea Orca.

I've held off buying really nice wheels for my Bianchi EV3 for this reason, and because I commute on my Volpe. The EV3 has Campangolo Ventos on it, another heavier and sturdy wheel, for training. When I do the B.A.K. next year and try my luck in some races, I'll pick up better wheels.

Lots of suggestions for commute-proof wheels in this forum.

A lot of lightweight racing wheels have thin rim walls, great for racing, but they won't last so long on a daily, all-weather commuter bike. Get some 32 spok, training grade wheels. You dont need fancy components but you do need a solid handbuilt set.

I just had new wheels built with older hubs, good double butted s.s. spokes (36) and Sun CR-18 rims (thought about using Sun Rinolite rims). Heavy but the're cheap and will last longer than any machine built wheel.

Much of the stuff you hear around the bike shop and club rides won't really work for commuting. Many in the racing crowd and club scene don't understand why you would spend 150-200 bucks for heavy duty handbuilt wheels, but hit a pothole some dark raining morning in heavy traffic and you'll understand.