Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Another Light Wheelset Thread

I've been looking at lighter weight wheelset options for a while now, and I'm having a hard time deciding what I want / what's really best for what I want to do. So I'm hoping that opening up the discussion will get me some recommendations I haven't thought of, or some feedback on sets I am considering.

The wheelset is for my Mash, but I'm turning it more into a distance machine as I begin training for longer rides in the coming months. My steel frames will keep their cheapish wheels.

1> Novatec to A23 / Aerohead or Fusion build.
Probably my lightest option without getting ridiculous. Should be good for keeping it light and normal riding too. Something boring about it for me though, stupid I know. I was also looking at chub hubs lately, though the rear hub is probably more than I want to spend, since I can't/won't wheelbuild myself

2> Mavic Ellipse front (20h - $230) - Custom Built Rear Wheel (Probably Novatec to Fusions or Kinlin 300s)
I like the idea of having a lower spoke front wheel, but I'm just over 2 spins so I don't feel comfortable getting the entire set, since the rear is 20h too. Lowest I probably want to go in the rear is 28h. Not sure how practical an sram s60 or similar would be on the front either, if I don't grab something nice for the rear as well.

3> Reynolds Recon (20h front / 24h rear)
I probably would've already bought these if I could find them anywhere. I realize carbon clinchers on the road sounds a bit silly but chrisss and others I've talked to seem to think they hold up just fine, plus they're sexy and pretty affordable considering.

TL;DR version: recommend me a lightweight wheelset for <$700. I'm not really interesting in Dura Ace hubs, but I could be swayed.

Out of all the options I really like the Aerohead. Those laced to formula is pretty great light training wheels.
Seems like you have a big budget for wheels so why not get the Reynolds. They hold up great for training and you can race them.

I can't find them for sale anywhere really. They were OEMs that ended up being sold to outlet stores and so I think my only hope is to find some on craigslist or ebay. no luck yet.

I dream of a novatec (road front, bolt on rear) to kinlin 200, which is cheap and super light weight.... But I have no NEED for another wheelset.

pfft who said anything about NEED

1750g (including rim strip, nuts, and lockring) for $170. (http://www.wabicycles.com/GXwheels.html)

I got a set of Wabis actually, hopefully will have some real feedback for bfssfg in the coming month. I'm really hoping to get a non machined rim and black spokes though. emailed richard about it, neither of those are an option with him :/

aerohead is decently light at around 435g, but the fusion is not.
kinlin XR-270 is a better choice compared to the fusion. only 445g with similar strength to the XR-300.
if you want lighter, XR-200 is 390g, but this is a fairly flimsy rim.
slightly stronger, but still quite light is DT swiss RR 415 at 415g

for the front hub, it's hard to beat the price of a novatec A291 road hub, maximum is 28h, but that ought to be enough for most riders. 70g
or if you want to blow money, go for a american classic micro 58. around 60g.
for the rear hub, just go for a DA low flange, because it's one of the lighter rear track hubs that can also be found for cheap.

For weight savings, it's better to use a light rim with 28~36 spokes, depending on what is available and what the hub allows. spokes should obviously be the lightweight DT revo, aerolite or sapim laser, CX ray variety.

Thanks AEO

I was also looking at Mavic Open Pro CD rims as well. 437 grams, just 10 more than aeroheads, and they look great. too bad velomine builds are the normal open pros and with non DB spokes.

And I know fusions are a little heavier but I'm a little beefier. Fusions about 50g more per, but maybe worth it if I go 24 front?

semi interested in those kinlins, I've looked at the 270s and 300s (which are almost the same weight as fusions anyway), but I'm trying to avoid machined surfaces if I can

As of now, if I can't find some Recons I'm leaning a little towards a Novatec build to Open Pro CDs if velocity isn't going to restock NMSW A23s (still may go mavic)

anyone know the lowest tire you can go to the a23s? I was looking at a lighter tire as well (obviously) and the veloflex Master x22

unless you get really lucky, you are way too late for the recon party...
i saw a "nos" set on geartrade a couple months ago for $600ish that was very tempting, but then remembered that they closed out those things for $300-400 on bonktown just a couple years ago, & put off buying. when i went back for them a few days later...gone.
you can easily build a really fine wheelset with your allotted budget but i think you will be very pleasantly surprised with performance of the wabi wheels. they are not exactly ugly & for "training for longer rides" how they look should not be such a big deal, right?

... I'm leaning a little towards a Novatec build to Open Pro CDs if velocity isn't going to restock NMSW A23s (still may go mavic)

This is exactly what I went with (rims local - if you can believe it they came out cheaper than any velocity rims I can buy here, the rest from Scrod), but a track hub up front too. Sorry, I can't give you any feedback yet as putting them together is my winter project. But they look real nice in their current non-built state.

Put some carbon tubies on dat thang.

Velocity Fusions on Phil Wood hubs for less than $700. http://spinlitecycling.com/single-speed-wheels.htm


I'd go with A23 rims, DT Swiss Competition spokes, Origin8 or Novatec hubs and use the rest of your money to buy beer. Lots of custom builders listed on this forum or over in the Roadie forum.

The A23 rims can take a 700c x 23 tire but nothing smaller.

you can always buy a road front hub lace it to a Open Pro with sapim or dt swiss db spokes. The weight would be: 28H Hub [~110gr] $120 + Open Pro $58 [435gr] + Sapim Laser $24 [122gr] = A GOOD front wheel for $202 + $30 of labor with 667gr

then you can get a nice rear wheel laced with a Open Pro $58 [435gr] + Novatec Rear $60 [282gr] + Sapim Laser $28 [140gr] = Rear Wheel for $146 + $30 with 857gr.

Wheelset Total: ~$408 with 1524gr. Very respectable weight and very reliable 32H rear and 28H front.

they are not exactly ugly & for "training for longer rides" how they look should not be such a big deal, right?
True but as mentioned I have a set of Wabis coming in, so yeah I understand what you mean, but I'm still shallow


This is exactly what I went with (rims local - if you can believe it they came out cheaper than any velocity rims I can buy here, the rest from Scrod), but a track hub up front too. Sorry, I can't give you any feedback yet as putting them together is my winter project. But they look real nice in their current non-built state.

awesome. what'd you pay? I was looking at them on competitivecyclist I think for $80/per


Put some carbon tubies on dat thang.
Those CCs seem like a popular set for people who ride tubulars on the street. I know you're jking, but I did wonder how totally impractical that is a bit to myself. I mean... what do do if you're 10 miles from home and you gash it?


Velocity Fusions on Phil Wood hubs for less than $700. http://spinlitecycling.com/single-speed-wheels.htm


I'd go with A23 rims, DT Swiss Competition spokes, Origin8 or Novatec hubs and use the rest of your money to buy beer. Lots of custom builders listed on this forum or over in the Roadie forum.

The A23 rims can take a 700c x 23 tire but nothing smaller.

yeah I'm leaning towards a novatec to a23 or open pro build. I'm using a set of PWs now (to h+son heavy sobs) so I'm definitely not in the market for another set.


you can always buy a road front hub lace it to a Open Pro with sapim or dt swiss db spokes. The weight would be: 28H Hub [~110gr] $80 + Open Pro $58 [435gr] + Sapim Laser $24 [122gr] = A GOOD front wheel for $162 + $30 of labor with 667gr

then you can get a nice rear wheel laced with a Open Pro $58 [435gr] + Novatec Rear $60 [282gr] + Sapim Laser $28 [140gr] = Rear Wheel for $146 + $30 with 857gr.

Wheelset Total: ~$368 with 1524gr. Very respectable weight and very reliable 32H rear and 28H front.

You know that's not a bad idea. That's a good setup you've thought of there.

Thanks guys.

If Velocity Fusions are the same rim as IRO Cold Fusions, then they won't build into a particularly light wheelset. There are plenty of lighter rims out there.

I vote for Recons 'coz pr0n.

Have you considered no-name carbon clincher rims? They are available on eBay and often times through this forum's group buy subforum.

@yummy: not really because I wasn't really 'set' on carbon clinchers, I just knew the recons had a good history and an affordable one too -- so they're basically the only carbon wheel I've looked at.

I really wish I could find some recons. And yeah the fusions were kind of a lower spoke count option for me, since they're apparently pretty strong and im beefy

Those CCs seem like a popular set for people who ride tubulars on the street. I know you're jking, but I did wonder how totally impractical that is a bit to myself. I mean... what do do if you're 10 miles from home and you gash it?

No problem. Just carry a spare tubie. Do it all the time on my roadie and I get a lot farther from home than 10 miles on it.

starting to think maybe the dura ace low flange (are LF unsealed too?) 28h to DT Swiss Super Comp Butted Spokes to A23s or Mavic Open Pros for the front.

still looking at the rear hub options.

anyone have any experience with Milwaukee hubs?

why settle for a 205gr track hub that you will only use on the streets? A chris king R45 is 102gr and you can choose 20,24,28 and 32 variant and 5years warranty.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=34349

why settle for a 205gr track hub that you will only use on the streets? A chris king R45 is 102gr and you can choose 20,24,28 and 32 variant and 5years warranty.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=34349

I did this with my front wheel. Got a Shimano 105 front hub and (according to weight weenies) it is 150g without a skewer. For $30.

anyone have any experience with Milwaukee hubs?

If you mean these, then yes. Very nice smooth running sealed cartridge bearings.

http://www.benscycle.net/bmz_cache/c/c4acec3a1ca12c3275bf21a907ac5832.image.900x598.jpg

those are them. awesome, thanks for the feedback/suggestions

how much do you weigh anyways?
it's hard to recommend the minimum spoke count you can use for whichever rim you intend to use without it.

I'm just over 200. not going anything under 28 likey. probably still going 28 front, 32 rear.

need to find the weight of the milwuakee hubs now

I'm just over 200. not going anything under 28 likey. probably still going 28 front, 32 rear.

need to find the weight of the milwuakee hubs now
those hubs look like the higher quality builds from novatec or formula with the hollow axle, but since they are still high flange, they're not going to be light. I'd expect 270g or higher for the rear and around 190g for the front.

at 200lbs, I'd go 28f/32r minimum.
I don't know why you wouldn't want brake tracks, but this store is about the best place to order light weight rims from: http://fairwheelbikes.com/rims-road-rims-c-24_128.html

this store is about the best place to order light weight rims from:
Why? Their prices ain't great.

I love to research, did a spreadsheet for a awesome weight weenie wheelset:

I checked retro-gression for the spoke and rear hub, competitivecyclist for the skewer and mavic open pro CD, universalcycles for the front hub. Labor and shipping are estimates.

Product Weight(gr) Price Quantity
Mavic Open Pro CD 437 80 2
DT Swiss RWS Skewer 43 40 1
Chris King R45 Black 103 170 1
Novatec Rear Black 282 50 1
Sapim Laser Black 4,359375 1.1 60
Labor 0 30 2
Shipping 0 30 1
Total 1563.5625 546

Couldn't guess the weight on the spokes are already accounting the brass nipples tho...if not then it should add 50gr tops?

awesome. what'd you pay? I was looking at them on competitivecyclist I think for $80/per


$79/per. But I should've mentioned I'm in Toronto, so that price is a steal for me. For some perspective, one lbs sells a basic black Velocity Deep-v for $89 and another sells it for $100.

<3 you 8bits. that's the sorta thing I had started doing myself but I hadn't done any of the stuff I'd look at the last 2 days so you've saved me some time. I also hadn't considered that front hub at all. I think I could actually get ben's or UC to build me that (or similar) with free wheelbuild labor, so the price estimate is pretty close (maybe cheaper if I grab a coupon, though neither carry lasers). 1600g for good looking, sturdy, light wheels at $500 is prettaaay prettay pretty good.

those hubs look like the higher quality builds from novatec or formula with the hollow axle, but since they are still high flange, they're not going to be light. I'd expect 270g or higher for the rear and around 190g for the front.

at 200lbs, I'd go 28f/32r minimum.
I don't know why you wouldn't want brake tracks, but this store is about the best place to order light weight rims from: http://fairwheelbikes.com/rims-road-rims-c-24_128.html

yeah I was thinking if the rear was under 300 I may pull the trigger on it over a novatec. I figure if they're within 10-20g each of the novatecs I'm okay with it, I'm not sprinting or climbing that much afterall.

fwiw when I was heavier, I rode on a cheaper 24/28 build on some rough roads (2+ years ago) without ever getting into some sh~t and I only remember needing to true them once. I think people play it pretty safe with these strong rims and spoke counts, I think 32 is more than fine on a sturdy rim. though admittedly i don't know much of anything about wheelbuilding, so I'm speaking purely off riding experience.

This is an option: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuji-Track-Pro-Wheel-Set-Novatec-Force-Pista-700c-FIXED-/120824181169?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c21aeb1b1#ht_4142wt_956

I would venture to say that this would be lighter than or at least on par with options 1 and 2 from the OP at a much lower cost. At ~1750g it isn't an incredibly light wheelset, but it will be noticeably lighter than what you're running on your Mash now. I was amazed at how much of a difference it made when I dropped my Formula/DP18/straight gauge spokes for the Force wheelset.

It is made with Novatec track hubs and NMSW KinLin 300's. The current ones available from bdop are MSW (so ugly :()and upwards of $500 shipped: http://www.bdopcycling.com/Wheels-FGSS.asp#FORCE

whoa thanks yummy, hadn't thought of someone parting out bikes. this is why I love you guys.

decisions decisions.

and yeah everything i put on the mash is going to feel like butter compared to this setup I'm riding. the only thing that doesn't weigh as much as a tank on it is my spokes. I even have heavy ass tires on it atm

The Forces are a way underrated wheelset, IMO. I love mine.

considering the all-city sheriff now for the rear. a little pricier than a novatec, but these are nice looking, seem really strong and are 270gs for the rear.

@8bits what was your reason for choosing that skewer btw?

$700 budget and still looking at all city?


edit: jk those things are like 100 bucks

I would prefer not to spend $700 if I have to. Light and strong is light and strong afterall

I picked up the CK R45 in silver though

hamfoh, it was the price/weight and it's a reputable company :)

btw nice choice on the R45, 5 years warranty is amazing and it's the only CK road hub that they allow radial lacing without loosing the warranty.

Buy this: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-components/2012-zipp-disc-track-wheelset-4106.1872.1.html

Then I'll trade you my Recons for them

:)

hamfoh, it was the price/weight and it's a reputable company :)

btw nice choice on the R45, 5 years warranty is amazing and it's the only CK road hub that they allow radial lacing without loosing the warranty.
I stopped the order actually from UC thinking more of 32h with x3 instead of radial actually. I think I still want the CK hub, but I wanted to look at a few more options first (chub hub front is even lighter too).

Did you purposely choose it because it's one of those 'tighter' than normal skewers... skewers. I've never seen one like that in person, but it sounds cool. Not a fan of QR, but if you're going to do it, that seems like a good way

@chrissssssssssssss: lolssssssssssssssssssss

steve at ben's says the set of the milwaukee hubs is 480g, so essentially the novatec hub build price. I'm considering it over really balling out on the CK hub because I'm not sure I need to save 130g that much, but it sure would be nice to have them.

my total wheelbuild would be
Milwaukee Hubs = 480g
Open Pro Rims = 874g
Wheelsmith/DT DB Spokes = 370g (possibly 340g)
Brass Nipples = 68g
Total: 1792g
Price: $345 built

CK setup
CK High Flange Hub: 136g ($152)
Open Pros x2 = 874g ($160)
Novatec Rear = 282g ($50)
Sapim Laser for front = 139g ($41 for 32 sapim laser and brass nipples)
Wheelsmith for rear = 170g ($50 for spokes/nipples and labor)
Nipples = 68g
Labor = $30
Total: 1669
Price = $483

you're still over 1600g with the CK hub, so I wouldn't bother spending the extra.

steve at ben's says the set of the milwaukee hubs is 480g, so essentially the novatec hub build price. I'm considering it over really balling out on the CK hub because I'm not sure I need to save 130g that much, but it sure would be nice to have them.

my total wheelbuild would be
Milwaukee Hubs = 480g
Open Pro Rims = 874g
Wheelsmith/DT DB Spokes = 370g (possibly 340g)
Brass Nipples = 68g
Total: 1792g
Price: $345 built

CK setup
CK High Flange Hub: 136g ($152)
Open Pros x2 = 874g ($160)
Novatec Rear = 282g ($50)
Sapim Laser for front = 139g ($41 for 32 sapim laser and brass nipples)
Wheelsmith for rear = 170g ($50 for spokes/nipples and labor)
Nipples = 68g
Labor = $30
Total: 1669
Price = $483

This is what everyone says when people try to weight weenie their bikes...the difference between a 7Kg bike and a 8Kg is LOTS of money and the curve of money is steeper when it goes lower, but when you rationalize 1Kg or 500gr is not a lot for a non professional cyclist. You can save lots of money just loosing 1Kg yourself ;)

. . . It is rotational weight . . .

scrod would you help me make sure I order the right size spoke, as I'm probably going to have to have the front one built locally at the least.

for front
hub: CK high flange (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=20154)
rim: a23 or mavic open pro

for rear
hub: novatec/AC
rim: a23 or open pro

I calculated 279mm front and back for open pro + novatec. Angie at retro-g confirmed this for me. And Scrod used 279mm front and back for his a23 to novatec wheelset.

The erd of the open pro and a23 are within 1mm, iirc.

(You did post this in AskScrod, but I'm answering here)

thanks guys

if you want to blow money, go for a american classic micro 58. around 60g.


I want one of those so bad.

close to 60, you mean like 58 :p

they seem around $120 to me, doesn't seem so bad

Circus Monkey hubs are light and cheap. Almost picked up a set yesterday for the Ti.