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01-29-05, 02:23 AM
Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. I feel like I've found
bikeweenie heaven.
Been racing since the early 80's and finally this year, I retired my '86
Masi 3V - Regina CX 6 speeds and all the rest from racing.
Bought a Seven Ordanata and after the two weeks it took to break myself of
reaching for the down tube shifters, I love it. Especially the additional two mph that
should make me competitive again.
Anyway, the Masi and an older Trek 950 I used to race have about
80K and 100K miles respectively. Both have the original Nuovo Record BB's
that turn as smoothly as the day that I installed them.
In addition, some of the original Regina cogs are still usable.
My old Stumpjumper, on the other hand requires a new Deore bottom
bracket every 2 - 3 years even though it spends it's life on the road.
Now I have a new bike with the latest Dura Ace (7800) stuff, and
need some decent wheels. The bike came with a set of Shimano RS500's,
which don't seem too bad for cheap wheels and I picked up a pair
of Velocity Escape tubulars with really nice Dura Ace hubs on E-Bay.
These will be great for crits (stiff and lots of spokes).
Since the 80's I've raced essentially on two sets of GEL 330's
and still train on an even older set of Ambrosios. All have the
original Campy SR hubs that are still perfect, though I've replaced
a few rear axles. Got another set of wheels (my only clichers - 27"
Weinnman rims with Avocet hubs) that I use on the Trek (barely fit) for
really long rides and light touring. They have about 50K miles on them and
until recently when a spoke snapped, I never had to true them. I use
Rovals for TT's - still awesome wheels.
The carbon wheels I've reviewed (Zipp 404's, 440's and 303's) and other
carbon wheels, even Mavics all seem to have problems - breaking, can't
stop when wet, delamination, hub problems, high maintenance, etc.).
Outside of keeping the spokes tight, I do little maintenance to
my old wheels.
Been looking at the new Shimano 7800's, cause they aren't carbon and
shouldn't have the above problems. Reynolds are, well pricey ($1900.00).
I'm 170 lbs, too heavy to be a great climber although I managed a
2:10 (at 157) up Mt Evans on the Trek in my first year racing. I'm a
fair sprinter, but my strong suite is motoring on the flats. I used to
catch a lot of the guys that dropped me on long climbs once the
"playing field" leveled out.
I need a light set of aerodynamic wheels for TT's and to help me catch
those mean guys (and girls) that drop me on hills. Plus fast wheels
should help my climbing (actually wheels aren't fast, riders are).
But the wheels gotta hold up.
The reviews (most seem negative) I've read mention problems that are
unacceptable for high end ($1000.00 +) wheels, even if problems are occasional.
At least with alloy wheels I can weld them back together when they break.
And Seven vehemently advises against bending my new frame to fit the
126mm Roval axels - something about the warranty. They were upset and
yelling at me so I didn't get everything they said. I guess I got
spoiled by my old reliable stuff.
While I don't expect to get 17 years out of anything I buy today,
five would be nice. And as you guessed it from my username, I prefer
tubulars (converting me is futile as The Borg say) - at least for racing.
Outside of a broken spoke or two, I've never had wheel problems.
I've hit 60+ mph descending into Silverton here in Colorado on
tires I glued myself and equipment I trusted. With today's seemingly
fragile wheels, I'm not so sure. I ride hard and over the years
have broken chains, freewheels (bad CX's), cracked crank arms and
sheared off pedals (big ouch twice!).
Suggestions and objective input are appreciated.
sun
bikeweenie heaven.
Been racing since the early 80's and finally this year, I retired my '86
Masi 3V - Regina CX 6 speeds and all the rest from racing.
Bought a Seven Ordanata and after the two weeks it took to break myself of
reaching for the down tube shifters, I love it. Especially the additional two mph that
should make me competitive again.
Anyway, the Masi and an older Trek 950 I used to race have about
80K and 100K miles respectively. Both have the original Nuovo Record BB's
that turn as smoothly as the day that I installed them.
In addition, some of the original Regina cogs are still usable.
My old Stumpjumper, on the other hand requires a new Deore bottom
bracket every 2 - 3 years even though it spends it's life on the road.
Now I have a new bike with the latest Dura Ace (7800) stuff, and
need some decent wheels. The bike came with a set of Shimano RS500's,
which don't seem too bad for cheap wheels and I picked up a pair
of Velocity Escape tubulars with really nice Dura Ace hubs on E-Bay.
These will be great for crits (stiff and lots of spokes).
Since the 80's I've raced essentially on two sets of GEL 330's
and still train on an even older set of Ambrosios. All have the
original Campy SR hubs that are still perfect, though I've replaced
a few rear axles. Got another set of wheels (my only clichers - 27"
Weinnman rims with Avocet hubs) that I use on the Trek (barely fit) for
really long rides and light touring. They have about 50K miles on them and
until recently when a spoke snapped, I never had to true them. I use
Rovals for TT's - still awesome wheels.
The carbon wheels I've reviewed (Zipp 404's, 440's and 303's) and other
carbon wheels, even Mavics all seem to have problems - breaking, can't
stop when wet, delamination, hub problems, high maintenance, etc.).
Outside of keeping the spokes tight, I do little maintenance to
my old wheels.
Been looking at the new Shimano 7800's, cause they aren't carbon and
shouldn't have the above problems. Reynolds are, well pricey ($1900.00).
I'm 170 lbs, too heavy to be a great climber although I managed a
2:10 (at 157) up Mt Evans on the Trek in my first year racing. I'm a
fair sprinter, but my strong suite is motoring on the flats. I used to
catch a lot of the guys that dropped me on long climbs once the
"playing field" leveled out.
I need a light set of aerodynamic wheels for TT's and to help me catch
those mean guys (and girls) that drop me on hills. Plus fast wheels
should help my climbing (actually wheels aren't fast, riders are).
But the wheels gotta hold up.
The reviews (most seem negative) I've read mention problems that are
unacceptable for high end ($1000.00 +) wheels, even if problems are occasional.
At least with alloy wheels I can weld them back together when they break.
And Seven vehemently advises against bending my new frame to fit the
126mm Roval axels - something about the warranty. They were upset and
yelling at me so I didn't get everything they said. I guess I got
spoiled by my old reliable stuff.
While I don't expect to get 17 years out of anything I buy today,
five would be nice. And as you guessed it from my username, I prefer
tubulars (converting me is futile as The Borg say) - at least for racing.
Outside of a broken spoke or two, I've never had wheel problems.
I've hit 60+ mph descending into Silverton here in Colorado on
tires I glued myself and equipment I trusted. With today's seemingly
fragile wheels, I'm not so sure. I ride hard and over the years
have broken chains, freewheels (bad CX's), cracked crank arms and
sheared off pedals (big ouch twice!).
Suggestions and objective input are appreciated.
sun