Fifty Plus (50+) - Poor man's wheelset recomendations.

I'm contemplating replacing the OEM wheelset(original to my 2012 Defy 1), but I can't spend a ton of money. I need a good poor man's wheelset. I'm not looking to race or anything--I just think this would be a good investment. Three months ago, a Continental rep I ran into stated ,of anything to upgrade on a bike, a new wheelset would be #1 on his list. The owner at the LBS said he has an Easton wheelset a customer traded in and I could try them out if I wanted to--I believe he said that they're about $300. He said a Shimano 105 wheelset certainly would be an upgrade to my OEMs I have now. I'd probably buy a Shimano 105 cassette(10 speed) to put on whatever wheelset I bought so if I decide to get trainer I can still ride in crappy weather(think rain, especially cold rain). (BTW, the owner of the LBS said he has a trainer I could borrow so I can still keep my conditioning since the weather has really sucked lately--he knows I have two centuries coming up, April and May.)


FYI, here's a link to my bike: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.1/9014/48853/#specifications

What is your price limit?

I don't think I really can swing more than $350 for the wheelset. The cassette would not be included in the price(105s are about $80).

You don't say how much you weigh, but you might try some Neuvations.

It would be a stiff wheel and possibly a bit heavier than other recommendations but Mavic Aksiums. Then there are the handbuilts that others can recomemnd a builder for but Shimano 105 hubs mated to Mavic Open pro's would probably come within your price range. Both wheelsets are what I would call indestructable and ride better than your current wheels

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-wheels/factory-road-wheels/shimano-105-hub-on-mavic-open-pro-rim.html

A Link to a good builder here in the UK is above so compare prices to what you can get in the US.

Aksiums from the same supplier are $187.50 and I would recommend these if you want a strong but stiff wheel but I think you could do better than Aksiums.

Edit--And also in your price range Shimano Ultegras.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-wheels/factory-road-wheels/shimano-6700-ultegra-wheels-black-pair.html

Not ultra light but pretty strong and a bit of "Bling"

I'm a weight weenie. I'm only 5'7" and weigh only between 138 and 142

Aren't Shimao 6700 Ultegra Wheels Tubeless? I believe I'll need clinchers if I want to use my Conti Gatorskins.




-------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: Weight weenie was misused...I meant I'm a light-weight rider.

I recently replaced the stock wheelset (Alex ALX320 Comp) on my road bike. I went with Velocity A23 Rims on Ultegra Hubs. I picked them up on eBay for $260 including Ultegra skewers and shipping. They are 32 spoke and the rims are a bit wider than my old ones. I'm running 23mm Gatorskins on them and have been very pleased.

i installed a set of Vuelta Corsica pro wheels, $249 nashbar, on my bike the beginning of last year.
i am happy with them, they have supported my lard butt, 220lbs, 1500 miles without needing to be trued. they have very good reviews on Nashbar also.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_507097_-1___202455

check online for discount codes for nashbar also.

I agree that wheels should be the first thing on your upgrade list and I think you can get some pretty decent wheels for $350 or so if you shop carefully.

What model are the Eastons?

I'm a weight weenie.... I want to use my Conti Gatorskins.


These statements don't go together.

You don't say how much you weigh, but you might try some Neuvations.

I'd second that suggestion. I bought a pair of their M28X Aeros and have had very good luck with them. Right now they're on sale for $199 a pair, plus their "protection plan" insurance if you want to pop for a few extra bucks.

Edit: I just got an email from them saying the sale price is further reduced at check-out to a total (pre-protection plan) of $169.15/pair.

I'd second that suggestion. I bought a pair of their M28X Aeros and have had very good luck with them. Right now they're on sale for $199 a pair, plus their "protection plan" insurance if you want to pop for a few extra bucks.

Yea, not bad!

http://www.neuvationcycling.com/product/neuvation-m28x-aero-set-black-1500.htm

I have a pair of Forte (Performance) Titans, that look familiar. I heard they were re-badged Neuvations, but I'm unsure of the model. In any case, I have those on my commuting bike (lots of miles) and they've been completely trouble free.

If you're not rushed for time, you can probably find some pretty sweet wheels out there. When they are on sale, I've seen Ksyrium Elites and Easton EA70 in that price range ... both excellent wheels, IMHO.

That's a great price for the Ultegras. I paid considerably more at my LBS. It's a fine set of wheels.



It would be a stiff wheel and possibly a bit heavier than other recommendations but Mavic Aksiums. Then there are the handbuilts that others can recomemnd a builder for but Shimano 105 hubs mated to Mavic Open pro's would probably come within your price range. Both wheelsets are what I would call indestructable and ride better than your current wheels

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-wheels/factory-road-wheels/shimano-105-hub-on-mavic-open-pro-rim.html

A Link to a good builder here in the UK is above so compare prices to what you can get in the US.

Aksiums from the same supplier are $187.50 and I would recommend these if you want a strong but stiff wheel but I think you could do better than Aksiums.

Edit--And also in your price range Shimano Ultegras.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-wheels/factory-road-wheels/shimano-6700-ultegra-wheels-black-pair.html

Not ultra light but pretty strong and a bit of "Bling"

So when you guys buy wheels via the internet, they arrive needing some tweaks, (tensioning spokes, possible truing), right? If you don't have the set-up to do those yourself, how much does that job cost at your LBS?

You don't say how much you weigh, but you might try some Neuvations.

+1

I bought a second-hand bike that came with an ancient set of Neuvations (http://www.neuvationcycling.com/product-list/neuvation-wheels-1321/) on it. If the new ones are only half as nice, then they're still darned good.

So when you guys buy wheels via the internet, they arrive needing some tweaks, (tensioning spokes, possible truing), right? If you don't have the set-up to do those yourself, how much does that job cost at your LBS?

I suppose it depends. I've purchased three sets of wheels online. I put them on and rode them. And rode them, and rode them. No problems out of the box.

I'm a weight weenie....I want to use my Conti Gatorskins.



These statements don't go together.

Color me confused. I gather that "weight weenie" is a person who tries to save every ounce on a bike. For some reason I was thinking that it meant "lightweight." I meant I'm a lightweight as far as it goes with my own weight(138~142 lbs and 5'7"). I'm still learning all the terminology. My question was about the use of my tires and the Ultegra Wheelset(the rim type is tubeless according to Stapfam's link and I thought that the Gatorskins needed clincher wheels)

So when you guys buy wheels via the internet, they arrive needing some tweaks, (tensioning spokes, possible truing), right? If you don't have the set-up to do those yourself, how much does that job cost at your LBS?

LOL. I have two sets of Neuvations, one finishing its second year of riding, 20/24h and 16/20h and I'm 220lb. Never needed truing, tensioning, tweaking. I get the impression that if you received a set that wasn't right John N. would come to your house to make the swap himself.

Color me confused. I gather that "weight weenie" is a person who tries to save every ounce on a bike. For some reason I was thinking that it meant "lightweight." I meant I'm a lightweight as far as it goes with my own weight(138~142 lbs and 5'7"). I'm still learning as to all the terminology. My question was about the use of my tires and the Ultegra Wheelset(the rim type is tubeless according to Stapfam's link and I thought that the Gatorskins needed clincher wheels)
The Ultergas can be used either way. Remove the tubeless valve stem, easy to do by hand, and you can use a tube and normal tire. The tubless function takes a special Hutchenson type of tire and still a squirt of Stans sealant. What makes them tubeless is the spoke holes do not go all the way into the second part of the rim. With a tubeless tire the ridge on the bottom of the side wall fits into a recess on the rim sealing it to air loss, much like your tubeless car tire. But none the less you can use tubes and regular clinchers on both the Ultegra and Dura Ace tubeless rims. The draw back to the tubless system is if you do have to remount a tire you need a blast of air to reseat the tire and a hand pump will not do it.

So when you guys buy wheels via the internet, they arrive needing some tweaks, (tensioning spokes, possible truing), right? If you don't have the set-up to do those yourself, how much does that job cost at your LBS?

Check this shop out. I have 3 sets of their wheels, which were built for touring. Their quality is excellent right out of the box. You can get custom wheels built for less that you would probably pay for just the components.

They can build you a high quality light weight custom wheelset. You pick the components.
http://www.universalcycles.com/wheelkit.php

I strongly recommend something w/ 32 or 36 spokes per wheel, in a 3X pattern -- there are lots of good options out there. I don't do radial, and I don't do paired or other gimmicky reduced spoke count stuff. The higher the spoke count, the stronger the wheel for a given rim weight. If you are not a sponsored racer, and if you care about reliability, the traditional wheel design will serve you well.

I can't reccommend enough that you look into hand builts wheels. Look at this page.. http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/ see what they would charge to build the kind of wheels you want. I have one set of Open pros with Dura Ace hubs that have been working for years. If they can build them in the price range you need chances are a wheel builder close to you will as well. I would also reccommend round spokes because every bike shop carries them. No big deal when wheels are new but sooner or later you may break a PITA. And if you do decide to order from these people they will come ready to ride.

As a lightweight like you-I would not go for the Aksiums. I have a a pair but they are stiff and I do not have enough weight to keep them on the ground. Son-in-Law has though and he loves them---Especially as he hasn't bought them. The Ultegra's- as Mobile has said- do not have to be used as Tubeless. They are a good weight for the price and really well built. They ride well and although low spoke count are not fragile.

I have been using Merlins for 20 years now and they are well known for their handbuilt Mountain bike wheels. Their 105's to open pro are also used within my local club as they are cheaper and as well built as the Good local wheel builder.

But plenty of wheel builders and builds out there.I would always recommend handbuilts to anyone Provided the builder is good. They seem to add something to the wheel that is not possible with a machine built. They know the product they are selling and the use they can be put to. Their reputation is on the line and they know it so do not sell an inferior product.

I have seen suggestions from light wheels to durable wheels. The two are somewhat exclusive. What is your goal? Reducing weight? Durability? The Giant wheels are fine for durability, just a bit heavy for racing. I am 230lbs and torture wheels. Anything less than hand built 32 hole set up will go a year and be trouble the whole time.
Aksiums are great wheels for someone in your weight category, but I destroyed a set within 3 months this year! Spokes loosened every ride. Been on an old standby set I had from 1986 and no problems at all.
Shimano wheels will be fine, but see no real gain unless you go Ultegra or Dura Ace quality. I know nothing about Neuvation.
The 105 with Open Pro is a classic combo for durability and weight reduction. This is where "somewhat exclusive" comes in as this combo has been successfully used zillions of times with all weight classes.
As with all things, do your homework before you purchase.

Mikey,
If you are interested in wheels and wheel building I'd recommend that you get Jobst Brandt's, "The Bicycle Wheel, 3d edition", http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0960723668/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00 it will walk you through wheel dynamics, choosing components and building a wheel. I got mine a few weeks ago and read it for a refresher. He explains how wheels work, how to choose components and the various lacing and configurations. There are a few others if you want to do any wheel building. Even if you don't build a wheel set you will better understand what to look for in buying wheels.

P.M. me if you want more book titles, I don't want to hijack your thread.

Bill

I've got eight sets of wheels right now. Two sets are over the $1,000 price range. Three of them are Mavic Open Pros on Ultegra hubs (purchased for just under $300 per set). These three sets have given me the least amount trouble and been the most reliable. They've needed almost no attention to keep them true. Are they the stiffest? No. Are they the lightest? No. Are they real value for the money? If you can keep your eyes open for sales and get them at the $300 mark, yes! The only downside is that you can't really put anything on them wider than a 28mm (my studded winter tires are 32s, and I discovered that they'll blow off the Open Pros at about 56 psi).

Shimano RS-20s are in your price range, they're bullet-proof, and they look cool with their 16/20 spoke configuration.

In addition to the Jobst Brandt book, this e-book from Roger Musson (http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php) is also pretty informative, if not the kind of detailed engineering analysis Brandt offers.

Neuvations are good. They now offer 23mm wide rims, which are an improvement over traditional 19mm rims IMO.

............ I need a good poor man's wheelset. I'm not looking to race or anything--I just think this would be a good investment...........

Probably your best "investment" would be to take your existing wheels and have have the spokes properly tensioned.
At your weight, your brake tracks should wear out first, assuming you aren't crashing into curbs etc.

For any that do not understand or believe that good aftermarket wheels work--I will relate my experience from the early days of my road riding.

We have a hill locally that is long- steep and has a few curves in it. It was towards the end of a good ride and I rolled over the top of the uphill that precedes it and coasted all the way down. This was on the OCR3 that had the OM wheels on it and I got to 30 mph and managed to steer round the curves without losing too much speed. Problem was this is a road bike. It is a hill that is on the way back from our offroad rides and on a mountain bike with knobbly tyres I was getting to 37 mph and the curves were just a bit extra lean to get round.

Had a chat with my LBS and they loaned me some Krysiums for the next weekend and I did the ride and hill again. After that ride I was back into the shop and talking wheels. My first set of decent wheels were ordered-Handbuilt 105 hubs with Mavic CXP33 rims as the Krysiums were a bit out of my financial reach. That hill with the Krysiums was back to 37 mph and I did not notice the curves. Further rides were done and I was finishing rides with a higher average speed than before and I was able to make the rides longer through less fatigue.

Bought another couple of bikes and one of them had a respectable set of Giant OM wheels on and I had the wheel builder detension and retrue before I took the bike home. They are within grammes of the Handbuilt's and the same tyres. I use them as the winter/foul weather wheels. They are not bad but nowhere as good as the Handbuilt's or the Ultegra's but save wear and tear on the good wheels.

Mikey,

I'm your height and just a few pounds heavier at 145 lbs. Just curious, as lightweight as we are, I'm wondering why you are needing new wheels if you aren't racing or worrying about overall bike weight?

I'm contemplating replacing the OEM wheelset(original to my 2012 Defy 1), but I can't spend a ton of money. I need a good poor man's wheelset. I'm not looking to race or anything--I just think this would be a good investment. Three months ago, a Continental rep I ran into stated ,of anything to upgrade on a bike, a new wheelset would be #1 on his list. The owner at the LBS said he has an Easton wheelset a customer traded in and I could try them out if I wanted to--I believe he said that they're about $300. He said a Shimano 105 wheelset certainly would be an upgrade to my OEMs I have now. I'd probably buy a Shimano 105 cassette(10 speed) to put on whatever wheelset I bought so if I decide to get trainer I can still ride in crappy weather(think rain, especially cold rain). (BTW, the owner of the LBS said he has a trainer I could borrow so I can still keep my conditioning since the weather has really sucked lately--he knows I have two centuries coming up, April and May.)


FYI, here's a link to my bike: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.1/9014/48853/#specifications

Honestly, the poor man's wheel set, is the one that came with the bike, if you don't have enough money to buys the ones you want, open a savings account, put $20 into it, every week, when it gets to the point you have the money in there for the wheels you want, buy them.

i installed a set of Vuelta Corsica pro wheels, $249 nashbar, on my bike the beginning of last year.
i am happy with them, they have supported my lard butt, 220lbs, 1500 miles without needing to be trued. they have very good reviews on Nashbar also.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_507097_-1___202455

check online for discount codes for nashbar also.I was going to recommend the Vuelta's. i'm going grab the lighter set sometime this summer for my Trek 460.

Honestly, the poor man's wheel set, is the one that came with the bike, if you don't have enough money to buys the ones you want, open a savings account, put $20 into it, every week, when it gets to the point you have the money in there for the wheels you want, buy them.

This is good advice. But I'll be a bit less diplomatic. You're driving a $1,300 bike. Thats already NOT something poor people can afford. The real 'poor people's wheels and bikes' are at Walmart. If your current wheels are still OK - then upgrading them is a luxury and a personal choice - not a necessity. Some people can't pay for things - others just don't want to. If somethings really worth having - you'll find a way to pay for it.

Shimano R501's. I've got them on my road bike. Very nice and not that expensive. Al

Thanks for all the suggestions. If anyone has any other wheelset recommendations please post them--links would also be helpful.

Went to my LBS today to pick up the trainer the owner is lending me(for free btw) and talked to him about wheelsets again. BTW, the used wheelset he has is not an Easton, but it's a Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset--he guesses they're from 2009 and he showed them to me. They look like they're in good condition--the owner said if I want to try them sometime he'd be happy to let me--if I decided to buy them he'd sell them to me for $300.

I have a set of 2008 Ksyrium Elites and have had no problems with them. Pretty sweet wheels if you ask me. I'd try them!

You should know that the Elite's went through a weight redux in 2010. I think the weight went from 1750 to something like 1600 between the 2009 and 2010 model year.

Edit: I stand corrected ... the weight redux was in 2009, and they weigh 1550 grams. Not bad!

http://www.realcyclist.com/mavic-ksyrium-elite-wheelset-clincher-mav0111

Mavics R-Sys on sale for $350:


http://www.chainlove.com/?CMP_ID=ODAL_FFP7001&mv_pc=r239

Mavics R-Sys on sale for $350:


http://www.chainlove.com/?CMP_ID=ODAL_FFP7001&mv_pc=r239

Huh? All I see are some Jerseys.

Right now I'm testing out the used Mavic Ksyrium Elites--actually a different set than he showed me, the LBS owner is having me try the better set that just was traded in. My first impressions are very favorable, but I need to get some real miles on these puppies before I make any judgement and pull the trigger. I plan on doing a 50 mile or metric on Sunday and maybe on Monday as well. Those miles should give me a better idea.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/wheels-factory-built-wheels-factory-road-tri-shimano-ultegra-6700-grey-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr617

All the wheel you will ever need.

Chainlove has specials that last about 15 minutes. After that, the deal is gone (until it shows up again a few days later). I have a bug installed on my browser that gives me a little popup each time something new comes for sale.

The wheels looked pretty sweet. I think these were the ones, but they were $350.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-components/2012-mavic-r-sys-clincher-wheels-10377.267.0.html

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/wheels-factory-built-wheels-factory-road-tri-shimano-ultegra-6700-grey-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr617

All the wheel you will ever need.


Not bad! Inexpensive and reasonably light. I think my next set of wheels are gonna be 3X.

If price is the controlling factor, why not keep the wheels you have now? bk

A small word of caution. Make sure you dealer/LBS has spokes for the Mavics in stock. Not every LBS has blade straight pull blade spokes. And if you ever get Ultegras or Dura Ace with their special spokes they come in sets of five at 9 bucks a piece. At least that is what Shimano said about my Dura Ace.

I'd go handbuilt. I bought a set of Ultegra hubs from Ribble for $137 shipped.

They have 105's for a bout $70 per set.


http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/hubs-hubs-road-shimano-pair-road-hubs-105-silver-5700-10-spd/shimhubr492

If you buy the set, you can take them to the LBS, have them build them for you. Usually a rim, build and spokes may cost about $120 each (providing hubs)

Handbuilt 105 wheels and still in your budget of $350'ish.



Just got my Ultegra hubs for $137. Real inexpensive for those of us that build our own.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8362217649_aef8014a66.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/8362217649/)
hubs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/8362217649/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

I suppose it depends. I've purchased three sets of wheels online. I put them on and rode them. And rode them, and rode them. No problems out of the box.
+1 Don't spend too much. Just put them on and ride, and ride, and ride. If their new, they should be good.

I'd go handbuilt. I bought a set of Ultegra hubs from Ribble for $137 shipped.

They have 105's for a bout $70 per set.


http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/hubs-hubs-road-shimano-pair-road-hubs-105-silver-5700-10-spd/shimhubr492

If you buy the set, you can take them to the LBS, have them build them for you. Usually a rim, build and spokes may cost about $120 each (providing hubs)

Handbuilt 105 wheels and still in your budget of $350'ish.



Just got my Ultegra hubs for $137. Real inexpensive for those of us that build our own.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8362217649_aef8014a66.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/8362217649/)
hubs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/8362217649/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

If you lived closer to me maybe I would have had you build me a set. I had the guy at my LBS build mine however with Hope Hubs and DT Swiss rims and spokes. I got Hope hubs because my builder used to work for them and now machines parts for some of their older MTBs. Great hubs by the way. But I wanted standard round spokes so they would be easy to replace.

A small word of caution. Make sure you dealer/LBS has spokes for the Mavics in stock. Not every LBS has blade straight pull blade spokes. And if you ever get Ultegras or Dura Ace with their special spokes they come in sets of five at 9 bucks a piece. At least that is what Shimano said about my Dura Ace.

One of the first things I asked about was if they had bladed spokes if I ever needed one. The answer was "yes."