FargoRider

Hi, I'm looking for advice on how much I should reasonably expect to pay when replacing the wheel set (front and back) on my '04 Bianchi Eros I have setup as my daily commuter. I just had it into a local bike shop to help diagnose/fix a very annoying "clicking" that kept getting worse, and the owner/mechanic did fix it. He had to tweak the spokes again, and said I'll need to replace the wheel soon and should look into getting a new wheel set with either a Campy hub or Campy compatible. He said the rear rim is pretty beat up, and truing the spokes will only keep it aligned for so long before it gets wonky again.

I bought this Eros about 4 years ago, and I put on about 1,500 to 2,000 miles on it annually commuting on streets and paved paths. I'm currently running Alex 320s on both front and back. I'm not looking for top of the line wheels/hubs (bike is equipped with Mirage/Velice componets), but I want something nice that can take a bit of city street pounding.

Any ideas? I really don't know where to start or really what to shop for.
Thanks in advance.

nfmisso

Why Campy?

What is the rear OLD?

I do not understand people who spend $$$$ for a certain name that does not last or does not work for them.

For a commuter; Velocity Dyad rims can't be beat. Wheelsmith DB14 spokes (or equivalent). If 130mm OLD, Velocity hubs are good. For 135mm OLD, Wheelmaster sealed bearing hubs are a very good deal, available in 36H, 40H and 48H.

FargoRider

I'm pretty sure the wheels and hub are all original and now are 13 years old, and I have no problem with going with going with "Campy Compatible". Sounds like Velocity is good stuff? I'll have to look into this. I'm not sure of the hub size on my bike. Is something I can measure, or does the hub need to be exposed to find out?

Thanks for the reply, nfsisso.

demoncyclist

The cable pull and cog spacing are different on Campy than they are on a Shimano compatible rear wheel, and a Campy cassette will not fit on a Shimano splined hub.

To the OP: If there is nothing wrong with your hubs, find a decent wheel builder and just have new rims lace to your existing hubs with new spokes and spoke nipples. A quality built set of hand built wheels will last you a long time.

ksryder

It's a road bike, the rear spacing is 130mm.

ksryder

He bought a bike that was 9 years old when he bought it and cost maybe $1000 brand new, I'm sure he paid significantly less used.

Bill Kapaun

You might try searching for Campagnolo instead?

You might consider just having the rear rebuilt and save the cost of the hub and a front wheel?
According to bikepedia.com, it's a Mavic Mavic CXP 22 rim, which is readily available.

2004 Bianchi Eros - BikePedia
Mavic CXP 22 700C Rim > Components > Wheel Parts > Rims | Jenson USA

AnkleWork

There are a few to choose from here:
Link

Barabaika

Are these your current wheels?
A-Class ALX320DX 700c 16/20h Black Wheelset
A-Class ALX320DX 700c 16/20h Black Wheelset - Ben's Cycle

A 16-spoke wheel? Really?
The original wheels had 32 spokes and were much sturdier.

superdex

what's your budget?

I'd suggest a CX wheelset; the bearings will be more weatherproof. Something like: https://www.evanscycles.com/en-us/fu...-2016-EV235331 ($65 shipping to the US)

or https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-w.../10991148.html ($20 shipping to the US)

Barabaika

A 20-spoke wheel for commuting purposes? Really?

I would just get a nice set of 32-spoke or 36-spoke Compagnolo hubs and rims like CR-18 or Mavic Open Pro and asked a shop to build wheels if you can't do it yourself.

FargoRider

I guess my bike is probably the '05. 2005 Bianchi Eros - BikePedia

That one does have the Alex 320s stock. I do have the Reynolds frame that the '04 doesn't.

I blew out a rear spoke the first year I commuted with it. I've also had the rear wheel trued each year, and now it looks like it maybe might make it through the summer, but maybe not.

Thanks for the 32 spoke idea. I have pannier bags loaded on this with extra shoes, my lunch, lock, and various tubes and tools, so being light isn't exactly my biggest concern. I want a nice spinning wheel and can take a bit of pounding from the daily grind of commuting around 10-12 miles a day.

Not sure about needing a new hub or not. This one is about 12 years old, but maybe that's not really a problem?

superdex

fewer than 32 spokes?! the horror!

Narhay

You'll want a rear hub that has a Campagnolo compatible freehub. The splines and spacing are different for Campagnolo cassettes vs. Shimano/SRAM cassettes. By the time you add in rims, spokes and reusing hubs that weren't great to begin with you're nipping at the cost of a new wheelset anyways. For commuting more spokes would be preferential and seems like you've been having issues with a low-spoke wheelset anyways. I don't have any recommendations but I'm sure you can find a decent wheelset in the $200-300 range from any of the large suppliers.

Barabaika

The number of holes in a hub must match the number of holes in a rim.

Low-spoke wheels are a scam. A rim for 32 or 36 spokes can be lighter.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

There are wheel builders which can make you a custom wheel.
GVH Bikes Wheelbuilder Tool

nfmisso

Sorry, Velocity does not seem to offer Campy compatible rear hubs.

But this is a really exceptional buy: VO Hi-Low Cassette Rear 36h - Hubs - Wheels, Rims, Hubs & Accessories - Components with a Campy freehub.

With Wheelsmith DB14 spokes, Wheelsmith nickel plated brass nipples and a Velocity Dyad rim, a well built rear wheel will last many many years, even with more load than you currently carry.

gsa103

My personal favorite is that the suggestion is always followed by "Open Pro". So that you get a wheelset that is heavy, weak and not suited for wide tires.

Or you could get a wider, deep rim which will be structurally stronger, and allow wider tires for better cushioning.

mtnbke

Campagnolo hubs should mostly be considered disposable if they are cup/cone. The problem is while you can replace the loose ball bearings and the cone (outer race) the inner race becomes pitted and galled. This race damage translates to trashing new balls then through the ball wear to the cone right back to where you started.

I like Mavic wheelsets which can cone with a Campy freehub. Mavic freehub bushings are a wearable item though.

However, my favorite recommendation is Miche hubsets. You can get a beautiful set of Miche racing box or RG2 hubs for less or around $100. Build up with Campy rims, Mavic rims whatever you want.

The strongest rim I know of is a Velocity Chukkar. You could build a bombproof wheelset with Chukkars on Miche hubs. The racing box or RG2 hubs use easily replaceable 6001 sealed bearings. Replace the bearings when they start to drag a bit, and you bring the wheelset back to "spins as new" which is the opposite of cup/cone hubs. Cup/cone hubs are on a constantly deteriorating performance curve.

You could have a great wheelset for about $100 gotvthe hubd and your cost on rims/spokes. Most good bicycle collectives are going to have some good used Mavic rims and spokes for a deal.

FargoRider

Do you think these would work with 23mm tires? I ride Vittoria Pro Slicks 23s, and really like them. I find them fast, pretty comfy, and zero flats in the four years using them.

Don't really want to go over $300. Closer to 200 the better, but I'll do what I have to to stay riding. ;-)

demoncyclist

Really? Campy is disposable? Hogwash! Now, the races COULD be damaged, but you are assuming much based on no evidence. Cup and cone hubs are far more robust than some of the other junk out there today. The last set of Campy wheels I owned (a couple of bikes ago) had well over 25,000 miles on them and spun beautifully with a minimum of maintenance. The inner race CAN become pitted and galled, but it doesn't just happen, unless the hubs are never maintained.

If the hubs are in good shape, then rebuild with some decent hoops and spokes. If not, then you need to decide if you want to have something built, or find a machine built set that will just need some TLC from a local wheelsmith.

The wheels on my Lynskey are Shimano hubs (cup and cone)- Dura Ace rear and 105 front. They are laced to Mavic rims- CXP33 rear and Open Pro front. My Synapse also has Mavic wheels- Ksyrium Elites. Both nice bikes (purchased used), both with good components, but I do miss the Campy shifting. It is easier to setup and just stays in tune better.

Bill Kapaun

Not any more!

HillRider

We've had this discussion before but good cup-and-cone hubs (Shimano and Campy among others) can be extremely durable with even a modest amount of care and maintenance. Two cases in point:

My 7700 Dura Ace hubs have well over 55,000 miles on them. They still have the original cones, races and freehub body and have been overhauled and relubed at perhaps 7000 - 8000 mile intervals. They are still in daily use with no signs they are going to "trash" themselves anytime soon.

I also have a set of Campy 10-speed Chorus hubs with about 30,000 miles with the same maintenance schedule and all of the OEM parts still in place. These hubs are also in daily use and appear to have a great future too.

FargoRider

I thought this very same thing as I typed it.

Thanks again for the great ideas everyone. That Sheldon Brown article posted above was really good.

kingston 

Inexpensive campy wheelsets durable enough for a daily commuter are pretty rare. The only options I've come across are:

These which would be perfectly fine for under $200

Next step up would be this set at $350 or another pair from VO with high-flange hubs that will set you back around $450.

Aside from these options, you'll pretty much have to pick your hubs and rims and build it or have it built. Either way, it will be over $300.

corrado33

I believe mavic makes hubs that are both campagnolo/shimano compatible. (Interchangeable freehub bodies.) You may want to look there.

EDIT: I'd recommend against 36 hole hubs/rims. I recently was trying to built up a set of wheels with 36h Dura Ace hubs in good condition and had a hell of a time finding a decent selection of rims for them. (Ended up with a set of non-ideal rims that I'm only partially happy with. (Wanted new high performance rims, but also wanted to order through our shop, so that limited my choices.))

Many.... MANY more rim choices available for 32 hole hubs.