pMcW

I'm riding a Specialized 2014 Roubaix Expert Compact.

I am interested in having a second set of wheels for use during the local monthly bike party rides. I want to mount battery-powered wheel-lights. I don't want to have have to mess with removing and remounting the lights on the wheels in between the bike party rides, but I prefer not to have the lights in the way or weighing me down for my solo daytime rides.

I also don't want to turn my Roubaix into a total clunker during the bike party rides. What is the least expensive wheelset that would work for that purpose?

I see that my bike currently has an 11-speed Shimano Cassette.

I found Mavic Aksium S road wheels and a Shimano Ultegra 11-speed cassette for $344, which feels like a bit much to spend for getting some wheel lights.

My questions are:

• Do I just need the wheelset, the cassette, and some tubes/tires to have everything I need to swap wheels, or do I need more parts than that?
• Is there a cheaper set of wheels that I should look at?

Thanks!

jsdavis

You'd have to swap the wheels and ajust the brakes if they're not close. Maybe tweak the RD too.

Alternatively, take this opportunity to get an upgraded wheelset and install the lights on the stock wheels.

Andrew R Stewart 

+1. I find that the people who don't wish to swap tires (the usual reason to have a second set of wheels) don't have the skill to readjust brakes or gears. Not sure if this observation holds for the OP but just saying.

$344 for a set of wheels isn't too bad. In time many more repair grade wheels will support the 11 speed spec. Then the price will drop a bit. Andy.

pMcW

Sadly, it probably does hold. And even if I did have the skills, I don't know that I would want to have to mess with those things every time that I wanted to change wheels. Perhaps it's not such a great idea.

jsdavis

You could keep an eye on CL for a similar set of wheels. They should drop right in with no adjustments.

RunForTheHills

You could get a nice vintage bike off of CL and permanently decorate it for the bike parties.

Andrew R Stewart 

I have always suggested the second bike as a better solution to various cycling needs (compared to second set of wheels). So much faster to get ready and out the door with. Other aspects of the different riding style can be dealt with (fenders, rack, lighting, mirror, trailer, flat pedals) that might not be wanted on one's go fast weekend bike. A second bike serves as a back up to when the weekend bike is being serviced, actually allowing more frequent or in depth servicing on the nice bike to be more likely done. Andy.

Retro Grouch 

Yup. Classic n+1.

pMcW

Is it true that the same type of wheels could be plug-and-play? I actually found a set of like-new Fulcrum S-FOURs listed on CR locally for almost the same price as those Mavic wheels.

Andrew R Stewart 

This method would get you real close. There still could be manufacturing tolerances and wheel true/dish differences but these would likely be very minor. Andy.