bulldog1935

I've never bought a set of wheels without talking with someone on the other end who's at least going to check tension in the spokes for me. So I guess when I talk to Steve and buy from Velomine, I get what I want. If that means an extra $40, it's still a good buy.

Cyclist0108

In the case of the cassette, is the shifting any worse than with a real Campy one?

bulldog1935

they shift great for the past 10,000 mi. Just make sure you get the correct torque on the locking nut
the torque is required to compress the spacers to the correct spacing and prevent the cogs from moving on the freehub body.


there are some EU vendors who provide premade Miche custom cassettes to any gear combination you may want

https://www.probikeshop.com/en/us/roa...ge=1&search=13

jiangshi

Shifting was just fine, IME

Bianchigirll 

Before spend a lot on wheels try borrowing a pair or two. Putting a set of deep V wheels will make a huge difference in the ride.

jamesdak 

I'll just reiterate this as simply as I can. The specific wheels in question are handbuilt and in my case have been totally trouble free for over a couple of thousand miles. I am no a lightweight and my wheels get exposed to rough roads daily. These have never needed to be touched. I personally love wheels that you can basically use and forget about and these fit the bill. I have more expensive handbuilts to but for a quality set at a reasonable price for a silver classic look they are a good deal.

noglider 

I don't know. I've never had a Campy cassette. Shifting precision is one thing. Another thing is durability. Does Campy use harder steel leading to greater wear periods? I don't know, but sometimes, that's what you get for the premium price. Sometimes not. It's hard to know.

Cyclist0108

Dura Ace cassettes wear out faster than Ultegra, thanks to the more expensive Ti cogs or whatever it is they use to shave off a few micrograms. I guess the one thing i want to avoid is buying all this Athena stuff ($750+ and still counting) and then cheap out and not derive the benefits, but balance that against dumping even more money into an old bike of mine my wife thinks I should get rid of or donate to a museum.

jiangshi

As i pointed out above, no difference in shifting. As far as wear, it depends on what level campy, but I have found the wear to be slightly less. The cost is less, too. It is slightly lower than Veloce, and you can get a 30t.

noglider 

I have only a little experience with modern Campagnolo stuff. I have a Record double crankset made for 9-speed, some Record hubs which I believe to be from the same group. My shifters and derailleurs are 2x10 Veloce, and they are really all I could ever hope for.

Titanium cogs? What a lame idea. For reliability and durability, Ultegra really seems to be the top of the Shimano line, and it's expensive enough. Dura Ace sounds like it's for the wealthy looking to show off their money, since it's not built to offer a better value. Oh, if you really need to go your fastest, maybe the weight savings is justified, but sheesh.

I guess I'm more of a 105/Veloce kind of guy. I guess that includes Miche. The one place where I think it's worth splurging is hubs. I might add cranks to that. Derailleurs, chains, cassettes? Nah.

Cyclist0108

My HED+ wheels are more than deep enough for our crosswinds here. (I've got two sets of those, one with WI hubs and one with KK hubs.) This isn't going to be for my primary ride, but rather my 1987 Bianchi upgrade project.

Cyclist0108

My Athena11 triple RD says 12-29 as an upper limit. Do you think I could squeeze in 30T?

shelbyfv

That's a fine and useful recommendation. My point is to alert OP that "the specific wheels in question" are shown built with straight gauge spokes. Since OP would have these built to order, he should request better spokes and pay the upcharge.

jamesdak 

I researched this during my build also and found folks using a 30T with no problems. Don't remember the details. I also found some references to the the Miche cassettes wearing quicker and being noisier than the Campagnolo. Nothing I read though really worried me about using them. Even though I'm running a 32T cassette on my Ultegra 11 speed setup bike I've found the 29 on both Athena builds to be more than enough with the compact double to get me up any of the Cat 1 climbs I do. In fact, I purposely stay away from the 29t when training to keep it as a "bailout gear" if I ever bonk. And I"m not a good climber.

Cyclist0108

My 34T Ultegra chainring wore out completely in 2 years (probably should have replaced it after 1 year). At least it was only $20 ($9.99 on chainreaction). The expensive large ring is well on its way out too. I'm not impressed.

Cyclist0108

Thanks. FWIW, are the better spokes at least as strong, or just lighter?

Cyclist0108

I have a 11-32T cassette paired with a 50/34T compact on my other bike, and on some hills (notably one here with an 18% grade), I would go lower if I could. But then I'm Cat 1 lard-arse.

shelbyfv

Butted spokes are significantly stronger as well as lighter. Sounds counterintuitive but it's a fact. Also. FWIW, I use 30T cassettes on both 7800 and 7900 derailleurs w/o problems. I can't remember if the derailleurs are rated for 27 or 28, but there is usually wiggle room.

greg3rd48 

I ordered two wheelsets from Velomine so far and they have been nothing but perfect. I also called them a couple of times to ask questions and the person who I spoke with was very knowledgable, friendly and helpful. I will use them again.

Cyclist0108

Thanks. I had no idea.

noglider 

Jeez, that's a disappointment. I wish there were a database of how long each of these things is likely to last under normal use. Maybe steel is a better material for chainring teeth, at least with small chainrings.

Cyclist0108

I think Praxis makes one. But since I can buy a new one for $10-$20, maybe I should just replace it every year, at least until the big one goes.

Edit: I am wrong. That is only for their single-chainring mtn crank.

shelbyfv

Wheelbuilding Here's some info about butted spokes.

Cyclist0108

He really did know everything.

jamesdak 

Yep, a very valid point. I weighed this point on my Velomine set but decided I had no issues with saving the money since the 32h would be plenty strong for my needs.

But, you may feel different.

Now as I work on another bike which is going to be a 650b conversion setup for some light touring I am opting for the stronger double butted spokes even though it's a 36 spoke build. Comes down to use and the total package.