Burton

So sent a client around the block on my brand new wheelset Saturday. He had a Giant FSR 3 with stock 700x32c tires which was a $600 bike 3 years back. So inspite of the 700 x50c tires, he couldn't believe how well they rolled and how little effort it took to pedal them. I think 'show me' is lots more effective than any technical discussion.

EDIT: Thing is - the tires and wheelset cost as much as his bike. Which is probably where many clients would balk. In spite of the fact that both the tires and bearings will last 5x as long as the stock ones, the total cost is also 5x as much.

But he was looking for a bike for the GF and has already decided that an $800 bike gives more for the money than a $600 one.

The Chemist

Both of my Giants had crappily built stock wheels. No matter what I did they kept breaking spokes on the rear wheel. Eventually I got fed up and replaced them on both bikes. But I didn't buy high end wheels at all - the Green Monster has Shimano RS10 wheels, and Big Red has Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels, both of which are low end wheelsets. Still, both have been durable as all heck, both roll very well, and in short I've been exceptionally pleased with them. The only thing that they aren't is lightweight, but then again neither of my bikes could ever be accused of being light (each is over 30 pounds in commuting guise) so that just doesn't bother me.

Burton

Cool! I'll take durability and performance over light-weight any day! Keeps the price reasonable too. Costs only really start to get crazy when people start insisting they need durability AND performance AND light weight all in the same package.

caloso

Everything is a compromise.

Strong, light, cheap. Pick any two.

Baytree

Well what'dya expect with a downtube like that? No wonder it handles badly.

Chesha Neko

Stock wheelsets are built to a pricepoint. Good wheels will be an aftermarket item for most bikes under $5k. My current wheelset costs as much as my frameset would have, not including tires. The stock wheels were passable, barely.

Burton

Thats pretty much what I figure gives a good balance in performance too!

m2tiguy

running 1/2 of my new wheelset - Velocity rim and hub = huge differance - knucklheads at a supply store sent the wrong spokes for the real wheels

Mobile 155

Yes we can see some truths here. But costs being crazy is relative. For me hand built wheels with DT Swiss rims, spokes and Hope hubs aren't unreasonable. Aero factory Zips on the other hand seems crazy. But if I did TTs my concept may change. I think for durable, light and good performance Dura Ace and American classic can give you a good machine wheel for a relatively good price. Replacing Dura Ace bladed spokes can seem unreasonable compared to most other spokes I have had to buy. However a wheel builder can normally match the criteria of those wheels with the addition of ease of service at no extra cost. IMHO

rubic

I dunno. Maybe I'm missing something. What I expect from my wheels are good performance and bomb proof strength.

Burton

So since there are so many chain lube threads in this place - think wheel bearings deserve some extra attention. A basic 8 speed chain only costs $15 to $20 and there are hundreds of pages of threads debating the optimal home brew lubes and minimal lube frequency and all that to marginally extend the life of an expendable item with a useful life of less than 10,000kms.

What about wheel bearings? I had to do a complete drivetrain disassembly and dump the derailleurs, crank, chainrings and chain in the parts washer for a customer the other day because there was a ridiculous amount of caked grease and oil on everything from overenthustiastic use of chain lube. No problem - he asked for the service up front!

But when I phoned back and told him the original Shimano SLX cones in the 8 year old front wheel were finished from lack of lube and adjustment and needed to be replaced - that extra $20 was apparently totally unexpected. What gives? Bearings outlive chains by a wide margin anyway, cost less, but still like a little grease once in a while!

So what gets more attention on YOUR bike - the chain or the BB, headset and wheel bearings?