Soul S4.0 as cyclocross wheels?
 

I recently got a cyclocross bike to add to my stable (which was all road up until this baby)... it's a Salsa Las Cruces. The short of it: eventually everything but the frame will be removed, sold off, and I'm building it up again into something to my needs.... Which is a mixed bag: It will be (and has become) my primary commuter bike (28 miles round trip), and I plan on using it for some good amount of offroad training on local trails (SoCal). I may even consider racing in the upcoming season, depending on how I'm feeling at the time.

I'm looking into wheels for it. Currently it is running a set of Mavic Kysrium Equipes... which are fine. They're strong, sure. Decent for the commuting I'm doing, sure. But I'd like something that is both a bit deep and strong... but aero-ish for the commuting. Weight isn't too much of a concern as I kinda like training intervals on a heavy rig and racing on my lighter road bikes.

Are there any specifics into cyclocross wheels vs. road wheels aside from being more durable and stronger?
I'm considering the Soul S4.0 wheels. Would these be a good choice for what I intend to do? Do you think they'd hold their own on the trails and fireroads of SoCal?

Any other recommendations for a well-priced wheelset that would meet my needs here?

Thank you. :)

This whole post makes it seem like you just like to buy stuff.

So I'll just stick with the Ksyriums then. Thanks! :thumb:

Ksyriums are fine.

You say that like it's a bad thing:notamused:

Okay, so I'm keeping the Ksyriums.

But I'm wondering, would you consider using the Soul S4.0 wheels for cx?
They're deep (mud clearance), they're alloy... and they're affordable.
They're also a bit heavy (but hey, that's me).

No. Not enough spokes and not tubulars. Why run expensive clinchers when you could buy Tiagra hubs on tubular rims and a set of Grifos/similar? I'd definitely consider them as road racing wheels though.

You won't need to worry about mud doing cx in socal. The rainy season doesn't really hit until the cross season is over.

But I wouldn't take those wheels on mtb trails, if that's what you mean. I don't see why they wouldn't work for racing, dudes race on wheels with even fewer spokes, but you want aero and strong and don't care about weight, that = something with more spokes, imo.

Thanks for the input....

Yeah, the mud aspect is missing here in SoCal. It's all dirt/sand here.
Yet another reason why I want to get out of here.

Cheers.

Alloy deep rims are too heavy.

I can't afford carbon, so I use a lightweight box-section alloy tubular rim (Mavic Reflex) with 32 spokes (double-butted + alloy nipples). With so much deceleration and acceleration, rotating weight is of the essence.