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Jack of all trades wheelset

Old 02-03-11, 05:28 PM
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Jack of all trades wheelset

Hi List,

I'm new to this forum (I think I've posted here once). I raced cross a few times on a street/light freestyle(it fit bigger tires in stays) oriented track frame with a cross fork. I didn't set any recordds, but I had alotta fun and would like to do it more seriously next season.

So I've wanted to build a do it all kind of bike for the spring, and just took the plunge in ordering a Cross Check frameset. It'll be used for getting around, some very light touring(only very light load on rear+trailer), messengering, and of course cross I'm pretty set on how I want to build it. I originally planned to buy my friend's 105 groupset, but thought some things wouldn't be quite appropriate for how I wanted to use the bike (52t road crankset, brakes, etc) So I'm doing it piece by piece. I'm using an FSA c/x crankset along with 105 shifters, cassette, and derailluers.

But anyway I'm trying to keep it relatively light, and don't need the wheelset to carry a serious load. I only weigh 140lbs. But this is where I'm stuck, wheels. I kind of want a radial front and was thinking a 28h 105 hub laced to an aerohead in front and a 32h fusion rear.

My friend who is helping me with the build for some reason is very anti-fusion and says I should just do a 36h front/rear for cross. He also doesn't think the 105 road hubs are beefy enough.

So basically what would you use for a multipurpose bike?



(sorry for the long rambly post haha)
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Old 02-03-11, 05:36 PM
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No off roading? If only what you're saying above and at your weight, just about any wheelset will work. I'd pick up a typical set of Mavic Open Pro with either 105 or Ultegra hubs. Last you forever.
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Old 02-03-11, 05:41 PM
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Well,
Besides racing cross maybe some fire roads or VERY light single track.....otherwise this bike will probably have 28's mounted 80% of the time.
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Old 02-03-11, 06:26 PM
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105 hubs are plenty good for your purposes. Open Pro rims are excellent. I don't know how good radial lacing is for cross, but a lot of people seem to do it.
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Old 02-03-11, 08:39 PM
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thats what I was thinking...everyone seems to do it, but I would think it would get knocked out of true fairly easily
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Old 02-03-11, 08:39 PM
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For a `do anything` set of wheels I`d personally tend to agree with a 36 spoke build, but only because its cheaper to build a bulletproof wheelset with a higher spoke count. Kona high end cyclocross bikes typically use Mavic Aksium and Ksyrium wheelsets which have an even lower spoke count than yours 9And a bigger ticket price).

But there`s really no problem with what you have and I`d agree with other posters that you`re not likely to wear it out. And as I`m guessing you`re already aware - at least one more set of tires for commuting or touring would really do the most to make this a `do anything` set of wheels.
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Old 02-04-11, 06:51 AM
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Velocity Synergy rims (OC rear)
Shimano 105 hubs
DT Comp spokes laced 32x3
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Old 02-04-11, 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Chicagoan
thats what I was thinking...everyone seems to do it, but I would think it would get knocked out of true fairly easily
From the rim's perspective, radial lacing is plenty strong. On a front wheel with rim brakes, it's more about stress on the hub flange. Check out Jobst Brandt's The Bicycle Wheel.
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Old 02-04-11, 08:59 AM
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I'll second Flargle's recommendation on the Velocity's. The off-center drilling on the rim evens out the spoke tension thus a stronger rear wheel.
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Old 02-05-11, 01:31 PM
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you don't need fusions they are overkill. I run aeroheads 32t on dura ace hubs and i'm 210lbs. no problems almost 1 year on them. my suggestion is try to find a cheap set of wheels on craigslist or ebay and learn how to true them. With your weight just about any wheelset will be fine.
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Old 02-05-11, 01:33 PM
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oh and if this is your only bike maybe two cheaper sets of wheels would be better so you can just switch out wheels one with slicks and one with cross. I've got a buddy who does this. works fine. changing tires on the other hand would be pretty annoying.
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Old 02-05-11, 08:58 PM
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If you're going to use a bike for messenger work, avoid boutique components that you're not willing willing to scratch up with a dremel to kill their resale value. I'd use 105s at most. Even better, I'd buy a used wheelset. Worrying about the weight of your wheels on a Crosscheck is probably pointless - the few grams that you can save are nothing compared to the extra weight on the frame compared to most good bikes. Neither will make a real difference to speed anyway.
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Old 02-05-11, 09:06 PM
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How can you go wrong with a pair of Zipp 404s. Racing, training, off-road, cross, you can't go wrong with them. I have been working on a guide for Zipp wheels at https://www.usedzipp.com so I am pretty dang familiar besides riding them everyday for the past 3 years. You can get them pretty cheap used and when you resell them you will recoup most of the money. If you want a beefier wheel just get the Clydesdale versions of the wheel. You might me surprised how bomb-proof they are. Very light, and more importantly aero.
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Old 02-08-11, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by electusunus
How can you go wrong with a pair of Zipp 404s.
For a start, if you leave a bike locked up in public with them, the second hand price is enough so that it is worth a thief's time (about 2 minutes) to cut through the frame with shears to steal the wheels. Zipps are not a good bet for bikes that are going to be used for messengering or otherwise locked in public.
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Old 02-08-11, 02:29 PM
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I would suggest neuvation m28x's about $200 for the pair, strong, and under 1800 grams. At 140lbs, you wouldn't even come close to having trouble with them.
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Old 02-09-11, 12:02 AM
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Mavic Ksyrium Elites can be used for road racing, training, and cross. Riders who weigh 200lbs ride them without issue so that light load you speak of shouldn't be a problem since you weigh 140lbs. Strong and light. About 1550grams.
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Old 02-21-11, 01:38 AM
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Titan. By Forte.

Front and rear.

I weigh more than you AND your bike put together.

By used, or cheap wheels. Take ALL of the decals of everything.

Ksyriums? Really? That is obscene overkill. Aksiums would be MORE than adequate to meet the OP's needs.
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