nick779

Im considering purchasing a set of wheels mainly to get rid of the stock boat anchors that came with my '15 Allez Sport. Im 6'2" 170lb, bike is probably around 20lb as it stands, most roads I ride are paved and pretty smooth, but some of the climbs I want to do are a bit beat up.

The first wheelset im looking at is the Vuelta Corsa Lites ~$210 with coupon 1570g:
Ive read about a few issues like cracking on the rim itself and that the freehub body is soft and people are having their cassette cut into the splines and get stuck on it.
Have any of you ever experienced that?

Im also looking at the Ultegra wheelset ~$326 on Nashbar 1640g thats slightly heavier.

Other wheelset im looking at is the Handbuilt Boyd Rouler 30mm clincher ~1550g ($425 shipped)
Also open to other options

As a newer rider that only does around ~50-90mi a week, is there any reason to really splurge on the boyds or should I just stick with the Vueltas or Ultegras?

Kopsis

I've done about 8000 miles on a set of Vuelta Corsa Lites with no problems whatsoever (I've never even had to true them). That's for a 145 lb rider on pretty smooth roads without much climbing. All alloy freehubs will be prone to cassette gouging -- even on high-end hubs. I've noticed a little on mine, but certainly not enough to complicate cassette removal. Using an SRAM cassette (with the one-piece spider for the big cogs) and properly torquing the locknut will help minimize it. The only way to eliminate it completely is with a steel freehub body like you find on Shimano hubs (but there's obviously a weight penalty for that).

nick779

Im 170lb so I have some weight on you and I intend on doing some climbing (mostly short climbs <2 miles for now)
Vuelta sells replacement freehub bodies at $60 a pop, but for a $200-260 wheelset that seems like alot if it needs replaced.

r8dr_rider

I have the Vuelta Corsa Lites on my Allez. Im a 190lb rider and haven't had any issues whatsoever. they are definitely worth the upgrade if you want cheap and light.

seymour1910

I have 50lbs on you OP, and I have enjoyed my Rouleurs for two years now. I have no issues with the wheels at all. Some will make a big deal out of them being 19mm wide instead of 23 but that has been no problem for me. I have no issues doing any of the rides I want. Boyd's customer service is top notch as well. I don't regret getting them at all.

Fly2High

Will the Ultegra or Corsa Lites be OK for a 203 lb rider?

Also, will the lower spoke count of the Ultegra be faster than the Corsa Lites even though the Corsa Lites are 70 gr lighter?

The Ultegra are (16F, 20B) radial laced and the Corsa are (20F, 24B)Front radial / Rear 2 cross. As for durability, would the lighter Corsa be more durable due to the lacing and greater spoke count or are the spokes just thinner since they both carry the same weight but since there are more they can be thinner?

I have a Specialized Sectuer 9Sp with Axis Classics that are rather heavy and hoping for some more performance with these rims. Plus, should I desire to upgrade, they are both 11 sp compatible.


When I order, besides tubes and tires, will I need anything else?

nick779

I dont believe so. Maybe tire levers if you dont have them. In another thread I read of a 200lb rider who has 15-20lbs of panniers on his with no issues.

RPK79

I have 3k miles on my Vuelta Corsa Pros and 1k miles on my Vuelta SLRs and other than one broken spoke and needing to push some grease into the freehub on the Pros once I haven't had any issues.

Edit: I'm at 165 lbs.

nick779

Suprised to not see anyone for the Ultegras or the Boyds. Not that I think that theyre subpar wheels. Just surprised to see nobody mentioning them or their experiences with them.

rms13

about 2500 miles on my corsa lite with no issues great bang for the buck

bres dad

I have two sets of Corsa SLRs (I believe they're a step up from the Corsa Lite but can't remember) in both 10 & 11 speed on my main & secondary bikes. I've had no trouble with either. I also have a set of Vuelta on my mountain bike and have had no issues either. Lot of people don't like Vuelta but for me, hard to go wrong and definite bang for the buck.

Bunyanderman

$300 would get you a chinese carbon wheelset. Mine came in at 1420g I think, and 50mm deep.

RPK79

I'll still take the Vuelta SLRs at 1467g for roughly the same price.

seymour1910

You're not reading your thread to well. Go back up to post #5 .

nick779

Youre right, im blind. Still though, Id think Ultrgea wheels and the Boyds would be more popular.

Decisions decisions.

RPK79

I think the Vueltas just happen to be very popular wheels.

nick779

Works for me. Goung with the Corsa lites when theyre on sale next.

seymour1910

If I'm going off post #8 , they don't sound very appealing to me. Broken spokes and freehub maintenance in the first couple thousand miles?

I'll keep my Boyds. Over 10k miles under a 220lb rider and no issues at all.

redlude97

id personally go with the ultegras for the added width, but no experience with them. Very happy with my boyd vitesses though so would have no qualms riding the roulers either

lyrictenor1

Don't forget that the Ultegras have the capability to be run tubeless if you so desire.

bikejrff

Me too. 2 sets of Boyd Altamonts. Fantastic upgrade.

akeelor

+1 for the Boyd's. I have 4K miles on my Vitesse wheels with no maintenance. They are great.

stackinBBs

I'm on my second year with a set of Boyd Rouleurs. Love them. Reasonably light, reasonably inexpensive, and coachboyd seems like a nice guy, willing to discuss options with you. Literally my only complaint is that the aluminum freehub body on mine is already chewed, despite careful attention to cassette installation. But that's aluminum for ya. I'll be picking up a couple extra freehub bodies to keep around, and all will be well. I'm about 185lbs, for the record.

nick779

From everything ive read the superlites/SLRs have different nipples and spokes and are much more prone to breaking/loosening compared to the Lites.

Like I said, I want the Boyds, Im just not sure if its worth it for how little im able to ride. Im doing my best to change that though.

That really sucks, I was hoping that was just a cheap hub problem, but I guess thats not the case.

I just dont know which route to go.

Will I have any issues running 25c tires on the 19mm wheels? What about 28c if I ever go there?

EDIT: Ive gone down this road before with purchasing my bike and ended up with the more expensive bike anyway, but with a better shop in the end and the journey was totally NOT worth it. I think im just going to go for the Boyds for less headache and worry.

Adonis72

I have the Corsa Lites on my Domane and they showed up true and were easy to install. I only have a couple hundred miles on them so far but a big improvement over the stock wheels and I got them for $200 so hard to beat for the price.