cuda2k

So I thought I had my wheel choice for my new frame all set. Mavic Open Pro / Ultegra with 15/14 double butted spokes. I've heard a many good things about them, but upon browsing through the reviews over at Roadbikereview.com I saw that a fair few people had some negative things to say about them as well. Mostly with a clicking noise that develops in the spoke holes and a few broken eyelets and such. So thought I'd ask around here to see if there were any other voices of distaste for the rims.

So far, my second choice right now are a Ritchey Aero Comp wheelset. As you could guess, I'm looking at 32 or 28 spoke 3x or possibly 2x wheels.

blandin

I run Ultegra/Open Pros on my KHS Flite 800 (Reynolds 853 steel). They're well suited for that bike and I love them. No clicking, no brooken eyelets, no problems of any kind.

MWW

I have 3 wheels built with them and have had no problems. They are sturdy when properly built up. Make sure you get a handbuilt set of wheels. I put them through a season of cross and they needed minor truing. The durability will depend on the build, so don't skimp on that aspect of the purchase.

Good luck.

was_bmxer

I have them. I like them. They are inexpensive and last long enough to justify the price.

I had one rear wheel that I rode for training that lasted from Aug 2000 until around mid 2002. I was training an average of 500 to 600k's a week. I might add that I did weigh around 92-95kg's ( I think around 200 pounds, 195cm tall).

They do split and the eyelet come loose, and the rim can split around the eyelet holes. All of my rear wheels have, I do bunny hop anything in they way, up and down footpaths. I still have a set that I train on every day, race on too sometimes. I can get a rim fo $50 AUS, which is about US$35. If they last me 6-8 months I am happy at that price. I know alot of guys that weigh less than me that have never had a problem with them. I bought a set with Chorus hubs, dt straight gauge spokes for about $150 from Helens Cycles in Santa Monica, I belive they are one of the more expensive shops in the area??? in April and the rear is just starting to go now on me.

I hope this helps.

55/Rad

The problem with considering a wheel that has been around for so long and used by so many is that the inevitable negative review will come up. And, since few people will re-validate a decision that so many others have already confirmed, said negative review will stick out and take on more weight than it's probably worth.

They're great wheels. Done.

55/Rad

Trev Doyle

I have open pro/ultrgras on my lemond. They roll perfectly and have 1000's of kms on them. And I have them with Ti spokes and hugi hubs on my Pinarello, with even more kms. Don't worry about open pro.

caloso

I have a pair just like that: Open Pro rims, Ultegra hubs, 14/15 spokes. I bought them in March and have put on 2500 mi approximately. I occasionally have to tighten a spoke or two on the rear but no big deal. Good old school wheels, not flashy, solid.

cuda2k

55/Rad makes a very good point about the reviews. Which is why I decided to post here to get some reassurance that I wasn't making a bad move. These will be the nicest (and most expensive) wheels I've yet to purchase and want to make sure they will fit my needs. They're going on a nice lugged 531 steel frame that will be arriving soon and will be seeing lots and lots of miles.

dtrain

Cuda2K,

You may remember that I tried to get positive comments on here about Ritchey wheels a week or two ago and simply couldn't. On the other hand, you're having a hard time getting negative comments about Open Pro/Ultegra. I think that says a lot about which direction the posters here would point you.

BTW, can anyone comment on the benefit of spending a little more for CD or Ceramic Open Pro's? Eventually, I'm going to have some Open Pro's built around a pair of those black 105 hubs that were so cheap on performance awhile ago.

cuda2k

dtrain, I've got a pair of Mavic CD mtb rims but haven't been on them yet. Color is... interesting. can't be much more help than that just yet.

wrench

I am a wheelbuilder and I hate Open Pros. They take longer to build than some other rims, last too long and perform superbly. Easily overtensioned by ham-fisted builders. Customers are far too satisfied with them. The only plus is that they wear out under braking rather quickly in winter (UK). So you'll be needing a new set of rims Sir!!!
Top rims if properly tensioned. For Clydesdale riders, use CXP33's.

Sirrobinofcoxly

Love my open pro's. I have had them on my fixie for a year now, and I skid a lot. They are still true,a dn actually still look as good as the day i got them. I recomend them!

dtrain

I'm also considering 33's for my build because I weigh 235. I have a 36 hole rear hub, though, so even the Open Pro's (handbuilt) should be okay...right? I've been told the Open Pro's would give a much nicer ride overall?

caloso

Wrench: What do you think about CXP33's for a 170lb/77.5kg rider using them to commute?

Eatadonut

I weighed 240 when I first started riding on my open pros, and was just learning to ride. Having torn up endless tubes and 2 sets of tires by ramming potholes at 20mph, and only once retruing the front wheel, I'm a believer.

Mine were handbuilt by the guy I bought the bike from, I would suggest you go to someone who knows their stuff as well.

Warblade

I dont like them because they are too heavy. Good training wheel though.

MICHAELM

Wrench,

What is your opinion of the Mavic CXP30? Not the CXP33. I have a pair hanging in my garage with Dura Ace hubs.

alraicercsu

I have them on 2 bikes one of them being a fixed gear. I have taken many falls. The worst being on the fixie were I broke a spoke and bent the axle, the rim was fine, still ride it.

Edit:talking about the open pros

Al1943

When I built my first complete wheelset for my commuter using Open Pros my LBS warned me that they may click due to a lug used at the seam coming loose. After building a second OP set I have had no problems at all with the rims. I think MAVIC has cured the clicking problem.
I can't think of a better wheelset for the money than Open Pros, 14-15-14 spokes 3X, on Ultegra hubs. I do have a slight preference for the DT RR 1.1 rims due to their lighter weight and welded seam, but they also cost more.

Al

MacMan

I run my PowerTap on an OpenPro rim. Not a rim to risk a high-price hub on! No complaints and I beat the snot out of it - inside and outside.

Bobby Lex

My factory-built OPs creaked (actually, just the rear wheel) for a couple months until I couldn't stand it anymore and took it in to my LBS. They talked me into a rebuild with bigger spokes, but did a crappy build job and the rim cracked at an eyelet.

So, I decided to learn to build wheels myself. I bought a new rim, and re-used the old hub, spokes and nipples. That was about 6,000 miles ago and I haven't ever had to touch a spoke since. It has stayed perfect. And quiet.

OPs are great IF BUILT UP PROPERLY.

Bob

F1_Fan

OPs are essentially unchanged since the original design (pre-1991 at least, don't know for sure)... when a bike product sticks around that long there's a good reason

roadbuzz

Excellent wheels, but yes, don't be surprised if one develops a click. FWIW, I can stop mine with a little lube on the offending bushing about once a month. If it's caused by a loose internal piece at the weld, I've heard of people using a punch to lock it in place.

cs1

I have a set of Open Pros laced to Chorus hubs from 1995. I've updated the hubs with a 10 speed cassette body rather than build new wheels. They work great. No problems.

Tim