steepcreek

Hi folks,

I am a long time MTB'er that has just gotten into road. Love it and I am riding all the time.

I purchased a CAAD 8 and the wheels that came with it are not very good and just about shot.

I am 6'2" and about 225lbs right now so I need tough wheels. The roads here in ohio suck too. Lots of pot holes bad RR tracks and chip and seal road surfaces that shake the crap out of ya.

I am looking at Williams 30x or Velocity fusions with 36h.

Any feedback or advice is welcome.

Thanks!

Second Mouse

The standard answer for a lot of folks around here is Mavic Open Pros with Ultegra hubs. $200 plus shipping at Performancebike.com. I'd probably go with Mavic CXP 33 wheels and Ultegra or maybe Dura Ace hubs. Colorado Cyclist can make up a set for fairly cheap and people have remarked that their build quality is better than Performance. You also get options with Colorado Cyclist as far as # of spokes, lacing pattern, spoke gauge, etc.

I just got a set of Easton EA70 wheels. 24 spokes front, 28 rear, 1650g, I weigh 205 pounds and like them a lot so far (only two short crits and maybe 50 training miles on them, though).

waterrockets 

In that price range, I'd recommend you get a 32h front, 36 rear Deep-V wheelset built around Tiagra hubs. Radial front, 3x rear, 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes, brass nips. Those hubs will last forever and only weigh about 5g more than Ultegra, and only cost like $60 for the pair. The rims are bombproof. You can re-shape potholes with them.

I would think a good local wheelbuilder could hook you up with this wheelset for less than $300.

Another option is to build them yourself...

CrimsonKarter21

I'm going to second waterrockets on this one, except I'd say to go with DT Swiss R1.1 rims because they're purrdy.

Where in Ohio are you?

waterrockets 

You gotta go R1.2 -- this is a clyde on rough roads. Nice rims, but nearly 2x the $$$.

urbanknight

+1 on the 32/36 Deep V build. Those rims put up with a lot.

steepcreek

I am in the Kent/Ravenna area. You know what I mean about the roads? I swear the road engineers are in league with the auto repair shops. They love that chip and seal crap down here in pot-rage, oops sorry, I meant portage and summit county.

ottsville

Nice piton...

white_feather

I am in Willoughby, Ohio. Nice to see some local people here.

ottsville

I recently picked up a new set of 2006 ksyrium sl's for $550 at performance(got em during double points weekend too!). I've seen some big guys on them. But you could get a decent set of handbuilts for less that will be more weight appropriate.

steepcreek

Thanks, it hurt. No broken bones though.

scuzzo

look at easton circuits. i had a pair on one bike and they were just about bomb proof. so much so that i went with a new pair to replace some open pros long in tooth. after 2 years on same wheel set i have yet to have to touch them with plenty of tough rides. mho.. not as snazzy as some wheels but man they do the job

ElJamoquio

You (and by you I mean the Texas tourism industry) claim that 'Everything's bigger in Texas', but my money is on Michigan potholes.

Pennsylvania used to have Michigan beat, but I think the tables have been turned.

waterrockets 

Dude, I've driven in Michigan, and I couldn't believe how bad they are! You combine wet freeze-thaw cycles with the heaviest big trucks in the country, and there you have it. You know, the road wear predictions use the 4th power (!) of gross vehicle weight, so those heavy iron-carrying trucks are just tearing the hell out of everything.

Second Mouse

I understand the new version of the Circuits is the EA70.

oilman_15106

This time it may be nice to be #2 but we still like our potholes here in PA.

Another wheel suggestion: Campy Vento. If you run Shimano they may be hard to find. Bombproof in my opinion. Also check scambay. There are often DA/Open Pro wheels 32 spoke that go below $200. Snagged a pair for my son for $175 that were basically new, 9 speed hub.

ravenmore

Bombproof = Velocity Deep V's. Heavy, but you can crush rocks with 'em.

jackcoke

bicyclewheelwarehouse.com

DA+OP=$374

Have a nice day.

ottsville

My bike came with supergo korsos on it(the same as forte titans) and they've been excellent. I've got >5k miles on mine and they're still true as can be. But I'm a little lighter than OP

ravenmore

Actually if going that route I'd recommend Ultegra/OP as it should be cheaper and really pretty much the same wheel. Open Pro rims aren't completely bomb proof though. I should know, I'm waiting for a new one right now to replace one I damaged hitting a rock at 35 mph. Deep V's are heavier but sturdier.

steepcreek

I think I am going to go with Ultegra 6600's, a set of deep v's, and 14/15 spokes. That way if I want to go to 10 when my 9 spd shifters kick the bucket I can without having to get new hubs. I'll stick with the deep v's too cause I will need these wheels to last a while.

Think I am going to get them from spin lite. They have a 32/36 package for 340 bucks.

Thanks for all the help guys.

baiskeli

Hi steepcreek, I can only recommend what I have. I'm shorter and lighter than you about 170 pounds, and I use Mavic Ksyrium Elites. I love them, they seem bombproof and I've seen people about your weight riding them. When I got them they were going for about $400 - $500.

The only thing I can add is that they are stiffer than my previous wheels (Mavic Open Pros with DA hubs). That could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what your preferences are.

[edit]never mind, I just saw your last response [/edit]

feethanddooth

i have mavic krysriums and they are nice. havent had to true them once since buying the bike over 5000 miles ago

waterrockets 

You will be happy with your Deep Vs. I recently won a race with my 32h Deep-V front

jaxgtr

My Deep V's with Ultegra were $380 after tax and are a great wheel, 36 front and back, 14G, brass nipples. Started to get 32 on the front, but a 3 week delay on the rim for some reason, so went 36 up front. Would have been $320 give or take with Tiagra hubs. I'm 300 and about 600 miles on them now and have had zero issues with them. The are stiff and have very little if any flex and if they can hold my fat butt, you should have no issues. I also think you'd be safe with 32.

Word of warning, Michelin tires as a huge pain to install on these rims, super, super tight.