Stefan.

I've found a few threads about them, but very few actual reviews. Anybody used these wheels before? I found them for (relatively) cheap on ebay for $350 shipped, and figured I'd give them a try.

datlas 

I have not ridden them but my past research has turned up pretty good reviews. The price you quote sounds awfully good, are they used and beat up or new??

Stefan.

Seller wrote "beautiful condition...barely a mark to be found" etc. The pictures reflect this as well. I mean, with ebay who really knows how many miles they have and whatnot. I know I'm taking a gamble, but I follow my gut and have a good feeling about these.

datlas 

Cambria has them new for $479. If these are nearly new they sounds like a reasonable deal. If you are not sure about the seller but really want these get them from cambria.

Of course you could save money and get the Neuvations...

ps I went back to the cambria site and although they are listed for $479 it also says "not available," so I am not so sure they really have them anymore...

WhyFi

Link please - I'd like to buy them before you.

In all seriousness, I'll probably be building a wheelset around an existing ptap rear and HED rims. There aren't that many reviews, but there are a few forum members that ride them, carpediemracing in particular, I think - do a search for some of his HED posts, maybe visit his blog, too.

max power

don't forget to use wider rim tape

WhyFi

Oh, he may have the older, non-C2 rims - C2 rims are the new, wide rim.

Stefan.

where can I get wider rim tape from?

WhyFi

Before you go buying wider rim tape, or the wheels for that matter, you should confirm that they're Bastogne C2s. Bastognes were introduced in 2006. The Bastogne C2s were introduced in 2009, I believe.

Stefan.

They are these:
https://www.powertri.com/bike/bicycle...-wheelset.aspx

Haku

I had that wheelset, spokes keep breaking. I am 5'10 and weigh 180.

Stefan.

You were 10 pounds away from the weight limit. I wonder if they intentionally try to make the limit sound high so as to not discourage people on the fence from buying them. I'm 5'10" and weigh 155 so I'm not worrying about it too much.

WhyFi

Um, okay. Those are obviously not the exact set for sale.

$350 shipped is suspiciously good, so you need to be very concise with the seller and ask if they're C2s. Looking through ebay, there's only one set of C2s for sale - there's still 4 days left on the auction and they're already above $450 with shipping.

Looking through the completed listings, there are two sets that recently sold in the $350 neighborhood. This set is obviously an older pair that doesn't have the newer C2 rims. This set, which has the same wording you mentioned, is a mismatched pair - the front wheel is the older rim type but the rear appears to be a C2.

eippo1

I have a handbuilt wheelset using HED C2 rims and hubs, but are pretty much the same as those, but built to take a bit more abuse. I gotta say that they blow my Ksyrium Elites out of the water. I love how they corner and ride (although how they ride has a lot to do with the build). I'm a huge fan of these rims and will prolly go wide for my next wheelset as well.

OiS

Well, I had a set, I'm 5'11" and 260lbs. I never had a problem with the spokes. Mind you, only had them for about 2 months before my bike was stolen!! Maybe they're my wheels!! lol.

They were a really nice ride, while I had them anyway...

lust4bikes

I have the wheelset one step above (the Ardennes) with the c2 rims. Some observations: had to get my brakes adjusted in order to accommodate the wider rim. I feel fresher riding these (over Mavic SL's). It might be due to the bladed spokes being a bit more narrow. These wheels are slightly faster, not earth shatteringly so.

Stefan.

Are there any problems associated with riding a mismatched pair, since the two rims are different widths?

Stefan.

???

datlas 

Why would that be a problem?

Stefan.

I'm not sure if it would effect handling/cornering in any way.

carpediemracing 

I have the C2s and they've been good to me. I used them as "bumpers" in my bike case just now (flew with 2 pairs of wheels plus bike in a soft case, with the wheels cushioning the frame) and they're fine. The Jet6 and Jet9 on the other side of the bike came through fine too. This is the third time I flew with the Bastognes in the same case, but the first time with two pairs of wheels.

C2s allow you to use much lower air pressure but I personally found that I prefer slightly higher pressure than their recommended 90 psi or so. I run maybe 100-105 psi. With normal rims I'd run 105-110 psi. I imagine that mixing wide and regular width rims could be a bit less consistent in feel - one tire softer, one harder.

I like the wide rims because you can run lower pressures for regular riding. For racing (hard cornering) I'm too old school and have not been able to adapt to lower pressures.

As far as durability they seem to be working fine for me after about 1 year of pretty regular use.

I can't speak for the non-C2 rims.

I was about 160 lbs, 5'7", and am reasonably kind to my wheels. Broken spokes are broken spokes though (related more to tension, metal quality, and build design/quality), and I've managed to break a few spokes in a few decades.

cdr

Davet

I've been using the stallion build (I'm 195#) Bastogne wheels with the C2 rims for a year now. I have to say that they are my favorite wheels of any that I've ever had. I have had no problems with them in any fashion and I really like what the wide rims do for me; better bike feel, better cornering and better road grip.

I bought mine from Steve Dodds at BicycleDoctorUSA for a very good price.

racin jasin

I have them and love them!

Haku

I had the Clydesdale build with 28 spoke in back and 24 spoke in front.