jdonzella

I want to buy a new wheelset that is affordable, lightweight, at least 34mm deep, and of course will last. At the top of my list was the FSA RD600 or 800,which as some of you may have experience, does not yet exist. The wheelsets are still being tested and who knows if they will even be available before the 2005 season starts. Next is the Zipp 303, which I have mostly read terrible reviews on the internet about? Doesn't stay true, hubs and spokes fail, etc. The same goes for the AC 420. So I think I have it narrowed down to the the Bontrager x lite areo or the Rolf Prima Vigor? Any thoughts or suggustions? I weigh 175lbs. and am 6'2". Would like to go light, but strong so I don't have to buy a new wheelset in a year?

55/Rad

I own both the X-Lite Aero and the Rolf Prima Vigors. Here's the difference:

Aeros are 30 mm deep, Vigors are 34mm.
Aeros weigh 1710 gms/set, Vigors, 1455
Aeros have ? hubs, Vigors are White Industries, which are incredible.
Aeros are $749 msrp and can be purchased for $675-700, Vigors are $849 msrp and can be purchased for $750-800.

Both were designed by Rolf using his patented paired spoke technology. Bontrager inherited many of the patents Rolf sold to Trek when he worked there.

Both are great wheels, the Vigors being the next generation to the Aeros.

55/Rad

phantomcow2

I suspect this thread will go farther if you tell us waht your willing to spend here.

55/Rad

I noticed in your other post that you currently ride Race Lites. I have those too and love them.

Bottom line - you will notice a bigger difference with the Vigors than with the Aeros.

55/Rad

jdonzella

Thanks for the imput guys, I do love the race lite wheels as well. I have well over 8 k on them and they are as true as the day I bought them. I feel the back end of my bike is heavy especially when climbing. I spend a lot of time doing that in WV. Vigors would give me 200gs less of rotation weight? I would like to keep the price of the wheelset below 1,000 dollars.

pinky

Don't forget American Classic 420's, 34mm rim and I know they used to use the same rim as the Rolf Prima Elans for their 350s

R600DuraAce

I race with a pair of Zipp carbon tubular (303 back and 340 front). They are not your everyday's wheelset. They are durable given that I raced with these on some of the pretty bad country road doing 30 mph+. The clincher version is stupid. The wheelset weights no lighter than the Ksyrium SL and the wheel is not structurally carbon. The carbon is just a fairing. Any carbon wheelset you get you should look for the tubular version. If you don't want to learn how to use and ride with tubular tire, forget about carbon wheels at all. I would suggest the Velomax Tempest II.

R600DuraAce

Yeah but I don't think AC sorts out their hub issue yet.

seely

Best value hands down would be a Velocity wheelset... their higher end aero rims are very affordable, hubs are pretty solid (4 rear cartridge bearings) and they are light to boot.

jdonzella

I read nothing but bad reveiws about Zipps especially if you are looking for an everyday wheelset? I will look into the velomax. Thanks

pinky

For 2005 AC has switched hub manufacturers and bearings specifically in response to everyone complaining about their poor quality.

BigFloppyLlama

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/ph...pic.php?t=3692
I'd personally stay away from any American Classic wheelset. Seems that half the people have nothing but problems while others have none. Doesn't exactly seem like the track record I'd want to gamble on, especially considering there are alternatives. It really depends on what you're going to do with these wheels, time trials, crits, road races, hill climbs, etc.

seely

I will say that everyone I know with Zipps has had them fail because of horrible quality builds. When we order them for customers, we ALWAYS have to go through and retension the entire wheel.

53-11 alltheway

What is the wheelset you have on your bike Seely? I am partial to Velocity Aeroheads....but never tried the Deep V stuff.

seely

I got the Spartacus... its kind of their lower end everyday Aero wheelset. Doing a weight comparison, its tons lighter than say a Shimano R540 wheelset, but not really light enough to be considered "lightweight". The Aeroheads are a lot of bang for the buck... I think the Deep Vees are a bit heavier as I recall.

jdonzella

One of the guys I ride with just bought the new FSA RD 400 wheelset. He likes it and it has stayed true so far, but he only weighs a buck 50. He said it is lightweight, 28 mm areo, but a real pain in the A-- to change the tire. Difficult to get back on?