Mmj12345

Hi all,

Bought my first road bike about a month ago- '12 Cannondale SuperSix 6 (Apex). Came from a Trek Kaitai hybrid and absolutely loving it so far.

I know that it probably isn't completely necessary to immediately upgrade the wheel set, but I have the money and I've noticed that the Shimano R500 wheels that came stock on it flex while I'm pushing it hard (I'm 195lbs). Additionally they are ~1885 grams and [per the reviews] pretty slow to spin up, which makes sense because I feel I waste a good amount of energy riding the stop-and-go streets of Chicago and Lake Shore path that I'm limited to. Been researching what wheels would be a solid upgrade and it seems Mavic Kysrium Elite, Fulcrum Racing 3, etc. are popular choices. Came across the Pro-Lite Bracciano's and it looks like they are fantastic wheels for the money, and light at ~1490 grams.

So finally my question is: I'm having trouble finding the Bracciano's available online anywhere. Will any wheels I look at listed with a Shimano-compatible hub work with my 10 speed SRAM PG-1050, 11-26 cassette?

I appreciate the help! Feel free to chime in with other wheel sets in a similar price range that are solid. Few pics of the bike, me, and the lakefront view from my first few rides below!

Edit: I current am 195lbs and in a few months will be down around ~180 and maintain that weight.

uncrx2003

Budget?

knowledgdropper

Firstly, congrats on the new bike and welcome. Secondly, the SRAM part you're referring to (PG-1050 11-26) is called the cassette. The hub is what the cassette slides onto. Hubs are often referred to as being Shimano or Campagnolo (Campy) type, SRAM's 10-speed road cassettes are designed to be compatible with Shimano hubs.

At 195lbs, the sensible choice for a wheel upgrade would be a custom build from your local wheel builder. Custom doesn't always mean expensive. A set of Mavic Open Pro rims laced to Ultegra hubs will last for years and be lighter than what you've got on there now. Not sure on current pricing, but mine were built for less than $400 out the door.

That being said, my first "upgrade wheels" were Mavic Ksyrium SLs. I was heavier than you when I got them and they're still in use today- very durable for me. I think I've trued them twice in the 5 years I've had them. Good luck with your research!

nastystang

Boyd's get a lot of good reviews and from what I have read on here, outstanding support. I have Ksyrium Elite's and have no complaints. Good wheel with a decent weight. I have had mine for a year and no issues at all. I upgraded my wheels right away as well from Mavic CXP22's and noticed that the Elite's just rolled better. Do a search on the wheel sets you looking at and see what pro and cons you come up with. Maybe a set of custom built wheels are what you want.

Mmj12345

Thanks for the replies. My bad- I meant my SRAM cassette, not hub

Budget... would like to stay around or under $600, but if I realistically cannot get anything in that price range that would be a decent upgrade from the R500's I could always save my money and work on improving the "engine" before upgrading. Also, if it makes any difference in a few months I plan (I'm determined) to be down around 180 lbs and maintain that weight.

Biscayne05

https://www.planet-x-usa.com/category-s/1866.htm or the Boyds on sale.

seymour1910

You can get Boyd Rouleurs (1582g) in 24/28 spoke count for $435 shipped to your door, and they are a fine training wheel. They match your bike well too. I have 20lbs on you and I have no problem with them at all. https://www.boydcycling.com/30mm-rouleur/

The Vitesse are nice to, as well as products from other companies.

asok

Are open pros still a solid choice? I am looking to have a sub 500 dollar set built (or build myself) and am looking for a rim. Open pros are a popular training rim, but I have heard a lot of complaints about cracking at the eyelets.

abstractform20

i recommend that everyone read Bianchi's recent wheelbuild test thread.

IMO Mavic are incredibly overrated.

OP what is your budget?

the Ultegra 6700 wheelset is around $550 and is tubeless compatible (if you want to stay with a big name with great quality).

also, DO NOT SKIMP ON THE TIRES!

Mmj12345

Budget - trying to stay somewhere around $600 or below. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll read the Bianchi thread. Also, already grabbed a pair of Conti GP4000S tires so I'm good to go there.

Dunbar

Bicycle Wheel Warehouse is currently running a 25% off promotion. I use something very similar to this wheel and it's been bulletproof. With the 25% off they are $100 less than I paid for mine. Unless you want to drop ~$500+ on the new 23mm wide wheels that are all the rage I think these are hard to beat.

https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/Roa...PURE-Race.html

Coupon Code:
https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/DEAL-OF-THE-DAY.html

Nick Bain

so can you guys tell a difference between a 1900 and 1500 gram wheel weight?

abstractform20

wide rims.$650
https://www.boydcycling.com/products/...-clincher.html


OP, a few things to remember when looking at wheels:

-bladed/aero spokes are pretty gimmicky (Sapim CX Rays are the ones to get, if you want aero spokes)
-deeper rims dont necessarily = more aero
-for most recreational riders, aluminum clinchers are more realistic/sensible
-even if you were to spend $4,000 on Zipps or Enves, you will not increase your MPH by even 1mph. for certain applications, there are definite advantanges.
-you will ride the rims, at the end of the day. so even if someone (including me) is telling you that something is less efficient or gimmicky, it really only matter that it makes you enjoy riding...but dont you PHVCKING deny science.

nugget8383

Congrats on the new bike. I am also new here and got a new bike recently. I was in the same boat about a month ago. I researched for days and every conceivable make & model. I found the best way to go for me was custom built. I'm 195#. After contacting a few builders I found Bicyclewheelwarehouse.com to be the best. I ended up with the Blackset Race Podiums in white, 24x32, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, and red nipples. Wrapped them in Michelin Pro4 service course tires. They even kept the build under my budget. Absolutely love them and have been setting personal records everywhere I have been riding. GoodLuck and I hope my little tid bit of info helps.

SonnyLim

I think if you want to upgrade than go to tubular wheelset for that weight, because clincher inner tube could break if you hit the hole in the road. This suggestion because i see my friends who use mavic kysrium elite falling from his bike because he hit the hole in the road, than break the inner tube n the tire explode than he falled n break his shoulder bone, better go with tubular wheelset for over weight people like zipp, campy or fulcrum wheelset

abstractform20

bad advice. riding into a pothole can damage any tire and rim combination. imagine if your friend had torn a hole into his tubular. how well do you think he would be able to repair it? does he carry a spare tire?

changing a tube is quick and easy. clincher rims can be converted into tubeless for about $140, add $90 for a pair of tires. tubeless allows to also much lower psi and does an excellent job of protecting against flats.

there are many lightweight clinchers available.

laserfj

Just go ride your bike.

unionmade

I was in your boat, and weigh about what you do, a year ago. I went custom with forum fav psimet.com. Got American made white industries hubs laced to Kinlin rims. The hubs roll super smooth. I also get at least one compliment per ride (not that impressing others is in any way a goal here ).
for your size and budget, you should at least send Rob (owner of psimet) an email to see what he'd recommend. You also won't go wrong with Boyd (also a very helpful poster) here.

rangerdavid

I weigh about the same as the OP. My first upgrade was to Mavic Ksyrium Elites and there was a world of difference!! Wheels are the best upgrade you can do for the money IMHO. The Ksyrium Elites were the best value for my upgrade. They weigh less than 1500 gm and are practically bulletproof!! Can't best the price either.

macca33

I just put a used set of Fulcrum R3s on my CAAD10 and they are fantastic - roll very well and climb like a ripper. Almost make me look like a cyclist.....almost!

FWIW - The Pro-Lite Braccianos are rated highly with plenty of people over here using them. The consensus is that they perform exceptionally well and for the price they are very hard to beat.

cheers

rpenmanparker 

Besides, isn't Rob located in Chicago?

qcpmsame 

+1, drop Rob a line at Psimet and see what he suggests for your bike, size and budget. He will get back to you after you send in the request and let you know what he recommends for you.

https://www.psimet.com/

Bill

Bah Humbug

Rob doesn't like the wide rims, but I do, and many others. Boyd Vitesse, HED Belgium, Pacenti SL23, H+Son Archetype.

Make sure any rear hub is specifically "Shimano 8-9-10 compatible". For a brief period they used a special spline set for Dura-Ace 10 speed only, which will NOT be compatible with your cassette or most others. The Zen Cyclery Katmandu is similar to the Vitesse with premium hubs, if you can spring to $670.

bruin11

Fulcrum 3's. That's a very capable wheel set.

Psimet2001 

Yes I do. I build with them all the time. I just don't believe that the hype surrounding them makes any real difference over what remain to be stellar "normal" width rims.

Right now my queue is almost all "wide"

Yes, I am in Chicago (Elgin really) but if you're in the City stop just about anyone in a team kit- especially a xXx kit - and ask them about me or my wheels. I am busy babysitting ,errr....."parenting" this morning. Seems to be the only time I come out here anymore really. If you sent an inquiry, I will get back to it later today.

If you're coming out to the races this weekend you can just stop by and talk to me there.