November Mike

Mike from November here. We get a lot of questions about whether or not the CX-Ray spokes are worth the upgrade. They're the exact same weight as the Lasers with the only difference being that they're bladed for improved aerodynamics. How much improved? We took the two 38mm carbon clinchers to the wind tunnel to find out - one built with lasers and one with CX-Rays. We found that the CX-Rays were about 1 watt faster than the lasers. If you're looking for every last watt of speed, the upcharge is easy to justify. That's why we build them into our carbon wheels. For an everyday trainer that is also pressed into service on fast group rides and the occasional race, the value proposition starts to erode for some people.

Here's the data and our write-up if you want to take a look at it:
https://www.novemberbicycles.com/blog...s-cx-rays.html

For what it's worth, our experience is that if the wheel is priced above $500, the investment seems to be high enough for most people to justify CX-Rays. Under $500 and it's all about value but above that mendoza line it's in for a penny, in for a pound. So we're about to switch our standard FSW build to include CX-Rays and drop Lasers altogether.

DinoShepherd

Ah, the man shares the dirty little secret of low spoke count wheelsets...

I weigh considerably less than Mr. R., and share the same experience, that is 20/24, is too few spokes.

Yes, am sure there are combinations of heavy rims and 14ga. spokes where this will work, but I think we all get the picture...

RedVVing19

I've been in the same boat for months now, riding a 2013 tarmac with bulletproof DT Axis 2.0(2046g with rimstrips. 873g front, 1173 rear. 24 spokes laced radially front and 32 radially/cross 3 rear) and want the same reliability but a whole lot less weight.

I am 165lbs but am to wheelset ignorant to choose from the OP's list though I've looked at them all repeatedly.

squatchy

I always have to laugh when I hear a guy talk about how a few more grams of weight will slow them down. I can't believe how much BS people believe. Especially weight wenies. If you were a CAT 1 or better maybe it would matter then (except it wouldn't because your sponsors would be buy top shelf stuff anyway) but otherwise recreational riders and lower class racers could never ever tell a difference in a few grams for a few more spokes. Why would any one want a wheelset that goes so far out of true with a single busted spoke you can't get home? I ride the shet out of my bikes and I have 10k worth of miles on wheelsets that are as true as the first day out of the box. I also can't imagine why one would still want to ride on 19's instead of 23 wide hoops any more.

I know everyone has their entitled opinion and that fine. Just thought I would share mine

misterha

Hub design and flange width is also an important thing to consider

RedVVing19

https://www.artscyclery.com/HED_Arden...crumb=RDMCOMPS

TheRealFaux

After reading this thread, I pulled the trigger on a set of FSW23s. My decision was made easier in that the price was too hard to beat at $460 shipped. Can't wait for them to arrive!

jetter

Congratulations! I don't regret buying the FLO's, but the decision between them and the FSW23's was really really close. Post pics when you get them!

RedVVing19

Looks like both Boyd and November have updated their wheels and pricing for the new year

Boyd Vitesse = $670 (new hubs)
November f23 = $755 (White Industries T11 hubs)

coachboyd

That is what our pricing has been ever since releasing the new hubs. The standard price is 650, but if you choose the higher spoke count it's an extra $20.

FLO Cycling

Yes and no.

Yes: We are still selling out most of our wheels in 12-15 minutes every time we offer a sale. We increased production nearly 2.5 times this year and we are ramping up even more next year.

No: While most of our carbon wheels are sold within the first few minutes, our FLO 30s have lasted a little longer. We had FLO 30s available for a couple of weeks after our last sale. Customers were able to order, and have their products ships immediately.

We are doing our best to catch up with demand.

I hope that makes sense.

FLO Cycling

That is correct. It also adds about 4 weeks to our lead time which is already long enough.

FLO Cycling

Sapim makes great spokes period, so it's tough to go wrong with any of their spokes. One of the biggest reasons we decided to build with CX-Rays was their fatigue resistance. The chart below shows the difference between Sapim's different models.

waters60

Not a clincher question, but since we have the attention of wheel builders, what recommendations are there for tubular rims. My Chorus hubs are 32 F & 36 B For years I have used Mavic Reflex rims, both silver and anodized, but over the last few years have noticed problems such as this " Clean the rim very carefully and look for cracks in the rim around the spoke holes. This has been a known problem with certain vintages of Mavic Open Pro rims. " After a couple of years, small cracks running parallel with the rim around spoke holes. I am around 175 and a fairly strong rider. I would love to have an alternative to knowing my rims will develop cracks after a couple of years.

RedVVing19

I am aware your prices have stayed the same but with new hubs, was just updating everyone that both companies changed a few things

jjjj

Custom built Pacenti SL23s from hoops wheels with a 20/28 spoke count. They cost $535. You can upgrade the hubs if you desire. I weigh 170 lbs and these wheels are great for me. Also, Brent at hoops wheels is great to work with.


https://www.hoopswheels.com/wheels2426e.html

99Klein 

I'm leaning towards the Flo 30's as well but so may great choices at this price point it's hard to decide. Still weigh 230 so I need strong but want something lighter. My Vuelta HD's are insanely durable but you can sure feel the difference between them and my RS10's in both ride quality and speed. The HD's will kill you keeping up on a group ride when things head upward. Never thought wheel weight was a big deal but you really can feel a lighter wheel.

petermk

I am a bit late to the parade but can recommend SOUL wheels. I've been riding a Soul 3.0 wheelset on the pothole-filled roads of Brooklyn, NY and they still look as new.

https://2013.bikesoul.com/

Long Tom

What a great thread; kudos to the 41 for something google will find for years.

I've got it bookmarked, as I'm considering upgrading the Fulcrum 4's that came on my Roubaix Expert. The problem is, I'm still trying to figure out where in the spectrum those Fulcrums live!

jr59

You can't let facts get in the way. I mean really, this is the 41.

Drew Eckhardt 

I'd worry more about brake performance than what the track looks like.

Anodized aluminum brake tracks are more slippery than bare aluminum. I wasn't too happy when I built a set of wheels using anodized Mavic MA40s without machined brake tracks although they got better when silver streaks started showing.