kevmk81

This is my scenario:

I have a grand (or less) to spend on a wheelset. I need some suggestions! I'm looking for a good set of race wheels... already have training wheels, but I might use these during training as well if they provide a better ride than my current. Currently using Mavic Aksiums, and have a sram s60 rear wheel I use for racing (front wheel is no longer after a crash two years ago). What I'm looking for in a new wheelset is - in priority order:

1) strong
2) lightweight
3) smooth rolling hub

I'm only looking at carbon rims. Would like a deep section rim but not a must. Will be using a shimano 10 speed drivetrain. Looking at clinchers only. Carbon brake surface or aluminum rim brake surface, no preference, either are fine. I don't *have* to spend a grand!!

Any ideas? Thanks!

Elvo

Bontrager Aura 5

dvdslw

I would buy an S60 to match the rear before I take a chance on a set of $1,000 carbon clinchers. If you spend slightly more you can get something from Williams, Boyd, Flo, November, etc... Only other thing that comes to mind is Performance has Reynolds Assaults for $1,199 and if you check daily you'll find them on sale for $999 but they're a cheaper build than the Assaults listed on Reynolds website with heavier spokes and low end hubs. Good Luck!

canam73

BOOM!

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/wheels-factory-built-wheels-factory-road-tri-shimano-rs81-c35-35mm-carbon-laminate-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr396

Jiggle

Easy - Dura Ace 7850, 7900, or 9000 C24. Lightest clincher rim on the market and dem Dura Ace hubs.

kevmk81

Wow, I wasn't aware of how expensive wheels are. I don't see myself buying a SRAM s60 front wheel. The only one I can find is too expensive at $715.

So maybe, instead of carbon, what about any good aluminum light weight rims? So far the dura ace C24 seems to be a good/best choice I'm thinking.

MNX1024

Do a custom built with Pacenti SL23 rims, even with high end hubs they'll still end up below $1000. You can get them to be sub 1400 grams depending on hub choices. They'll be one of the smoothest ride you'll ever have for a aluminum rim because they are wide!

Edit:
Forgot to mention, I've built a set laced to Bike Hub Store's UL66 and UL190, essentially Bitex hubs, with DT Aerolite 20F(radial)/24R(2x). They came out to 1367 grams.

TassR700

Try these on closeout at Williams for $899:


Williams System 85 Carbon Clincher Wheelset

Good wheels and customer service can't be beat.

Smokehouse

I landed up getting a set of ROL Race SL wheels...well under $700. I've put 2000+ miles on them ant they have performed very well. Even shaved 500g of weight off of the bike from the stockers.

https://www.rolwheels.com/

kevmk81

Oooh... what about American Classic 420 Aero 3's? Anyone have opinions on those? They seem light, aero with a 34mm rim. But I don't know much about their hubs. Price is right.

delcrossv

FLO. Best deal out there IMO.

BoSoxYacht

Far from lightweight

delcrossv

True, Horses for courses. But it does get the other two- and they're aero.

kevmk81

A little *too* heavy for my taste! Races around here can be hilly at times. In a perfect world I would have a wheelset like this and a lightweight wheelset, but I have a wife. lol

xjustice09x

I'm a fan of wide rims. I have a custom built Pacenti SL23 set on my cyclocross bike, and HED Ardennes SL wheels on my road bike. Its a little more comfortable ride, and allows me to use slightly lower pressures than I can with narrower rims. I've had a carbon brake track failure so I personally prefer aluminum brake tracks.

With a $1000 budget you have many options. I would talk to a wheelbuilder about a custom set. They can build you something specific for your weight and riding needs.

If not there are deals out there.

If you don't need 11 speed R&A has some old HED Ardennes FR wheels on closeout HED Ardennes FR Clincher Wheelset | R&A Cycles


If you want something more aero. Arts has 11 speed compatible Jet 4 FR's on sale for $999
HED Jet 4 FR Wheelset 11-Speed

I didn't spend much time searching. I'm sure there are plenty of good deals out there if you spend some time looking for them.

rpenmanparker 

American Classic hubs are among the finest made. They tend to have narrow flange spacing for good side to side tension balance in the rear, but that somewhat compromises stiffness. For that reason some folks don't like them. Very light. My favorite hub.

Bob Dopolina 

I'd take their aero data with a grain of salt...

dvdslw

I agree that the Dura Ace C24's are hard to beat for the price. A good all around wheel set especially for hills. Other sets to consider would be Easton EA90 SLX's, HED Ardennes+, even the RS81 C35's which are similar to the DA's but a deeper profile.

On a budget, these look good on paper and some swear by them Vuelta Corsa Race 700c Clincher Black 11sp - Road Wheels - Wheelset's

kevmk81

Those HED Jet 4's are very close to what I'm looking for.

How is artscyclery's offer different from HED ? Jet 4 FR | queenk-shop.com

I'm trying to figure out why Artscyclery's is on closeout. Is it not the same wheelset as the queenk-shop above?

xjustice09x

The Jet 4 FR is probably a previous years model. The HED website lists the Jet 4 plus (which has an even wider 25mm rim) as the current model. That might be why Arts is closing them out.

The one at queenk-shop mentions 2012. Its probably the same wheelset. I'm just not sure if the 2012 model was 11 speed compatible, however you can buy a new freehub body if you need 11 speed compatibility.

kevmk81

Well... I think I'm going to bite the bullet and spend more than $1000. I like the reviews and specs on the dura ace 9000 c50 wheelset. Seems like a fairly good value. Found a couple websites that have them for 1400ish. I like the idea of a wider rim, never thought about that before actually.

MNX1024

If you're going to spend more than $1000, look no further and go for a set of November Rails! With the Rail 34, you will feel no crosswinds!!! I can say this from experience as I own a set. For the Rail 52, performance is comparable to a pair of ZIPP 404. They are wide rims too, internal width is actually wider than ZIPPS and ENVE.

November Bicycles: Race smart. - Home

Do check out their blog post, start reading from June and on. All their recent testing and racer's impression on them are there.

Darth Steele

man, they really need a 42mm size wheel.. the 34 is too shallow and the 52 is too deep

loimpact

I don't know if you'd be able to set up true time differences, but I'd be curious to see if you notice any speed difference. Mavic Aksiums are already a great trainer & I don't know how much you're shaving off in weight going to carbon but aside from being carbon the Aksiums sound like they sum up exactly what you're looking for.

I rode some rovals on a 2015 Sworks Tarmac Di2 Disc last night and I can't say I feel like there was enough difference for me to ever want a pair of carbons (outside of the look) and I could still definitely feel some movement in the winds.
(shrug)

MNX1024

Let's see, your Aksium weighs about 1735 grams and my custom built Rail 34 weighs 1388 grams. The rovals, with the rotors attached, weight will be very close to your Aksium. I'll let you decide with that.