jimbo_tunacan

I am intersted in getting a new wheelset so that I can dedicate my stock set for the trainer. I weigh 170lbs and plan on running 25mm gp4000s tires. I like the idea of a wider rim set for better aero properties, handling, and a smoother ride. I don't want to break the bank but am willing to go up to $1,000 or so if there are compelling reasons to spend that much versus a set that are in the $600-700 range. The roads I ride on are in relatively decent shape, but I'm sure I will be hitting the occasional bump. I like to ride hills, but it's not too crazy where I live, my hillier routes are around 1,000ft/10miles and I like to do routes up to 50 miles or so. I am planning to train harder to get faster this year, but my typical rides currently average around 16.5-17.5 mph unless it is a shorter/harder effort.

Wheels that I am considering:

FLO 30
Boyd Altamont
HED Ardennes Plus SL
custom wheels with Pacenti SL23 rims/ or HED Belgium 2 Plus
Other choices?

Anyone have any experiences or recommendations to offer?

Thanks again for your thoughts.

seymour1910

Boyd Altamont

rm -rf

I'm the same weight. I got HED Ardennes plus SL last fall. I'm running a 23c GP4000S and it measures 26.6 mm wide on the 25.6 mm rims. That works great.

I use between 80 and 88 psi in the front, and 100-108 in the back. (85/108 on roads that might have deep potholes to rule out pinch flats, or on fast group rides. 80/100 if I'm doing an easier pace and want to really smooth out the rough roads, but still have great handling.) The wheels originally had Hutchinson Fusion 25c tires. I sliced one sidewall on my second ride, and am still running the other Hutchinson on the back. It measures 27.6 mm wide.

The HED rims are tubeless ready, but I've never tried tubeless. It's still good: if a tire punctures, the beads are kind of locked into the rim (probably not as tightly held as a tubeless tire's bead). I briefly tested riding at slow speed on my flat tire for 50 yards, and both beads stayed in place, with the rim off the pavement. Sometime this year, I'll put the cut tire back on with no air, and try riding on it again. When removing the tire, it's easy to pop the bead off the rim shoulder with just thumb pressure.

The wheels are great, but I had to touch up the truing on the front a few times when they were new. (I've hit some very bumpy railroad crossings, etc.) And I feel a very slight pulsing on front braking. I have the regular 18 spoke front/ 24 spoke rear. The 20/28 Stallion version might be better for riders of our weight. The rims are accurately made, so there's very similar tension on the spokes.

They are pricey. The cheaper alternatives should be good too.

kowalski

How about the Hoops cycling wheels built with the kinlin xr31t?
I have a custom set of wheels built with the kinlin 279 and I like them a lot. I bet the 31t should be a little nicer. FWIW, I had a set of Flo 30's and while they were pretty nice, I think you could get a better wheel built just for you from Hoops.

tekhna

H Plus Son Archetypes laced to the hub of your choice. Use CX-Rays if you want to spend more money

ussprinceton

S2.0

WhyFi

^ This or bdop's DIY kit.

dtrain

^ since he's willing to spend a little more, I'd suggest a Pacenti SL23 and cx-ray package from BHS.

WhyFi

Bdop has a CX-Ray option on his kits, too, and it's a really aggressive price ($299 - hell, the spokes alone are about $200 most places) - are the SL23 vs the Kinlin 279s worth the price difference of the two kits (I haven't used either)?

dtrain

Ah geez, I forgot that Bdop added cx-rays as an option (that's somewhat recent). Yeah, that's probably the better deal right now. Same spokes, I'd guess pretty similar hubs. I do think the SL23's are a little nicer (lighter, wider, more tubeless ready, great finish) -- but not worth a bunch more. Some folks are pretty sold on the 2:1 lacing (27h rear) that BHS offers.

tekhna

I wish bdop offered an option other than the Kinlin. It's a totally fine rim, just a bit uninspiring.

RISKDR1

have no idea if this fits your needs but I just bought these for my pass hunter build. they look very nice and well made. VO PBP Wheel Set (Hi-Low Hub, 700c) - 700c & 29er - Complete Wheels - Wheels, Rims, Hubs & Accessories - Components

dtrain

Besides the CX-Rays, I'm pretty sure it's the price that's supposed to be inspiring.

Domane

The Boyd Altamont's are awesome wheels. I have a set on my bike 24/28 spoke count and a set on my wife's bike 20/24 spoke count. We are very satisfied with the quality of these wheels and the laser etching really makes these wheels super nice looking.

You could also upgrade to Boyd's new rear hub design and be within your $1000.00 dollar amount or you could run the hubs they come with which are really nice hubs to begin with and be well under your $1000.00 dollar amount. We have the hubs they come with and have zero complaints.

Elvo

This:
Special Offer! Pacenti SL23 + White Industries Build Kit - 20/24 or 24/28 - $679.85

Clipped_in

How are the Ardennes plus (Belgium+) rims for tire mounting? Tubeless rims tend to make mounting tires a bit more difficult. I love the regular C2 rims--with one reason being that they are not tubeless.

dtrain

^ I have pairs of HED Belgium C2's and (tubeless-ready) Pacenti SL23's. No doubt that tires are easier to mount on the C2's. I don't know about the Belgium +.

jimbo_tunacan

Thanks for all the responses. I'm surprised to not hear anyone push for the flo 30s. It seems I am on the right track though. That pacenti kit looks really nice but Im not sure how much it would cost to have built. I'm leaning towards the Boyd set right now as it just seems like a good balance. Hmm... Tough choice.

dtrain

I feel like the collective opinion around here (if there is such a thing) is that the Flo 30's add a little too much weight to gain aero qualities. If your rides feature some hills, I'd skip 'em. Hard to go wrong with the Altamonts.

pdedes

I'll add the Soul s3.0

rpenmanparker 

IMO FLOs are grossly overbuilt.

bbattle

Okay, you've got plenty of choices, probably too many. Pick one, get them, go ride.

Give us a ride report.

Don't overthink this.

RR3

Flo 30. Bulletproof and fast.

rm -rf

Tires are easy to mount. And the tube easily tucks up into the wide interior space, away from the bead. The rim tape is light blue--black rim tape makes it hard to see when a tube is in the way. When pumping up the first time, there's a snap/pop noise as each bead seats, a little disconcerting until I got used to it, but that's the only noticeable difference. Perhaps a tubeless tires' bead makes it more difficult?

The Ardennes plus rims are way easier than my old Kinlin 30 rims--those needed a tire lever even when mounting the first bead, before the tube was installed.

I need two levers to remove a tire, and one to mount it.

gregf83 

How so? Compared to the Hed Ardennes Plus SL mentioned above they're less than 1/2 the price, more aerodynamic and 140g heavier. For a 165lb rider that works out to, at most, a 6 Second difference on a 1 hour hill climb.