BD Vuelta 50mm carbon tubular wheelset?!?
#1
half man - half sheep
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Big Mineral arm - Lake Texoma (Pottsboro, Tx)
Posts: 2,469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
BD Vuelta 50mm carbon tubular wheelset?!?
Is it just me or is anyone else getting itchy to pick up one of those wheelsets offered in the BikesDirect holiday thread in the Road Cycling forum?
I can't find any information on them other than the weight of the sample he has (~1400). No reviews ANYWHERE. No information on the hubs. So what if the hubs are crap? I might end up lacing them to a PT anyway. Maybe run a plain ultegra up front.
Think they might have 90% of the performance gain of the ultra blingy Zipps for about 1/5th the price? If anything it puts me on tubulars and a lighter wheelset for 400 clams. And I won't walk away from a race crying about my trashed Zipp wheels.
Of course I want the Zipps like everyone else has, but I can't justify racing those, not as a CAT4.
I can't find any information on them other than the weight of the sample he has (~1400). No reviews ANYWHERE. No information on the hubs. So what if the hubs are crap? I might end up lacing them to a PT anyway. Maybe run a plain ultegra up front.
Think they might have 90% of the performance gain of the ultra blingy Zipps for about 1/5th the price? If anything it puts me on tubulars and a lighter wheelset for 400 clams. And I won't walk away from a race crying about my trashed Zipp wheels.
Of course I want the Zipps like everyone else has, but I can't justify racing those, not as a CAT4.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 4,850
Bikes: Yeti ASRc, Focus Raven 29er, Flyxii FR316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
These have been discussed ad nauseam in other threads. Try searching the regular road forum.
They might be Gigantex rims, laced to no-name far east hubs. There aren't any reviews about them because before this group buy, they didn't exist. Mike listened to our requests, made some calls, and set this up to meet the demand that presented itself.
If they're gigantex rims, which I have reason to believe they are, you're getting two good quality rims for $400, and some hubs of questionable value. I plan on riding them a couple of times during intervals, opening them up, and inspecting the bearings before using them in a race. If all is well, I'll use them as is, if not, the rear hub will be replaced with a DT240.
They might be Gigantex rims, laced to no-name far east hubs. There aren't any reviews about them because before this group buy, they didn't exist. Mike listened to our requests, made some calls, and set this up to meet the demand that presented itself.
If they're gigantex rims, which I have reason to believe they are, you're getting two good quality rims for $400, and some hubs of questionable value. I plan on riding them a couple of times during intervals, opening them up, and inspecting the bearings before using them in a race. If all is well, I'll use them as is, if not, the rear hub will be replaced with a DT240.
#3
Senior Member
I was looking too and I think one of the last posts says "Look at post 929". The rims are manufactured by a reasonable company. The later posts indicate that perhaps the hubs are less desirable (of course, this is the internet so I can't vouch for any of the stuff out there). I'm thinking of getting the clinchers and rebuilding the rear with a Campy 32H hub (gotta love 24H rims since they lace perfectly onto a 32H hub). The front I figure should be okay, it's hard to mess up a front.
cdr
cdr
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 4,850
Bikes: Yeti ASRc, Focus Raven 29er, Flyxii FR316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was looking too and I think one of the last posts says "Look at post 929". The rims are manufactured by a reasonable company. The later posts indicate that perhaps the hubs are less desirable (of course, this is the internet so I can't vouch for any of the stuff out there). I'm thinking of getting the clinchers and rebuilding the rear with a Campy 32H hub (gotta love 24H rims since they lace perfectly onto a 32H hub). The front I figure should be okay, it's hard to mess up a front.
cdr
cdr
#5
It is fantastic.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The OC
Posts: 7,977
Bikes: 05 Specialized Allez Elite; 06 Fuji Team Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And I think the decals are not removable if I remember correctly.
#6
nom nom nom
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,096
Bikes: Lemond Tete de Course, Slingshot DDX, Fuji Track Pro, Surly Steamroller
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm getting a set. Worse comes to worse I'll relace and spend $600 on the set instead of $400. Still seems like a pretty sweet deal.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Athens, Ohio
Posts: 5,104
Bikes: Custom Custom Custom
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm going to buy a set to be my "B" set. Its going to cost me approximately the same amount of money to build a set of aluminum tubulars so why not get them and trash them.
#8
Making a kilometer blurry
I was looking too and I think one of the last posts says "Look at post 929". The rims are manufactured by a reasonable company. The later posts indicate that perhaps the hubs are less desirable (of course, this is the internet so I can't vouch for any of the stuff out there). I'm thinking of getting the clinchers and rebuilding the rear with a Campy 32H hub (gotta love 24H rims since they lace perfectly onto a 32H hub). The front I figure should be okay, it's hard to mess up a front.
cdr
cdr
#9
Burnin' and Lootin'
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SoCA
Posts: 2,713
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Riding Heavens Highway
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sunny SoCal
Posts: 1,778
Bikes: '04 Giant TCR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm thinking it's a 50/50 crap shoot at best and I'm not pulling the trigger.
__________________
https://vvbc.us
https://vvbc.us
#12
Mitcholo
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oost Vlaanderen in mind, Cleveland in body
Posts: 8,850
Bikes: 2010 Mitcholo w/ Sram Force/Red
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 4,850
Bikes: Yeti ASRc, Focus Raven 29er, Flyxii FR316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Apparently you aren't familiar with how warranties on carbon wheels work.
Generally speaking:
If the rim breaks due to a manufacturing defect, they replace it, for free. If YOU break it, as in while riding, working on your wheels, a crash; you're the liable party. You have to pay to have the rim replaced and/or rebuilt.
And, as I've never heard of a carbon rim breaking due to a manufacturing problem, odds are the warranty is next to, if not completely useless. I doubt any here is after the hubs; we want the rims.
Generally speaking:
If the rim breaks due to a manufacturing defect, they replace it, for free. If YOU break it, as in while riding, working on your wheels, a crash; you're the liable party. You have to pay to have the rim replaced and/or rebuilt.
And, as I've never heard of a carbon rim breaking due to a manufacturing problem, odds are the warranty is next to, if not completely useless. I doubt any here is after the hubs; we want the rims.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,840
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The carbon rim on one of my 303s cracked at the hole where the spoke connects and was replaced under warranty due to it being a manufacturer defect.
#16
Making a kilometer blurry
#17
Sensible shoes.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: St. Paul,MN
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: A few.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#18
How much does it weigh?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Weight Weenie on a budget.
Posts: 3,427
Bikes: Lotus Fixed, Bianchi Virata 2004
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I thought about that, too - but in this case the decals are beneath a layer of clear coat. Should you remove clear coat on a wheel, could the MFG claim that you personally modified the working properties of the wheel?
Furthermore, there is a warning label as part of the decal set (see picture below), I wonder what it says? Should that be kept on, too?
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ChapelBorro NC
Posts: 4,126
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All I'm saying is what was posted on about these on some other thread (can't find it). I could care less if people take the decals off at all.
#20
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
OP - I have a set of these that Fetish Cycles rebadged as their own. They are alright wheels with "meh" hubs.
I'm looking to sell them if anyone is interested. (mine are 38mm)
I'm looking to sell them if anyone is interested. (mine are 38mm)
__________________
#21
half man - half sheep
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Big Mineral arm - Lake Texoma (Pottsboro, Tx)
Posts: 2,469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#22
negligent.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 837
Bikes: a few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've already bought in for them. Now i'm wondering about the hubs though; Can someone estimate what a wheel builder would reasonably charge to rebuild the wheel if I brought in the parts?
I'd love to learn to build wheels, but I doubt it'd be a smart move to use this as a first project
I'd love to learn to build wheels, but I doubt it'd be a smart move to use this as a first project
#23
Making a kilometer blurry
I've charged $25/wheel in the past. I think an experienced builder can be done with them both in under 90 minutes, and that would be $75 at a $50/hr rate.
#24
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
Dunno. Mine weigh 1522 grams, so the Zipps might be lighter. Methinks the hubs on zipps would be better. The wheels I have are stiff and light, which is what I wanted for racing. Aero wasn't a huge part of my purchase reasoning.
I'm looking to ditch mine for $350 and they come with tires. So, $1500 plus tires for Zipps, or $350 total for a generic brand that works. It's up to you if it's worth it or not.
__________________
#25
Edificating
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland
Posts: 2,452
Bikes: Spooky + Sachs
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
did anyone actually replace the hubs on theirs? if so, did you get a chance to weigh the rims by themselves.. i'm debating building these up with lighter spokes/hubs... didnt know how much of a difference it would make... they are working great though so I might not fuss with them.