the_ill_postino

Does anyone have a suggestion for a machine-built 700c touring wheelset available from a major distributor (like QBP)?

I've searched the forum but "touring" and "wheelset" seem to mostly lead to discussions of higher-end custom- and hand-built wheelsets.

I know some guys who run a small bike shop and they usually give me great deals on whatever they order for me (and the overnight shipping is free) but they're very busy and it helps to tell them exactly what I want (I usually just go in there with a list of QBP's inventory codes and they just plug the order in). The guys there are not big tourers so they didn't have a ready answer to this question.

I'm intrigued by the WE632 Premium 8-/9-/10-speed Shimano Sora/Mavic 36 Spoke Touring/Hybrid Wheelsets listed on the Harris cyclery page for $219.95 a pair, but that does not seem to be a regularly available item from QBP (the code WE632 which looks like a QBP catalog number doesn't actually call them up).

Does anyone know of any decent wheelsets along those lines (36 butted spokes, decent but not fancy hubs.) It doesn't need to be from QBP, but from some distributor that my LBS is likely able to order from.

While a super-nice hand built wheelset sounds good, I'm looking for something I can order at minimum cost but still use for light-medium touring and commuting. I'm getting reasonably adept at wheel truing, so if they're not perfect out of the box I can probably manage to get them into shape and keep an eye on them.


Thanks!

the_ill_postino

To give an example, I often use aebike.com to browse since they plug you right into the QBP catalog. There I see some Dimension wheels using 105 hubs and open pro rims, 36h in the rear and 32h in the front. (Brand overlap is confusing so I'm not sure in what sense a shimano/mavic build is a "Dimension" wheel, but anyway...)
So for $200 how would that be as a medium touring (say, an overnight camping trip) wheelset?

36 spoke rear:
https://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=WE9143

32 spoke front:
https://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=WE9140

ronzorini

I recently ordered 2 pairs of wheelsets from Performance:

1) Light touring/training wheelset:

Shimano Ultegra/Mavic Open Pro Silver Wheelset
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...TOKEN=55662358

199.98 - 15% coupon - 10% TeamPerformance discount + free in-store shipping = approx. $150

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2) Heavier, wider, 36 spoke wheelset:

Shimano 105 10-speed/Mavic A719 Rear Wheel
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5320
Shimano 105 10-speed/Mavic A719 Front Wheel
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5320

244.98 - 15% coupon - 10% TeamPerformance discount + free in-store shipping = approx. $184

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Hard price to beat, although they're out of stock on a few items now.

the_ill_postino

thanks -- that does look like a good deal. I'm not in a rush, so I can wait for stuff to get back in stock.

tarwheel 

Peter White cycles has custom-built touring wheels for fairly reasonable prices. He lists Ultegra/Open Pro wheels (36 spokes rear) as suitable for light touring.

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/wheels.asp

the_ill_postino

Thanks. And helpful also re:ronzorini's response to see that PW also uses the A719 rims in some of his touring wheelsets.

While many these days are going to their LBS for advice to then secretly buy on-line, I was actually hoping to get some info on-line to help me order from my LBS, but it looks like for wheelsets the configurations may not be so standardized that I can easily order the exact same wheelsets locally as I can find at different on-line retailers (without shelling out for custom builds).