Been doing some thinking today about what I wanted in a wheel Before this process . First things that came to my mind:

lightweight (1200-1350g)
38-46 deep wheel
Durable and will last me a while
Not wanting to spend more that $650

I look at this list and I think to myself what is most important from this list and what can I be flexible with. The biggest Thing that sticks out to me is the 38-46mm wheel part. I'm having a very difficult time letting this part go and I don't know why. I ask myself, why is it so important for me to have a deeper wheel set when Aero is not on my list, when most of my riding contains climbing. I think its because I have been so influenced by pictures and threads like"hot r not". I have this image in my head about what I want my bike to look like instead of what I want my bike to perform like. Almost like I'm trying to live up to a standard of what a great bike looks like.

This sounds Bad when I read it out loud, but I actually think of this as a break through for me. I'm using this thread as a journal for myself, so there is no need to call me out or anything for feeling this way. IF ANYTHING I feel that I need reassurance and validation that I am on the right path. I think of it as a break through because before this process, I had never thought of going with a smaller depth wheel because I always had it in my mind that having a deeper dish was so bad ass. Now I'm starting to think about what will benefit the type of riding that I do and not try to accommodate a set up based on how I want my bike to look.

I have this process to thank and really feel that I have made some headway in a short amount of time. I am really looking forward to getting my new set and continuing to learn more about what I want.

So far here is what I feel has changed in my list of wants:

-wheel weight-still Want A lighter wheel but it is unknown for me till I test out some more wheels. Especially since I have seen several benefits out of this wheel which I know is heavier than my Boyd's but still unaware of how much. At this point I am uncertain if the benefits are from the weight of the wheel, the hubs, the width or a combination of it all.
-Stiffer wheel
-leaning toward a 23mm wide rim
-want to keep it under $1k
-mid to high end hubs


I hope to take wheels back on Thursday and walk out with new ones ready to go. Thank you all for contributing.