Hi All,

After 20k+ miles my Mavic open Pro/Ultegra wheelset is at the end of the line. The hubs are shot and the eyelets have started to break loose from the rims. I bought this wheelset in 1998.

I'm leaning towards getting a new set with present day Ultegra hubs and Mavic Open pros. I'm looking for a good mix of light/durability. I like my rear hubs on the quiet side, so no buzzsaws. Looking to spend a max of $800. No deep deep section or crabon.

I haven't paid attention to wheel/hub tech in nearly 20 years, so I'm wondering if Ultegra/Mavic is the way to go or if there's better options out there?

Got these on a Bianchi recently acquired. Seem to be pretty darn good wheels, and, apparently, not to costly...

Ultegra hubs are fine but for rims I'd go with a bit wider rim like the H Son TB 14 or the Velocity A23. There's a lot of online info on why you might want to go with a bit wider rim than the mavic open 4, Implications of Rim Width - Slowtwitch.com

Check out velomine.com.

If you're gonna run 25-32mm tires the open pro are fine for that. I like ultegra hubs too, running an open pro/ultegra wheelset on my road bike.

I've got a pair of Ambrosio Excellight on Novatec hubs which I really like, which are probably quite similar to the Open Pro. I particularly like the machined braking surface which gives really smooth braking and still looks new after 2,500+ miles. (Pictured new, mind...)

If I was to get another pair of wheels now I would be tempted with the wider rims, and probably the H Son TB14 as suggested above.

I'll throw in another vote for velomine.com. Last I looked they carried an open pro and ultegra wheelset for around or under $300. I feel like they also offered an ultegra set with butted spokes for pretty cheap.

I would not hesitate to buy that exact same wheelset again, unless you're looking for something in a wider profile rim, as mentioned above. No one beats Velomine's prices or customer service, IMO.

Mavic Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

I second Velomine, they are great. In your situation I would get ultegra 6800/H Plus Son TB14 or Archetype. Might run 300 or so for a set and you will not be disappointed.

I just used Velomine and am very satisfied.

+1. I have a set of their Ultegra hubs w/Open pros. Many thousand of miles. No issues. I run 38mm tires. Again no problems.

As far as rims, the Pacenti PL23 is a classic-look box rim that's quite light and currently on sale in both 700c and 650B versions:

PL23

Thanks for all the replies. I'm leaning towards Ultegra hubs/H Plus Son TB14. I run 23mm tires, so the TB14 makes sense.

I'll definitely check out velomine. They look like they are sold out at the moment. Not a big deal, this was going to be a winter purchase.

$800 for a wheelset? With that budget you can afford a great wheelset.

Peter White - maybe costs more, but if you had a set of wheels for 15 years, you'll want something really good.

But why not your LBS? Don't know where you live, but buying local is always a good idea, unless there just isn't anyone around you that knows how to build a good wheelset.

$800 is my max. If I can spend less, I'm all for it.

Sales tax in Chicago is 10.25%, and the LBS, are fully stocked with BS.

I think a pair of H Plus Son TB 14 rims laced to White Industries T11 with high polish silver hubs is a great modern wheel set that looks right at home on a vintage bike with aluminum components. Not to mention those hubs spin foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever.

I have a set of modern Ultegra hubs laced to Open Pros. They have been trouble free. I have 28mm tires on them and it serves on a commuter bike. Great value in my opinion.

Open Pros have lots of problems in the past few years. Cracks around spoke holes are common. They aren't the same as the older rims.

Another vote for velomine, have purchased a couple wheelsets from them and have been very pleased.