Grady, at the price those hubs were going for, and from Slovakia, I would definitely cough up for a set of Campy wheels. A friend just picked up a set of Eurus from the other forum for $325. You can usually pick up Neutrons or Eurus for right around that over there. The spoke pattern on the Neutron goes better with a steel frame, IMO. I have both, and use the Eurus on a newer frame, Neutrons/Nucleons on the traditional frames.

You have to pounce quick when a set comes up, minutes/seconds count.

This is very true. Selling your rims and hubs would buy a nice wheelset. I love the look of neutrons but eurus wheels seem to have a more durable rim. I think they are one of the best all round road wheelsets avalible. Reasonably light, one of the stiffest wheelsets around, and very durable. Mine have required less maintinace that traditional 32 spoke wheels.

fulcrum wheels are another great option. They are just campy wheels with a more traditional spoke layout and red decals. Pull the decals off of them and they look right at home on many vintage bikes.

Agreed on all counts. I actually prefer the Eurus to a set of Shamal Ultras I have. Fulcrums are nice wheels, but they don't seem to come up for sale as often. I have picked up both Eurus and Neutrons in fantastic shape for around $300. Be aware that you need special tools for truing either.

So, to win the Centaurs, it would have taken a bid around $220. Plus the freight it would have been around $240-$250.

For $40 more, I can get a set of Fulcrum 5s shipped to the door for about $295 from Ribble.

Gents, any reason why I shouldn't just order a set and be done with this right now?

PS Two local racing shops that tolerate me have the required tools for Fulcrums. They will also have the full gruppos available when they come to the market within the year.

BTW Backcountry has 7s for $295 shipped. Looks like they have the heavy duty 5cx version for $360 with free freight.

I like the Fulcrums.

I almost bought them when I was having trouble finding wheels for my Barecci. I eventually found some Mavic Reflex SUPs laced to Veloce hubs that I really liked and got them instead...

And I definitely like the Fulcrums compared the Neutrons!

There is a good chance fulcrum 5cx will be my next wheel purchase. They seem worth the upgrade over the 7s in my opinion. They won't look as good as a traditional wheelset on this build but they will look plenty good enough. I think they will fit your intended use well. As you you mention, most shops are equipped to service them. Campy has made some big inroads in the OEM market with fulcrum.I haven't heard about fulcrum groups yet but always suspected campy may try to venture back into MTB with the name.

I'd try a WTB in the other forum first. It will be weeks before they arrive from Ribble. Try Shinybikes, they ship expedited. I'm still waiting on a Ribble package, Shinybikes got here over a week ago. Ordered same day.

Time may not be a big concern for Grady. Cross bikes are better suited for 20 degrees and snow

So, it looks like I can get the 2013 version of Fulcrum 5CX for $275 shipped.

The Shinybike tip was appreciated, as I get faster freight for less money.

In addition, I get the new version of the 5 which looks to have an upgrade or two from the 2012 version.

Graphics have been upgraded, but I don't care much about that.

I'm a sticker removing kind of guy anyway.

So, all in all, I am ok I didn't win the Centaur hubs.

By the time I sell off a few nos rim sets, these will be very easy on the check book.

So folks, these badboy wheels are on their way from the UK.

Thanks for the help guys!

Now that you are going with clinchers we can revisit your tires I have laying here.

Did the ones you order have white hubs?! I didn't see that update for 2013, I like it.

Did I give you a set of the tan wall Vittoria Evos or the Veloflex Masters?

Aging minds like to be reminded.

I have a pair of Zonda's, and absolutely hate the fact that you need special tools to true them. I brought them to a bike shop and they broke two spokes and blamed it on me and said the wheels were shot. The had a nice new set of MAVICs at 250 euro's though - but naturally I didn't jump on that. Bumholes. I build a set of campy 36 spoke hubs in a low cost, yet utterly bomb-proof and self-maintainable set instead.

I have the vittoria tires laying right beside the frame.

I have access to $90,000 dollars worth of tools at the shop.

Including any I may need for these wheels.

BTW Campy 10 speed hubs are running from the low $200s to $400 a set.

I'm selling a 32 hole Campy set to a friend for the median of the range I just mentioned.

The nos 36 hole Campy rims I have on hand will sell for $130-$140.

Spokes will run $50+

I just spent $275 on the entire shebang shipped.

The math is simple.

As for durability I just watching a friend race this last cross season on 5s and he weighs more than I do.

No taco'd wheels and no truing.

Excellent.

We'll use those then!

I can't even get a frame faced without leaving the state.

Should be, as they were listed as 2013 and that is now the standard hub.

...and I live two minutes from the shop!

Hard to beat that arrangement.

Keep me in mind if you ever want to part with them

Grady I may just have to copy you on that wheel purchase. The white hubs will look great on your bike.

Be my guest

Loads of value for less than $300.

If these don't work for this project, I'll have a cyclocross project late summer that these should work well on.

They have double seals on the cx hubs, but otherwise they are similar to the regular 2013 5 series.

I'll end up pulling decals off the rims, I'm sure. They come with one small additional Fulcrum decal for each wheel so they don't have a total billboard effect.

Happy birthday by the way Whatwolf!

Simply a great thread guys but I'm dying for more photos.

Enthralling.

Both bikes are waiting on vital parts...

i will try and hold you over with a few detail shots. I can't promise anything till tomorrow though.

i had my record ergos apart last night. I should have photographed that process. I'm getting fairly efficient now.

Hahaha. This is such a great thread - its like reading a fantastic thriller - you just can't wait to turn the page to find out what happens next.

2 brilliant bikes. The Tommasini would have to be one of my all time favourites and your build is 'mouth-watering'. The Colnago frame has been modified thoughtfully and will look fantastic with your 10 speed plans.