Homeyba

If you want an inexpensive wheel set that will last you many thousands of miles something like the Deep V's that Beanz suggested are great wheels. If you want a great boutique wheel that will also last you many thousands of miles and easily handle your weight then the Topolinos are perfect. If you buy a set of Topolinos you are definitely getting quality wheels that you don't have to worry about building yourself.

Mr. Beanz

Those wheels looks sweet Homester!

But one issue that would keep me off them suckers is the spoke design and trick looking nipples (I'm a nipple admiring type of dude ).

I had my Deep V's built by an expert at a tandem shop. I had already been building my own but with the tandem, I figured the "expert" would do better with the 48 spoke wheel. NOT!

I ordered, demanded, and paid for DT Swiss spokes but the moron replaced 4 spokes with some cheap no name junk. A month later, the shop closed then a spoke broke. I replaced it with a DT Swiss then 50 miles later, another spoke broke. I only had 150 mile son the tandem wheel, how could the spokes be breaking?

I checked the wheel over and found 2 more no name spokes. I picked up some replacements at the shop and rebuilt the wheel myself. No problems since!

I sure like your nipples but the conventional set up is much easier to work with in the chance that something might go wrong with the wheel. Easy find replacements, conventional spoke wrench (?). Not sure about the Topo's.

Seattle Forrest

My LBS has the Kool Stop salmon pads (for alu rims) for about $7 a pair, or something like that, but the pads designed for carbon rims are $50 to $75 a pair. I haven't done any homework about the situation, because this really hasn't been on my radar. But if that's not an anomaly, then it's something I would consider before deciding what kind of braking surface I'd want on new wheels, unless the expensive pads last a lot longer.

Homeyba

I had best luck (performance wise) with Swiss Stops on the carbon rim. They are in the $50 range for four of them. Remember, that you do not want to use the same brake pads on carbon and aluminum wheels. You will destroy your carbon rim. The brake pads pick up aluminum slivers when used on those rims. Then the aluminum slivers will ruin the carbon rims.

Homeyba

They do have sexy nipples don't they. The spokes actually go all the way through the hub from one side of the rim to the other. The only place they will brake is at the nipple. Replacing a broken nipple does require someone who knows how to do it. I suppose one could learn. That is probably the only real issue with them. I broke mine on the Furnace Creek 508 and was able to finish the race (about 180 miles) with no problem.

Mr. Beanz

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jchag

Update I just bought Topolino ATR3.0 Wheels today. Not their lightest, but Western Bike had them shipped with a total of $1207. Thought it was a decent price!

mkadam68

The R-Sys failures were all on the v1.0 of the wheelset. I've seen the new v2.0 wheels. Watched in person as a mechanic laid the wheel on its side, and jumped on the spokes. I haven't heard any horror stories of these newer ones. I'd be tempted myself, but they're not as aero or light as others, and as with most things Mavic, they're overpriced. You can get comparable, even better items, elsewhere for less.

sstorkel

Not entirely true according to VeloNews. Mavic posted a response claiming the wheel wasn't at fault. Last I knew both Mavic and the Consumer Product Safety Commission were still investigating. Never did hear what the end result was... but I'm not sure I'd trust the R-Sys at this point.

Homeyba

Awesome wheels! Hope you enjoy them.