good wheels for commuting that will be suitable also for touring
 

Hello,

I'm buying a Spec tricross sport:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road

which I plan to use as a commuter and tourer. I want to do several upgrades to the bike (e.g. upgrade the major parts to 105). I consider also some better / lighter wheels. Could you recommend me some wheelset (about 250$)?

As I want to use the bike also for some touring, I'll probably need 32 spokes front/rear (or, maybe 28 front / 32 rear will be enough)?

I'll be using 700c x 32 tires.

REI has 700c CR18 rims laced to Deore hubs for like $80 each. Solid rims, solid hubs.

I laced some CR18s for my touring bike and am using 35mm tires right now.

XT/Dyad

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/622.html

or

http://www.bikeman.com/WE7095.html

http://www.bikeman.com/WE7094.html

Save your 105 upgrades to replace worn out components. Sora is not too bad for commuting/touring. Put that money into fenders, racks, lights, etc. The Tektro 720s are great brakes so don't worry about switching out those- although, I would recommend some Kool Stop pads. Typically, upgrading on a new complete bike is not productive cost wise.

Velocity Dyad rims laced to whatever Shimano hubs fit in your budget, done perhaps by a local shop. Probably Tiagra. The XTs are a good deal but the 135mm hubs won't fit in your frame without modification. I assume the Tricross is 130mm.

the Tri Sport is spec'd pretty nicely and would not anticipate any issues with any of the components and as said... will be better to upgrade parts as needed and as parts need replacement.

There is nothing wrong with the wheelset under that bike and have built up many Alex rims for touring and commuting and they have been rather flawless after being subjected to some pretty intensive use.

thanks for all the responses. I'll try first the wheelset supplied with the bike.

About the 105 upgrade - I don't like the Sora shifters, the downshift in the 105 ones seem much more compfortable.

I had some Dyad-Ultegra wheels built for my commuter and they are very durable. They are heavier than a comparable wheel with Mavic Open Pros or Velocity Aeroheads, but a good compromise if you want flexibility for carrying heavier loads. I ended up putting some Open Pros back on my commuter bike because my route is very hilly and I don't carry much weight commuting, so it was more important for me to keep the weight down. I'm hanging onto the Dyad wheels, however, in case I do some loaded touring.

For my rear wheel I run a shimano 105 hub, 36 hole mavic A719 rim and dt swiss double butted spokes. Very solid build. I use it to haul my 235 lbs on my commuter on potholed and rough streets. May be overkill for someone lighter, but I've got 6,000 miles on it so far.

I'm 165 lbs, so I thought about 32 (or even 28 front/32 rear) spokes rather than 36. Does anyone has some experience with Mavic open sport / open pro with a wide tyre (700c x 32 or even 700c x 35)?

The mavic specs says, the pro is up to 28...