Let's talk wheels....
 

I'm in the process of putting together my new bike. I'm building a city/commuter/fun/stylish bike. I'm not the fastest rider out there but I think this bike should be plenty fast. I'm a stop and look at nature, have a cup of coffee, talk to my fellow man kinda rider. I'm male, 5'5", 135#.

I have some parts put together and others I'm still gathering. My goal is to have the build done by April of this year.

I have:

Lynskey Viale 52cm frame, XTR 9 spd RD (M972) , SRAM 11-36 cassette, Ultegra (SL-R780) 10 sp. flat bar shifters, Thomson Seatpost and stem, FSA Metropolis handlebar, Dura Ace Chain and cables, XTR (M987) disc brakes

Plan to get:

Dura Ace Compact 7950, Dura Ace 7950 FD (I may still go Ultegra, I haven't made up my mind and I have money burning a hole in my pocket and I figured that you all would understand that I just want Dura Ace not for any particular performance reason but just because it's Dura Ace, LOL), Brooks Cambium saddle and grips, Chris King headset and BB, Wheels (the reason for this post), Speedplay Frogs (I like the MTB cleats better), Lynskey carbon fork.

So, as you can see, I'm putting together a fairly high end component list. This was after quite a bit of research and since I started this much earlier this year, I had the luxury of going at the high end (after much shopping). I'm not doing drops because this is mostly city riding and I want an upright ride.

Anyway, on to the wheels. I need something with a 135 OLD. Originally I was thinking HED C2 hoops with CK R45 disc hubs. But then I looked at their website and thought, I'll just buy prebuilt. Then I started looking at their pre-build CK R45 hubs laced to HED wide hoops. They cost the same as getting the custom set. (around $1100 for the wheelset)

So then I thought, why do custom when I can get off the shelf models that perform just as well and are very nice. So, then I arrived at the DT Swiss R23 Spline DB (~$600 for the wheelset). I'll be running 700x28 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. Everything else that I've looked at higher end are carbon wheels. I don't want those. Too stiff a ride and I'm not looking for a stiff ride with absolute performance.

So, what do you all think of those wheels? I looked at a bunch of other wheels, but these look good to me. Should I just go custom and spend the coin? Will I be able to tell the difference between a custom set and the off the shelf wheel? Keep in mind, I'm no pro rider. I just enjoy riding for fun and fitness. Any other wheels that I should be looking at?

By the way, I know that some may look at this and say, what a waste of money for such a nice bike not to be used for "racing". I don't care, LOL. I have a Giant Escape that I've upgraded and modded and this is my n+1 forever bike (we'll see :D) and I've totally convinced myself that I need something that looks really cool and titanium. I'll keep the Giant and I have an s-works MTB as well.

I see You Like top Shelf Components .. the lower cost stuff works just Fine.

I have a 135 Rear hub with 14 speeds internally .. 32 spokes conventional rim .. satisfactorily expensive.





Writing on the Company Computer?

How fast are you able to ride?

The super aero low spoke count wheels really are faster and the faster you go the more benefit you'll get. If, like me you spend most of your time riding at around 15 MPH the aero benefit isn't much help. Personally, I'd rather have a lighter weight, more conventional, and much less costly wheelset.

On the flats I ride around 18 mph comfortably. All around though, I usually average in the 14 - 15 mph range with a mix of hilly and flat terrain. Mostly hilly.

I'd definitely go tubeless, and it'd be hard to pass up 1460gm American Classic MTB Race disc wheels with their 24mm bead seat width and wrapped in Hutchinson Sector 28s at 290gm. That'd be a ripper.