gemae117

Looking to upgrade a stock Aksium wheelset, and I was hoping to revive a post from circa 2012 for the benefit of those considering a similar purchase.

Between $500-600, three companies, all of which seem to be local, have what appear to be (somewhat) comparable and good looking wheelsets—the Boyd 2016 Rouleurs, Williams System 31, and the November Alloy Nimbus Ti with Pacenti SL23 V2 rims. As I’m still getting my feet wet in cycling knowledge, I’m not 100% certain how to distinguish properly between the three in terms of what would represent a best fit (understanding that it can be quite subjective). Boyd’s service seems to be legendary, and the upgraded 2016 Rouleurs have a slightly wider rim profile than before; the System 31, at 31mm deep and 24 wide, seems to constitute a well rounded wheel with a good cassette; and the November hubs seem to attract a great deal of praise, and the rims are both slightly lighter and slightly wider (24.5mm).

As a novice, my question: how would you all navigate this decision making process? What should be valued more highly (rim width and attendant questions about clearance, hub quality, etc.)?

Background context: I’m 5’10, around 175 lbs, and I ride around 150 miles a week (mostly flat) with the odd group ride and charity ride.

Your help and experience are much appreciated.

chaadster

Probably no substantive differences, but I'd probably cut Williams first as both Coach Boyd and November Dave post here, which is cool, and I don't know anything about Williams.

The next factors would would be style and cost, and that the Rouleurs are on clearance, provided you like the look, I think keeping a couple hundred in pocket would be my call.

The extra width of the November's Pacenti rims is nice though, so if I really disliked the Boyd's looks, and loved the November's, the width factor would clinch it in favor of November.

Sol588

I have the Boyd Altamont's. I am 5'6" and 174 lbs. If I had to order again, I would have gone with the 24 spokes up front to save a little weight. Otherwise, the wheels are incredibly tough, feel well planted to the road and I can carve corners much faster than my stock wheels. I have disc brakes and order the disc hub version. I will add that the hubs are stiff (in a good way!). Climbing out of the saddle and attacking hills is so much easier now.

The only negative I can say is that I was hoping to shave overall weight off my bike but it came in about the same with the new wheels. Would I buy again? Absolutely!

dtrain

How wide are the '16 Rouleurs?

EDIT: nevermind - I found it. The '16 version has 21mm x 28mm rims ($500). 19mm x 30mm for the outgoing style ($300 on clearance). That's not enough difference for me for the price. I'd go with the clearance ones or step up to the Novembers. Or it looks like Boyd still might have a few clearance Altamounts.

Jiggle

The November offering is hard to beat. It uses no proprietary parts. You can get a rim, hub parts, or spokes from their oem manufacturers rather easily. Titanium freehub body. It's a nice wheelset for the money. Go look up prices on just buying a pair of White Industries hubs.

gemae117

Many thanks for the feedback, and I’ve removed the Williams and 2016 Rouleurs from the equation. It's now down to the final (and I’m sure often experienced) decision between saving money on the closeout Rouleurs ($310) and investing it in GP 4000 IIs (a nice improvement over the stock Aksion tires) and other sundry items, or ponying up $595 for the admittedly great looking November Nimbus Ti but not upgrading in other departments (budgetary restraints being, as they often are, a pain).

Final thoughts?

Again, thanks a lot for weighing in.