Wheel recommendations
 

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum. I live in Ann Arbor, MI, and have benefited from various threads on this forum in the past. I was hoping to get some recommendations from you. I am currently looking for a wheel upgrade on my bike. I am a small rider (5' 7''), and weigh around 135 pounds. The current wheels on my bike are Shimano RS010. They have held up remarkably well in the rough roads in and around Ann Arbor. However, I am looking for lighter wheels, since it is my understanding that they are the best possible riding upgrade one can make. I am more of an endurance rider, and would like my wheels to be comfortable over long rides.

I have been looking at the DA 9000 c24 clincher for a while. I think my weight is not an issue, but I am worried about the durability of these wheels on rough roads. There are nice stretches of good roads, but in order to reach the good roads one bike over some ill maintained ones. I also use my bike to commute to work. My new wheels will be my primary wheels, and at that price point, I don't think I will be able to buy any other wheels for the next 3-4 years.

Does anyone riding in Michigan use the DA 9000 c24s, and can attest to their durability? A couple of bike shops in the area have advised against the DA 9000. However, one has advocated Mavic instead, and the other wants me to get hand-builts. Neither have given me a solid argument to not get the DA 9000.

The other wheelset I have been considering at the same price range is the Rol d'Huez. Both these wheels have many excellent reviews online, so I don't think there is going to be any significant difference between them, unless riders here say otherwise! Your recommendations are highly welcome.

Thanks a lot for your time and expertise.

I've only good things about the WH-9000 C24, my only problem with it is that it is till an old fashion narrowed him. I personally like the 23mm rims much better.
HED belgiums, pacenti's or even the archetypes.
For the price of those wheelsets you can have a great had built wheelset with your choice of hub, spokes, spokes counts and etc...

I've got a set of C24's, with about 5k on them. I'm 160lbs, I've had no real issues with them, although recently I've had to tweak the truing a little bit (I run tight tolerances). Having said that, for commuting on rough roads, I'd recommend a set of Boyd Altamonts. A little bit heavier, but a wider rim better suited to wider tires and should offer a little more durability.

Take a look at November Nimbus Ti wheels. They come with a hub that is basically a White Industies T11. You can choose a rim or the standard setup is a Pacenti Hoop. Great wheels and I would say better than the Rol in the same price point. I would say the Boyd Altamont is another good choice. Decent weight and hand built like the November's.

I have a set of c24s on my "climbing bike" and am very happy with them. However, at their price point, I wouldn't subject them to rough-road commuting.

Thanks for your recommendation of the November Nimbus Ti wheels. I think the price is great compared to what they are offering.

I own both November Nimbus Ti and Boyd Altamont wheelsets, cant go wrong with either but November is cheaper

I have the Boyd altamonts and have to commend the durability. I weigh 235# and ride on rough roads regularly. I avoid pot holes whenever possible and ride light over giant lips in the road, but do hop on and off of curbs at times and have hit a few holes that'll ring your ears (and pinch flat both tires). I even had them on my bike sitting sideways in the back seat of this when I got T-boned by a Lexus:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psfithe1jl.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pso8c7zfzk.jpg

Ive had them for two years and have never turned a nipple on either of them. Had em in the truing stand to check a couple weeks ago and they are still within .003" overall runout.

Those are terrifying images. I am glad your Boyds were unharmed, and moreover that you are okay Bradleykd.

It all went really well considering the shape of both vehicles. I only had a bruise and the lady in the car that hit me broke her leg.

Funny part: The doors wouldn't open and they used the jaws of life to get my bike out. :)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps323zcxhh.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psfz9on5rj.jpg

Back on topic:

I have also had great luck with custom builds from both Merlin Cycles and Chain Reaction cycles. Perfectly true wheels right out of the box. Took a couple of weeks to get them, but they have all held up great and you save A LOT comparatively to other online places.

Wow! Toyota should build that pickup with more spokes. Glad you were ok.

I've been running one of the lower end Campy wheels on my CX, and a Fulcrum 3 on my road bike. A couple of thousand miles on each, no babying, I weigh 167, no issues (other than the annoyingly loud pawls).

Thanks to everyone for your recommendations. I decided to get a custom build from Ergott wheels. After annoying Eric a lot with my indecisiveness, we agreed to a build with DA 9000 rear hub (I got a really great price on these and a nice compromise since I wanted a c24) and T11 front hubs. The main reason for different hubs is that in my weight a 20/24 spoke count would be sufficient. However, DA does not have a 20 hole front hub, and I didn't want to go down to 18 holes since the 20/24 combination is working well on my present wheels. I guess the T11 front hub is also is also lighter, but I don't think that matters much.

Ergott/Eric's going to use Ryde Pulse Sprint rims and Sapim Race/Laser spokes. The price of the build is the same as November Nimbus Ti with shipping, and the weight is probably around 1400g.

People may find the different front and rear hubs distasteful, but it doesn't bother me as much.

Read no more. He's right.

I had a set of DA 7900 hubs laced to Velocity A23's, and boom, I'm done. I do like those Belgiums, though.