I'm getting a large bonus check from work so I'm looking to get a set of wheels for my bike. I'm currently riding a Felt AR5 with stock wheels. I'll have about $3,000 to spend and am looking at the best wheel set I can get at that price range. I've been reading quite a bit about different wheels and feel like I'm drinking from a fire hose. I'm a pretty good rider and would like to start racing crits next year. I also live in a really flat area (less than 1,000ft of elev. over 100K). The new Zipp 404 NSW are really tempting.

What are your recommendations?

Get a nice set of November, Boyd, or Reynolds. Put the rest in savings. That's my "old geezer" advice.

It's solid advice. The good thing is that this bonus is large enough that even after the $3,000 there's still a large chunk left for savings.

Save the money to use for the disc wheels for your next bike, or buy an SRM with the Powercontrol computer. That's what I would do.

The Zipp 404 consistently get incredibly good reviews, but in all fairness I've never ridden them. But when I see independent review sites consistently rate them best in class it's tough to ignore.

I have a set of Reynolds Aero 46 wheels that I was able to get for a ridiculously low price from my LBS - and yes they're a Reynolds dealer. It ended up being an end-of-model-year set that the distributor wanted to get rid of and they offered to sell them for $1000 off street price (not MSRP, street price). It was too good to pass up. So, the wheels actually came from the distributor and weren't sitting on-hand at the bike shop.

That said, I'm VERY happy with the Reynolds wheels and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Reynolds also has their RAP program, and while it costs extra, it has to be one of the best deals out there. You can google it, but basically it is a no questions asked replacement program. Hit a curb and break the wheel? Replaced. Get mad and hit your wheels with a hammer? Replaced. You get the idea. With any luck I'll never have to use the program but it gives me great piece of mind knowing it's there.

Yeah, but in 10 years that extra $1500 could have been turned in to $4000 with simple investment. 20 years, $10,000. 30 years, $25,000.


The difference between Zipps and November (or others) will likely be hard to see (except for the label). Invest your $ wisely.


And you don't even have to have carbon wheels to race.

Reynolds RFour from Perfromance

Can't say enough good things about them. 46mm, full carbon $999

I like the Boyd 45s I have on my TT bike. Use the rest for a power meter or something else. I also like the Flo 45s that I have on my primary cycle.

Both are light and well built.

If I didn't already have a power meter on the bike then that's what I would definitely do.

I'll have to look into their RAP program. Thanks.

If money is on object you gotta go Zipp.

You going to be riding these wheels everyday or just for races?

The OP isn't asking for financial advice. Stay on topic. Otherwise, none of us should've gotten our multi-thousand dollar bikes and invest it instead.

These would be everyday and racing wheels. I don't race enough to have wheels that are just sitting around only to be used on race day.

Agreed. I've been riding 303's for a couple of years now. I use them as my everyday wheels and aside from servicing the hubs they have been maintenance free and stayed in true. I must admit I'm getting tempted by the 404's with the NSW hubs.

Bike Wheel Shamal Ultra | Campagnolo

best wheels on the market, I guess about $1,000.00

How often do you service your 303s hubs?

Is it very windy where you live?

10 or 11 speed?

Do you already have a power meter? If not, I'd figure that in to the equation, 'specially if you want to race in the future.

if you are planning on racing, you are going to need more than one set of wheels.

He has the set that came with the bike to throw in the pits.

I did them a little over a year ago, about 10000 miles. Just about time I reckon.

I assume you are going clinchers?

I have a set of Reynolds DV46 and Zipp 404 FC, both are tubular. The new 404 clinchers are nice, but pretty heavy.

It's not windy where I live. I've lived here a little over a year and can't remember a ride that had wind much over 10mph

11 speed

I would like to start doing some racing next year but not enough to justify having a set of wheels specifically for it.

Yes, I have a Stages power meter

yes

I would spent a little more and get the Reynolds Assault SLG. or Attack SLG. The non performance-bikes wheels are wider, lighter and tubeless compatible.