Shuffleman

I am debating between 3 wheelsets for a steel bike that I am building.
I like the fact that Velocity wheels are made in Jacksonville, where I live. I never hear much about them and I have not found much about them on line.
Thus, anybody with experience with these wheels?
I am looking for 11 speed and I am on a budget. The Velocity wheels are the most expensive that I am looking at and a little above budget for them.
My current 3 choices:
Velocity Wheels - Hand Made in USA

Shimano RS11 Clincher Wheelset - Wheels - Ribble Cycles

Fulcrum Pair Wheels Racing 7 LG - Wheels - Ribble Cycles

It is a 2nd bike and it is steel so I am not going to worry much about weight. Is there a significant difference between any of these wheels? Should I just go with the Shimano and call it a day? Will the Velocity justify the much higher price?

WhyFi

Velocity is very well-known, but I think that it's much more common to see their parts offered a la carte; their rims are a build option for just about any wheelbuilder under the sun. I built up some wheels with A23s and they worked nicely for something relatively inexpensive (I like the 23mm wide rims and wouldn't go back to anything narrower).

OmegaWolf

I just got a set of those Velocity wheels. I haven't had time to test them thoroughly, but so far they look and work great. They are considerable lighter than other wheelsets I have. 2 things to keep in mind with them - 1. If you get the A23 rims it can be very difficult to change a tire. 2. I think those Sport hubs are 10 speed. I am going with 11 -1 setup on mine.

WhyFi

It may just be the combination of tire and rim or maybe your tires are new and really tight; I've never had any difficulty (ie no tools necessary, bare hands have easily gotten the job done) mounting Conti, Michelin, Vittoria, etc.

Shuffleman

Thanks for pointing out that those are not 11 speed compatible. The Road Standard version is but they are another $100. I am not sure that I want to spend that on this build. I guess it will boil down to the Fulcrums or Shimano unless somebody has another recommendation in the same range. Out of curiosity, if I did go with the Velocity for $399 are they that much better than the Fulcrum 7's or Shimano's that would run me under $150?
It is just for a steel bike that I will take with me in my car while I travel for work during the week.

dr_lha

I've got some Velocity Deep-Vs, and the one thing I would say about them is that the quality of the joints on the rims aren't brilliant. On both rims there's a step where the rim is connected, that I had to sand down to stop my brakes from juddering.

Compare that to (for example) my Archetypes, where you can't see where the rim is joined at all.

Although my Velocity wheelset has been solid (almost getting to 10,000miles now), I think I'd look elsewhere in the future when selecting rims.

Obviously this is my opinion based on two rims... YMMV.

Mulberry20

Fulcrums are made by Campagnolo for people with Shimano components that have an issue with using Campagnolo branded components, silly but its true.

If you can find better wheels than Campy please buy them.

Shuffleman

I was not aware of this. I ride full Campy on my regular road bike and love their products. I was going to go Campy with this build as well but I got a full 6800 for $250 new. The deal was too good to pass up.
I think that the Fulcrum 7's will go well on my new build.

Mulberry20

Yes but double check on where they are made Campy might make the Fulcrums at its plant in Romania.

I have some experience with the Fulcrum 5's and they are very high quality.

tmh657

Yep. I picked up some Aerohead rims laced to 24/28 7900 hubs used on ebay that roll really nice thanks to the hubs but the joint on the front rim is apparent. When the rims get too worn I will re-lace the hubs with some Archetypes.

I got these and really like them. Too bad 6800 hubs don't come in a lower spoke count. H Plus Son Archetype Wheelset Shimano Ultegra 6800 hubs 32h [74762] - $289.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

WhyFi

Archetypes (I have a set of them, too) are welded, where as Velocity rims are either sleeved or pinned, hence the more pronounced joint.

MagicHour

I have both Fulcrum 5 LG and 7 LG CX. I like the 5s a little better, lighter and feel like they roll and climb a little better, not sure if it's the bladed spokes or stiffer build or what. Running them on a steel bike, as well, so I'll take any small weight bonus I can get.

The 7 LG has been relegated to trainer duty now.

If you go with these, I got both sets from Wiggle, free shipping to US and each order came in like 3 days to NYC. Ended up significantly cheaper than Ribble including shipping.

Inpd

Nice set of wheels about 1750 grams, but don't have sealed cartridge bearings. I think the Campy Khashims are better, about the same weight with sealed cartridge bearings and the G3 spoke pattern is sexy

veloz

A23's on 32 hole 105 hubs here and they're great. Ridden them hard on city streets and race them on gravel. I weigh 195 lbs and no issues in 2 years. I switch 28 and 35mm tires almost weekly with no problems... I set mine up with their Velo rim tape. The A23 width is great for a wide range of tires. Nice rims.

dr_lha

Nothing wrong with cup-and-cone bearings.

CrankyNeck

Spend a little more and get these:

wiggle.com | Campagnolo Khamsin Asymmetric Wheelset | Road Race Wheels

gsa103

Those are identical to the Fulcrum 7's listed above. Why pay more for the same wheels?

Shuffleman

Ribble has the Khamsins for $107. I thought about those but for some reason had it in my head that they were not compatible with 11 speed. Looks like I was wrong.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/campagnolo-pr-whls-khamsin-asy-g3-clinchers/

Inpd

Be careful. Those are for campy groupsets not Shimano/SRAM. Sometimes the manufacturers don't clearly state this.

Inpd

I have both the Fulcrum 7's and the Khamsims. They aren't the same. The Khamsims are a better performing wheelset and you can often get the G3 spoke pattern version which looks way cool for under $150.

Inpd

No, of course not. But sealed bearings cartridges mean just one less thing to service.

Shuffleman

Thanks for all the advice, none of which I used...unfortunately.
I was looking on CL and found a local guy selling a set of Axis 2.0 11 speeds that he just took off of his new Roubaix. I picked them up for $75. I would have preferred the Khamsins or Fulcrums for the price was too good to pass up. I have no idea how good or bad these wheels are but it is worth a shot. If they suck, I will simply put them back on CL and get something else in a few months. I do appreciate all the input though. I would have gone with your advice but again, for $75 I just could not resist.