Winter/rain bike wheelset under $200?
10-18-17, 11:03 AM
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Winter/rain bike wheelset under $200?
Last winter I used some pretty expensive hand built A23/White Industries wheels throughout the rainy winter season. They worked great but I wound up replacing the bearings twice and wore down the brake track significantly. This year I'd like to try some cheaper "winter wheels" that might be better for thrashing.
From what I've read most people say "anything at that price is throw away," which might be true to a degree, but I'm only looking to use them for 4-5 months or ~3k miles. I calculated it and rebuilding my nice wheels regularly would actually cost more than just buying brand new cheaper wheels. I just need them to spin and be reasonably reliable.
Ideally looking for:
1) Higher spoke count for durability.
2) 23mm rim width for bigger tire.
3) Price $100-$200.
4) Shimano 11-speed.
Curious if there are any exciting new offerings for the season or tried and true models recommended by serious winter and wet weather riders. Best options so far:
Fulcrum Racing 7 LG Wheelset 2017 (18/20 spokes, $150, 23mm width)
Shimano RS010 Alloy Clincher Wheelset (20/24 spokes, $137, 21mm width)
From what I've read most people say "anything at that price is throw away," which might be true to a degree, but I'm only looking to use them for 4-5 months or ~3k miles. I calculated it and rebuilding my nice wheels regularly would actually cost more than just buying brand new cheaper wheels. I just need them to spin and be reasonably reliable.
Ideally looking for:
1) Higher spoke count for durability.
2) 23mm rim width for bigger tire.
3) Price $100-$200.
4) Shimano 11-speed.
Curious if there are any exciting new offerings for the season or tried and true models recommended by serious winter and wet weather riders. Best options so far:
Fulcrum Racing 7 LG Wheelset 2017 (18/20 spokes, $150, 23mm width)
Shimano RS010 Alloy Clincher Wheelset (20/24 spokes, $137, 21mm width)
10-18-17, 11:41 AM
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Overhauling bearings should cost like....75 cents. Maybe a couple bucks depending on where you get bearings from.
10-18-17, 11:45 AM
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I have some Fulcrums that came stock on my Tarmac and I've been very impressed.
10-18-17, 12:22 PM
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The Fulcrum 7s are available in a CX version that allegedly has an additional weather seal. I have some 5s that have impressed me and a friend has 7s that he likes. Got them from Wiggle, no drama.
10-18-17, 12:25 PM
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Last winter I used some pretty expensive hand built A23/White Industries wheels throughout the rainy winter season. They worked great but I wound up replacing the bearings twice and wore down the brake track significantly. This year I'd like to try some cheaper "winter wheels" that might be better for thrashing.
From what I've read most people say "anything at that price is throw away," which might be true to a degree, but I'm only looking to use them for 4-5 months or ~3k miles. I calculated it and rebuilding my nice wheels regularly would actually cost more than just buying brand new cheaper wheels. I just need them to spin and be reasonably reliable.
Ideally looking for:
1) Higher spoke count for durability.
2) 23mm rim width for bigger tire.
3) Price $100-$200.
4) Shimano 11-speed.
Curious if there are any exciting new offerings for the season or tried and true models recommended by serious winter and wet weather riders. Best options so far:
Fulcrum Racing 7 LG Wheelset 2017 (18/20 spokes, $150, 23mm width)
Shimano RS010 Alloy Clincher Wheelset (20/24 spokes, $137, 21mm width)
From what I've read most people say "anything at that price is throw away," which might be true to a degree, but I'm only looking to use them for 4-5 months or ~3k miles. I calculated it and rebuilding my nice wheels regularly would actually cost more than just buying brand new cheaper wheels. I just need them to spin and be reasonably reliable.
Ideally looking for:
1) Higher spoke count for durability.
2) 23mm rim width for bigger tire.
3) Price $100-$200.
4) Shimano 11-speed.
Curious if there are any exciting new offerings for the season or tried and true models recommended by serious winter and wet weather riders. Best options so far:
Fulcrum Racing 7 LG Wheelset 2017 (18/20 spokes, $150, 23mm width)
Shimano RS010 Alloy Clincher Wheelset (20/24 spokes, $137, 21mm width)
10-18-17, 12:51 PM
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Been learning to do this stuff myself. If I did do it myself: White Industries T-11 front had two 6901-2rs and rear three 6902-2rs and two 6802. All those together are $40 at bearings direct after shipping. I had to replace all of them last winter (two sets of replacement sessions for different bearings). The rims/wheel re-building is the more expensive part; Two new A23s are $120 after shipping not including any spokes/nipples that need to be replaced. So the cost of using those wheels in the winter could be $160+ which is about the cost of a cheaper wheelset. Can't imagine what a shop would charge to do all that.
10-18-17, 02:11 PM
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I have these on my rain & rails-to-trails bike, mounted with Schwalbe S One tubeless. Couldn't be happier.
Velocity A23 Black Shimano 105 5800 32h Hubs Wheelset 8 9 10 11s [640127] - $199.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike
Velocity A23 Black Shimano 105 5800 32h Hubs Wheelset 8 9 10 11s [640127] - $199.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-18-17, 05:18 PM
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The A23/105 looks pretty good.
I actually have the salmon pads on my bike as well! Lots of grit and wetness from the road here in Seattle seems to eat away at the rims in WA.
I actually have the salmon pads on my bike as well! Lots of grit and wetness from the road here in Seattle seems to eat away at the rims in WA.
10-18-17, 07:50 PM
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10-19-17, 06:58 AM
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I got the fulcrum racing 7 LG cx last January. I have no complaints. True and not that heavy. Roll and climb nicely.
I got them for about $150 on Ribble.com.
I got them for about $150 on Ribble.com.
10-19-17, 09:17 AM
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nashbar.com has the Vuelta Corsa HD with 36 spokes front and rear for $125:
Vuelta Corsa HD 11-Speed Road Wheelset - Nashbar
Only drawback might be that they are not the newer wide rims. velomine.com has machine built Velocity A23 with 32 spokes front and back for $199:
Velocity A23 Black Shimano 105 5800 32h Hubs Wheelset 8 9 10 11s [640127] - $199.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike
Those have the Shimano 105 hubs. For $80 more, you cam get them with Ultegra hubs which was what I bought a while ago. Those hubs roll *really smooth*.
Vuelta Corsa HD 11-Speed Road Wheelset - Nashbar
Only drawback might be that they are not the newer wide rims. velomine.com has machine built Velocity A23 with 32 spokes front and back for $199:
Velocity A23 Black Shimano 105 5800 32h Hubs Wheelset 8 9 10 11s [640127] - $199.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike
Those have the Shimano 105 hubs. For $80 more, you cam get them with Ultegra hubs which was what I bought a while ago. Those hubs roll *really smooth*.
Last edited by ptempel; 10-19-17 at 09:20 AM.
10-19-17, 10:16 AM
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This Velomine website has A LOT of options for hub/rim variations, pretty cool.
Anyone tried the H Plus Son rims? There are some just like these on eBay right now for $180: The Shopping Cart Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike
Sounds like the cup/cone is a pretty simple system to maintain with the marine grease and proper preloading. Leaning towards a Shimano 105 hub w/ 23c rim or those Fulcrum 7s!
Anyone tried the H Plus Son rims? There are some just like these on eBay right now for $180: The Shopping Cart Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike
Sounds like the cup/cone is a pretty simple system to maintain with the marine grease and proper preloading. Leaning towards a Shimano 105 hub w/ 23c rim or those Fulcrum 7s!
10-19-17, 10:42 AM
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I have two wheelsets with the H plus Son TB14 rim. It's a suitable rim for vintage bikes since it provides a old school shape and appearance. It's significantly less rigid than the Velocity A23. The TB14 requires more frequent attention to keep it true and it loses some power while climbing and sprinting.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-19-17, 10:55 AM
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Well, to be honest I was paying a shop to replace the bearings last year which drives up the cost. Been learning to do this stuff myself.
If I did do it myself: White Industries T-11 front had two 6901-2rs and rear three 6902-2rs and two 6802. All those together are $40 at bearings direct after shipping. I had to replace all of them last winter (two sets of replacement sessions for different bearings). The rims/wheel re-building is the more expensive part; Two new A23s are $120 after shipping not including any spokes/nipples that need to be replaced. So the cost of using those wheels in the winter could be $160+ which is about the cost of a cheaper wheelset. Can't imagine what a shop would charge to do all that.
Been learning to do this stuff myself. If I did do it myself: White Industries T-11 front had two 6901-2rs and rear three 6902-2rs and two 6802. All those together are $40 at bearings direct after shipping. I had to replace all of them last winter (two sets of replacement sessions for different bearings). The rims/wheel re-building is the more expensive part; Two new A23s are $120 after shipping not including any spokes/nipples that need to be replaced. So the cost of using those wheels in the winter could be $160+ which is about the cost of a cheaper wheelset. Can't imagine what a shop would charge to do all that.
My understanding is most new wheels use cartridge bearings, but shimano still uses loose bearings? Well even still...I guess $40 to overhaul a hub isn't the end of the world...replacing cartridge bearings I would HOPE is even easier than replacing loose bearings. No adjustment as well, I imagine.
But you're replacing the rims as well? In that case yea, I'd probably agree with you...going through all the hassle just to salvage hubs that need an overhaul anyway probably is not worth it. Unless you've got uber nice/expensive spokes in there or something, and are willing to get an exact replacement rim so you can re-use the spokes.
Personally, I wish wheel parts were less expensive...it seems buying pre-built wheels is less expensive than loose parts.
10-19-17, 11:26 AM
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10-19-17, 11:40 AM
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Just ordered the H Plus Son Archetype with Shimano 5800 105 Hubs 32h. Thanks for the advice all, looking forward to trying these and out and seeing how they hold up through the winter!
10-19-17, 12:52 PM
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Not sure why the 36h comes as butted but the 32 is plain gauge...odd.
Anyways- i havent touched the wheels yet in...over 1000mi. Not really sure on distance, but its been over a year of use on gravel roads(potholes, washboarding, gravel rock) under my heavy butt and they roll true and dont make me even think about them(which is all I want).
The seals are really good, at least for me. Dust isnt water, sure, but the seals have kept dust out completely.
Shimano hubs are really easy to maintain. Just add grease, close back up, and set tension.
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