Wheel Recommendation - Be Kind!
01-13-18, 04:16 PM
#1
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Wheel Recommendation - Be Kind!
Late last fall I purchased a 2018 Roubaix Expert because I wanted a disc brake bike. I had an older Roubaix with Mavic Ksyrium Pros. New bike came stock with Roval SL 24 wheels and 28 cc tires. I've only ridden the bike a few hundred before winter set in here in Central New York. I don't like the wheels for a few reasons including aesthetics a poor performance in cross-winds. I ride 1700 to 2000 miles per year, no races, a few centuries a year, typically ride in rolling terrain with some pretty good climbs (14% + and I suck at climbing). Budget is up to $2500 but am leaning to custom build with good alloy rims (Easton or Mavic rims with DT 240 hubs). I don't have a LBS that rents wheels in the area so its tough to try wheels before purchase. Constructive advice would be helpful.
01-13-18, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Hunterdog
Late last fall I purchased a 2018 Roubaix Expert because I wanted a disc brake bike. I had an older Roubaix with Mavic Ksyrium Pros. New bike came stock with Roval SL 24 wheels and 28 cc tires. I've only ridden the bike a few hundred before winter set in here in Central New York. I don't like the wheels for a few reasons including aesthetics a poor performance in cross-winds. I ride 1700 to 2000 miles per year, no races, a few centuries a year, typically ride in rolling terrain with some pretty good climbs (14% + and I suck at climbing). Budget is up to $2500 but am leaning to custom build with good alloy rims (Easton or Mavic rims with DT 240 hubs). I don't have a LBS that rents wheels in the area so its tough to try wheels before purchase. Constructive advice would be helpful.
01-14-18, 08:35 AM
#3
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Originally Posted by Shuffleman
$1.25 per mile! Sorry, I could not resist. With that budget, I would definitely go custom. You get more of what you want and it's more of a fun project. Good luck with it.
01-14-18, 07:13 PM
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Hunterdog -- great wheels will solve many cycling problems and create peace between your ears as you ride in comfort and accelerate with half the effort. Seems like Specialized skimps on the stock wheels to hit their price targets. Most of the guys I ride with have various flavors of Roubaix's and almost all of us have upgraded our wheels. With your budget, you can custom build the perfect wheel -- one that looks great, weighs nothing, and has the aero properties you are looking for. I'm jealous!
I built wheels about 5 years ago, so I don't know if these recommendations are still valid or particularly illuminating today: I picked a hub with cartridge bearings to eliminate the maintenance/replacement problem and matched the rim width to the tire to increase volume and comfort (25mm was fat 5 years ago). I would imagine 28mm on a Roubaix would be positively sumptuous.
I built wheels about 5 years ago, so I don't know if these recommendations are still valid or particularly illuminating today: I picked a hub with cartridge bearings to eliminate the maintenance/replacement problem and matched the rim width to the tire to increase volume and comfort (25mm was fat 5 years ago). I would imagine 28mm on a Roubaix would be positively sumptuous.
