Michigan

I do about 1k miles a year strictly for pleasure/fitness on mainly rolling hills in my area and am looking for a wheel set that will give me a softer ride without slowing me up much. I can go up to $400 new or used. I don't know a lot about wheels and the info I'm reading is making me dizzy.

1999 Trek 5200.
Mavic CXP30 wheels; deep profile (30mm), 28 spokes, approx. 2100g for the pair according to the specs. Ultegra hubs. Shimano 9 speed cassette.
I am 165lbs.

These wheels must be very sturdy since they've stayed in true for 5 years, but I feel every bump in the road, plus they're looking kind of ratty and old now.

be73

I recommend going to a 32 spoke built wheel. You could use Ultergra hubs and Mavic Open Pros. It probably won't be as light as the wheels you have now, but probably more comfortable.

You might also consider a softer saddle or a steel frame to smooth out the ride.

Patriot

Odds and Endos uses the Suun hubs, which are actually good hubs if I recall. If you don't mind the color burnt orange, you could just pick up a set of these. They are strong wheels, yet still light enough.

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

The 36 spoke rims above should easily handle your weight.

Michigan

As far as general info goes, what effect do the number of spokes have, and what about the difference between low vs. deep profile rims?

be73

It's more the lacing of the spokes than the number of spokes, really, but the number of spokes typically indicates the lacing style.

A straight laced spoke runs directly from it's centerline of the hub to it's centerline of the rim. Any impact on the rim is therfore transferred very directly to the hub and then very directly to the bike. With a crossed pattern, the impact is transferred to on off-center location on the hub, reducing it's impact. Cross patterns can also use less tension on the spoke since the rotation between the hub and rim is better constrained, with straight spokes, they need to be very tight to keep the rim and hub aligned.

Traditional bike wheels are referred to as 3-cross, meaning a spoke, as it rravels from the hub to the rim, crosses three other spokes.

Deep profile rims are more aerodynamic, but typically also heavier and stiffer than a more traditional rim.

fholt

What? We're worried about weight on a guy who's 165? 36 hole rims? I think they'll handle someone near twice his weight - but what about the comfort he's lookiing for? He already HAS wheels that handle his weight.

ravenmore

Oddsandendos.com or a set of Neuvations (neuvationcycling.com). Odds and endos would be better. Neuvations are darn good though - especially for the price. As far as features and performance they're a notch above Mavic Elites IMO, which are a $500 wheelset.

Michigan

The Neuvations look tempting. They have the same deep rim profile as my old Mavics but less spokes (both crossed pattern). So does that mean softer ride?

ravenmore

Unfortunately not. The spokes are true aero bladed spokes - that and the deep rims actually give them a pretty stiff ride. Nice wheels though - I like mine. Here's a pic of 'em on my Moto. I think they add a little "bling".

CPcyclist

If you want a softer ride you could use your current hubs and relace them to Mavic Open Pros (OPs) use some DT revolution spokes (14-17-15?) this should give you a smoother ride. I have riden the Trek 5XXX series of (carbon) bikes and thought the frame quieted the ride out a lot compared to my Steel and Ti bikes, all running OPs.

I would also look to what tires you are using. I have found tires can make a big difference in ride quality.

jstream

Also check out Roval's new wheels. Specialized is bringing them back. The ones they are using on the Tricross are relatively light, the most elegant hubs I've ever seen, low spoke count but designed for the pounding of cross riding, and amazingly comfortable.

Corsaire

Velomax Ascent II (now Easton).

Corsaire

martin_j001

For a very smooth ride, look into the DT R1.1 rims with Speedcific hubs that Mike at oddsandendos.com builds. I weigh around 230 and find these wheels to be extremely comfortable (I have a 28 spoke, radial front and a 32 3 cross rear). I rode a set of 32 spoke 3 cross Mavic Open Pro's with Dura Ace hubs for a while, and didn't really like them that much. I found them to be pretty stiff, and still had problems with the spokes breaking after a while--although I'll be the first to admit that I am very hard on wheels. They ride very nicely, and will weigh a bit less than your old setup. For you, you can probably go to 28 spoke front and rear without a problem. Total cost would be just under $400.

bbattle

Sorry to jump on someone else's thread but I'm also looking at new wheels. I've got Shimano WH-500's now and they are okay but I'm wondering what improvement I can see if I spend ~$500. I weigh 158 lb. but the weight is coming down.

What is the difference between $800 Ksyrium SL's at over 1800 g and Easton Ascents or Velocity Aeroheads at half the price and a pound lighter? Stiffness? Strength? Snob factor?

I'm no speed demon and would like to be able to climb the mountains(Alabama code for big, steep hills) around here.


Is there a big difference between hubs? Besides the prices? Who needs Chris King hubs, Sapim C-X Ray spokes, etc?

I understand the law of diminishing returns applies to bike gear but I'm not sure where the sweet spot is.

terrymorse 

Sorry to tell you, but no wheel will give you a softer ride. All wheels are sufficiently stiff to be essentially rigid when it comes to ride comfort.

If you want wheels with a softer ride, mount a wider tire (25mm or 28mm, if it fits) and run a lower tire pressure. Make sure the wider tire will fit in your fork.

martin_j001

The sweet spot, in my opinion, is around $3-500 for a handbuilt set of wheels. This can get more expensive depending on what parts you want (eg. DT Swiss hubs), but I think that with handbuilt wheels you undoubtedly get more for your money. Also, keep in mind repair costs of "boutique" wheels. Spokes for some of the "high end" wheels cost several dollars and have to be ordered, much less having to find a shop that has the proper tools to repair your wheel.

ravenmore

Actually carbon wheels will - but you gotta spend mega $$$ for that. If ride softness/harshness is the issue I'd experiment with my tire pressure. I personally look for the stiffest wheel possible. I hate flex in a wheel - it saps your power when you put the pedal down.

Mavic makes good wheels, but for the price, in my opinion, you have options that perform better for less money. The Neuvations really are as good or better than the Elites for a fraction of the price. I would go to Mike Garcia at oddsandendos over Kysrium SL's any day. You'll probably get a wheel thats a tad lighter, every bit as strong, for a lot less $$$. Just my $.02.

-Mike

Michigan

Great looking bike BTW.

Thanks guys, I'll toss your ideas around.