Johnny Rad

I've decided on a new wheelset as my next upgrade to supplement my existing "everyday" (soon to be) ~1850g Shimano-type clincher set. For my new wheelset, I'm leaning towards tubular if they'll stay in my desired "price to weight" range. Outside from that small issue, I know what I want. Of course, I welcome your suggestions!

I'm currently watching prices on eBay for NEW Bonty's Race X Lite (clincher) as they compared to NEW Mike Garcia's (clincher) advertised web fare. Both are in the ~$500 and ~1500g/set range for a new wheelset. I'm quite sure that I'll be entirely happy with either. This was my "Plan A."

However, I've just gotten CFO approval for a higher ~$800 price range and am willing to buy a low mileage / mint used wheelset for "Plan B." Over on eBay, I've seen a number of Bonty XXX Carbon Tubular wheelsets not sell (new and used '03-'05: $799-999/set @ ~1200g). By comparison, the Bonty Race X Lite Carbon Tubulars @ 1,400g are selling for a bit more than what the non-selling XXX Carbons are being listed for. Weird, if you ask me. Any speculation as to why one is selling and the other is not? Lack of seller feedback does not appear to be the issue.

As for Mike Garcia, does he make lighter wheels (clincher or tubular) in my new ~$800 price range? Before I call him, I wanted to hear from the peanut gallery (and yes I use that term with a great deal of respect).

I see our BF's WTB and WTS forums, but neither seem to have what I'm looking for when I searched. Yes, I searched.

Where else can I surf to see other smoking wheelset prices in my price range? I found a number of LBS sites when I searched this site, but they seem to advertise full MSRP. This leads me to believe that they don't advertise their best deals or used gear. Opinions?

Outside of my LBS (out of luck w/stock right now), where else do you recommend that I search?

bigbossman 

I'm in the middle of doing wheel research, myself. For the kind of dough you're talking about, I'd definitely go handbuilt.

I've talked with Mike Garcia, Joe Young at Joe Young Wheels, Dave Thomas at Speed Dream, and Eric Gottesman at ergottwheels. All can do what you want. All were very knowledgeable, courteous, and willing to talk at length with me. I wish I could buy sets from all of them for comparison purposes, but I can't.

Therein lies the rub - they've all proposed slightly different wheelsets for me, and I find myself paralysed with indecision. I'm gonna have to pick one soon.

I recommend you call them all in turn and see what they can do for you. Good luck!

blandin

bigbossman, I think it would be helpful to the OP and generally enlightening to the rest of us if you could post what the various builders are recommending and the corresponding costs.

Johnny Rad

...plus price ranges AND the rim materials of those suggestions, e.g.: carbon, nobidium, iron ore, etc.

briscoelab

Mike does make some wheels using the Zipp 303 rims. I think I set of those, with the speedcific hubs would be right around $800-$900.... and would be pretty lightweight. Give him a call.

bigbossman 

Sorry - I was in a hurry to get out and ride in this glorious weather we're having. It's gotta be 70 degrees out, blue skies, light breeze, green hills everywhere. A quick 25 miles, lunch with a beautiful woman, and now the superbowl. What's not to like?

Anyway, here's a link to the thread I posted stating the different combo's I was quoted for:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/170632-wheelst-opinions-one-do-i-pick.html


Keep in mind that these material combo's are for clinchers not tubulars (which is what the OP is looking at), and that they are spec'ed for me, a 230lb rider that does a ton of centuries. So, the data won't be too useful in that regard.

However, it does point out what I was trying to infer - that each wheelbuilder has a different approach for the same problem, and each will probe you for the details necessary for them to address your needs. And they will all have a more than satisfactory solution. Then, all you have to do is pick one.....

blandin

I completely forgot about your earlier thread. My bad!

Johnny Rad

In a word, "nothing." I just haven't gotten off the dime. All talk an no action. With my LBS recommending that I stay with clinchers since thy'll become my everyday wheels, I'm on-hold with my plans to get Garcia-built Zipp 303 tubies. [briscoelab - I nevertheless appreciate lead!]

In my newly increased price range, I've got two ~1200g and ~$800 clincher wheelsets in my crosshairs: (1) Extralite's UltraClimb SP 24/28 @ 1190g and (2) Spada's Stiletto Light 20/24 @ 1183g. Finding reviews of either wheel has been an exercise in futility.

I'm at a loss. Does anyone care to comment on one of these clinchers over the other?

...and it's still worth mentioning that a custom Zipp 303 tubie set-up is only a few dollars more.