Stubacca

I'm thinking about building up a bike using an Ultegra triple build kit from Colorado Cyclist (just down the road in Colorado Springs). I'll use the bike for commuting (have a good place to lock it up at work) and light touring (have a spare mountain cassette and derailleur to extend the gearing when required). I'm 6', 220lbs and falling.

The kit they sell is $915 and includes Velomax Circuit Comp wheels. While these seem to be a great wheelset with good reviews, they're not really ideal for my intended use. Colorado Cyclist will happily exchange any parts in the build kit at retail price, but will only give half back on the wheels.

These wheels retail at $450, so I'd get $225 back, which is the same as the cost for them building Ultegra 36h Open Pro wheels, so I can swap the Velomax wheels for the Open Pros.

Is it worth giving up the Velomaxs? I'm thinking I should keep them and use them to upgrade my roadie (from Ritchey Comp hubs/Ritchey Pro rims), or worst case sell them on eBay. Being able to get them for essentially $225 seems a bargain... I'd then buy a separate wheelset for the new bike.

What other recommendations does anyone have for a strong commuting/light touring wheelset for around the price of the Open Pros?

Grampy™

I guess I don't understand.... You are building a commuter/touring bike but don't think the Velomax wheels will work for your intended purpose? Keep the Velomax, these are great wheels for a commuter or touring.

Stubacca

That's sort of the question... I was writing it with too many interruptions, so sorry if it didn't make sense.

Are the the Velomax wheels strong enough for how commuting/light touring? If not, what is a good wheelset to choose. It seems many people strongly suggest against less than 32 spoke wheels for commuting and light touring, so it scares me away from them.

If they are strong enough, that's great.