joncapozzi

I am contemplating building up two new wheel sets next year. Both a training and a race set. I have been thinking about building up some Mavic Reflex's (aluminum tubulars) for a relatively inexpensive and nice wheel to train on. Is it a poor idea running tubulars on an everyday training wheelset?

For race wheels I was thinking Nuvation's carbon tubulars. Any experiences with these?

Another option I have been weighing, which would be cheaper. Ksyrium SL tubulars to cover both territories.

If it matters, these would be going on a carbon TCR with Ultegra, and some 105 mixed in. I really don't have any desire to upgrade any components, everything is working great and feels just as nice as my dad's Dura Ace OCR.

urbanknight

I always trained on tubulars just because it was less of a PIA to fix a flat out on the road. YMMV.

I personally like the idea of having a training set and a racing set because (a) you don't cause excessive wear to your nice, expensive race wheels, and (b) you automatically have a spare set to put in the wheel pit for races.

If you're going for tubulars, I think the Reflex is a nice choice for training. I might also recommend the Kinlin 25mm tubular or the Velocity Escape. I've never had the luxury of owning a carbon tubular set except for my TT wheels back in my good years, so I'll let someone else weigh in on that.

Zen Cyclery

I agree with urbanknight on the Kinlins/Velocitys. Here is the rule of thumb when buying a new set of carbon wheels.
Pick 2
Light
Relatively inexpensive
Strong

CrimsonKarter21

Velocity Escape. All 3.

Zen Cyclery

Yes those are alloy rims....

urbanknight

Not carbon.

Zen Cyclery

urbanknight, is that a picture of you? Regardless I would like to tell you that your avatar is my favorite out of all that I have seen.

urbanknight

Thank you, Zen It is indeed a picture of yours truly, taken by my wife shortly after I removed my helmet.

CrimsonKarter21

I need to start reading all of the post.

Zen Cyclery

We're all guilty of that

urbanknight

Crimson, at least you read some of the post. It seems some of the people on BF only read the title before throwing their .02 in.

joncapozzi

Anything else to say?

Zen Cyclery

Kinlin Tb25 20/24
Sapim Cxrays
Alloy nips
WI H2 rear
weight 1407 grams

Lighter and stronger than either.

Robotman99

Looks like cornrows!

CrimsonKarter21

Carbon is such a popular word around here it's basically become a longer version of "the", and who reads "the"?

urbanknight

What?

leooooo

Originally Posted by CrimsonKarter21 ________ is such a popular word around here it's basically become a longer version of "____", and who reads "____"?

lol

robncircus

Just something to consider.... You may want to get the same model wheels for training and racing just clincher and tubular version. For example, my new build I'll have 38mm clinchers (for ease) for training and will get the same wheel in 38mm tubular for racing. That way, I'll have an understanding of the handling characteristics of the wheels

Rob

urbanknight

Although that makes sense, it's not a concern in reality.

robncircus

SSSSHHHHHH it's my way of justifying two new sets of carbon wheels

urbanknight

Oh, in that case, it's the difference between winning off the front and coming in DFL.