mmac

I have been offered a pair of Ksyrium Elites from the LBS for $500 they are a year or two old

I have also been offered a used pair that is a few years older for $400, they're also chrome and would look better with my bike. I know the owner (kinda) and he does take VERY good care of his gear.

On of my friends recently got a pair of forte wheels from performance, and while cheap they also seem nice.
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1511000_400222

I am 165, and will be putting these wheels on a trek frame that I'm giving a vintage paint job (silver and red/orange) and will be installing some 105/Ultegra parts I got a great deal on through a friend. I will use this bike to commute w/o panniers 25 miles each way four days a week along a nice/flat highway and new MUP.

I am a college student and want to commute to my summer job quickly, I'm currently running a singlespeed Salsa Casserold Single with full racks and panniers that I can use when I need to haul anything or bring clean clothes.

What would you recommend for riding 50 miles a day, and occasional long rides for fun that falls within my budget? Is the LBS offering me a good deal?

AEO

soul 4.0?

NickDavid

If $500 is your budget, contact Psimet. He'll hand built you a very nice, light, set of aluminum wheels for that price.

Psimet2001 

ptle

Souls or Psimet.

datlas 

Williams, souls, or Psimet.....Easton gets an honorable mention.

Also, if you are really on a budget just get the Performance Forte's, they should be ok for the riding you describe.

AngryScientist 

fulcrum racing 5's or 3's.

fulcrum wheels are built very well, and will definitely stand up to the rigors of daily riding.

as mentioned, hand built wheels are always a good option as well, but for great performance right out of the box, fulcrums rock.

with your budget, i would personally stay away from used wheels.

intence

A year or two old makes a big difference on the Ksyriums, I believe they were redesigned for '09 where they lost some weight (around 1550g or so) and have the bulges in the rim. I don't think they're particularly special at that price, it's not a bad price if they're '09 or '10, but it's not great either.

Psimet could probably build you a set of handbuilts using Kinlin rims (27mm or 30mm) which I believe will be deeper and stronger than the Mavics, depending on overall spoke count you should also come out lighter. Cheaper, lighter, and slightly more aero

I didn't follow the link to the Performance wheels, but if they're the Forte Titans, many have said they are similar to Neuvations, I personally haven't tried them. If your budget was near $500, and you could stretch it a bit, you could almost pick up the Forte Titans on sale (wait for a coupon, 15% off or whatever), and perhaps a set of handbuilts as well.

urbanknight

+1 probably lighter and more aero than the Ksyriums, too.

tuxbailey

$400 is too much for the used Elites. I got mine for $255, 2009s. It was actually $275 with a Ultegra cassette and I sold that to my coworker so the net of the wheel is $255. I got mine from craigslist. However, if I were going to spend $500, I definitely will go custom.

JonnyUtah75

My vote is the 4.0s. $490 shipped. Love them.

robncircus

Another vote for Soul, Williams, or Psimet. I own a set of williams and Psimet and both have treated me well.

That said, sounds like you're on a budget. Nothing wrong with the Titans and use the extra cash on some nice tires.

saintx

+1 on the Fulcrum

bloomieracer

I'd say those Ksyrium Elites are worth about $100 less than the offers, more like $300 for a decent used set, $400 unused older. They're good tough not too heavy commuter wheels with good resale value. 2009-2010 ones are pretty much a different (lighter) wheel as someone said. I've stayed away from Fulcrum after lots of broken spokes and bad reviews with Racing 3s. Supposedly Racing 5s are ok but I've never used them. Easton EA70 is another good one in your budget range. A good builder can beat all these once you get to the $500 range and it sounds like we have one around here.

fastev

Psimet. White Industries hubs, XR300 rims, DT spokes. Done.

TxAggieCyclist

+1

I paid only 375 for last years Kryrium SLs that were new take offs from a guy locally

chado445510

I bet the Soul 3.0 would be good. But this post basically sums up all that I would have told you.

ElJamoquio

Personally I would do the formula hubs and cx-rays, but that's just me.

rydaddy

I agree. Novatech hubs are the second option.

AEO

novatech or formula front, DA 7700/7850/7900 rear
XR-270 or XR-300 rims
spokes: whatever suites you

20f/24r or 24f/28r

shimano reliability where you need it and low cost, light, decently reliable hub where you don't need shimano reliability.

carmonkie

Has anyone had to deal with Soul's warranty or just service the wheels locally at your LBS or self?

gus6464

Williams 30 or 30x?

https://www.williamscycling.com/willi...0x/sys30x.html

rangerdavid

you can do much better on the Ksyrium Elites . the new 2010 are only about 80gm heavier than the SL. I got mine off ebay for $400, the 2010 model, and brand new.

the older model they are offering you weigh more than the new models

Psimet2001 

Having ridden both I would go the White Hubs with CX Rays. But that's just me.

heckler

I had a spoke get itself loose. I brought it to a shop for a retension. It cost $16.50 which is much cheaper than shipping a wheel around the world.