bhayes505

I am having a problem with breaking spokes on my back wheel. I have broken 2 in the past 2 weeks. My LBS is saying that the wheels are basically cheap and I would benefit from getting some new wheels. I don't have a lot of cash right now to spend on wheels so I'm looking for some suggestions of good wheels that won't break the bank. Here is a little info on myself. If I'm forgetting anything let me know.

40 yrs old
6' 0"
195 lbs
Fuji Roubaix bike
Xero Lite cxr6 wheels
24 spoke...LBS suggests 28 spoke
riding about 120 miles a week

Thanks,
Bryan

AEO

what's your budget?

at nearly 200lbs, the minimum I would recommend is 28h with 32h preferred.
besides, it's easier to get 32h wheel parts.

tiagra FH-4500 hub to something like Sun Venus, Mavic CXP33 or Velocity Fusion, using 2.0mm straight gauge drive side spokes and 2.0/1.8mm DB spokes on the non-drive side shouldn't cost too much.

bhayes505

To be honest I don't even know what a good budget would be. I would say somewhere in the $300.00 range. I might be crazy to think I could get something decent for that. As far as the weight goes I should be in the 180's soon. I have lost 27 lbs since the middle of April. Working hard at it.

AngryScientist 

https://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...d&productId=65


mavic open pros with 105 or ultegra hubs built by BWW, with these wheels you'll have thousands of trouble free miles.

bhayes505

Thanks AEO and AngryScientist for the suggestions. I will check into these.

AEO

on the same site, I'd go for the CXP33, DT RR1.1 or RR1.2 over open pro rims, since they are stronger.

don't go for aluminum nipples, that will only lead to problems later on.
don't go for revolution spokes on the rear wheel.

GP 

I have some 32 spoke Fusions with Ultegra hubs, Wheelsmith spokes and brass nipples that the local shop put together. IIRC, they were less than $350. Be sure to get brass nipples.

ptle

$300 can you get a really good rear wheel.

Apparently Open Pro Rims with Ultegra Hubs and DT Swiss (32) is the way to go if you want very durable wheels. I know two people with those wheels (one being over 250 pounds) and they've never had to true them.

tardman91

I'm having the same problem. I had my rear wheel "fixed" last week and today 10 miles into my ride I popped another spoke. I finished the ride and checked out the wheel. It was bent to hell and a number of other spokes were extremely loose. So I took it back to the LBS asked about a warranty replacement since I don't feel safe with that wheel anymore. The owner rummaged around in the back and came out with a 36 spoke wheel with a Shimano hub and said they would switch it out for free. It's silver spokes (my wheels had black ones) but I'm ok with that since it's a stronger wheel. Is the Shimano hub (not sure what kind, I just saw Shimano on it) probably better than the Alloy Joytech QR 32h hub that came on my 2010 Raleigh Sport?

bhayes505

I was out on a group ride this morning and at mile 26 I broke another spoke. At this point I'm just going to have to buy some new wheels. I have over $100.00 worth of rewards points at Performance and if I order them tonight I will get another 10% off. Here are some of my choices with the prices after the discounts.

Mavic Ksyrium Elite Black - $482.89
Mavic Aksium Black - $140.89
Shirmano Ultegra HB-6700 Mavic Open Pro - $193.99
Easton EA90 SLX - $347.00

AngryScientist 

do the open pros, thats a great value and you can easily get them locally all the better

AEO

if you get the ultegra/open pro from performance, be sure to have them tuned by a good wheel builder, since those wheels are machine built.

bhayes505

Thanks again for the input. I'm going to go ahead and get the ultegra/open pro's....AEO I will make sure to get them tuned by a good wheel builder.

MegaTom

I'll second the Mavic CXP33 rim. They're a few dollars more and a bit heavier than the Open Pro, but they've been serving me really well. I upgraded for much the same reasons.... stock Alex rims, broke a few spokes, easy to knock out of true the bumpy roads and cobbles, and I'm a bigger dude (currently 220, was 250, still dropping.... hopefully). I opted for the 32 spokes for front and back with 2.0 gauge spokes. I did get the aluminum nipples, since that was the only way to get the cool looking blue ones.... haven't had a problem yet, but I am prepared for the day that I might have to re-lace with brass nipples. I also opted for the Dura Ace 7900 hubs... mostly for the bling factor, Ultegra hubs would've worked equally as well for the amount of riding I do and my skill level.

adclark

Another solution would be to buy the hubs, rims, spokes, and spoke nipples and just build them yourself. Then you wouldn't have to worry about them being machine built. I do recommend the open pros as well, but I can't speak for the ultegra hubs because I have campy hubs. That was my original reason for build my own, but they came out cheaper than pre-built ones.

bhayes505

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I went ahead and got the ultegra/open pros. I should have them by Tuesday. I really thought long and hard about going w/ the Mavic Ksyrium Elite's but w/ me being 195 lbs and mashing on the cranks like I do, the security of the open pros was probably the right choice.

furballi

Open Pro is okay if you want a light box-rim. However, CXP33 is a much stronger rim. You can e-mail BBW for another opinion. I'm sure they will steer you toward the CXP33. I've had extensive hands-on experience building both rims.

BTW, a motorist ran over the wheels of my bike last year. Front wheel is Open Pro, while the rear wheel is CXP10. The Open Pro broke in three pieces. CXP10 was severely warped, but still in one piece.

Val23708

Unless you intend to crash, the Open Pros are plenty strong for training abuse. CXP33's may be stronger but if you require the strength that will break an Open Pro I think you have other problems.

furballi

Stronger = Bigger safety margin for a heavy rider, especially if the rider hits a large pothole north of 20 mph. Open Pro isn't much stronger than the bargain basement Open Sport. Again, go talk to the Pros who build wheels if you want to learn something new.

bhayes505

I picked up my open pros today during lunch and will put them on tonight. I'm sure the CXP33 is a good wheel also but I could not get them at Performance and I wanted to use my points. Open pro wheelset w/ ultegra hubs for under $200, I just couldn't pass up. Thanks again for all the advice in this thread.

urbanknight

All good advice. I only have two disagreements:
1) I've read too many reviews complaining of cracked eyelets with the Sun Venus. It kept me from trying them myself.
2) Revolution on the non-drive side is ok, and will even help to balance the tension a bit.

kayakdiver

Competitive Cyclist has Fulcrum 7's on sale at the moment for $199. Don't have a set but have heard good things about them.

Linky

Sapience

I have a 230lb friend who has been riding Mavic Aksiums for a year now. They are still true today. Give them a look

furballi

Build quality of machine-laced wheels at Performance can be hit or miss. I'd definitely pay the extra $80 for CXP33 at BWW.

bhayes505

I looked at the Aksiums before deciding on the Open Pros. I have to admit it was a tough decision. I just about bought the Mavic Ksyrium Elite's but was worried I might be in the same situation and from the reviews I read the open pros were a tough wheel.