wheel dilemma--help
03-05-11, 05:57 PM
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wheel dilemma--help
I'm pretty much a noob. I've always been a more accomplished runner, but a change in scenery has put me on my road bike much more. I'm not a big mileage rider, but have had an easy time hanging with much more accomplished riders (cat2) over pretty long rides. By no means do I think I can race, nor do I want to, but I like going fast. Typical weekly rides are 30 miles, and weekend rides 50-70.
I've been riding a 2005 Cannondale R700. I don't do much wrenching...at all. Aside from lube/derailleur/shifter adjustments and changing tires, I'm lost.
Recently, while taking a drink, a rock jumped out in front of me, ruining the front wheel. The local LBS tried to fix the rim, but it was beyond repair. I couldn't find a replacement wh R-550 rim, so I bought a set of Reynolds Shadow rims online for not much money.
They came, and looked fine. I easily swapped out the front wheel, but ran into problems on the rear. I took it to a LBS, where they treated me like dirt, and let me know the reynolds wheel is far inferior to the shimano.
I took the rim home to install the tire, but flatted two tubes. Now I'm frustrated, and feel like I made a bad purchase. Since I haven't used the wheels yet, I could send them back...although I'm not sure I can get the cassette off. Plus, if I sent them back then I'm back to square one. I read the $300 wheel thread, and am thinking I should've gone to performance. I don't want to go back to the LBS.
Ideas?
I've been riding a 2005 Cannondale R700. I don't do much wrenching...at all. Aside from lube/derailleur/shifter adjustments and changing tires, I'm lost.
Recently, while taking a drink, a rock jumped out in front of me, ruining the front wheel. The local LBS tried to fix the rim, but it was beyond repair. I couldn't find a replacement wh R-550 rim, so I bought a set of Reynolds Shadow rims online for not much money.
They came, and looked fine. I easily swapped out the front wheel, but ran into problems on the rear. I took it to a LBS, where they treated me like dirt, and let me know the reynolds wheel is far inferior to the shimano.
I took the rim home to install the tire, but flatted two tubes. Now I'm frustrated, and feel like I made a bad purchase. Since I haven't used the wheels yet, I could send them back...although I'm not sure I can get the cassette off. Plus, if I sent them back then I'm back to square one. I read the $300 wheel thread, and am thinking I should've gone to performance. I don't want to go back to the LBS.
Ideas?
03-05-11, 10:23 PM
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I don't know much about Reynolds Shadow wheelsets, so I cannot help you there.
If you are interested in a wheelset in the approx. $300 price range your best wheels will probably be something with Shimano 105 hubs, DT Swiss RR465 or Velocity rims, and DT Swiss Competition spokes. That will beat anything else in that price. I use Shimano 105 hubs for everyday riding and I think they are the best value hubs around. They are almost the same as Ultegra hubs, have inexpensive easy to replace parts (if eventually needed), and will last a very long time.
If you are interested in a wheelset in the approx. $300 price range your best wheels will probably be something with Shimano 105 hubs, DT Swiss RR465 or Velocity rims, and DT Swiss Competition spokes. That will beat anything else in that price. I use Shimano 105 hubs for everyday riding and I think they are the best value hubs around. They are almost the same as Ultegra hubs, have inexpensive easy to replace parts (if eventually needed), and will last a very long time.
