I need a new wheelset. I'm currently using the stock Mavic wheelset that came with my 2010 Specialized Allez with a 105 groupset. This purchase is out of necessity since I've broken 2 spokes on the back wheel. When I purchased the bike I weighed around 280 pounds and now weigh 215. My goal is to be under 200 pounds.

I haven't done a lot of research on wheelsets but I do know about Williams, Mavic, American Classic and Reynolds.

I like speed and to go fast but I know for my budget I can't expect a true race inspired wheelset.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I'd get handbuilts. See the sticky psimet thread. Kinlins with White Industries hubs laced however it makes sense for you. People on your budget like Williams and Soul, too. For factory wheels I like the easton circuits. Fairly lightweight for having 28/24 spokes and steel freehub that won't get scored by your cassette.

$600 will buy a good custom wheelset. You can get CXP-33 or Open Pro rims with 105 or similar quality hubs for much less than $600. I'd definitely suggest you go the custom route. Aside from Psimet, there is also Bicycle Wheel Warehouse and Wheelbuilder.com. My current wheels (CXP-33 rims / Dura-Ace hubs) came from BWW and I cannot overstate how happy I am with them. I've also purchased wheels from Psimet, but they are yet to show up so the jury's still out on those....

I'm not saying those wouldn't serve him, but won't $300 buy you that?

You're right, I should have been more clear. $600 will buy a great custom wheelset for your needs. You can also get a perfectly fine custom set, as mentioned above, for much cheaper.

What is your favorite budget (under $500) wheelset

suggestion though a bit more $: https://www.rolwheels.com/rol_race_slr_wheels.php

I just ordered a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elite's to use as a set of every day wheels. Normal price on them is $650 but Performance has a closeout on them for $449. With the 10% I get back with Team Performance I couldn't pass them up.

I like the Kinlin/White Industries recommendation. I would go with 24f/28r spokes.

The 32-spoke wheel option is also a good choice. You may also like to try a wider rim such as Velocity A23 with those wheels. Those rims with Ultegra or 105 hubs will be really nice.

That's what I got. I weigh 195 atm and they are solid. No complaints at all. Even look really nice.

you can get a nice Neuvation wheelset for a lot less than $600

You can get Forte Titans even cheaper and for the money those wheels have given many riders some happy miles. For me it was worth it for handbuilts ( A23, WI hubs, Dt comp 28/24) because I wanted a specific spoke number, type and lacing and I wanted a non-aluminum free hub body. If I hadn't gotten what I did I would have gone for the Easton Circuits that are on ebay for $300. I also wanted to try the wide rims and short of a pre built HED this was the cheapest way in. But for standard light weight clincher rims Kinlins seem to keep most people happy.

I just called Performance about these after looking at the picture they have posted... turns out they are the 08/09 model and they even admitted that the description is a bit misleading. Still, I am considering them. Anyone have any experience with that model year?

D'oh, oh well for $450 I'm still happy. I just need a set of every day wheels so these will be fine.

+1 to the Kinlin recommendation. XR-300 rims with 24/28 spokes would make a fairly light wheelset that will hold up just fine. I have the same exact bike and am on Kinlin XR-200 rims 28/28 with no problems at 180lb.

The 2008 weigh 1690 grams, the 2009 weigh 1550 grams, so they are different. I have a
2008 wheelset and it is built strong. I have a 2009 rear only with the milled out rim (between spokes) and it is also well built.

I plan on weighing them when I receive them. If they are sub 1600 I'll keep them. If they are in the 1700 gram range I will send them back. I already called and informed them of my plan and they said that was fine.

If I had 600 bucks I'd probably go with Williams System 30's, ROL RaceSL's for $25 over budget, or maybe the custom route with DT RR465's laced to Ultegra with DT Comp or Champion spokes.

Please let us know what the results are... I think I'll order them if they are the 2009s.

Will do.

I was looking at Souls and Williams and was glad I went with the Williams System 30. These things spin forever, lightweight and stiff as all get up. I use these in crits and I'm so impressed that I'm going to order a tubular cross set later in the season. Read the reviews. When I ordered mine on Sunday, I had to make a small change in the order. The owner, on Sunday replied and they were ready to be shipped Monday A.M. Try that with Soul wheels, some guy in Asian quoted me on month delivery.

Canflyboy

Shimano WH-RS80. Best factory wheel for the money in my opinion.

I just received the wheelset and immediately put them on the scales. They added up to 1584 grams so I'm keeping them. For the price I think I will be perfectly happy with them for an every day wheel.