mjsegal

I just bought new Reynolds R2s on sale ($800). There's little about them online--new model but are thought to be a lower-end Attack. My aim is for more lateral stability (for climbing) and lighter weight than my Bontrager Race Lights offer. The Williams 19s, which are alloy, weigh little more than the Reynolds and have hybrid ceramic bearings but aren't aero (19mm profile). The alloy Williams 30s weigh 100-plus gms more (dunno if Reynolds includes skewers in their weight) but have the toroidal shape of the Reynolds (30mm). Have read about spoke breakage on the Attacks but nothing bad about Williams. I've broken a hip in a bike crash and am a bit concerned catastrophic failure with carbon wheels on my carbon frame. Bottom line: factoring in safety and performance (stiff, aero carbon of a new-model rim vs non-aero alloy vs aero but heavier alloy), which wheel seems most advantageous for a 6', 168-pound rider?

Pokey Rider

I have the Williams System 19's and love them. I knew that they weren't aero when I bought them but they have served me well so far. I don't ride fast enough to enjoy the aero benefits anyway. I bought them more for climbing, their light weight (compared to my stock wheels) and low price.

Another factor in my choice of the Williams wheels was that they are a local California company and I'd like to support USA/California when I get a chance.

Good luck on your choice

dwatson

I still rock a set of Mavic Helium's. These where my race wheels back in the day, now just a nice set of climbing wheels.
Take a look at Soul wheels, https://bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?o...id=2&Itemid=10, 1420g with skewers,and these have a good rep. I have not move to carbon wheels, so it alloy for me.

canam73

What kind of riding do you do? How fast, how much climbing, group vs. solo?

Sorry to hear about your crash. Was it caused by an equipment failure?

Everything credible that I have seen shows that being aero is a bigger advantage than weight even at moderate flat speed and faster climbing. Not so much that the aero is a factor at lower speeds but weight is just that much of a non-factor. And you say these are all within 100gm or so of each other? Also, I don't know what the Reynolds rim width is but often carbon rims are wider and closer match the width of a 23mm tire which makes them much more aerodynamic than an aluminum rim of similar depth like the Williams 30.

hyhuu

Do you know at what speed do aero wheel advantages become significant? I'm currently considering a set of lighter wheels for climbing.

datlas 

If you are racing or in "competitive" club rides, go for carbon/aero.

If you are recreational and not competitive, go for aluminum.

Williams are good wheels. Lots of my clubmates use them. I personally use the 38 carbon clinchers which are more aero, but I ride in somewhat competitive club rides, and I weigh "only" 145.

And even then, I only use these from May-October. Once the "off season" hits I am back on cheap neuvation alloy wheels.

gw280

Aluminium offers *far* superior braking to carbon, so that may swing the decision for you.

Munk69

What's wrong with your Race Lites? Are they the old paired spoke design?

ct-vt-trekker

maybe these , Shimano Dura-Ace WH-7900-C24-CL
https://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont...-.wh_road.html
They're carbon wheels with an aluminum braking surface so you can use normal pads. They weigh under 1400 grams for the pair. I've got last years version WH-7850-C24-CL and I'm very happy with them. I also replaced Bontrager Race Lites with these. They retail for about $1300 but can bought online for as little as $650.00 , check out Chain Reaction Cycles or other UK based companies

max5480

i built some aluminum clincher with parts from bikehubstore.com. cost around $225, 1450g, and super stiff. the rear hub alone (not from bikehubstore) was 390 grams, so you could drop down a few hundred grams by using their lightweight hubs. that's what i'd suggest if you want a climbing wheelset.

Seattle Forrest

Which ones, and what do you think of them? I just bought a used bike that came with a set of Neuvation wheels.

ethman

Just to take the whole aero vs. weight argument to the extreme, would any of you race on a set of wheels made with Velocity B43's for fairly flat races? 43mm rim height but they weigh in at 770g. Of course, wheels made with these rims would be a hell of a lot cheaper than some Zipp 303's, but is it worth the weight penalty?

mjsegal

I just tried posting a response and got dropped. So if this repeats, pls forgive. The crash wasn't due to equipment failure, but I don't want anymore titanium in me. Because of work and family, I hover around 3500 miles a year but will put in more as the kids get older. I don't want 'better' rims to compensate for lack of fitness or for flash factor. I ride mostly solo, like to push myself, and am begging to dabble in group rides. I do a good amount of climbing, which is why I want rims with more lateral stiffness. But I would also like to maximize my potential on flats; I'm 44 and want to enjoy more intense rides for as long as I can. My hope would be that I could gain an extra mph or three so that I could squeeze in more miles in the same limited amount of time.

531Aussie

I would, definitely, especially in a road race. However, there are other rims around 40mm-deep that are lighter.

They'd most likely hold speed a little better on flat roads. Sosenka used a 3kg rear wheel when he set his hour record. I'm pretty sure Moser also used weighted rims during his Hour Record

The 50mm carbon/alu Gigantex clincher rims on my Token C50As are, according to Bop Dop's site, ~690g each, so, I doubt I'd notice an extra 70g.

I figure the B43s would be so stiff that the spoke-count could be reduced a lot to save some weight, assuming they come in lower spoke hole numbers

531Aussie

In case you're being serious, you'll never get a 3mph speed increase from wheels, and you'd be lucky to get 1mph, even from 2 discs. Generally, the real speed increase provided by aero wheels is ~0.4km/h to around 0.7km/h (but it depends what's being compared to what), and that's only comparing very aero wheels to 'unaero' wheels. Even the most 'generous' claims by wheel manufacturers is a time saving of around 90s on a 40km time trial, which is roughly 1km/h, or 0.6mph.

With their 32mm height and 20/24 bladed spokes (right?), your Reynolds R2s wouldn't be too unaero at all, so you wouldn't be getting too much benefit going to expensive, carobn aero wheels.

As far as safety goes, there's a bit of talk on other forums about some full-carbon clinchers failing, or just warping, on long, steep descents, because the heavy braking heats them up too much.

datlas 

I got them a year ago. Maybe M28 Aero? They are inexpensive but quite reliable. Decent budget/training wheel. No problems/complaints after about 5K miles.

Wkend_Warrior

Ct-vt-trekker,
When and where did you spot these set of wheels for $650ish? Much appreciate for the tips.
(I went to chain reaction, Evans, wiggle,etc no such luck)

Beaker

I've a set of Williams 19's and really like them. They're great climbing wheels, but I've also used them in a couple of crits too. They are surprisingly stiff and spin up very quickly. I also really like the hybrid ceramic hubs, they seem to spin more freely than my Eastons or no-name Specialized hubs I use regularly.

In your situation, I'd seriously consider the 30's. They'll give you a little more aero than the 19s, I have heard some durability questions with the 19s (no issues here but I'm in the 140-145lb range) and given your point about safety, the aluminum brake track would win me over.

mjsegal

Many thanks. Maybe I will return the Reynolds and get the Williams after all.

jamesdak 

I love my Williams System 30s. They are going to be moved to my Kona Jake the Snake as I prep it for winter use.

ct-vt-trekker

I got mine about a year and a half ago from Chain Reaction cycles, I bought 2 pairs, the first pair was $658.00 and the second was $676.00 shipped. This was in the winter-spring 2010. WOW I see prices have increased considerably since then, probably due to currency exchange rates. Chain reaction's price is $876.73 today and they are out of stock until December! Since the new model just came out I'd wait until January or so then shop around again or try and find soime of last year's WH-7850-C24-CLs in stock somewhere. Bonktown/Real Cyclist had them on discount earlier this month for about $850.

Tunnelrat81

If you're interested. It looks like they are on Bonktown right now...at $850...for half an hour.

-Jeremy