Wheel Set Upgrade
 

I'm looking to upgrade the wheels on my current bike, which right now has a Bontrager Race X Lite in the front, and a Bontrager SSR in the rear (don't ask why I have two types–bought it this way). I would like to upgrade the wheels, and I'm wondering first: If The RXL's are good enough that I should just upgrade my rear to match that front, or if there are better wheel sets for not much more than the rear (~$1000 max). If it's the latter, which wheels would you recommend for this price? I've looked at the ROL Race SL, ROL D'Huez, Mavic Ksyrium SL, or Zen Cyclery customs, but I'm assuming there are similar or better ones out there.

For $1000 I'd look at rol, zen cyclery, or november. A guy I ride with just got those mavics and broke spokes on 4 different rides and got sent back defective.

Are any of those a fair bit better than the Bontrager Race X Lite?

I have close to 10,000 miles on my Rol Race SLs and they're bomb proof--never broken a spoke or had to mess with the hubs. Definitely recommended over the Bonts (if for no other reason than they're cheaper!). If weight is an issue, maybe think about the Huez, but I've done tons of climbing on the SLs too. I've also done some racing on the SLs too, so if you're only going to have one wheelset, it's a solid all-arounder.

Bonus: Sean, the owner of Rol, offers great customer service!

Do you want clinchers or tubular? Metal or carbon?

The november 38 carbon clenchers would be good if you want a more aero carbon wheel. They are $885 and listed as 1370g. I'm guessing the wheelset you have now is closer to 2000g and not too aero from the looks. That would give you a nice aero set and then you still have your standard set to throw on when the weather isn't as good or racking up a ton of miles. The alloy clinchers are $485 too if you dont want to worry about having different brake pads for different rims and a little less aero?

OP, if one of your Bonty wheels is a twin-spoke model and the other isn't, I would have an immediate opinion as to how your bike came to have two different wheels.

But that's neither here nor there. I would not mess with tubulars. I would, however, put these on the short list: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...258.622.0.html

Problem is, that limits you to 3 tires, all made by Hutchinson. (Intensive = mileage, Fusion = all-arounder, Atom = race slick.) But I doubt you'll find a solution that gives you fewer flats, and less total wheel & tire weight for under $1000.

I'm probably leaning towards metal clinchers, mostly because I'd like a pair of all-arounds (including for racing). However, if there are any carbons that can be used basically all-around, I would definitely be interested.

The November FSW 23's look like an amazing deal–does anyone have experience with them?

Right now I'm leaning towards the ROLs, just because everyone seems to love them, but November looks very interesting if I could just find more feedback on them.

I upgraded from Bonti Race wheels to custom from Zen Cyclery Siddhartha, (Alchemy Hubs, Kinlin Rims XRay spokes). Lighter, Stiffer, Faster, 1380g can be lighter but i chose 24/28 spokes for all round beater.