and1homer

Well, I don't have any precision measuring device - just a standard builders' tape measure - but it looks like the diameter is 630mm. Isn't that sort of standard?

But FWIW, on a good day I can get a Conti GP4000 over the rim without tire levers, if that helps.

budopo

Thanks. That's just about what my Mavics measure. I guess it's more of a tire issue than a rim issue.

Does anyone have any experience/opinions about Vuelta Corsa wheels? A couple of coworkers have a few of them and seem to like them. They're a bit lighter than the Shimano RS80 wheels and a quite a bit less money. They do have 4 more spokes per wheel than Shimano, though. Any comments about ride, durability, etc?

I am leaning towars Shimano, since it's a known quantity, but they're pricey. Sram is another wheel I'm considering.

Speaking of which, any opinions about Sram vs. Shimano (Ultegra) cassettes? A coworker likes the Srams better. I'm coming from 2 decades of Suntour Superbe Pro, so all this is kind of new to me.

RT

I have ridden and owned Corsa HD road wheels and ZeroLite MTB wheels. They are solid wheels and take a helluva beating.

budopo

My coworkers like the Vueltas a lot. I'm looking at the Corsa Super Lite (or Corsa Lite). The Vuelta website doesn't give a lot of technical information, though. Is Shimano over-priced (cough, cough), or is Vuelta keeping costs down in some way? I'd assume the aero performance is similar, though Shimano's fewer spokes would help (plus, they're oval; are the Vuelta's spokes oval or bladed? they don't say). I'll have some more digging to do, it looks like.

budopo

Well, I bit the bullet tonight and got the Shimano RS80-C24-CL wheels. Chain Reaction has a really good deal (clearance sale). I also got a Dura-Ace 7900 rear derailleur, Ultegra 6700 12-23 cassette, and Sram PC1051 chain (I like the master link for taking it apart), all at the same time, to save on shipping. I'm keeping my Suntour front derailleur and crank for now. I'll probably wind up with a 34/50 compact double (probably not Shimano, since I like the classic looking cranks) and perhaps the new 9000 front derailleur (I'm assuming it's compatible with 7900 downtube shifters). I'll also get a 28T cassette at some point for riding big hills (Appalachian mountains in Virginia). I'll have to see if my the braze-on for the front derailleur is low enough to accommodate a 30T chainring (since the frame is from 1991).

My coworkers with the Vuelta Superlites will think I made a mistake getting the Shimano, but while the Vuelta is a good wheel, I think the Shimano is better, considering the price difference with the clearance sale.

Thanks again to everyone for your input and patience.

echotraveler

your spending TOO MUCH money on a very old bike... im gonna say it once TOLD YOU SO'

you will buy a new bike in 1 yeat tops

Nachoman

Easy prediction on a bike forum.

and1homer

God choice, I hope you like them. They are pretty great.

Except all he will need is a frame and some brifters. He will have a top notch drivetrain to put onto it.

pat5319

I built a set of wheels about 2-3 yrs ago for my new bike ( seven ) I wanted "bombproof" and low maintence. I chose DT 350 hubs w/sealed mech cartridge steel bearings- even if you grind 'em up YOU CANNOT hurt the hub, just replace the bearings!, with 32' Mavic Open Pro Hubs and DT double butted spokes ( double buttted spokes break less) I've never had to overhaul the hubs and gave the wheels a light "touch up" on trueness twice, Since I got the bike I weighed a "high" of 238 lbs. and am now 235 lbs

budopo

That's exactly what I did 20 years ago. I just upgraded the components on my entry-level Fuji, then bought the Davidson frame and transferred the components. The Fuji got its old parts back and became a training bike. I don't have plans to replace the Davidson, though, since it's still a pretty sweet ride and new frames are expensive, but I do realize technology advanced since the 90's, so I may eventually get a new frame. It's just the new stems are so ugly compared to quills.

I'll probably have to get brifters (and threadless stems) at some point, but I prefer downtubes. I just remember using Suntour's version (basically a giant wing nut mounted next to the brake lever). I got neck aches on rides from never moving my hands off the hoods. They are nice, though, when out of the saddle. My racing career never amounted to much (the other riders would never slow down to wait for me), so shifting out of the saddle is nice, but not critical.

budopo

I've got Mavic Open Pros and GEL 280s, both with double-butted DT spokes, and they've been great. Never needed truing, tires mount easily, and ride nicely.

Midwest Ullrich

On a related issue, which wheel set is cassette swap friendly (between campy and shimano)? I have both types of drivetrain and if I get a pair of nicer race wheels, I want it to be easily compatible to both. I heard mavic is the easiest. True?

valleycyclist

IMO DT Swiss hubs (e.g. 240s) are the easiest to switch since no tools are required. It takes about 10 seconds to switch the freehub body.