This sounds like code for something.

Yeah it is code. Code for a "bike ride". There is a great loop through Oregon City to Canby, OR, over the ferry (there is a good "code" word) and up "the back side" of Petes Mtn. Oh and the "ferry" costs a "dollar" to "ride"! ;)

First test ride with heaven....
 

just got back from 42miles. I dind't realize heaven was so close:eek:!!!! such an amazing wheel, I'm in big trouble now that I have experienced what this level of wheel feels like. I found my perfect all around wheel FOR SURE, I just dount I can afford these anytime soon. I dont even know where to start a review with these.

I'm going to give a brief experience followed by a 10 point rating (1 being low and 10 high). keep in mind if I give it a high score, I'm basing my score off of the wheels I have experienced.
cane creek aeroheads, easton EA70, shimano RS30, Boyd vitesse, H plus son, Velocity A23, Edge enve

Climbing-was way better than I expecting. I was thinking since the weighed a bit more, hills were going to be a bit tougher, but it wasn't that bad at all. I felt that they climbed better/easier than the H plus son (8)

flats-what can I say....butter smooth and I could really feel the aero. I hit a path that was smooth and is about 5 miles long and completely flat. i ride it frequently to bridge me into downtown. With my boyds, the H plus sons and the A23 I averaged anywhere from 21-24mph depending on how I feel. Today I never fell below 25mph the entire stretch. blame it on ego, excitement, mentality of new wheels or whatever else you want, I rode faster without over exerting myself or feeling dead at the end of the path. (10)

Sprinting-AMAZING. I love sprinting and I have a pretty good kick, these just straight up felt awesome. Stiff and felt like they were launching me! I sprinted on that path on the way back and hit 39.7. LOVE LOVE LOVED them! (10)

Descending-Felt very secure while descending on these. Because of the aero on these wheels, I felt that I was on rails, UNTIL a hit a little side wind. I felt it was almost a catch 22 with them. If there was no wind at all, which never or rarely happens they would be a perfect 10 but because there often is wind I blew around a little bit. BUT I have to say that it was a totally different feeling than the A23 where I mentioned getting blown around. I felt the Enve was still very controllable with getting pushed where as the A23's I felt were just very unpredictable and squirly. (8)

Butter smoothness :Again catch 22 here. They were very smooth on the flats but more harsh of a ride than both the A23 and h plus son. Dont know if it is the 23/23 combo of the 2 vs these or if it is simply that the carbon is generally a stiffer ride. (7/8)

Aesthetics:do I really need to say anything??? super sexy. nuff said (10+1)

Braking:I wasn't sure what to expect since all I hear is carbon brakes differently and can take an adjustment. These were amazing and better than any wheel I have ridden!!! No sqealing which i was told they might be loud and to expect it. (10)

CK hub:I really didn't mind these hubs on this wheelset. This wheelset has only been used once so the hubs are in better condition and haven't seen the use the h plus sons did. The sound was more crisp and consistent on these. I wouldn't mind riding with these hubs. They are still very loud, but its a good kind of loud.

Overall I give them a 9. As much as I loved them, I think I will be just as happy (maybe not aesthetically speaking but performance specific) with the C2 set up. The ride wasn't as comfy or plush as the 23/23 combo which really made my rides enjoyable.

Just wish they were cheaper and I would buy them right now and deal with the fact that they aren't as "comfy".

I just had a set of Pacenti SL23 with BHS hubs built. 1420g with rim tape and cost less than a pair of CK hubs. If you are interested in a light build for under $600 maybe you want to look at this option.

hi Bianchi, did you ride them with the same pressure?

fyi on the hub, I would really consider the R45's in the 11spd spacing. You simply use a spacer while on 10s
Pd and the. Remove and re-dish if you upgrade. Pricin is the same I believe. That way you future proof yourself a bit.

good luck, and find yourself a way to get the carbons!

I wrote Jude an email regarding alchemy hubs to see what she says. Otherwise, I think I will be going with the Chris kings in black. I'm not so sure about the pewter hub color with the Belgium Rim. Started thinking that if I'm going to spend this much on hubs, I dont want to deal with switching stickers and such. The Ride on my enve's were very nice and a better sound than what I experienced on the son plus H.

If you don't want to pay for the Enve right now, then what? if dropping $2500+ hadn't been a concern, the Enve is almost a no-brainer, which you probably surmised from the get-go (although I was wanting Alchemy hubs myself). The only other option I was considering at that price point was Zipp 202 clinchers with Alchemy hubs. Then I quit considering that price point.

It would be a no brained if I had the financial means to pay for them. I will be going with the C2 rims and most likely the Chris king hubs unless she recommends the alchemy as a good choice for me

If I were to pick CK hubs for your bike, I definitely wouldn't pick black. I'd pick something that stands out - perhaps red/pink with matching nipples.

Ah yes. Pink will be the way to go! Lol

So here are some responses towards some of the questions i asked Jude tonight...

I hope she doesn't mind me posting her answers...

Do you know anything about the HED belgium + 25mm?
"HED C2 25mm. Great rim. Excited for it to debut but it's really a great rim intended for cyclocross riding. It's not that you couldn't use it for road riding but it would ride a little more sluggish and will likely weigh a little more--and not in a good way. I wouldn't look at as an upgrade as much as I would look at it as a new product intended for cyclocross."

Do you know anything about the alchemy orc hubs? If so would you recommend them for me over the CK R45?
"The ORC hubs. I just sold my last set and am waiting for their 11sp compatible hubs. Here's the thing. I like Alchemy which is run by Jeremy and Sarah a husband wife duo. They've taken on an ambitious project and have created a really reasonable hub. It's light. It boasts of lower maintenance but it uses ball bearings throughout which arguably doesn't provide the stiffness that the Chris King hub has. They are lighter but not as stiff. Ride wise they will be similar with the front hub having smaller bearings which will need to be replaced more frequently but the front hub will also provide a stiffer ride. It's definitely a top shelf hub. The bottom line is that it's a great hub but the King hub, in my opinion, has a bit of an advantage when considering overall performance."

With the C2 rim, CK hubs and CX ray Sapim hubs what do you think the overall weight will come in at (Give or take 40-50g if off the top of your head)
"Regarding the weight of the HED C2/king wheels it all depends on the lacing pattern of the spokes. We can bring the weight of these wheels down to 1460g plus the weight of the velo plugs you wanted. If you wanted to lower the weight in a meaningful way you could consider using the Sapim Super Spoke which is an incredible spoke (I think it's a little unnecessary) but if you had to drop the weight to 1400g and keep the strength and aero properties and wouldn't mind spending $115 more that would be a good option."

Jude is the true meaning of awesome! So friendly and passionate about what she does. She has really earned my business! Cant wait to get my things together and possibly make my order next week!

That's a reasonable response on the Alchemy hubs. There are some other things I like about them, such as the flange spacing, but that gets nit-picky. Either way, you're going to end up with a really top notch wheel set. I like mine :-D

C2 + CK + CX-Ray = WIN

Good choice!

Bob

I will agree with this. She's earned my business too if I'm ever in the market to drop a K on new wheels :)

I like that math.

Interesting about the Belgium+ being sluggish for the road - at only 16g heavier, I'm not sure what would cause that. Hrm. I really figured it was a straight Zipp 101 competitor.

maybe its because it is too wide to maintain that aero benefit?

That still seems weird though... it's not wider than the 101 or the 303FC, which are both good and wide. In fact, to my understanding, one of the things about the advanced shapes is they have to be wider as they get shallower.

Oh well, I'm going to bed. Exhausted.

I'm at a crossroad here. Jude offered me a deal on the enve wheels (I'd rather not say right now because I don't know how she would feel about that). Still a bit short on cash but its not a crap ton more. Though i know its enough to know that I wouldn't have the extra money within the next couple months. Trying to convince myself that I don't need them and that a set of C2s will be lighter, more comfortable, more versatile, cheaper and more fitting for the riding I do. Damn her!!! Lol

I look at my bike right now and think it is perfect with the enve wheels. As someone said earlier, my bike has never looked sexier!

Someone slap me and talk me out of this ASAP!!!! Lol

How heavy do you think those wheels are? You seem to be pretty off base.

do eeeeeeeeeet.

One way to look at it is after the brake track wears out on the enve wheels, you'll be out a lot of cash to buy the same rims again. Or go with the C2's which are basically everything you wanted anyways and save some cash.

For me I would get the one I can afford now, and afford to replace.

Guess they aren't "heavy" at all lol. 1460'sh g is lighter than I was assuming. I figured they were around 1550+

Damn that doesn't help hahaha

Sorry lol, Was just pointing it out.

This. +1.

I just don't think I can come up with the money.

I think right now I should focus on the c2 from, decide what color ck hub to get and if anything, try to get the super sapim spokes she mentioned which would get me down around 1400g without compromising any stiffness or performance. Bring me to $1150 with those spokes.