jetter

I have Shimano RS10's that came stock on my '13 CAAD10 105 that I'm looking to replace. Most of my rides are hilly climbs around 2000ft with snaky descents. I weigh 175lbs and I plan to use the new set as my daily wheels, so I'm looking for something sturdy that I wont have to replace for awhile. I've decided to go with a handmade AL wheelset in the $500 range. I mainly ride for fitness and do a few century and tri's every year.


I'm narrowed down my selection to these wheelsets:

-Boyd Vitesse ($650)
https://www.boydcycling.com/products/...-clincher.html

-Boyd Roleurs 30mm ($400)
https://www.boydcycling.com/30mm-rouleur/

-Neuvation RK 400 ($395-$675)
https://www.neuvationcycling.com/prod...40-gr-1677.htm

-November FSW23 ($525)
https://www.novemberbicycles.com/fsw-23/

-Williams System 30 24/28 spoke ($559)
https://www.williamscycling.com/Wheel...set_p_130.html


Anyone have recommendations from this list, or have suggestions for other wheels I should be considering? I'm basically looking for the sturdiest wheels that will perform best for my type of riding. I'm also unsure If I should get 20/24 or 24/28 spoke count given my weight.

Thanks!

Brian Ratliff

If you are 175lbs and want this as an "everyday wheelset", look for something with more than 24 spokes in the rear wheel. Doesn't mean that 24 spoke wheels will collapse on you, but you'll have issues in the long run with durability of the build. That said, I am 200lbs and I race on a 20/24 spoke wheelset. I still maintain that this spoking is too light for anyone over 165lbs.

(Que the chorus of voices insulted that I just suggested that their wheels are not ideal for them)

Bah Humbug

I'd go with the FSW23 - cheaper than the Vitesse but with the wide rims the Roleurs don't have.

RJM

If it were me and I had your criteria, I would make my choice between November FSW23 and the Boyd Vitesse...24/28 spoke counts.

eja_ bottecchia

I have heard good things about Boyd's wheel.

If your budget allows it, I would also look into Campy and/or Fulcrum wheels.

Goodluck and ride safely!

rpenmanparker 

Not sure what you are saying. Do you mean that you think the 20/24 set is okay for race day use, but won't hold up to everyday use for someone that weight? Or are you saying you shouldn't even be using it for racing? No argument with either position, just wanting to get it straight what you mean.

Nagrom_

I'd definitely go with the FSW23's. Great wheels from great people.

I've been riding a pair of the 28/32s for a while, and I beat the **** out of my wheels. I'm a 200# curb hopping sprinter, and they're as true as true gets after a few thousand miles.

SirHustlerEsq

I just looked at all of those wheels, actually I mulled over it for months, and I ended up with Flo 30s. I happy so far withou about 150 miles on them.

carpediemracing 

I've weighed from 155-180+, mostly in the 170-180 lbs range, and used these wheels for every day riding as well as a few wet races. 18/24H, Ardennes rims, no problems:
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...ne-wheels.html
Now they're called something else since HED calls all their non-aero clincher rimmed wheels "Ardennes".

If your riding style/technique is good you'll be easy on your wheels. If you're not easy on wheels then you need to be honest with yourself and adjust accordingly.

Most of today's aluminum clincher rims are pretty tough, not like the old days where the spoke tension did a higher proportion of holding a wheel's shape. With weaker rims the rim isn't strong enough to support a few hundred pounds - they need spoke tension to increase strength. With strong rims the rims are so strong that they can support a few hundred pounds without any spokes. In those cases the spokes merely position the hub.

If you want a really custom handbuilt set of wheels, made specifically for you, contact psimet. They can/will build you an optimized set of wheels totally to your specifications or to meet your needs. I have no idea on pricing etc but I think they're competitive, and they have a lot of riders out there on their wheels.

Brian Ratliff

yes.

Wheel lifetime is not measured in years, it is measured in miles rolled. The 20/24 wheelset will wear out faster than a 24/28 wheelset, which for me means I only use it for limited miles, i.e. race days.

Nachoman

Just from a customer support, or customer relations, standpoint, it seems like Boyd does a real good job at making himself easily available to make contact.

Bah Humbug

Not to take anything away from Boyd, but the guys at November are fantastic as well.

Clipped_in

All of those wheels are good products from reputable companies. I agree with Brian and would opt for the higher spoke count, but I think any of them will supply that. Beyond that, which one is in the closest proximity to you in case you had to ship a wheel back for some reason? I like the guys at November and Boyd. The others I just don't have any experience with, but hear good things about. The November wheels offer great value with the "Race" spoke. The Boyds look really nice with the lazer etching. The proprietary hub sounds nice too.

Bottom line--I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them.

GamecockTaco

agree with Bah Humbug..... AND, November just dropped the FSW32s to a clearance price of $425 while they last for 10 speed hubs.

redlude97

The difference in the price between the boyds and the novembers mostly comes from the sapim cx-rays. Up to you if it is worth the premium. I've got ~2k on my 24/28 vitesses at 180lbs and they haven't needed any truing

Clipped_in

I'd jump on it!

Grambo

+1 - I also weigh~ 175 lbs. and have gone with a 28 spoke count front and rear. Weight penalty is minimal with big gains in durability. Can't go wrong with any of the builders you have listed. Good luck.

jetter

Thanks for all the feedback, guys! It seems like most of you recommend either Boyd or November. I originally was leaning towards Neuvation since they're in-state and pretty close to where I live, but the $100 off on the FSW 23's seems like a great deal. I would have liked to have the CX Ray spokes, but I don't think they will make a huge difference for me. Also, the Vitesse come in at $670 for the 24/28 spoke option, which is $245 more than the FSW's....

The wider rim on the FSW's also seems a lot more appealing than the Boyd Rouleur's 19mm width...The Rouleurs do looks pretty cool though!

jetter

So, I just purchased the FLO 30's. They have everything I'm looking for in a wheel. They can be used as an "everyday wheelset", wide rim width, CX ray spokes, and right on budget at $500 for the set. Hard to beat the price and quality.



https://www.flocycling.com/store/index.php

Bah Humbug

Congrats and ride them hard! They're great wheels.

jjjj

I am also 175 and looking for similar wheels. I have also been debating spoke count. The weight weenie in me dreams 20/24, but honestly 24/28 is probably a better decision. That being said the 20/24 look cooler.

jjjj

I am also 175 and looking for similar wheels. I have been debating a powertap hub. Flo do not have that available. Now I am reconsidering the Flo 30 and the November clearance price. The price is good on both. If not I will custom build or buy the Boyds with a powertap.

THSdrummer

I've emailed November quite a bit just discussing wheels. Any company that will read and answer my, sometimes idiotic, wheel questions should get my business. That being said, if I were going pre-built wheels (in a sense that I didn't design the build), I'd go with the November's. They almost exactly a build I was considering for a while.

I think at this point, I'll be ordering all of the parts for a slightly different 24/28 build that will be a tad lighter and cheaper than the Novembers. Between your options, I'd choose between the Novembers or Boyd Vitesse.

Dunbar

The Flo 30's look good, I just wish they'd offer them with black spokes.

There's a new builder HOOPS that offers good pricing on Kinlin XC-279, Pacenti SL23 and H Plus Son Archetype builds. I have no affiliation with them but their builds look like good value for money. If you don't like Novatech hubs they offer White Industries, Tune (and Powertap) as an option.

https://www.hoopswheels.com/index.html

pdxtex

whats the scoop on that bicycle wheel warehouse? are any of those builds good?