I am looking for a new pair of clinchers for my cross bike, but I also want to be able to use them on my road bike as well. I am looking at the Velocity A23 rim and either White Industries hubs in a 24/28 configuration at approximately $650 for the set or the same rims laced to Ultegra hubs in a 32/32 spoke set up at $300. The Ultegra set up will be about 500g heavier. I will use these for cross racing, maybe some gravel races, and for the occasional road ride. I am trying to justify the additional $350 for the White Industries set up, but I'm not quite there yet. Is 500g worth $350 more? I have already cleared either wheel set with my wife, so it's only me that needs convincing.

My math comes to about half that on the weight hit:

12 extra spokes and nips at 7 grams each = 84
500g (ultegra hubs) - 350 (WI) = 150
Total difference = 234g.

My weights may be slightly off because I didn't look them up, but what else am I missing?

Also have you looked at the 23mm offerings from kinlin, h-plus or pascenti? Many people have found them to be nicer to build with.

Less weight = more cost; up to you if you think it's worth it, but 500g is a lot, saying that, any non-factory 32 hold wheel is going to weigh more than a factory wheel with low spoke count or a 24/28 combo.

Do you want the bling / made in USA for the White Industries, or do you want to save the money for something else?

Jimc, I am really not into "bling". I am looking at performance first and durability second.

Can am, the listed weights for the pre built wheels are all over the place. If its only 234g then my conundrum just got a little more difficult (or easier, depending on one's perspective). Also, I already have a set of Velocity Major Tom tubulars, so I thought going with the Velocity clincher would make wheel swaps seamless.

I'm not sure what availability is like over there (although you could buy from the UK) but what about Miche Primato hubs instead? They look good and IIRC they're lighter than Ultegra, and cheaper too, without having rubbish bearings.

Major, yes there are all kinds of other hubs available, but at this point I'm trying to narrow my choice not expand them! Seriously, I have been looking at off brand hubs but my main concern with these is long term durability. Hence my choice of Ultegra v. WI hubs.

Ah, I wasn't thinking about pre-builts. In that case the Ultegra wheels might be using straight gauge spokes instead of double butted which would add some weight. Personally I would spend the extra and get the Ultegra set with DB spokes from a handbuilder like Psimet or Wheelbuilder. I think getting a good build is more important than the choice between the hubs or one of those other rims.

Suit yourself. They have a great rep and look amazing for the money though. Circa £70 a pair here.

Yes you are correct. The pre built version does come with DT Champion spokes and I want double butted. The shop will build with whatever spokes I want though, and I think I'll get Revolutions which would add about $35-40 to the build.

I am not a wheel builder, but have researched and had built several sets of hand built wheels. If you are set on Velocity A23's, don't do 24/28, especially for cross. It is kind of a whimpy rim. I have 32/32 A23's with Record hubs and double butted spokes (Revolution IIRC) and I am happy with them, but wouldn't use them for less spokes. Granted, I am large, so take it with a grain of salt.

A little more information...I just acquired a set of White Industries hubs at a great price. They are in a 24/28 hole configuration. In response to the above from RollCNY, I'm wondering whether I should opt for the HED Belgium rim instead because I've heard that its a little stronger. I weigh about 155 lbs. or so.

At 155, you can use any rim you want.

The HED is a nice rim, but the newest version is actually a bit shallower. You may want to consider the Kinlin XC279 (also bhs472). It has almost the identical dimensions as the previous 28mm deep HED. Either one should be stronger than the A23, though, and in my limited experience were a little nicer finished out of the box.

Shimano hubs - great quality and should last you for a while with some basic maintenance, but when they're gone they're GONE! Better plan on getting some new ones. I see Shimano as very good disposable products. My understanding is that Shimano road hubs (e.g., Ultegra) lack the tight seals that their MTB counterparts have. Based on the usage you've got in mind for these hubs (cyclocross, gravel grinding), I would not count on them durability-wise.

W.I. hubs - There is definitely an entry price differential, but you've got hubs for a lifetime. All parts are replaceable and you've got a company that will stand behind their products with warranty, parts and service. You made a nice choice getting these.

As far as rims, Velocity is a great brand. If you're still in doubt, I suggest giving them a call. I had some technical questions earlier this year and they were very attentive and helpful. They will point you in the right direction.

I've got a set of A23 wheels for trade in the trade thread. PM me if interested.

You could get the older Belgium's easy enough. There are many on e-bay and suspect many shops have some stock. I love mine and I'm a clyde. If you wanted a totally bomb proof hub you couldn't do any better than a DT Swiss 350.