Hello,

I have been debating purchasing a new set of wheels for my road bike. The bike is a 2011 Argon 18 Krypton full Ultegra 10 speed with Mavic Askium Race wheels. I am 176 pounds and typically ride between 50-150 km a week. I am looking at a fun and lighter wheelset that is a good all around....faster, lighter and comfortable. I must admit I know nothing about wheels so any feedback would be great.

I have been speaking with Robert from PSIMET, he has been very helpful and gave me two build options. Which one would you pick? I would like to get a better understanding of why these options would be better than my current wheelset.

Option A
24/28 - CXRay
Front=White Ind. T11 F Silver (black, other colors) hub laced to a HED Belgium C2 rim 24f/2X using CXRay-Black spokes and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Rear=White Ind. T11 R Silver (black, other colors) hub with Shimano freehub body laced to a HED Belgium C2 rim 28r/2X using CXRay-Black spokes on the Drive Side and laced 2X using CXRay-Black spokes on the Non-Drive Side and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Estimated weight should be in the neighborhood of ~1549g for the set.

Option B
24/28-CXRay
Front=White Ind. T11 F Silver (black, other colors) hub laced to a Pacenti SL23 rim 24f/2X using CXRay-Black spokes and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Rear=White Ind. T11 R Silver (black, other colors) hub with Shimano freehub body laced to a Pacenti SL23 rim 28r/2X using CXRay-Black spokes on the Drive Side and laced 2X using CXRay-Black spokes on the Non-Drive Side and DT-12mm-Brass-Silver nipples
Estimated weight should be in the neighborhood of ~1513g for the set.

If you have a similar set please show me a picture.

Thanks in advance

Don't think you could go wrong with either. Between these 2 choices, I would personally go for which looked better.

I have both rims and they are extremely similar. The HED's are matte black and (unless he has some NOS) feature etched graphics. The Pacenti's are glossy black with removable stickers. The SL23's are a bit more 'tubeless ready' right out of the box (if you are going that route), but are a major pain to mount tires/tubes on if you are not.

IMO, black spoke look strange when using silver hubs.

I have a 2012 Krypton that I ride with a set of Velocity A23s laced 24f/28r 2x with DT Comps to White Industries H2/H3s. I also sub in a HED C2 laced to a Powertap. As mine were not meant to be race wheels I wasn't concerned with the added weight or drag so I opted for a standard DB spoke. But on my race wheels I use and like CX Rays so I if you don't mind paying the extra $100 or so I would recommend them.

In use my guess is you would never a notice a difference between your 2 rim choices. But the tubeless consideration may matter to you, whether it is in ease of changing tires or actual use for tubeless. I also prefer silver spokes with silver hubs as you can see in the pic below, which was taken while I was still setting up my position.

I'd go with Pacenti SL23's and CK R45 hubs. It's just sexier.

if you went with silver spokes, the Pacenti's would look a lot like this:


...and the HED's like this:

I like r45's as well, but they are about $150 more than T11's.

What did psimet think? The CX Rays and T11s are solid, so I think it comes down to what rim he'd suggest.

If you ask me, I'd get the Pacenti rims for the sex appeal.

If you are buying Pacenti rims in an effort to get laid you are doing it wrong. A lot of things wrong.

Just wondering what kind of money you're talking about to have these built. Kind of hard to make suggestions or comments without knowing what kind of price point you're considering.

they are both good choices... either get the prettier one or the cheaper one... or both if possible lol

I wanted to answer some questions.
My budget is under $1000, I prefer not to disclose the quote as it would not be fair to PSIMET.
I don't know how these wheels look, there is no picture and so I can't select the nicer ones. As I mentioned I don't know anything about wheels and the components.
He favoured the HED wheels more and so can anybody comment on what difference I would feel compared to my Mavics? I was told that changing wheelsets would be the best bang for the money. I changed my saddle last year and after 3.5 years I wanted to upgrade my wheels.

I am basically putting my blind faith in Robert from PSIMET.

If you're buying wheels to get laid, you're doing it wrong.

See the pics above in post 8. That's about the best idea you'll get.

HED; I bought the wheels for the HED.

He knows more than us, so you'll be fine.

Not a bad move at all. I have both rims. The HED's are stronger and the ones I prefer. Both are excellent however, and you wouldn't go wrong either way. Tires are easier to mount on the C2's.

HED cuz the graphics look cooler. But honestly... both rim's specs are pretty similar. I'm looking at a similar build... i'll prob end up with the Pacenti b/c I want to go with fewer spokes. if HED still offered a 20 hole rim, I'd prob end up with the HEDs.

Ain't that something. I had a similar build suggested by psimet. I had also considered Chris King hubs, but after reading up on the White Industries T11s, I was sold on them. I will likely go all black (spoke, nipples, hub, rim)

I have the White Industries T11 (blue) laced to H Plus Son Archtypes. By far the best hub I have ever ridden on... Actually the whole wheel is awesome

You're with Rob, so you are in good shape. He built me wheels a few years ago with WI hubs, they are terrific. Check this out for some more info on rim choices 2013 Rim Roundup - Fair Wheel Bikes
Also on hubs 2014 Road Hub Review - Fair Wheel Bikes

Thanks for the links, so a quick look says that the Pacenti SL23 and somewhat better than the Hed Belgium C2 also the WI hubs seem to be very well liked. To which factory wheelset can I compare them too? I understand that they are custom, bu I just wanted to get an idea of which factory wheels would be in the same league. Do the rims come with the PSIMET decal or the standard HED or Pacenti decals?

Comparing with factory wheels based on weight and price. Fulcrum would be a place to start comparing.
As to decals, check with Rob. I know he can't take off Enve decals, but think he can with anything else. Here's what he did for mine

HED's latest decals are etched on/into the finish (not removeable). Pacenti's are removable stickers. Rob likely adds decals to Kinlin's (which otherwise would have none), but I'm not sure what the policy is for other rims.

What factory wheels are in a similar league? I dunno, maybe Mavic Ksy Elite S, Fulcrum 3, or C24's? But that's really not apples to apples.