It's time to replace the original wheels on my 2009 Fuji Roubaix. I know nothing about choosing new wheels, so I'm hoping people here can help because my LBS wasn't very helpful. A couple sets I'm looking at are the Fulcrum Racing 7 and the Vuelta Corsa Lite. I tend to ride about 20-40 miles at a time on roads and paved trails, some of which can be pretty rough and bumpy. I also do an annual century ride, with several training rides in the 60-79 mile range. My weight is usually in the 180-185 range. Any advice about the two wheel sets I mentioned or others you'd recommend? I don't want to break the bank.

How much do you weigh?
what are you looking to get out of a new set of wheels?
I am a believer that most people are best served with a nice set of 28-32 spoke wheels. I would look for a set of Shimano 105 or Ultegra hubs laced to any good rim with good spokes. You will be set and they will preform as well as anything out there.

+ 1. Given that you ride on some rough roads, I'd go with 32 spoke wheels and maybe even 36 in the rear depending on the rider weight. Also I'd go for a little wider rim like the velocity A23 or the H plus son TB 14 and run a 25c tire.

I thought 25's sort of went without saying. The ride is so far superior to a 23. YMMV.
Good recommendation on the wide rim though.

Tip for top wheels for pips on a budget is Novatec wheels. One of the best value for money hub and rim supplier . Various custom wheelbuild offers on web for less than $300 !

Mavic Open Pro rims, 32/32 DT Swiss spokes in 2x pattern, Shimano 105 hubs.

Velocity A23 rims, Sapim Laser spokes, Shimano hubs

Hed C2 Plus rims, Sapim spokes, Shimano hubs


I recommend custom built wheels over factory made but you can get some great deals on factory built. How about the Shimanon Ultegra wheelset? I'd still have a local mechanic that knows what he is doing to check the spoke tension and make sure everything's cool.

I've seen multiple reports of spoke hole cracks in newer Open Pro rims. They aren't as bombproof as they used to be.

For riders under 200 pounds, a 24 spoke front and a 28 rear would be fine. And some wheels are still strong with fewer spokes.

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There are new wider rim designs that spread out the base of the tire. This allows more air volume, making a 23c tire act like a 25c, and a 25c like a 27c. It might help reduce pinch flats too. If I was buying new wheels, I'd look for wide rims.

Old rim widths were usually 19mm. New ones are 23mm and up to 25mm. Some new rims:



Hed Ardennes rims with GP4000 tires in different widths: