Is This a Decent Wheelset?
 

Rim for Wheelbuilder:Mavic Open Pro Silver 32-36 hole
Hub for Wheelbuilder: Phil Wood Low Flange Track (Non-Flip Flop) Silver
Wheelbuilder Spoke Count:32
Wheelbuilder Spokes: Phil Wood 2.0 (14 gauge)

I was configuring a new wheelset, and this would be about $520. Pretty good? Too expensive for a commuter? And are these quality components? I really just picked the medium priced parts while looking, to get an average wheelset. However, is this an average wheelset?

Could do better in the spokes department.

Thats fine. Its a good wheelset. Im not going to rate it on a crap, good, great scale cause thats just dumb.

And that deal sucks. They are 100$ cheaper here.

http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=751

If you use Phil Wood hubs you don't have an average wheel set.

:)

Would say the price is fair if you are using a wheel builder you know and trust although, as pointed out, there are always better deals.

A set of comparable wheels from our shop would run in this range using custom made hubs and come with a lifetime warranty on the hubs and build.

that is the worst wheelset ever, just get some dp18s

plus 0.5

add aerospoke in front.

Yes, that is a terrible choice for a commuting wheelset, unless you have cash flowing out of your pockets. Any rims to sealed Formulas with DT spokes will be more than adequate. DP18s are as low as $105 + shipping on Velomine.

I'm editing my post to reiterate that I'm not saying it's a bad wheelset. I'm just saying there are more economical commuter options, mostly relating to the OP's choice of bling bling hubs.

Agreed. Open Pro's are not a good choice for a commuter set. I personally like Velocity Deep V's laced to Formula hubs with either DT or Wheelsmith spokes. Phil Wood hubs are very nice and bombproof but they are overkill unless you have cash to burn.

That said, I am getting Phil hubs on my next set of wheels. :)

^wtf are you talking about? open pros aren't good for commuting?

The Open Pro is very light. I wouldn't use it for city riding unless I was very wealthy, and weighed 125 lbs. Deep V's are much stronger.

This is wrong. Open Pros are just fine for city riding. Deep Vs may be stronger but if you are breaking open pros youre doing it wrong.

I mean, its Mavics flagship road wheel I really dont think they would put out a road wheel that couldnt handle up to standard commuting.

They DO break more often on rough roads in my experience. This is also the opinion of two very established wheel builders when I was discussing commuter wheelset options with them. To each their own I guess. I don't have a problem with Open Pro's, and they are awesome road wheels so long as the road isn't horribly chewed up. Maybe DC streets are just worse. In fact, they are worse compared to most cities. I'll take the extra weight and durability of the Deep V any day for bad roads.

i heard that open pros are made out of balsa wood, an expert wheelbuilder told me.

goodone.

Only if they come with mismatched colored tires.

It's really not what components was used, but who built the wheelset.

There is a reason that OP are the gold standard which all others are comapred to for bullet proof training wheels for roadies. If your really worried about breaking them get CXP33s. My Deep Vs are out of round, my CXP33s are fine. YMMV.

agreed with tgscordv6. its not the rim, its how the builder built it. any 32h rim that is properly built will last a long time, even cheapo alex r450's which arent half bad.

for the record though, i really see zero reason why open pro's lightness = its strength. the build (as said above) will decide how strong it is.

i take it you don't venture up to Baltimore too often

i do and Baltimore is pretty bad too. great city though.

So, I've received a offer on some vintage Dura Ace 7500's on some Mavic open4's, 28 hole. Do you guys think around 200-250 is a fair price for them (including a free check-up/trueing at a LBS)? If not, what is the most you'd pay?

Another question... would they be much better than what I have now, an old Surly hub on the rear and a fading Campy Strada laced to Mavic MA40's? Thanks for all the help!