ddeadserious

Background: Had a 80's Schwinn SS convert. Bought the Gravity Swift 2 because I was tired of carrying my too-big, too-heavy Schwinn up the stairs to my apartment. I was very happy with the assembled weight of the Swift 2(18.5lbs-19lbs).

I've since gotten rid of the [quite light] Alexrims R450's that came on it for a set of Weinmann DP18's laced to Origin 8 hubs(fixed/fixed).

I did an uneducated craigslist trade for my old rims + cash for these thinking they were Velocity rims. They gave me the look I wanted, but my bike is a bit heavier now, although I haven't weighed it.

Just curious if it'd be worth it to sell the DP18's and get a Velocity wheel set, or if the weight difference would be negligible. I'm not particularly concerned with strength.

I'm not necessarily attached to the V style rims, and would consider some other [lighter] white rims with black spokes/hubs if anyone has some suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

hamish5178

Wabi.

homebrewk

+1.

91MF

white rims, black spokes/hubs? dont worry about being light, the fashion police dont check the weight.

ddeadserious

Not so much fashion or what other people think, I just really enjoy the black/white color scheme with little as silver as possible.

The Wabi wheel set doesn't seem to be available in different color options, is this the case?

Scrodzilla

If both wheelsets are built with Formula hubs and straight gauge spokes, don't bother. The swap will be fairly lateral and you won't notice a difference.

If you plan on building a set of Velocitys with lighter hubs and better spokes, go for it.

calbob76

wabi's or open pros/a23 to novatec/forumula

Nash Deluxe

regarding your original question: no. you're not going to feel much of a difference.

The wabi wheelset only comes in black w/ machined sidewalls

ddeadserious

I've been thinking I might rather have black rims, but would prefer non-machined sidewalls. I like the deep-v look, but would be willing to go to regular depth rims. Only real caveat is that I want black hubs, spokes, and rims.

I also weigh somewhere around 235lbs, so I'm thinking I'll need 32 spokes at very minimum.

Any recommendations?

I'd prefer just to buy a set, but if cost would be similar, I'd be willing to build a set.

Thanks!

hamfoh

aren't wabi wheels like super heavy? I looked at them when I was looking to replace the b43. I swear nothing came close to the KinLin XR-300/Novatec build in terms of weight (while maintaining a deep profile) though.

yummygooey

Wabis weigh almost the same as Kinlins to Novatecs with double butted spokes. Both weigh close to 1750g (claimed weight).

hamfoh

ah wasn't factoring in spoke weight on the kinlins.

zazenzach

LMAO

why are you so worried about your bike weight when you weigh 235 lbs?

cut down on body fat and stop the weight weenie sh*t.

PS- weight is often overstated and makes ZERO difference to average joe (ie non TDF riders). and aeroness always trumps weight in most applications.

ddeadserious

If you read the first post, you'd notice the primary intention in buying this bike was to get a lightweight bike that would not be a pain in the ass to carry up and down my apartment stairs. With the bike on my shoulder, a few extra pounds makes a difference, especially with the brake cable braze-on thing on my shoulder.

I'm not doing "weight weenie sh*t", I'm just trying to find a setup for my bike that I'm happy with. The weight savings isn't nearly as much for riding as it is for making the bike easier to maneuver when I'm NOT on it.

And as for you weight comment, I'm a big framed guy(think football player shoulders). I could lose maybe 30 pounds and still look healthy, much past that and I'd start being pretty goofy looking. Thanks for the borderline insult though.

Scrodzilla

BTW - "Aeroness" is worth about as much as a mountain of bear **** unless you're hauling ass everywhere you go.

ddeadserious

Any recommendations on what might constitute a lighter hub or better spokes?

Scrodzilla

Sapim, Wheelsmith at DT Swiss all make light double-butted spokes. Novatec track hubs are a little lighter than Formulas and you could always use a road hub in the front to keep the weight down.

jasonnc80

Most rear track hubs aren't going to vary a large amount in weight, Most of them are going to be 250+ grams. Front hub maybe look into a road hub instead of a track hub. "Reasonably" priced lightweight spokes: DT Swiss Competition or Sapim Laser.

If you're really picky about you want I would maybe try out site like prowheelbuilder where you can build your own set with the items you want. Just messing around last night I had a pretty nice set ~1400 grams for less that $300. Not super weight weenie but a good balance of price/weight. Once you start going lower the price of things grow exponentially. If you like the DeepV look you can go with something like the Velocity Fusions instead. That will save you around 100 grams for the set and only slightly less deep (25mm vs 30mm)

Here is a picture of a velocity fusion on a coaster hub thats currently on my wifes bike, It a tank (36h ~900gram velosteel hub lol) but you get the idea

markaitch

did you save that build?
could you please post it? or send the description to me by pm?
thanx...

zazenzach

fair enough. didnt catch the part about having to lift the bike.

and didn't mean to imply i thought your size is overweight or anything, its just a line i throw out there with my roadie friends when they talk about weight. cutting weight off yourself is always cheaper and more fruitful than taking it off your bike.

and i would have to disagree with scrod. if you live anywhere that is windy and or flat, then aero does make a difference. maybe not in speed but definately in energy expended. sometimes i feel like ive been hit by a truck when i have to commute in heavy winds

Scrodzilla

To disagree with you disagreeing with me, I have to say that my box-section rims are much better to ride with on a windy day than my "aero" 43mm deep H+sons.

People make just as many wack excuses justifying "aeroness" as they do about weight weenie crap. Cutting down on rotational weight matters much more - regardless of the rider's size.

jimmytango

I have kinda heavy mid-v Alex R500s that were stock on my bike. For ****s and grins I threw a friend's b43 set on it on a windy day. Sucked ass man. I'd rather have shallow rims. Besides, deep-v's look like you're trying too hard to be cool, unless you're in a race.