Another Wheelset question
 

I am looking to replace my worn out wheelset from my old Specialized langster. I weigh 170 lbs and ride on bike paths and will regularly go up rounded curbs and ride on somewhat bumpy surfaces (carefully). So, I need something relatively durable.

My budget is around $200. What would be the best option for me for a single-speed wheelset that is light and durable enough for my use?

I was looking at:
Wabi Cycles GX410 Fixed gear set (not sure if they will be tough enough)http://www.wabicycles.com/GXwheels.html

Mavic Open Pro's to formula hubs http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1437 (again not sure about durability)

Mavic CXP-33 to formula hubs (should be plenty tough, but might be more than I need and thus more weight than I need) http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1950

Alternatives?

Deep Vs to Formulas.
http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...3kfg5dv3jbga04

For what it's worth I have the Wabi wheel set and I consistently ride MUPs that are mixed pavement/hard packed gravel, some rough roads, and even a one-off on some single track trails. They've yet to go out of true after about a year, and I'm 190lbs.

They have low flange hubs, which I like the look of more, and they came fixed/fixed, which I liked.

Deep V's have been said, and linked to velomine. /Thread

But for the record, I run the Mavic CXP33 and they are awesome. Have lasted for 4 years so far.

I can vouch for the Wabi's too. They were considerably lighter than my old wheelset, which had the same rim profile, and they've been a lot smoother. Haven't gone out of true yet either, and my old wheels barely lasted a year before exploding, with one truing in the middle.

So, it sounds like the Wabi's may be strong enough for my uses. The CXP-33 definitely are and are also well regarded, but heavier. I don't have any feedback on the open-pros - are they considered to be less strong than the Wabi or about the same?

I know everyone seems to like the deep v's - I would need the machined sidewall since I run SS. So are they somewhere between the wabis and the cxp-33 as far as weight and strength are concerned? Also, If I bought the Wabis I would need a freewheel - so that adds a little to the cost if I get a shimano and a lot if a get a WI freewheel.

Velocity Aerohead or A23 should probably be mentioned here too. Both are inexpensive, light, and I would bet strong enough if you do 32 or 36 spokes.

At 170 everything you mention should be strong enough as long as they are 32-36 spoke wheels. I'm about 165-170 and beat up lighter, lower spoke wheels with out damage. I would think deep v's would be over kill and heavy.

Wouldn't you need a freewheel with either of the wheelset choices you are looking at? Regardless, you can get a decent enough freewheel for about $20, unless you did indeed want to go for the WI which I read is a great freewheel.

Does Velomine stock any wheels with double butted spokes?

I just noticed they have $450 wheelsets built with Phil hubs and single gauge spokes? WTF?!

+1

They are easy to find and in your budget.

Tire and tube choice will greatly lighten such a wheelset. Putting Gatorskins or ThickSlicks on a light wheelset is like going to McDonalds after leaving the gym. Eat better and you may not need the gym. Use lighter tires/tubes and you may not need light wheels. Just don't skid all day.

A little cheaper, a little shallower rim, but just as bombproof. http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=643

I have these as my SSCX/commuter wheels. They're more than strong enough for 170lbs.

DP18s are also heavier as I recall. Every wheelset mentioned in this thread will be durable enough if built well.

True. I haven't weighed mine, but they are noticeably heavier than my other SS wheelset (Mavic CXP 22 on Formula hubs). Oh, hey! Velomine has those too: http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=470

Just another fine wheelset to consider.

OK, so which are the lightest/nicest? I don't care about looks. I am guessing the weight from lightest to heaviest is:
Wabi
Mavic Open Pros
Mavic CXP-22
Mavic CXP-33
Deep V's

So if you were shopping for a new wheelset today for a single-speed, which would you choose?

To answer BFloyd's question - I believe all of the other wheelsets have formula flip-flop hubs that have a freewheel built in on one side.

FWIW - a freewheel can be installed on fixed threads without any problems.

Based on the riding you say you're doing, weight shouldn't even be a big concern. Pick the wheelset you like best.

Yes, I realize this. It was just a matter of it costing a few bucks more to get a freewheel and if I wanted a nice one - more than a few bucks. I am actually leaning towards getting a WI freewheel and the Wabi wheelset, I am just still a little concerned that they may not be tough enough.

I may be misunderstanding this but it seems like you're saying the wheels include a freewheel, which they do not.

There really isn't much of a difference between the open pros and cxp33, except for a small "aero" lip on the cxp33. The weight is about the same.

ok. I guess I am confused. On the velomine site, all the ones with formula hubs say: Fixed/Free Flip Flop

I understand I would still need a cog, but doesn't that mean that one side has freewheel built into the hub?
If I am wrong, then what is the difference between a fixed/free hub and a fixed/fixed hub?

It means one side of the hub is threaded for a fixed gear cog with reverse threading for a lock ring, and on the other side is full threading for a freewheel, with no threading for a lockring.

You can run a freewheel on either side. You cannot run a fixed gear cog with a proper left-threaded lock ring on freewheel threading.

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html#flipflop
Fixed/Free Flip-flop hub means that only one side is threaded for a lockring since a freewheel doesn't need a lockring. The moving part of the freewheel is built into the sprocket, not the hub.

edit: d beat me to it

http://cdn.observedtrials.net/vb/att...ew-hu0208b.jpg
the threads on the left are for a fixed cog/lockring, and the threads on the right are for a freewheel.

OK. Thanks for that explanation. So, it really makes no difference which I choose. Learn something new every day.

I personally would choose fixed/fixed because it gives you more options. You can run a fixed cog/lockring OR a freewheel on either(or both) sides, it offers a lot of flexibility. With a fixed/free hub, you're restricted to having a cog on only one side.

Having this thought process alone puts you ahead of most people.

I've never understood why hub makers do this.

That said, I have put a fixed cog on the free hub side. If you really crank it down, and use your brakes to stop, it's not a problem. Obviously, if you're on a velodrome this is not an option.

someone mentioned in another currently running thread that he loves saddle threads - well...i love wheel threads

so i am wondering whether op came to a decision & why?

personally, over the past couple years i went through several different velomine wheelsets...m13/cr18/open pro rims/formula hubs & was satisfied with all of them even considering that they did not include rim tape, but i do feel it is worth mentioning that contrary to common wisdom here, none of them were handbuilt by velomine - they were all actually from wheelsmith.

since i seem to have some weight weenie tendencies along with always being on a budget i finally ended up with wabis's jalco rim/joytech hub wheelset at the beginning of this year & even though i can be hard on wheels they have performed like champs & i love them. but not too long ago at a swap meet i fell into a lower spoke jalco rim with a novatech road front hub & for no other reason that i thought it would be cool, built a new radial front wheel that is a great match with my wabi rear (fyi, wabi rear hubs are fixed/fixed) & am extremely happy with my "new" wheelset.

but seeing this thread daily has aroused the old familiar urges & i happen to have more than my usual spare cash at the moment...

am i crazy to be ready to gently squeeze the trigger on an open pro/low-flange phils wheelset that i ran across? which is actually a bit heavier & likely no stronger than the wheels that i am running now? just because it is...uhhh...open pro & phil?

btw, i need to do something with my wabi/jalco gx410 rim/joytech hub front wheel, which is in nice shape, that i'm not using anymore & am open to suggestions...

FWIW - Things may have changed in the past few years as their volume of sales increased but both sets of Velomine wheels I've owned were built by Ben.

Wheelsmith (the wheel builders, not the more commonly-known spoke manufacturer) is located in the UK. I doubt all those wheels are coming from across the pond when there's a slew of other builders/distributors right here in the US.

my bad...you are right...i meant wheelmaster

the boxes that those wheelsets i purchased from velomine, admittedly the lower end of their offerings, arrived in were from wheelmaster

That doesn't necessarily mean anything. I typically ship my wheelsets in Velocity boxes - simply because that's who I get my supply of wheel boxes from.