Sinn

I am an interloper from the SSFG forum. I've been riding a fixed gear for a long while now, and I am finally ready to buy a road bike. I've got the following offer from my beloved LBS:

08 Ridley Excalibur frame (lightly used and painted the team colors of a local cycling club, like-new condition)

Ultegra SL components

Torelli Bormio wheels (the bladed spoked kind)

For $1900

I love the frame and the Ultegra components. I wonder about these wheels though. I've found a few reviews of these here, and one of them was a good review. How does this build sound for the price? Should I get another set of wheels for what I want to do with the bike? If so, what would you recommend?

I'll be riding the bike daily. 2 hour rides most days, a longer 3-5 hour ride once a week. Lots of hills. And I will do a little racing w/ my bike club. I may race on this bike, (if we can get a good sponsorship) but it will mostly be a training bike.

Thanks for your input.

--Chad

BananaTugger

Torelli pwns.

Sinn

So we have one yae (and I'm not really sure what to think of his opinion) for Bormios on this build. Anyone else?

waterrockets 

No experience with them, but they look decent. Kind of a mid-aero rim depth. Thoughtful lacing. Depends on the builder more than anything from that point.

BananaTugger

It seems that Torelli has a very hard time doing anything wrong. I haven't ridden the wheels, but I have seen them. Very even tension and excellent build quality and finishing.

I'd buy them as training wheels if I didn't build my own gear.

halfspeed

You've probably read my review. I now have about 2300 miles on them and they are still dead true. I ride in all conditions and on good and bad road surfaces. I weigh 177 pounds. Just make sure the lock nuts are tight. A drop of loc-tite wouldn't be a bad thing. Also, if they've got the external cam Torelli QRs, they should be tight and lightly lubed to avoid creaks.

At under $400 (well under if you know how to shop), they're a bargain for a nice quality wheelset. You'll have to spend a lot more money to get a better wheelset.

Sinn

I did read your review. I am about your size too. I'll ask my LBS whether they've had any trouble with the lock nuts (they run these on demo and rental bikes and one of the workers races on them).

I just wanted a few more opinions. Thanks.

Sinn

How are the bearings on these wheels? Do they run smooth even after 2300 miles? Who makes them?

merckx89

disclamer they're a local company here and I know the guys who distribute them.
Having said that: Also rode them for a few weeks and they are amazing wheels for the price, competing with wheelsets that cost hundreds more. Light enough, pretty stiff and as other have said, deeper than most standard open pro, ksyerium, or fulcrums.

halfspeed

They're bog standard sealed industrial bearings. I didn't look to see who makes them, but replacements would be readily available at your local industrial bearing store. They still run smooth.

Looneytuna

I have just over 800 miles on my torelli bormio wheels. they are on my florida bike that I leave down there..

I only paid $250 for the set new... I am 210 and they are still true and run well...
for the money I think they are a great training wheelset..

redmist

i have these as my training wheels. thus far approx 900 miles. i had to true the rear after hitting a monster pothole- but that was when the wheel was almost new and since then i've had no problems- though i haven't hit a pothole quite as deep as that one.

for the money they are a great wheel if they truly weigh what they claim (-1600). they could use a bit more flash- but otherwise a solid dependable wheel. for the record, i weigh 155.

Sinn

This is kind of changing the topic of the thread a bit, but how does the price for this build sound? Is it a good deal? I like the look of the bike. The custom paint is not bad. And I like the Ultegra SL components. What do you think?

roy5000x2

It sounds like a pretty good deal to me IMO. Ultegra SL is solid, and I remember seeing good comments about the Ridley Excalibur around BF.