voltman

Would the R550 be a good upgrade wheelset for $175 over the Alex ALX-295 wheels that came with my 05 Allez Elite, or is this just a comprable set?

OneTinSloth

that's a pretty good deal for that wheelset, but if you wait, save, and double your budget, you can get something nicer, and more durable. it sounds like these might be used. or take-offs. if they're used, don't go for it. save, and something better will come along.

some people swear by them, others despise them. i am relatively indifferent to them, except when someone brings one into my shop for a spoke, or truing. they're a royal pain in the ass to work on.

performance-wise, i haven't used them, but reports from friends and co-workers who have are mixed. just from working on them, the bearings aren't too great, but can be adjusted to be smooth.

mirona

I guess I got the good batch...

Mine run super smooth, are great up the hills, and have taken a pothole beating that you couldn't imagine and have not been trued.

...and that is a really good price you found.

Milford Bob

I also have the same bike with the same wheels and cannot understand the knock on the Alex 295. Granted it is my first road bike in two decades and I have nothing to compare them to but these wheels have taken every pot hole Manhattan has to offer and are still in true. I was talking to my shop just Saturday regarding the wheels and the word there is that the '05 wheels are performing much better than the '04's, less broken spokes, etc. I plan on ridding mine until they cannot go any further.

thad

R550's, I've had no problems with mine. They take a beating and have never been out of true. Where did you find them at that price?

voltman

Supergo had/has them at that price on sale in store.

Geoff326

my R550's have been doin great also, they came with my bike which is an 05

SaddleBags

I upgraded to 550s from A-Class wheels. The performance was significant for me. I shaved about 400g on the wheelset plus another 100g with lighter tires too.
After 1000 plus miles, they're still true after hitting the occasional pothole and doing alot of sprint work. For that price, that's probably one of your best bang for the buck upgrades you can do.

EdZ

They are good wheels, heavy but stiff. If you want to get some realy realy great wheels for cheap check out Xero XR-1 lites. I have a pair, and they rock. 1500g/pair, aero profile, non bladed spokes(thats a good thing), super smooth bearings, wear indicators and they are strong. Ive beat the hell out of them and they are still true. I got mine for $240 from my local shop on a racer discount, but you should be able to find some on ebay for around that.

Shut up & ride

I suppose it depends why you perceive the need to upgrade.

I have the Alex 295s on my Specialized Roubaix Elite. I have seen them knocked in some reviews, but so far they seem quite adequate to me. I acknowledge that I don't have the experience of many others on this forum, but I called Mike Garcia (he of forum fame) to discuss a potential upgrade and he talked me out of it. He brought up a couple of points in particular:
- Unless you're averaging 22-24 mph, you probably won't notice any benefit from other wheels' aerodynamics.
- Perhaps those that knockt the Alex's are heavier riders. (I'm only about 165-170.)

So... like Milford Bob, I've decided to ride them until they give me specific reason not to.

Milford Bob

We need to start a Alex 295 fan club!

voltman

I crashed yesterday and wasn't too sure how well the wheel would hold up after adjustment. I think it will be fine, but I was just exploring other options. No complaints for me on this set thus far.

89MustangGX

I bought a set from Performance for $199 and then used a 20% off coupon and a feww shipping coupon (had to pay oversize charge). Made it pretty cheap. They seem to be ok with me so far. I did a little touchup on the rear before mounting and I think it might need a little more after only a few miles. Front still seems fine.

Jakeelserpiente

Someone try to beat this price: $75 for the set at a sale at REI

666

Man, why can't Shimano name their products instead of numbering them? How are people supposed to know what a Shimano GRXTM7339900-01 is??

Mitro

Garage Sale?

dekindy

My Shimano WH-R550's have held up for a year, 3,750 miles to be exact. Only one spoke needed adjusting after the first ride and have held true ever since. I weigh a little over 200 lbs. I hit a pothole that rattled my fillings without incident. My only real complaint is that they are heavy.

Just replaced them with a used set of Dave Thomas Speed Dream's, the AR-20 with Aerohead/OC rear, 20/28 double butted spokes, and White Industries hubs. The hubs are not as quiet as the Shimano's but absorb bumps better and roll smoother. I have only ridden them 3 times but am certain they have made me a little faster. Ride is definitely more comfortable. I paid $336 used including shipping. I think these wheels new are $569.

03FinestAL

Wow! Thread resurrected after two years in the dirt! Not being an adam henry here, just amazed.

Mike_Like_Bike

The stock 550s that came on my bike were okay on flats, but pinged like crazy and felt flexy on climbs. I replaced them with Aksiums that I am very happy with.

Psimet2001 

Seriously old because I can't imagine Voltman considering 550s. I actually clicked this because I thought it was a joke.

For the Record - 550s are total crap. Heavy and seem to have spoke issues once the users get to 2,000-5,000 miles depending on weight and riding style.

It was nice seeing Supergo mentioned in a thread again.

Nashville Man

I had a set of ALX rims as stock on my Specialized Allez. The back one broke 2 spokes in about 400 miles. I replaced them with a set of Korso's that I bought off Nasbar for $90 and I have not had a spoke issue after 3000+ miles. IMO the ALX rims are crap. FWIW I weigh 175 and average 18-20.

Psimet2001 

It is believed that the Korso's/Performance Forte Titan's are made by Alex as well.

fujibike

My Fuji Finest has Alex DA22s. Broke one spoke in the 4-1/2 years riding it on the road - it's now on my trainer. A Fuji Roubaix Pro I have now has Alex 260s. The wheelset has about 1500 miles on it and is performing well. No broken spokes and the wheels remain true..haven't even had to tweak them.

veggielasagna

I like my RH-550's as far as a solid training wheel goes...they have taken some nice potholes/holes in stride.

wardie

I have had these wheels for two years now and have over 3,000 hard miles on them. I weigh 230lbs. and here's what I've done on them; I have had two races, a double century, a ton of metric centurys, decapitated a squrriel (head got caught in bladed spoke), did a bunch of two and three day tours. I have to say these wheels have held up and I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend them to anyone. At the price points mentioned how can you go wrong? Wardie