StalkerZERO

Simple question.
I've got a 2005 specialized roubaix comp (all black) and I wanted to upgrade the wheelset (kysyrium equipes). Black bladed spokes would be cool but whatever the look.....
What would be an awesome wheelset for about $500.00 bucks? Or is that just too cheap? I could always get the wheelset used or on sale if your suggestions are too expensive.

flipped4bikes

Velomax Circuit Comps aka Easton Circuits. Bulletproof, light, I've had them 4K miles and never needed truing. Half that mileage includes the best NYC streets could offer...

urbanknight

Custom handbuilt to your specifications, what's cooler than that?

spokes $20-70
Rims ~ $120
Hubs $100-300
Labor ~ $50

Right around your budget and you get to choose number of spokes, cross pattern, type of spokes, almost any rim available, and a decent set of hubs.

thewalrus

For under $500 you could get a strong 1515g wheelset lighter than a pair of Ksyrium SL, built by Mike Garcia or another custom wheelbuilder. Something like:

Front, 650 gram 28 spoke wheel
https://oddsandendos.safeshopper.com/2/117.htm?608

Rear, 865 gram 28 spoke (still under 900g for 32-spoke)
https://oddsandendos.safeshopper.com/2/119.htm?608

Or if you want something aero, substitute his 30mm rim.

https://www.oddsandendos.com/

urbanknight

thewalrus, that's a very nice set of wheels at a nice price.

Joe101689

bontrager race lite wheelset is 499.99. they weigh about 1690 grams. try them out

Joe101689

bontrager race lite wheelset is 499.99. they weigh about 1690 grams. 20 spoke front wheel and 24 spoke rear wheel. these things are strong and light. try them out

DocRay

Campy Zondas are cool...

StalkerZERO

If I go the custom route for $500.00 bucks approximately what expensive pre-built wheelsets could I get mine comparable to? And about naming some companies or brands I should be looking at.

urbanknight

Well for starters, I just bought a NOS Record 24h front hub for $15 and a new Record 28h rear hub for $130. I am currently debating on the following lightweight rims to be laced 2X with 14/15/14 double butted spokes, and most likely Velocity Aerohead rims for $50 each. Calculations say that they should weigh 1600 grams when complete, which I expect to actually be 1700. Even with the pricey hubs, the while build should cost me about $250 (I'm doing the building myself so no labor charge, which would run about $50)

It all depends on what you want, but I recommend Mavic, Sun, and Velocity rims, DT Swiss spokes, and Shimano Ultegra hubs are an amazing bang for the buck. Let me know what you want (strong, light, aero, middle of the road) and I can make some more specific suggestions.

ravenmore

Trust someone who has tested the limits - a hand built set of 36 hole, 3 cross, Open Pro/Ultegras..... maybe w/DT Revolution spokes for weight savings. I have trashed several sub 500 dollar wheelsets and one almost $1k set.......

StalkerZERO

Yup their very cool. But tell me...I don't know much about campy stuff. Would that wheelset work with my shimano cog/gears N whatnot?

ravenmore

Seriously - the ultegra/open pros can look cool. Here's mine:



You can probably get 'em for under $300 and get yourself some kewl pedals or something to boot.

StalkerZERO

I would like something that performs better than the ksyrium SLs in terms of power transfer and stuff like that. But also something a bit aero if that was possible. Also, since I seem to be a bit vain....something purty too.

I went out for a bit from work (I escaped for a bit don't tell my boss ) and went to gotham bikes for a look see. I got to hold a kysyrium SL and was impressed by it. And that damn ES version is way overpriced!
But besides performance I like looks too. Something creative maybe can be suggested in terms of materials and even spoke layout? Dunno. I needs more tutorin by youuus guys.

irablumberg

Shop carefully and you could find a set of Ritchey WCS Protocol wheels.

See review here https://www.bicycling.com/gear/review...1&family_id=61

Ira

StalkerZERO

cool rims. But I would probably get some flat bladed spokes if I had a choice. And I got speedplay zero stainless pedals (blue). Their pretty cool.

DocRay

Yes, you can get them Shimano compatible. They have Record-quality hubs and are dynamically balanced.

53-11_alltheway

Reynolds Alta (it has white industries hubs too).

53-11_alltheway

Reynolds Alta (it has white industries hubs too).

Bolo Grubb

https://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels/wheels.html

neuvation wheels are very good and he has 3 different sets for $400 or less. I just got a set of R28SL2 and I am very happy with them

urbanknight

I almost made an all black setup: Ritchey 24/28 black hubs, black spokes, and black Aerohead rims. But I could only find the Ritchey hubs in Shimano and didn't want to pop $100 for a conversion cassette. The velocity rims come in various colors, which looks really cool on the Deep V rim.

As for something REALLY creative, I plan on rebuilding my current wheelset after I build the new set. I plan on taking the Veloce 32h hub and Fir Net97 rims, then rebuilding the rear to have 16 drive side spokes in 3X pattern, with the non drive side only 8 spokes in a 1X pattern (effectively 3X with half of the spokes missing), then doing the front wheel with the same pattern as the rear non drive side. That essentially makes a 24 spoke rear wheel with a strong drive side and a 16 paired spoke front wheel. The rim is sturdy, but I really don't know how well such a build will hold up. So in that light, I don't recommend this since I have no idea how it will work out.

I agree with you mostly, but why 3X on a 36h? 4X is the most tengential for 36 spoke. That's what velodrome sprinters use, although it is arguably needlessley strong for the average roadie. That's why I would suggest the same rims and hub but in 32h 3X

StalkerZERO

Nice stuff. If I were to buy them I would go with the m28 aeros. But their spokes are stainless steel. How do they compare with the kysyrium SLs being aluminum?

Chucklehead

absolutely. best bang for the buck you can get, and you can usually find them on sale for much less than the $500 retail price.

ravenmore

Bladed spokes are heavy and kitey in a crosswind. If you use a normal amount of 'em you end up with a heavy windsail of a wheel. If you use less you mitigate that effect somewhat but you have to put them under a lot of tension. If they break the wheel usually goes waaay out of true and is unrideable.

I liked my Nuevations a lot, but I've destroyed 2 sets of them. They are good wheels though, very stiff and strong, and most other folks don't have issues that I have had. I chew up wheels more than most people do, that's why I'm sticking with open pro/ultegras. They perform well, are relatively inexpensive, and easy to repair. Mine are also 1800 grams on the dot, which is probably what most sub $500 wheels will weigh.

Chucklehead

easton circuits for $399:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5320