Choosing wheels for a build
03-18-24, 07:20 AM
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Choosing wheels for a build
Hey all, I'm new here and looking for info. Just getting back into cycling and doing my first build. Let's say retro-ish. I'm trying to decide between two sets of wheels I have. Mavic Open Pro with Ultegra hubs (built by Wheelsmith) vs Velo Orange with Grand Cru hubs. If I'm looking for durability and performance which set should I go with. Thanks
03-18-24, 07:55 AM
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For most normal riding, either is probably fine. Don't sweat your decision on wheels too much. They've been making them for a long time. Even the crappy ones are good enough for just tooling around.
Velo Orange will probably look more retro if that's what's going to please you. Shimano and Mavic might have the edge on performance if you are going to be riding hard and fast. You can find better, but for just riding those are probably more than adequate. Though I have no experience with Velo Orange anything and have used Mavic Open Pros and Mavic Open Elites with Shimano Ultegra and 105 hubs.
Welcome to BF.
Velo Orange will probably look more retro if that's what's going to please you. Shimano and Mavic might have the edge on performance if you are going to be riding hard and fast. You can find better, but for just riding those are probably more than adequate. Though I have no experience with Velo Orange anything and have used Mavic Open Pros and Mavic Open Elites with Shimano Ultegra and 105 hubs.
Welcome to BF.
03-18-24, 08:51 AM
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Are the VO wheels the 'Enterprise' model on their website? If so, I wouldnt say those wheels are performance based at all. Like not in any way. The weight isnt performance based and the rim shape isnt performance based.
The VO Enterprise wheels should be plenty durable as they are 32spoke hubs, handbuilt with proper tension, and use butted spokes.
If you are looking for a new wheelset that is rim brake, not tubeless(based on your initial 2 choices), and 'retro' looking, Velomine sells some good options that will be quite bombproof and cost a lot less than the VO wheelset. The Velomine wheels will be machine built, but they are simple to adjust, if needed. None are light, but the options you mentioned also arent light. These would all at least be less expensive, if that is a motivation.
Some bombproof spec wheels with black rims.
https://velomine.com/products/h-plus...t-sapim-spokes
https://velomine.com/products/h-plus...bs-36h-dt-comp
https://velomine.com/products/h-plus...bs-36h-dt-comp
https://velomine.com/products/veloci...avel-bike-700c
Silver option that is tubeless compatible.
https://velomine.com/products/veloci...ke-wheels-8-11
ETA- admittedly, I do not understand the appeal of most Mavic rims, especially the ones at the lower/basic end of their line. I swear they still exist based on historical name recognition and nothing more.
The VO Enterprise wheels should be plenty durable as they are 32spoke hubs, handbuilt with proper tension, and use butted spokes.
If you are looking for a new wheelset that is rim brake, not tubeless(based on your initial 2 choices), and 'retro' looking, Velomine sells some good options that will be quite bombproof and cost a lot less than the VO wheelset. The Velomine wheels will be machine built, but they are simple to adjust, if needed. None are light, but the options you mentioned also arent light. These would all at least be less expensive, if that is a motivation.
Some bombproof spec wheels with black rims.
https://velomine.com/products/h-plus...t-sapim-spokes
https://velomine.com/products/h-plus...bs-36h-dt-comp
https://velomine.com/products/h-plus...bs-36h-dt-comp
https://velomine.com/products/veloci...avel-bike-700c
Silver option that is tubeless compatible.
https://velomine.com/products/veloci...ke-wheels-8-11
ETA- admittedly, I do not understand the appeal of most Mavic rims, especially the ones at the lower/basic end of their line. I swear they still exist based on historical name recognition and nothing more.
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03-18-24, 11:59 AM
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...Archtype rims are great rims, but they are hardly "retro" in appearance. Unless maybe you're young enough that you don't recall the days of MA-40's. VO has had, in the past, some rims that met standards for "performance" (whatever that means in this context ?). AFAIK, they've gone with wider and heavier rims in their current product lineup. But I have at least one set of wheels I built with VO rims that are quite sporty. I think I put them on a Colnago, because of that.
I've built wheels with Open Pro rims as well, and they are a pretty decent production rim, depending on how much you pay for them. Usually it's pretty good value for the money...which is why people still use them.
But of the three, the H Plus Sons Archetype is probably "fastest", if that's important to you. I've built with them, too. They just don't look all that "retro" to my eye.
Since the OP has given a choice between two sets of wheels already in possession, I don't think there's much practical difference between the two choices offered, in durability or performance..
...Archtype rims are great rims, but they are hardly "retro" in appearance. Unless maybe you're young enough that you don't recall the days of MA-40's. VO has had, in the past, some rims that met standards for "performance" (whatever that means in this context ?). AFAIK, they've gone with wider and heavier rims in their current product lineup. But I have at least one set of wheels I built with VO rims that are quite sporty. I think I put them on a Colnago, because of that.
I've built wheels with Open Pro rims as well, and they are a pretty decent production rim, depending on how much you pay for them. Usually it's pretty good value for the money...which is why people still use them.
But of the three, the H Plus Sons Archetype is probably "fastest", if that's important to you. I've built with them, too. They just don't look all that "retro" to my eye.
Since the OP has given a choice between two sets of wheels already in possession, I don't think there's much practical difference between the two choices offered, in durability or performance..
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03-18-24, 12:11 PM
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In that case, pick whichever looks cooler or spins smoother...neither seem like they would be impactfully better than the other from a performance perspective.
