Opinions on Reynolds Solitude wheels?
12-11-09, 12:23 AM
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Opinions on Reynolds Solitude wheels?
I started picking up the necessary parts to build a new bike about a month ago...initially with a budget of $2k. $1475 later I've got a frameset and component group...now I need a wheelset, and I've got the urge to raise my budget.
I've been looking at a couple different sets of rather pricey carbon wheels (zipp 303's, reynolds MV32). I'm starting to wonder if I really wanna go that route though...I'm thinking high-end wheels may be overkill considering my intended use and experience level. I took up road riding about 6 months ago, primarily to help train for another sport. This will be my first modern road bike (I've been riding vintage steel) and my first carbon bike. I don't race and don't plan to, atleast in the foreseeable future.
So I'm starting to think I should just keep my budget at $2k and get the best aluminum wheelset I can find that still leaves me enough cash for the odds and ends I need to complete the bike. Reynolds Solitude's seem to be a likely candidate, and there seems to be a steady stream of take-offs on ebay.
To those that ride these wheels...what do you think of them? Is there anything else I should be looking at in the same price range?
TIA
I've been looking at a couple different sets of rather pricey carbon wheels (zipp 303's, reynolds MV32). I'm starting to wonder if I really wanna go that route though...I'm thinking high-end wheels may be overkill considering my intended use and experience level. I took up road riding about 6 months ago, primarily to help train for another sport. This will be my first modern road bike (I've been riding vintage steel) and my first carbon bike. I don't race and don't plan to, atleast in the foreseeable future.
So I'm starting to think I should just keep my budget at $2k and get the best aluminum wheelset I can find that still leaves me enough cash for the odds and ends I need to complete the bike. Reynolds Solitude's seem to be a likely candidate, and there seems to be a steady stream of take-offs on ebay.
To those that ride these wheels...what do you think of them? Is there anything else I should be looking at in the same price range?
TIA
12-11-09, 02:46 AM
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12-11-09, 08:22 AM
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easton ea70, ea90 - can be had around 450-600 on the bay. i copped ea90 aero's for 550.
12-11-09, 09:19 AM
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ROL Race SL I love mine...
12-11-09, 09:45 AM
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I'm gonna go ahead and say it. www.psimet.com. My Psimet wheels fell just outside your budget and I promise the are worlds better than anything else in the price range. Kinlin 300 rims wAlchamey front and White Industries rear and Sapim cx ray spokes. I imagine if you did White Industries front hub too they'd fit in your financial needs.
Rob
Ps - If you need them sooner rather than later maybe try the Williams System 30s. They for for around $500 and his service is great.
Rob
Ps - If you need them sooner rather than later maybe try the Williams System 30s. They for for around $500 and his service is great.
12-11-09, 10:24 AM
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There are better options. Three of them have already been mentioned: EA70, Williams, Psimet.
Solitudes just aren't very good. The rear hub went out on me with less than 1000mi on the set. The DT Revolution spokes (used in front and NDS rear) are flimsy and only there to drop weight. I broke 3 or 4 NDS rear spokes before I gave up. The rim is ok, but it's not all that light and the internal nipples are a major pain in the ass for truing, which you will definitely need to do for these wheels. To their credit, Reynolds offered me a factory rebuild on the rear, but I haven't gotten around to actually taking them up on it.
Solitudes just aren't very good. The rear hub went out on me with less than 1000mi on the set. The DT Revolution spokes (used in front and NDS rear) are flimsy and only there to drop weight. I broke 3 or 4 NDS rear spokes before I gave up. The rim is ok, but it's not all that light and the internal nipples are a major pain in the ass for truing, which you will definitely need to do for these wheels. To their credit, Reynolds offered me a factory rebuild on the rear, but I haven't gotten around to actually taking them up on it.
12-11-09, 11:51 AM
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I have read alot of mixed reviews on the Reynolds solitude, one that turned me away from buying them were that they tend to flex. I purchased Williams Cycling System 30s, best bang for the buck IMO!
12-11-09, 01:01 PM
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Peloton Shelter Dog
Strengths:
Great looking.
Smooth rolling.
Light weight.
Weaknesses:
Poor rim quality.
Poor rim quality.
Great looking.
Smooth rolling.
Light weight.
Weaknesses:
Poor rim quality.
Poor rim quality.
12-12-09, 02:01 AM
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