dwmckee

Hello. I was looking for a new set of wheels for club rides and training and came across a set of new Ultegra 6700 wheels on Competitive Cyclist for $407 plus $40 for shipping and 4% import duty from the UK. I am 205 pounds and riding a Jamis Xenith Race. I have seen these wheels selling for $700 other places and still have to pay shipping. Do you thing this is a good deal on a good wheelset for me? I ride in Pittsburgh, PA where we repave roads every 30 years whether they need it or not and we have endless hills to keep us occupied... Shimano says they weigh 1640 grams for the set. Will these hold up?

m3ta1head

I would go for a higher spoke count wheelset at your weight. I have heard about the WH-6700 popping spokes under heavier riders, and I'm sure the 6800 will be similar.

achoo

Define "hold up". They won't last nearly as long as something like a well-made 28/32-spoke wheelset.

Elvo

wiggle.com | Shimano Ultegra 6800 Wheelset | Road Race Wheels

achoo

Out of stock...

dwmckee

I have ordered from wiggle before and they want to charge $40 just to ship a stem to the US. Competitive cyclist will ship 2 whole wheels to the US for $40 which is outrageously cheap. Good price on the wiggle wheels if they were in stock though...

dwmckee

If I get 4000-5000 miles out of them without collapsing a rim and staying reasonably true then I feel I have gotten my money out of them. They are nearly 400 grams lighter than the Mavic Aksium Race wheels that were stock on the bike and that is a lot of weight difference. I figure I can sell the Mavic wheels for $280 - $300 as they are new bike takeoffs and just have to pay the difference to upgrade so maybe not such a bad deal. Anyoue interested in a 'new' set of Mavic Aksiun Race wheels?

superdx

Mounting tires on these wheels were almost impossible, my thumbs were raw after getting one wheel on. I've read people have techniques for these but I ended up giving up and going back to my Fulcrum backups.

BoSoxYacht

You have very low expectations for wheelsets.

dtrain

That sounds a bit high. Budget for a net of $200 and be pleased with anything above that.

Slackerprince

I've been riding Shimano RS10 wheels with a 20R/16F spoke count for a year in the 3000+ mile range and they are true with no issues.
Granted, it's all flat where I ride, but I'm 220 pounds, so some worries about lack of spokes seem overblown.

S

FIVE ONE SIX

at your weight, i would recommend something stronger. me personally, i'm 230 pounds and i've been using a set of Mavic Open Pro 32 front and rear, 3 cross pattern front and rear, and i honestly have never even needed to straighten them, ever. look into these...

Amazon.com : Wheel Master Mavic Open Pro Wheel Set - 700c, 32H, 10-Speed, QR, Black/Silver MSW : Bike Wheels : Sports & Outdoors

they're pretty much what i use, only those use Ultegra hubs and i use Dura Ace hubs, but they will definitely get the job done for less than $350 AND you will feel confident riding on them!

caloso

Shimano Ultegra 6800 Clincher Wheels Pair

dvdslw

My bike came with the 6700 wheels and I have no complains. They are smooth, strong and lighter than 75% of what comes standard on a bike and they're road tubeless out of the box so you have that option to try as well. I'm also 225lbs and ride a lot, not one wobble, creak or uneasy ride and there's plenty of gutters/potholes where I ride. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better bargain at $400? One thing to keep in mind though, your title says "6800" but your post says "6700", the 6800 set is 11 speed and the 6700 set is 10 speed although you can use the 6800 set with both.

BikeAnon

I realize they are not the same wheels, but they are in the same family.... I have a set of WH-7700 wheels. 16 spoke front and rear. I've almost never been below 200 lbs, and I've been as much as 250 during the 10 years I've had these.

I have well over 25,000 miles on them (4500 in last year alone). They've hit big pot holes, and once even got hit by a truck. The truck hit the rear wheel. Truck going about 40mph, bike going 20.

Wheels still going great. The rear wheel needed truing after the truck. The front has never needed truing.

People who think 200lbs+ instantly need 32 spokes are wrong. Spoke count stopped being an easy way to judge durability over 15 years ago. A lot has changed, except "common wisdom"

bikemig 

I've been impressed with the durability of easton wheels. I ride mine over pretty rough roads and they have stayed true.

Wheels should last longer than 4,000-5,000 miles.

If the OP wants something sturdy, the velocity A23 is a good choice.