PARILLA125

Hello again,

This is basically a follow-up to my previous thread on asking how to start building a wheel. Thank you to the numerous people steering me away from building my own wheel set, I now would rather buy a set to replace my WH-R550 wheelset. I would like to spend around $500 on a nice 16H front/20H rear wheel with bladed spokes. I've been looking around, and I found a few: Campy Zonda, Mavic Ksyrium SL, Spynergy Stealth SS... These are all at the top of my price range, what you guys recommend?

What I am looking for in a wheel:
- Bladed spokes
- 16H/20H count
- Aluminum rim
- $300 - $600

All input/info/recommendations are welcome. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Zach

zeo_max

good for you

ultraman6970

+1

midgetmaestro 

What's the love for bladed spokes? They're a pain to replace if you break one on a ride...

PARILLA125

I'm not going to lie... I just like the way they look.

midgetmaestro 

That's alright - I'd suggest going for a mid-profile rim (30mm or so) and sticking with butted spokes. As far as an actual wheelset goes, I'm willing to bet that you're going to get four thousand posts saying you should talk to psimet so I'm just forewarning you.

FlatSix911

Nice way to help out ... a$$hat

eb314

You want to buy my Ksyrium SSC SLs?

I built a front training wheel, it really isn't that hard. I just used Sheldon's wheel build guide and another source I cant' remember. I don't know how many miles I have on it, probably over 1,000 and its still going strong. I did use a tensometer (word?) and truing stand so if you don't have those it wouldn't be worth it.

FlatSix911

Have you looked on-line? Check out Ebay for some new wheelsets in the 1500-1600 gm range for under $500.

NIB VUELTA XRP PRO SL SEALED BEARING ROAD WHEEL LIGHT $239
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

NIB VUELTA XRP TEAM SL SEALED BEARING ROAD WHEEL LIGHT $395
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

thegunner

YO TALK TO PSIMET... there << happy?

elemental

Limiting yourself to 16/20 and bladed spokes is really limiting your high-performance options in that price range. I would recommend a look at Reynolds Solitudes, Soul S2.0s (1330g!), or Easton EA90SLXs if you can get a deal, but none of these are 16/20. They are, as far as I can find, all lighter than any of the options you list (The Spinergys aren't really a fair comparison because of their aero shape). It is often true that reducing spoke count requires making a wheel heavier.

Is the 16/20 also an aesthetic choice?

Hunt-man

https://pedalforce.com/online/product...ducts_id=16623

PARILLA125

Thanks FlatSix911... those are pretty close. Tempting with the sealed bearing. What choices would I have with the following?
-Flangeless hubbed wheel
-Bladed spokes

Kimmo

I gather you'd be better off with oval spokes; apparently they're more aero, and you don't need slotted hubs.

Something that looks as cool as bladed spokes doesn't look so cool to me if it's not making with the promised benefits.

AEO

for which product will you be using these wheels with? campy, shimano or sram?
if you want campy wheels, but for shimano, you'll have to buy falcrum wheels, or use a j-tek adaptor

PARILLA125

Thanks elemental, those Easton EA90SLXs are really nice! Though they are over my price range a little bit, I will look out for a pair of those. Now if I wanted to build a pair or these, I could save a ton of $$$!

DRietz

Psimet wheels are in held in a high tier by members of this forum...

https://www.psimet.com/

PARILLA125

AEO: I would put them on my shimano bike.

DRietz: How much is the average set of Psimet wheels?

elemental

I have seen the SLXs for as little as $650, which is worth donating plasma for if you can get anywhere close. But they are definitely expensive wheels. I would take a good long look at the Souls, which are less flashy but even lighter than the SLXs (and now have lots of color options) or the C-4s Hunt-man posted the link to. I was aware of these, but looked last week and couldn't find a good source to get them. I would personally take the CA2.2s for their featheriness, but I like to prioritize weight for wheelsets over other things.

What are your goals? Do you want a stiff aero wheelset, or a featherlight one for lots of climbing? Is this for casual riding, aggressive rec riding, or racing? How big are you?

These are the sort of questions that will generate good recommendations. You are into the price range where you have many options that excel in different ways. My recommendations so far are based no my own criteria. As a light rider who likes to climb, I am recommending the lightest wheels for the money. For a 250lb rider living in Kansas, these would not be very good recommendations. See what I mean?

rdl456

I picked up a pair of the Volants for my build.

https://www.rolwheels.com/

DRietz

After talking with him, he starts builds at $299 for aluminum. Right in your budget.

PARILLA125

The Soul and Rol wheels look interesting as well, thank you guys for your recomendations.

Elemental: I am a recreational rider with occasional aggressive acceleration, clinmbing and top speed down hill... however I am not interested in racing yet (I am fairly new to the hobby). I am 5'6" and 150 lbs but, all muscle...

FallsApart

Neuvation is also having a sale on some of there wheels it looks like. They have some nice prices, and John is pretty amazing to work with. If anything happens to the wheels outside of rider error, you're going to have no problem getting it fixed quickly. I've seen his wheels around a lot, and have a pair myself, and I've been happy. And yea, everyone here will probably say they look stupid, but you can take of the decals.

That said - I'm hoping to get a rear wheel with a powertap from psimet, due to the rave reviews here. If the price is better than Neuvation, I'll do it.

guadzilla

Psimet? Never heard of him.. French, is it?

Can Psimet make good, light yet strong wheels at $500? Hmmm. That's one of those great mysteries that will never be answered.

V.

scirocco

Handbuilts are better value than factory built, but if you don't mind paying, then Fulcrum Racing 3's are pretty close to the OPs criteria. I have 15000km on a set and never had to touch a thing on them. Kind of in a sweet spot between the more budget Racing 5s and the slightly unneccessary Racing 1s. They come in black as well. Shimano or Campy.