Mojo31

People with Sora components have a right to look cool also! From 50' you can't tell what groupset is on a bike. And, they are probably just as fast or faster than most of us anyway.

Agreed on if you can afford it why not buy it. Nobody is required to be frugal. Someone has to stimulate the economy from time-to-time.

PeteHski

Well that makes sense, but it's not a particularly useful response to someone asking about the best $3k wheels.

seypat

It's not, but the OP won't give us any info for suggestions. So, we have to keep coming with responses like that until he/she does.

sarhog

This wheelset, that I ordered 2 weeks ago, just arrived at my door today…. Quite a bit cheaper than $3k.


New gravel wheelset

KJ43

I have heard good things about BTLOS as well. Them and Lightbicycle are what I would recommend to pretty much anyone.

sfrider 

I'm super happy with my ENVE SES DB 3.4's, but I think if I bought today I'd go hookless. The 303S is appealing, but personally I think if I'm spending that kind of money to begin with, I'd want at least DT 240 grade hubs rather than pawl engagement, so would move on up into the Firecrest range. Not because there's more than a minor difference, but because even a small difference over the ten years or so I'll be riding them adds up to be worth an extra $500-$600.

kosmo886

What about going with staggered setup. Something like 60s depth rear and 40ish front? Anyone running this type of setup?

SoSmellyAir

Sure, if you are light weight and do not mind sacrificing looks for improved handling in gusty conditions.

But the whroooosh sound is not as satisfying from a shallower wheel.

Chandne

Definitely! I'd go Firecrest as well. I do not really like pawl hubs. I recently used Onyx hubs on a fatbike and that hub is amazing (for a fat or mtn bike...heavy). SO worth it! My road bike has Chris Kings and my mountain bike has I9 Hydras. My gravel bike has DT350s and my other mtn bike does too.

hubcyclist

I generally fall on the side of wheels being a pretty overrated upgrade for folks, mainly because it seems silly to spend so much money for a minute an hour savings. This is especially so if the user has not done other low hanging fruit stuff like getting a more aero helmet, narrower handlebar, and good fitting clothing.

Of course, I say that now, but I'm trying to do a solo century in 4:45 this year after doing 4:56 last year and would take an extra five minutes if I could lol

Also OP, instead of dumping money into small upgrades, train more
https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/...at-s-going-on/

GhostRider62

it does have to be an either or scenario. One can train more AND buy a more aero kit, aero helmet, aero handlebar, fast tires, and once the low hanging fruit has been found, buy those blingy wheels. At 20 mph, wheels might be a watt or three

WhyFi

a) that's a matter of value, which is subjective and will vary from person to person
b) that's far from the only reason that people upgrade their wheels

hubcyclist

Yes yes, I’m aware of all the justifications. Doesn’t change my opinion

WhyFi

How many such wheelsets have you owned?

Joearch

Living in West Los Angeles there are some great bike resources. Nir Wheels is close by. Custom made carbon for my Bianchi Infinito Disc are wonderful. Nimble and fast. 28mm Pirelli road race with their race tubes and you have a wonderful setup. Drop off the bike and a few days later done. I ride 4 or so days a weeks so when averaging the cost over a year or two t is about the same cost as a coffee and a muffin. Not a pro rider but considering how much enjoyment comes from the riding, well worth the cost for me.

phrantic09

did OP ask for training advice?

hubcyclist

No, but it's prob better advice than enabling someone to spend thousands of dollars, probably unnecessarily, for a fleeting feeling of satisfaction. One of the problem with serious hobbyist forums is that everyone is quick to just jump on spending money as a route to happiness, whether it's chasing a certain sound with guitars, getting a better lens in photography, etc. And often frivolous spending is encouraged without regarding to whether one should spend. Of course it's up to each individual to determine what they can spend within their means. But yeah, train more is better advice than blow your money on wheels for a small improvement in time or whatever feeling they're chasing until someone needs their next 'fix' with a new piece of gear.

Mojo31

It's not better advice when the poster asks about wheels and not training. It's just being judgmental.

If I want to buy a $15k bike with all the latest tech and do-dads just to enjoy the ride and can afford it, then why not? I may not have any interest in "training" (whatever that means), but just want to have a nice ride. Nothing wrong with that even if it doesn't fit someone else's value proposition.

WhyFi

Stop the sanctimonious BS. If someone is asking advice on getting faster, "train" is a fantastic answer. If they're asking about nice wheelsets, "train" is neither here nor there and is nothing more than a Johnny Lunchpail (RIP pcad) sour grapes response.

Also, if your wheelsets only offer fleeting satisfaction, you must not be doing it right and maybe you shouldn't be giving wheelset advice. 10k miles later, I'm still happy and thankful every time I go for a spin on my current wheels - they were a fantastic upgrade.

Koyote

By this logic, most of us are riding bikes that cost waaaaay too much money.

Mojo31

Actually shouldn't be riding any bikes at all. Walking and running provide the same training benefit with zero cost except for a good pair of shoes.

And, the shoes and clothing required for walking and running are really only necessary because of societal norms.

Seattle Forrest

The question was "what wheels are good?" You have the wedding answer. Zero credit.

phrantic09

In true “Born to Run” nutter style I only run barefoot in a loincloth and subsist solely on quinoa

msu2001la

Tubeless disc and $3k budget, I'd go with Zipp 303 Firecrest laced to Chris King RD45s.
25mm i.d., Roughly 1300g and 40mm aero depth. It's a wheelset that can be used for just about anything, road/gravel/cx and will insanely fast and comes with a lifetime warranty. You can run 28mm road and go as wide as you want from there.

I have Zipp 303s and love them. The thought of 300g lighter, 2mm wider and some bombproof fancy hubs on those wheels sounds pretty awesome to me.

Mojo31

So nouveau, what with the quinoa diet.