datlas 

I am pretty sure all of the major wheel manufacturers for "performance" medium and high end road bike wheels have turned away from clincher wheels and rim braking, instead to focus on the future of higher end wheels which are typically hookless, carbon fiber, and disc brake.

I am still committed to sticking with older technology: clinchers, rim brakes, but I do accept that CF has some benefits and actually have ONE set of 8 year old Reynolds Assault wheels which are my "summer" wheels for May through September, I have a set of aluminum PSIMET wheels for the rest of the year.

Anyway, I am thinking of getting a new set of wheels in the next year or so, and would like input as to whether the "peak best" wheels for me would be much of a difference from the Reynolds ones I have, and if so suggestions on what to buy?

brian416

Assuming you don’t care about tubeless, classic zipp 404s are hard to beat
​​​​​​-aero
-durable, basically impossible to overheat and warp
-tire changes don’t require tools
-durable
-very cheap since they’re not made anymore

shelbyfv

You might post your preferred tire width and wheelset weight. Budget too, unless that's not an issue.

datlas 

Running 25mm, I am light (145 pounds) so like light wheels, depth 40-60mm, and willing to spend maybe up to $1500 if it's really something significantly better than the Reynolds Assaults.

datlas 

This is a consideration. I know there are LOTS of variants/generations of Zipp 303 and 404's made. Will investigate.

shelbyfv

You are enviably light. Maybe instead of looking for another all-rounder, focus on a weight weenie shallow rim climbing wheel. Would be different from what you have.

chaadster

The main thing about 8 year old Assaults is that they’re quite narrow. I think moving up from 15mm internal (or whatever they are) to, say, 21mm IW would be a meaningful change in terms of feel of the bike and handling. I don’t know that modern aerodynamic profiles or enhanced stiffness would make anything like a quantifiable performance difference, but you could move up to 60/68mm deep profiles with the Lun R67s, get the internal width bump and shave +100g while still staying $100 or more under budget. The Lun R45 45/54mm profile wheels are basically the same depth you have now, but again increase IW and lop off over 200g, which again is probably not a performance thing you’ll see, but you should feel a positive change in stability and handling.

msu2001la

Since you already have a set of Psimet2001 wheels, I'd suggest looking there.
They've got a 55mm carbon clincher rim brake option - you could upgrade to CX ray spokes with White Industry hubs and have a really nice setup for around $1600.
Carbon 55mm Rim Brake - PSIMET Custom Wheels

They've also got a 36mm version of this rim that is likely a little lighter, if that's your jam.

bblair

Me exactly.

Options are out there, but not as many as for those new fangled disc (or is it "disk?") brake wheels. For example, Chris King and Industry 9 no longer make rim brake versions and the width is different. I spent way too much time researching this and ended up going with LightBicycle wheels, 45mm carbon on DT Swiss 240 hubs. We can argue all day about whether or not that was the best choice, but I feel good that I did my research. Should be here in about a week.

I can confidentially say, without a doubt that I am only $1000 away from a Giro/Tour/World Champ triple now. Maybe the Vuelta next year, or I'll ride in support of someone else. Assuming my wheels clear customs.

datlas 

Could you update this thread in a few weeks with a review?

phrantic09

People seem to love the wheels from Light Bicycle- you could probably knock down some 45mm deep wheels that weigh in the 1400-1500 with DT 240 for about 1000 I’d bet.

bblair

Sure, if they ever get here!

I am going on the 6 day Bike Virginia at the end of the month and I am hesitant to install new equipment so close. I'll probably wait until after, so early July.

mstateglfr 

https://btlos.com/road-bike/road-bik...-carbon-wheels
Pick- 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 depths.
All are hooked profile and have a wider than you are used to width, but not very wide width for rim brakes and will pair great with 25mm or 28mm tires.
BTLOS, like Lightbicycle wheels, is a well established wheel company.


40mm depth in extralight layup with graphene braking surface, bitex RA hubs, Pillar Aero spokes, and brass nipples- $696 and 1335 grams
40mm depth in extralight layup with graphene braking surface, DT350 hubs, Pillar Aero spokes, and brass nipples- $803 and 1451 grams
40mm depth in extralight layup with graphene braking surface, DT240 hubs, Pillar Aero spokes, and aluminum nipples- $1078 and 1349 grams

SoSmellyAir

When I first upgraded to rim brake CF wheels in early 2022, I bought these:

FFWD Wheels F4R 45mm Tubeless Carbon Clincher Wheel Set (ffwdusa.com)

But if I have to replace them, I would most likely go with what you chose, but maybe with DT Swiss 350 hubs.

Did you choose the basalt brake track option?

Germany_chris

I have a set of Elite Wheels Drive 50v that I’ve come to like

Caliwild

I purchased some DT Swiss PR 1400 dicut wheels and love them to death. In terms of weight and braking (braking is phenomenal compared to any rim brake wheelset out there), they're the pinnacle IMHO. They're not as deep as you'd like, but worth a look... Check out the pics at the end of the threat below.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...a-sl-bike.html

bblair

They call it "Graphene" I think, and I have no idea what that is.

Why did I go with the most costly hubs? Among other reasons, my LBS is building CF wheels with his brand hubs and several friends have had problems. So, call me paranoid, I want high end. Or at least upper middle.

SoSmellyAir

You are right; it's graphene, not basalt. Got mixed up with the other Chinese wheel brands.

Graphene is a pure carbon hexagonal lattice. Much higher stiffness and thermal conductivity than carbon fiber.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but from what I have read here and elsewhere on the web, DT Swiss 350 hubs are more reliable (but heavier) than the newer DT Swiss EXP 240 or 180 freehubs.

bblair

I read a lot about that and it is my understanding that the problem with ratchet has been dealt with. I hope.

thin_concrete

I really like my Boyds and Flos. Both brands offer excellent customer service. While new, they are in the $2K range, I see them on FBMP and local sites for less than half that in good shape.

I’m sticking with clinchers and tubes too, even though both sets can run tubeless.