superdex

certainly -- when you get around to new tires, try some 25s ... more comfy

Dave Mayer

Campagnolo/Fulcrum makes great wheels. Last month I bought a set of 10-year old Zondas. Due to the neglect of the original owner, the hub shells and freehubs were filled with watery goo, and the bearings and bearing cones were a pitted, rusted mess. I was able to order new cones for less than $20 each, and they slid in easily. The balls of course cost pennies to replace. Good as new.

I am not convinced that your mechanic explored all of the maintenance options available.

Nevertheless, an even better solution for a Campagnolo replacement wheelset would be some 32-spoke (genuine) Campagnolo hubs (the good ones with loose balls, not the low-end crappy ones with cartridge bearings), spoked with some Open Pros. This way, not only can the hubs can provide indefinite service, but the rims can be swapped out whenever the brake tracks wear out, or you hit a big pothole. Using the same spokes over of course.

superdex

Why does the word "commute" and "wheels" bring out all the Sheldons? May the man rest in peace, but geez, there are tons of people putting 7,8,10k miles every year on wheels with fewer than 30 spokes. Get over it, please.

Barabaika

How can you explain this?
Why don't his 16/20-spoke wheels stay true?
Does he need heavier and sturdier rims?

superdex

because Alex OEM wheels.

FargoRider

Hi,
Thanks for the replies and great advice on my wheelset hunt. I usually start riding my Eros commuter starting in March, so I'm going to get serious with this now.

After shopping around a bit, expanded my budget to be in the 350-500 range. I received a $480 quote from a LBS for a custom hand build using 32H DT Swiss 460s with DT butted competition spokes and Orgin8 Formula hubs.

I think this should do me well.

I also found this on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/H-Plus-Son-...EAAOSwiqFafTKa

I kind of like keeping the hubs Campy, and I've read good things about those rims too. Does that $50 shipping seem high, or is that the going rate for packaging wheelsets? I was thinking offering $375 and see how that goes.

Any thoughts or advice?

ksryder

It's a fair price and H + Son makes good lucking and sturdy rims.

Might email the folks over at Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike and see if they'll give you a quote for something with Miche hubs (campy compatible). I've bought several wheelsets from them, including some miche hubs, and they've always been reasonably quick, price can't be beat, and the build quality is always good.

ptempel

Heh. I also used to be in the 32 spoke or more for commuting camp. But a set of Campy Zonda wheels (~$360 from wiggle.com) set me straight on the reliability worry so far. They've been pretty solid for me and I'm a big boy (230 lbs) and not some small hill climber that's 120 lbs wet.

CliffordK

You mean being too new?

There are plenty of 40 or 50 year old Campy hubs out there, and still on the road. The big thing is what is inside. How are the cones & races? Anything wrong with the hubs?

The other issue is that at some point Campagnolo changed their freehub design. I don't know how that affects supporting your bike, but it may be something to consider. Or, if you're using old style freewheels, find a hub that could be upgraded.

Anyway, if you have a good bike shop, they should be able to build a new wheel almost as easily as maintaining an old one. Talk to they about what they'd require from you. Stripping the old wheel (after removing the cassette?)

Drew Eckhardt 

Campagnolo sells replacement cups too.

The only bearing replacement issue would be with 1998 and older hubs using steel 10mm axles (12mm for the freehub), where the drive side cones have become unavailable; although the OP's bike is 2004.

Parts are fully available for over-size alloy axle cup-and-cone hubs, and after that transition the less expensive models used cartridge bearings.

Drew Eckhardt 

They made the splines deeper with the move to 9 cogs in 1997, allowing them to run lighter alloy freehubs without indenting problems like alloy C-Record 8 speed freehubs and aftermarket Shimano. The OP's 2004 parts post-date that by years.

FargoRider

I'm changing the hubs so I can get a higher spoke count. I'm leaning to towards a 32 holes. The ones I currently have is more of a race wheelset, and that's not how I'm using this bike. It still feels pretty racey, but I have a rack on it and it's my everyday rider.

FargoRider

I have looked at Velomine, and haven't ruled them out. The factory builds they have are at a very nice price, but the hand builds are around the same price as what the LBS have. If I go hand built, I think I'll just stay local.

kingston 

Buy the parts and build your own wheels. It's not that hard if you're patient.

SkyDog75

The Campagnolo Vento G3 wheels on my '06 Bianchi are still going strong. New ones (same name, newer model) are available from Wiggle for $215 with free shipping to the U.S.

wiggle.com | Campagnolo Vento Asymmetric G3 Wheelset | Road Race Wheels

...just mentioning it since it might a cost-effective option if a 24-spoke rear will work for you.

CliffordK

Another option is to keep one's eyes open on Craigslist and E-Bay. Used wheels show up all the time, although Campy freehubs are a bit more rare. But, if the OP thinks he can baby his current wheels for the next 6 months, that might be enough time for a good wheelset to pop up.

Of course, the 32 or 36h may be a bit more rare.

Or, as mentioned, just get the parts and build it up.

FargoRider

I've been looking for used stuff too. What are your thoughts on this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/H-Plus-Son-...EAAOSwiqFafTKa

superdex

in your budget, I'd go new. Especially if you're concerned about longevity/reliability. Used == unknown treatment.

FargoRider

Got my offer accepted at $400; feeling good about it too. Thanks for the feeback you guys.

H Plus Son Archetype Black Wheelset Campagnolo Record hubs 32h 7,8,9,10, 11sp

Hand built from a professional wheel builder at a local bike shop. The wheels have about 300 miles and are in mint condition. Dt Swiss competition double butted spokes and black brass nipples. This a great wheelset for a strong rider with flex free 32 spokes frot and rear.

cpach

A lot of companies have interchangeable freehub bodies, but often require ordering a separate campagnolo freehub body which raises the total cost. Some brands sell direct and will swap to a Campagnolo body. Kingston's recommendations both look pretty good honestly. Depending on what distributors your shop works with they might be able to build you up a reliable set of wheels at a reasonable price. For example, JBI has Origin8 RD1100 hubs with Campagnolo freehub bodies, retail is around $85. Matching front hub is $60. DT R460s at $50 each. Assuming $1 spokes and $60 labor per wheel, you'd be looking a hair under $400. If your shop does quality wheel work this would be a reliable option with local support.

Edit: shoot, missed your post. That's a very well specced wheelset, sweet.