Wheels

davecooper

I am looking for a strong, lightish pair of wheels for general riding such as commuting, long recreational rides and shorter fitness training. I am wary of bladedf/low spoke count factory builts as I am worried about a spoke going 40 miles from home. I don't want to spend a fortune so am about to order a pair of Mavic CXP33/Ultegra handbuilts probably laced 28/32. Is this a good choice? Should I consider any others?

mrjim

Depending on the quote you got for your alternative build, you might want to consider the planet x "C" wheelset:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/triathlon ... AGE_id=351

I was in the same position as you except going for open pro's on ultegra hubs when I stumbled across the planet x wheelsets. They will be a bit lighter and I’ve only heard good things about their wheels. I'm currently considering which pair to get, I know I should probably go for the "C" set, but the "B" set are a bit lighter and look nicer too although I don’t know if they would stand up to the rigours of everyday training.

Just an option...

Down the Road

Best I've ridden are Bontrager Classics.

Absolutely bomb proof. Shame I no longer have the only one of 2 pairs in the country

campagsarge

Paul Hewit cycles always gets a good mention in the forum for hand built wheels. Not got a pair myself but there are plenty of recommendations in this forum.

Anonymous

Down the Road wrote:

Best I've ridden are Bontrager Classics.

Absolutely bomb proof. Shame I no longer have the only one of 2 pairs in the country

Oh that's really good advice that is. :roll:
Why not try recommending something that's available to mere mortals?

aracer

I think he's suggesting you should pop round and steal them off him.

Anonymous

Think someone already did.He does'nt have em anymore.
Must have been nicked.

Down the Road

Like the classics available at a trek dealer for less than £200.00 now.

That's why my disappointment as you too can have a pair.

giant_man

Wouldn't touch Bontrager hoops at all personally, no matter how rare these are, but that's just my opinion.

You need to speak with Paul Hewitt who will build you a pair of wheels which will be strong, reasonable in price and built for the purpose, simple as that.

Down the Road

Seem to do all right for Discovery channel And yes they are standard wheels used Including the classic which is their winter training wheel ( well was in 2007)

fossyant

Handbuilt are by far the toughest, and can be comparably light. I'm currently toying with the idea of getting some old but perfect Dura Ace hubs rebuilt into either Open Pro, Open Pro Ceramic or CXP33's - both rims will make a fine wheel (I've run two sets of Open 4's for years with no issues - just getting worn out - rims) but the Open Pro is slightly lighter than the CXP, but the CXP is more aero and 'flashier'

Mavic have had these rims for years and made minor amendments (if any) to them over the years (probably just new stickers) and they are still there - both good rims...

The only down side is they don't always look as flashy as some of these factory wheels, but can certainly compete against the £300-£400 wheel sets on weight....

JWSurrey

I'm another Open Pro CD/Ultegra user - They're superb straight as an arrow wheels.
I had the front radial laced, though stupidly at 32H, which is total overkill, and the back 3x at 32H on straight gauge spokes.
Totally bombproof, great feel.

I have a pair of Campag. Vento low spoke count wheels, and whilst they are excellent and have survived a season of mostly winter riding on poor quality backroads attached to the Audaxer complete with small pannier load and my 80kg hulk, the back is perhaps 3mm out of true laterally, and they don't feel quite as solid, communicative or fast - but that may be more down to the overall bike package they're connected to - The OPs are on my "race" bike.

Harry Rowland is a wheelbuilder with a good reputation.
As I spend a lot of time in London, mine were built by Condor.
I also found a chap at Cycles Dauphin in Surrey, who seemed to build a pretty good set.

davecooper

Thanks for the advice guys. Not interested in flashy. It was a toss up between Open Pros and CXP33's. I think I settled on the CXP's as a good compromise between weight and aero. Still, may go the open pro route. I am going to have a look at the Planet X wheels before making a decision as they do appear to offer what I am after. Has anyone seen a review of these?

fossyant

No reviews of the Planet X's yet, but they are good bang for buck. I can only comment on previous hand built wheels, and they last and last, until they just get very old - and no broken spokes !