Wheelset upgrade - what to go for?

wjws

Currently my Steel 853 RSP has a set of open pros on 105 hubs, which have served me well for both the daily commute and the weekend club-runs.

I am retiring the bike from commuting duties, and wish to spend some £££ to upgrade the wheels for the weekend club runs to help with the hills. Basic details are as follows:

Weight - 90kg
Set-up - Shimano 10 speed
Use - Laps of Richmond Park / Surrey Hills Club Run (70 miles on average) / Sportives (not done one yet, but have aspirations)
Budget - Large, but bear in mind that this is an old steel frame, and Lightweights would look a tad silly...

I have never used Tubulars; by inclination I am wary as I wouldn't have the foggiest in the event of a puncture. Am I being narrow minded here?

Would appreciate people's ideas, as I'm sure there are better choices out there for me than Kyrsiums. Am I deluding myself in assuming that wheels will make a difference?

blorg

I have DT Swiss RR 1450s which I got from CRC at £379. They are nice and light and made a big difference going up hills (replaced Aksiums.) Very happy with them indeed, cheaper and lighter than the equivalent Ksyriums. Only downside is that they don't look terribly bling, if you don't mind about that they are an excellent wheelset.

90kg is right on the weight limit, don't know if that might be an issue (I am ~80kg and they have been fine.)

brit66

I was sceptical about those who used to blather on about handbuilts but after getting some Open Pro CDs on Ultegra hubs, I'm now a convert.

My other set of wheels are expensive Kysrium ESs and I find no noticable difference in speed. Handbuilts actually ride more smoothly.

Worth considering for £150.

wjws

brit66 wrote:

I was sceptical about those who used to blather on about handbuilts but after getting some Open Pro CDs on Ultegra hubs, I'm now a convert.

I like my Open Pros, tho' only 105 hubs. One option that I was looking at and am considering are poshbikes handbuilt wheels' (http://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=141). However, at this price (£600) there are a vast array of wheels to chose from and I have no idea which or what will meet my requirements...

blorg

I have 32 spoke Open Pro/Ultegra on my tourer and love them but OP has a very similar wheelset already and is looking for something else! The RR 1450s are substantially lighter; I weighed my Open Pros at 1,000/800g respectively (note this is still lighter than Aksiums.)

Note DT Swiss RR 1450s are also handbuilt, just by DT- you get a cert signed by the wheelbuilder on each wheel.

robbarker

I would suggest Open Pro ceramic rims, hanbuilt onto Ultegra or Dura Ace hubs. Get a good LBS to build them for you or, better still. learn to build them yourself! See Roger Musson's ebook from www.wheelpro.co.uk.