Best wheels for £200?

flying_scotsman
flying_scotsman Posts: 50
edited October 2008 in Workshop
Hello, I'm not sure which wheels to buy for £200. I currently have mavic aksium 2006 so they are 1980 grams for the pair , I have had no problem with these wheels but would like a lighter pair. I'm currently looking at xero xr1's or hand built centaur on mavic open pro rims from ribble. Not sure of the weight of the hand builts but the xero's are very light for the money. I weigh eleven stone and my wheels stay pretty true. Which wheels do you think would be the best buy?

Comments

  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    Handbuilt if you want a light but compliant / comfy wheel.
    Machine built if you want it stiff and less compliant.
    From my experiences with wheels the machine built ones have deeper section and stiffer rims allowing the use of fewer spokes at higher tension.
    Handbuilts like Open Pros have very light shallow section rims needing more spokes at lower tension to keep the rim true.
    So Open Pros will feel lighter / quicker as there is less weight in the rim.
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • the only problem being that shallow rim and lots of spokes is actually slower due to poor aerodynamics! that said, you can get handbuilt with fewer spokes but your choice is relatively limited.

    avoid the xeros. they are too flexible. i'd rather ride aksiums.

    for £200 i would probably buy a pair of shimano wheels. you might be able to get 105 or ultegra level for that more or less? they are very nice.
  • You already have the best sub £200 on the market.

    Look to spend £250 or £300 to get any serious weight reduction over Aksium
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    What will you be using them for?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Hello, I'm not sure which wheels to buy for £200. I currently have mavic aksium 2006 so they are 1980 grams for the pair , I have had no problem with these wheels but would like a lighter pair. I'm currently looking at xero xr1's or hand built centaur on mavic open pro rims from ribble. Not sure of the weight of the hand builts but the xero's are very light for the money. I weigh eleven stone and my wheels stay pretty true. Which wheels do you think would be the best buy?

    well the Shimano RS20s are 1773g for the pair and around £110. I have heard of spoke breakages but don't know what that was due to. As an alternative to the Aksiums you understand.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I've got the Xeros, no problems so far (been riding them around 6 months). I'm around 13 stone and haven't noticed any significant flex, and they are still running true after a few bumps through potholes etc. They are also available well under £200 - I got mine from the US for more like £150 (although exchange rate not so good now). They'll probably end up packing up on the next ride now I've said that, but have been very pleased with them, got me round Fred Whitton and the etape and weigh in at under 1600g so quite a lot lighter than Aksiums to be fair. Also look nice with the 16/20 spoke pattern and I believe the latest ones come with bladed spokes as well.
  • robbarker wrote:
    What will you be using them for?

    Just general use really, club runs , bit of time trialling etc.

    Thanks everyone for the advice its food for thought, I must admit I'm tempted to go for the xeros because they are so light for the money. I'm not so worried about comfort as long as they dont flex I'd be happy. I cant say i noticed any flex with my aksiums
  • twonks
    twonks Posts: 352
    I ride Xeros XR1 lites and can say I've not noticed flex, despite my 90Kg frame.

    I have a problem with the rear hub coming loose, but that is a one off issue I believe.

    Would advise you to have a look at them at least.
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    From memory, you have to be going at a reasonably high average before aero benefits take effect.
    If you're TTing, then a heavy set of hoops is not so much of an issue and aero. becomes more useful.
    If you're climbing, the benefit of light rims with or without heavy hubs, will accelerate better.
    I prefer handbuilts, as I don't TT, and spend more time on lumpy club run routes, and climbing. Handbuilts are easier to repair and source replacement rims at the end of the winter "grinding" season!
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    Planet X Model B's can't be beaten on price and weight and I have these on my current bike and they are noticeably better than the Mavic Aksiums that came with my new Scott CR1 Team. I will be replacing these with Model B's. The difference is considerable and I don't know how anyone can say that aksiums are the best sub £200 wheel - they are heavy as hell.

    I can't comment on the longevity of the Planet X's as I have only done just over 1200 miles on them so far but they are still running perfectly true. At £157 they have got to be worth a punt.

    http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... d_279.html
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    doyler78 wrote:
    Planet X Model B's can't be beaten on price and weight and I have these on my current bike and they are noticeably better than the Mavic Aksiums that came with my new Scott CR1 Team. I will be replacing these with Model B's. The difference is considerable and I don't know how anyone can say that aksiums are the best sub £200 wheel - they are heavy as hell.

    I can't comment on the longevity of the Planet X's as I have only done just over 1200 miles on them so far but they are still running perfectly true. At £157 they have got to be worth a punt.

    http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... d_279.html

    Sounds good - anyone else used these?
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Just general use really, club runs , bit of time trialling etc.

    Tha';s three different applications that point to three diferent wheel options, but if you're not communitng on them or riding out a long way from home, the factory wheels you are looking at will be a good option. Having said that I'd still go for the handbuilts for reliability and maintainability in the longer term.
  • Just an update on my choice of wheels for £200. After much consideration I purchased a pair of xero lites(1520 grams for the pair)) . Felt light out the box compared to my aksiums, had a hell of a job getting on my new continental grand prix onto the rims though. Went out today on our club run and was very impressed with my new wheels, they felt really smooth and much livelier than my aksiums. I also like the 30mm aero rims. All in I'm very happy with my choice, thanks to everyone for their advice and experience.
  • shaw8670
    shaw8670 Posts: 264
    Get handbuilt ones from Ribble. Centaur or Ultegra hubs (depending on your drivetrain) and Open Pro rims. they will be under £200, much lighter than Aksiums and repairable if you bend them.
    Greetings from the wet and windy North west
  • What sort of weight do Ribbles come out at? Shame they do not mention any weights on the various options.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Sounds like you've got the same combo as me - xero lite xr1s and Conti GP4000 tyres. Light and fast but be careful in the wet if you have the GP4000 and not the GP4000s. Did you get the bladed spokes?
  • MatHammond wrote:
    Sounds like you've got the same combo as me - xero lite xr1s and Conti GP4000 tyres. Light and fast but be careful in the wet if you have the GP4000 and not the GP4000s. Did you get the bladed spokes?

    Hi, I have the GP4000s , I didnt get the xero's with the bladed spokes they were a bit heavier.