Rolf Vector Pro

mr-orange
mr-orange Posts: 16
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
I have an oppportunity to buy a set of Rolf Vector Pro's for £200 but am a bit uncertain. I have read that there are some problems with the hubs once the wheels need to be trued and also the support does not seem too good.

Anyone have any experience with these wheels.

BTW, I currently have a set of Shimano w550 wheels. Would the Rolf's be a major improvement, or should I just wait and save a bit more?

Comments

  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    My bike originally came with the Rolf Vector Comps (not sure if they are better or worse than the Pros). I was really disappointed with them - they went out of true really quickly. I changed them for Ksyriums as soon as possible.
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    I think they are way better wheels than your old R550s.
    But they are old, back from when Rolf wa associated with Trek.

    AFAIR, Rolf won't fix them.

    I own a set of newer Rolf Prima Vigors and I'm very pleased with them.
    Light, reliable braking, and they look good too. They haven't needed truing yet.
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Rolf is a member of our local race club and he, and his wheels, is one of our major sponsors. Nice guy. Shows up at the club races on occasion with some new prototype
    wheel he's working on and usually gives club riders a really good deal on their wheels.
    That said I don't hear much in the way of complaints about his hoops. Everyone seems to like them. Only problem is, and this happens on every low spoke count wheel, if a spoke breaks they tend to become unrideable.

    Dennis Noward
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I'm surprised Rolf are still making these wheels. They sound wonderful though going by Dennis' review ... :roll:
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    giant mancp wrote:
    I'm surprised Rolf are still making these wheels. They sound wonderful though going by Dennis' review ... :roll:

    I personally don't own a pair as I consider them racing wheels and I don't race anymore.
    Plus I like building my own. Wasn't some pro team using them a few years back?

    Dennis Noward
  • bazza59
    bazza59 Posts: 33
    A set came on my ebay purchased bike.
    Don't know how much work they had seen before I got them but I have added 1500 miles and have had no problems with the front and lost two spokes on different occasions on the back. They are carrying 16 stone / 100 kg / 220 lbs so I am not going to complain.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    My mate had a pair going back a while now. He snapped a spoke in the Alps and the wheel, as Dennis says, was unrideable. That was on the first climb of a Tour de France break. Nobody could get a spare spoke - so he bought a set of Ksyriums from the shop on top of the Alpe and sold the Rolfs when he got back.

    I cant think they're worth £200 though - they are getting on a bit now.
  • mr-orange
    mr-orange Posts: 16
    Thanks for the advice. Looks like I am going to pass on these ones. Would definitely look into getting a set of Rolf Elan's in the future.
  • Flambes
    Flambes Posts: 191
    I bought a pair for £45 from a bike jumble (knocked the seller down from £80 - chuffed!) anyway, rode them for a year around the hills of Devon and no problem until I was knocked off the bike, and that was the end of the rear one.
    Front still true despite many miles, the hub started creaking a few hundred miles ago, which was cured by greasing the spoke nipples in the hub (ooer).
    Overall, I loved them , they turned a mundane aluminum framed training bike into a light whippy thing.
    £200 does seem a lot though unless they are in top nick, as others have said as well, maintenance support is negligible.
    Weather info: http://www.staydry.me.uk
  • mr-orange
    mr-orange Posts: 16
    The wheels are brand new and include 2 Conti Podium tubs (thought these wheels were clincher only).

    I weigh 65kg and have never had a broken spoke on the W550 in over 4000km, so maybe this isn't such a bad deal.

    Any thoughts?
  • Flambes
    Flambes Posts: 191
    They do look very nice :wink: . If you're a tub man, then maybe go for it? They're light, bling, and at 65kg, you shouldn't trouble them.
    I weighed 85kg when I ran mine with no problem.
    Do it quick, or I may :twisted:
    Weather info: http://www.staydry.me.uk
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,575
    They are pretty rare in the UK as there is no longer a UK importer. A mate had a pair and he raved about them, light, stiff and aero.

    Any low spoke count wheel will be unrideable if a spoke goes, that's the price you pay for going for a lower spoke count. At your weight and that price I'd go for it. If you don't get on with them I'm sure you could sell them without taking much of a hit on price.
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,823
    Think Michael Hutchinson used Rolfs at one point a few years ago : if you're planning on them for TTs then they should suit fine, not a particularly deep rim but low spoke count and will spin-up nicely too by the sounds of things.

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