Wheels again, sorry

davidmiller
davidmiller Posts: 320
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
So the rear wheel on my Trek 2000 is shot - rims have gone. They are Bontrager Race X lite's which I think are "quite" good(?). I could replace like for like or use it as an opportunity to up-grade. What should I buy??

I use the bike to commute in summer into Cambridge (10m each way), for local sunday rides and the odd sportive in the uk mountains - so not much climbing.

Many thanks for your advice,

David

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Budget?
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    don't know. I'm not skint but there are plenty of other things I could spend it on.

    I guess the question is what do I need to spend to get a set of wheels that will be noticably better (and which wheels)??

    DM
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    In that case, some Mavic Open Pro rims with Chris King Hubs and some good Sapim or DT Swiss Spokes...

    Not cheap, not too expensive, but bloody good!
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    Thanks for the reply.

    Quick google search suggest those hubs will come in at over £300, 40 for the rims + spoke + building - seems like a lot when I could get some ksyriums for that.

    By the way, how long ago was the picture in your avatar taken - you look a bit older in the one on your Twitter page!!

    DM
  • ACMadone
    ACMadone Posts: 300
    Bontrager Race X lite's are a pretty good wheel. I couldn't decide between those and some Ksyrium ES so bought both. Must say the Ksyriums seem a better build and a little more bomb proof, but still like to run my X lite's as I find them smoother.
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    how about I just get the back rebuilt on a mavic open pro rim????
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    DavidMiller wrote:
    how about I just get the back rebuilt on a mavic open pro rim????

    If it's the 20-spoke paired pattern design you won't get an Open Pro rim to suit (or any bog-standard rim). Mavic list open pros in 28/32/36h.

    You might get a Velocity Deep V rim in 20h.

    Neil
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    ACMadone wrote:
    Bontrager Race X lite's are a pretty good wheel. I couldn't decide between those and some Ksyrium ES so bought both. Must say the Ksyriums seem a better build and a little more bomb proof, but still like to run my X lite's as I find them smoother.

    imo no Bontrager wheels are 'pretty good wheels'. Thin, spindly things that quickly go out of true and don't last. But each to their own I guess. Ksyriums are waaaaay better wheels.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    handbuilts

    OPs or Ambrosio Excellights on 105/Ultegra/Hope Pro3 hubs (Tune/PMP/DA if you're feeling flush). DT spokes, prolock nipples, built by a good builder.


    factory
    A mate just bought some 09 Kysrium Elites (£360 at Merlin) which look good and he likes them.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    Right, so I can get a mavic open road on a 105 hub JUST for the back from my LBS for £114 or I can go the whole hog and get a PAIR of hand built mavic open roads on ultegra hubs from Paul Hewitt. I love the idea of getting some hand built wheels but the difference in money could buy me lots of nice stuff!!!! Or could pay for me to go and ride somewhere nicer than Cambridgeshire!!!

    Help guys :?: :?: :?:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    This is an interesting site...


    http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Paul builds all my wheels and every one has been spot on, and he's a good guy. Okay, you can get cheaper but the build quality is worth it IMO, in terms of long term satisfaction.

    My advice would be spend the money :wink: : OPs on Ultegra, DT DB spokes, plain gauge rear driveside (Paul likes this setup), prolock nipples, then finish off with Michelin PR3/Conti GP4000S/Schwalbe Ultremos. Not superlight admittedly (28h will be a tad lighter than 32h), but stiff and reliable.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Paul Hewitt - good bloke and great wheelbuilder! Highly recommended.
  • davidmiller
    davidmiller Posts: 320
    just to prove I do listen to you guys occassionally I ordered some Mavic open roads on Ultegra rims from Paul Hewitts today. It means I'm gonna be without a road bike for another week but hopefully worth it.

    Did I read somewhere that handbuilt wheels need checking after a few miles?????

    Cheers,

    DM
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I doubt if they will if PH is buiding them ...
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    they'll be fine

    My best wheels built by Paul have been in use for in over a year, and they're still perfectly true.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer

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