Wheels for Long rides in winter

Mendip rouleur
Mendip rouleur Posts: 163
edited November 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm looking to upgrade my wheels, and will be doing long winter rides to get my base miles in for the Raid Pyrenean I'm planning next year. Will be doing 40-60 miles at a stretch before building up in the Spring.

The man in my LBS has suggested either DT Swiss or Fast Forwards. I'm a complete idiot in terms of knowledge her, so all advice gratefully received.
“I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”

http://mendiprouleur.blogspot.com/

Comments

  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I have a handbuilt pair of Shimano 105 32h hubs, laced to Mavic Open Pro rims. A very popular winter wheel, strong and long lasting. Not too expensive, either.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Budget?
  • Mendip rouleur
    Mendip rouleur Posts: 163
    Ideally up to about 5-600, but I'll go more for a really good set that will last!
    “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”

    http://mendiprouleur.blogspot.com/
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    £600 on winter wheels? Madness :?
    More problems but still living....
  • spanielsson
    spanielsson Posts: 776
    Chris King hubs on Ambrosio or Mavic Open Pro rims.

    You would never need to change a bearing with a CK hub.
  • karlmoreton
    karlmoreton Posts: 98
    I would stick to handbuilts, even with that budget. Poshbikes may be worth a look but would recommend ambrosio excellite rims on ultegra/dura ace hubs- that is assuming your running shimano. Prehaps even using a respected wheel builder like pete mathews.

    Currently have some shimano RS20's that have snapped a spoke, no spares are available from the madison till December, hence the recommendation of hand built wheels where spare parts can be source from any good bikeshop or halfords :D

    I have also had similar experiences with Mavic Ksyriums elites, parts are not readily available and they have to be sent away for warranty repairs. This is not what you need when you are increasing you mileage for the raid pyrenean.

    Good Luck, the raid is very tiring
    Focus Cayo
    Planet x stealth
    Ritchey Breakaway Steel Cross
    Specialized Singlecross Fixed 46:16
  • psdrage
    psdrage Posts: 26
    Hi

    I have got a set of Hand Built Wheels, Ultegra Hubs, Mavic CXP33 Rims, 36H, DT Swiss Spokes.

    They are bullet proof and cost £250 for the pair. I agree on previous comment £600 on winter wheels total madness !!!!

    Regards

    Peter
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    psdrage wrote:
    Hi

    I have got a set of Hand Built Wheels, Ultegra Hubs, Mavic CXP33 Rims, 36H, DT Swiss Spokes.

    They are bullet proof and cost £250 for the pair. I agree on previous comment £600 on winter wheels total madness !!!!

    Regards

    Peter

    +1 except mine are 32H

    Were 180-ish quid from Paul Hewitt in Leyland. Taken some big hits and remain true.
    VN BMC Cube SS
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Are you minted? In that case, I'll have some Campag Boras off you :lol:

    Seriously, stick to something like Fulcrum 7's for winter, and don't bother with super tyres either (just as long as they're bullet-proof).

    Then come summer, spend the £600 on something like Mavic Ksyrium SL's or Campag Shamals (if you can stretch a bit).
  • Mendip rouleur
    Mendip rouleur Posts: 163
    Thanks guys, like I said, I know nothing, I just have some savings....
    “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”

    http://mendiprouleur.blogspot.com/
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Chris King Hubs, Open Pro Ceramic rims, Sapim CX Ray spokes....

    In fact they's also be awesome all year round...
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    If you're going to looka after your kit, no reason you shouldn't spend what you want on wheels. I ride the same wheels all year round (except on 531 commuter) - Kysrium Elites on both bikes - the roads don't suddenly get more potholes in winter which disapear in Spring. You just need to check bearings and grease regularly.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Chris King Hubs, Open Pro Ceramic rims, Sapim CX Ray spokes....

    In fact they's also be awesome all year round...

    Can't really better that combo. That set of wheels should last for years
    M.Rushton
  • brownleather
    brownleather Posts: 114
    Apparently the newer Open Pro Ceramics are failing rather often - the ceramic is flaking off.
    spamspam.jpg
  • akkers
    akkers Posts: 140
    I use Fulcrum Racing Zeros in winter and I absolutely love em.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    brownleather wrote:
    Apparently the newer Open Pro Ceramics are failing rather often - the ceramic is flaking off.

    Please substantiate...
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    NapoleonD wrote:
    brownleather wrote:
    Apparently the newer Open Pro Ceramics are failing rather often - the ceramic is flaking off.

    Please substantiate...

    Indeed, I'd like to know if quality has gone down. Ceramic can flake off, but that's always been the case with heavily abused ceramic rims. I want to know if QC has suddenly decreased as I'm in the market for some good winter wheels and ceramics fit the bill (sick of getting that grey crap all over me, the bike and my hands - especially after a puncture).
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    Some small patches of my year old Open Pro Ceramics have pitted/flaked - but they still stop great and better still I don't get the grey/black sludge after a wet ride
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • turnerjohn
    turnerjohn Posts: 1,069
    amaferanga wrote:
    £600 on winter wheels? Madness :?

    +1 !!!!

Categories