Wheel Decision - Your advice please.
simon johnson
Posts: 1,064
This is essentially a factory vs handbuilt debate, with cost to consider too.
I'm looking to replace my Eastons and the red corner are IRD rims on Extralight Hubs with CR X-Ray spokes @ £750 built by W.Smith. Blue corner is the factory duo: either Dura -Ace carbon clinchers or Hed Ardennes both around £500-£600.
The handbuilts are surely lighter but pricier. The factories are cheaper and, I guess, more durable? I don't know what gives me that impression, maybe it's the hubs being called 'Extralite'!
The wheels will be used mainly for weekend runs, but only in the dry as far as I can help it, and will see me enter my first racing season next year. I weigh in at 70kg and like a climb.
I'm thinking that for the cost of the handbuilts I could buy the factories and still have change for a cheaper set of sub wheels. But the handbuilts just sound great. Anybody got any idea of shelve life?
Help please, it'd be much appreciated. I feel a little burnt after my Easton experience so I'm trying to do as much reseach as possible this time. Also, given people's reviews I feel that I can trust Derek, the builder, which counts for a lot IMO if they're are problems in the future.
I'm looking to replace my Eastons and the red corner are IRD rims on Extralight Hubs with CR X-Ray spokes @ £750 built by W.Smith. Blue corner is the factory duo: either Dura -Ace carbon clinchers or Hed Ardennes both around £500-£600.
The handbuilts are surely lighter but pricier. The factories are cheaper and, I guess, more durable? I don't know what gives me that impression, maybe it's the hubs being called 'Extralite'!
The wheels will be used mainly for weekend runs, but only in the dry as far as I can help it, and will see me enter my first racing season next year. I weigh in at 70kg and like a climb.
I'm thinking that for the cost of the handbuilts I could buy the factories and still have change for a cheaper set of sub wheels. But the handbuilts just sound great. Anybody got any idea of shelve life?
Help please, it'd be much appreciated. I feel a little burnt after my Easton experience so I'm trying to do as much reseach as possible this time. Also, given people's reviews I feel that I can trust Derek, the builder, which counts for a lot IMO if they're are problems in the future.
Where\'s me jumper?
0
Comments
-
The Extralight hubs should be excellent (the best of the options above) so I'd go hand built. If you want to save some cash from that very nice build then the PMP hubs may not be light weights but they'll last and last (or Tune hubs will save you £100 from the price you've listed and I'm told don't squeak anymore).0
