Wheelset recommendations

bobgfish
bobgfish Posts: 545
edited March 2011 in Road buying advice
Hello
I've got a cheap factory set of wheels currently fitted to my Road bike. They are no name hubs with Mavic CXP22 rims. The freehub is about to die after nearly 5000KM and I'm having some trouble getting a replacement. The front is 28 spoke cross and the rear is 32 spoke 3 cross. I have no idea of the weight.

I mainly commute to work over many Dutch cobbles with not to much city riding. I plan on doing less commuting and more sportives etc and maybe ride 500-600 Km a week

I'm thinking about a getting a new set of wheels but they all seem to be light weight with maybe 20 spokes. I'm after a reasonable priced pair of wheels that will see me through a good few years and hopefully be a bit faster than the current ones. The only wheels that so far really appeal are the Hope Hoops Pro3 RS-Mono. I've had very good experience with MTB wheels from them (especially the hubs).

Are these any good? Although perhaps a bit safe and not very fast? What are other good options? I'm a bit wary of these 20 spoke jobs that all seem to be radial laced as I think they will be harsh to ride and will not have a long lifespan. Am i right to be wary? Are the 28/32 cross jobs to much these days? When I raced 20 years ago nobody had wheels with less than 24 spokes....

Thanks

Comments

  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    Have a word with Harry - he knows his stuff and uses only top quality stuff (especially spokes).

    http://www.harryrowland.co.uk/7352.html
  • marksteven
    marksteven Posts: 208
    +1 for harry top geezer best wheel builder & to honest for his own good i own 7 bkes all got harry hoops on them :D
  • bobgfish
    bobgfish Posts: 545
    Does he post to the Netherlands? I can get the same done here by a local guy. Was thinking factory wheels with no real reason...Hoping for advise to stay away from factory wheels or get custom...Are radial's harsh and three cross more comfortably etc. How many spokes is to many?
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    Read Harry's comments about radial spoking on his website. I'm sure that he would send to Netherlands..
  • 58585
    58585 Posts: 207
    Assuming you are average weight then there is definitely no reason to avoid factory wheels. I have had very good experience with campagnolo.
    For the type of riding you describe I wouldn't worry about finding something "fast".

    Campagnolo neutron wheels (22/24 spokes) would be a good choice, or the fulcrum equivalent (?) if you ride shimano. Otherwise a set of mavic open pro/ambrosio rims built on record/dt240 hubs (32 hole) are the obvious choice for me.