What wheels for £300?

jim42

Looking or some advice - I'm after a set of handbuilt wheels and am struggling to make a decision. Budget is £300 and I am leanig towards a set of Ambrosio Excellight on Ambrosio hubs (32/36) from Harry Rowland for £270. The rims seem to get good reviews but I can't find much about the hubs. Other option would be Ulegra hubs for an extra £25. I'd like to keep the weight down but I'm 15 stone so mightful of broken spokes. Type of cycling I do is 50 mile fast trips three times a week. Might start to try my hand at a few sportives this summer.

Ribble have got a special on this weekend and I've just seen 2011 Fulcrum Racing 3's on for £359 - 1555g v's 1800g for the Ambrosio - what to do :shock:

Harry182

Mr Rowland's wheel building knowledge is encyclopaedic -- I'd go with whatever he recommends. I've not had experience with Ambrosio hubs - I think they're made by Joytech? - but the Exellight rim/ Ambrosio hub combo sounds very classy.

maddog 2

I think handbuilts are the way to go. Excellights are good rims too. Just get the best hubs the budget can stretch to. The front hub is less crucial but rear hubs take a battering.

troj

Do you normally break spokes? I'm a 100 kg and I use Campy Eurus which are all most the same level as Fulcrum 3 and have no problems. They will feel faster than the hand builds but I doubt they will be as strong or if something goes wrong as easy to get replacement parts ie spoke. I'm building up a pair of mavic open pro's on Hope hubs 28/32 for my commuter/cyclocross bike which I think will be a good long term investment over factory wheels.
It;s up to you what you are ultimately after in a wheel set.

jim42

I've never broken a spoke but reading reviews it's something I'm cautious of.

What I'm after is light weight, strength and they've got to look good. I like the polished silver hub with stainless spokes due to the glint factor but the Fulcrums seem to be a better performance option.

I suppose it comes down to what difference would I notice between the 2 options i.e speed, comfort, .....

Canny Jock

Just to confuse things a little more - if you are looking at factory wheels I've been looking at a similar level, and for sportive type riding I think I'll go for Campagnolo Neutrons. Similar quality to Racing 3's but maybe a bit more forgiving. They are supposed to be an excellent all round wheel.

I was also looking at Zonda/Eurus but don't need the aero profile or extra stiffness.

Neutrons are also on offer at Ribble:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... AMPWHFR425

Having said all that, I can appreciate the handbuilt argument above, I'm a lighter rider so don't worry as much about breaking spokes.

Wheelie Bin

Factory: Neutrons - if you can find them for £300.00!? Otherwise those Ambrosio's are a good choice... I think I had them made with Zenith hubs... it was a classic build.

Chris McG

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... EQUIPE.htm

Chip \'oyler

I have a pair of handbuilt IRD Aero rims on Novatec Lite's (which are essentially the same hub as the Ambrosio's) which are light and stiff - a great all round wheelset.

£318 from Derek at www.wheelsmith.co.uk

glasgowbhoy

DRC Cx/R rims on Hope Hubs and Michelin Pro Race III tyres for about £300.

Give Al at wheelcraft a call.

These wheels are great for racing, strong and roll beautifully.