Which cheap wheels

mowflow

I'm a pleasure rider (read as don't race). I ride a Ribble Audax all year round because I got it for free and can't afford anything better. I do around 80 - 100 miles a week over 2 rides on roads that involve some potholes, rough surfaces and badly fitted drains. I weigh 73kg (I believe this is relevant) and am pretty fit so like to absolutely hammer it and go as fast as possible when riding although I'm not particularly hard on my equipment. The wheels on the Ribble are long past worn out, the braking surface is now a deep V with no sign of the wear indicator line.

I really need a wheelset for around £100 that will be used as above. I want them to be fast, last a while, take a campagnolo cassette and just generally not be any worse than what's on the bike (Bontrager race lite front and mavic Aksium rear)

What would be the best choice

Planet X Model B
Fulcrum Racing 7
Pro-lite Luciano
Campagnolo Vento Reaction
Any other suggestions???

rolf_f

Alternative to Vento Reaction = the cheaper Khamsins. I have both and don't really notice the difference on the bike (though I've not analysed performance between the two). They are heavier but not massively so.

mowflow

I was thinking about the Khamsins. I guess the difference in weight between them and the ones I've listed is probably only about as much as a full water bottle or a decent breakfast. So you rate those wheels then?

Wrath Rob

Mavic Aksiums, though they may be slightly above your budget. Fast and robust. I got mine last year for £100 in a sale, so worth keeping an eye out on the mid year sales.

rolf_f

mowflow wrote:

I was thinking about the Khamsins. I guess the difference in weight between them and the ones I've listed is probably only about as much as a full water bottle or a decent breakfast. So you rate those wheels then?

The Khamsins are OK - they are my winter wheels for my non winter commuter! I only ran them for a while with crap tyres until one of the tyres split and I put the Ventos on with Durano tyres. Difference is less than 150 grams and even with better tyres the difference isn't much. On the other hand, my Neutrons really do make a difference.

I only got the Khamsins as they were all I could get on the bike. The Ventos were from Ribble at less than their current Khamsin price so seemed too good a deal to miss. I'd probably buy the Ventos if I currently had neither but if the £20 price diff (Ribble prices) matters, then I'm not convinced there is a real tangible difference between the two.

I think any Campagnolo wheel is a safe purchase though.

ajb72

I have run Fulcrum 7's for the last 2 years as winter wheels. They have been flawless - still running true and the bearings seem fine, I've not needed to trip them down or service them yet. The finish is surprisingly good too at the price point, mine still look as new.

Not the lightest (and quite a noisy freehub unless they've upgraded them in the last couple of years) but if you want a dependable wheelset you cannot go wrong.

PhilofCas

Rolf F wrote:

mowflow wrote:

I was thinking about the Khamsins. I guess the difference in weight between them and the ones I've listed is probably only about as much as a full water bottle or a decent breakfast. So you rate those wheels then?

The Khamsins are OK - they are my winter wheels for my non winter commuter! I only ran them for a while with crap tyres until one of the tyres split and I put the Ventos on with Durano tyres. Difference is less than 150 grams and even with better tyres the difference isn't much. On the other hand, my Neutrons really do make a difference.

I only got the Khamsins as they were all I could get on the bike. The Ventos were from Ribble at less than their current Khamsin price so seemed too good a deal to miss. I'd probably buy the Ventos if I currently had neither but if the £20 price diff (Ribble prices) matters, then I'm not convinced there is a real tangible difference between the two.

I think any Campagnolo wheel is a safe purchase though.

I have Khamsin's, they seem really well built, the front hub is silky smooth, freehub on rear a tad noisy but fine, they feel like they'll last really well.

Just to pick up on your comment on the Neutron's Rolf, what aspect is the main difference over the Khamsins?, i'm thinking of these as a future upgrade maybe, thanks very much