Which wheels would you recommend from the following?

123oldman
123oldman Posts: 268
edited July 2011 in Road buying advice
Hi Guys,

I've decided that I'm going to take the plunge and order a new wheel set for my Boardman Team Carbon.
After having spokes snap on the rear Ritchey Pro DS's which came on the bike originally, I bought a completely new set of Sapiem spokes and had the wheel re-built. The wheel has seen maybe another 300 miles or so since the re-build, on the Isle Of Wight Sportive last weekend I had another spoke snap on the drive side, luckily I managed to complete the event thanks to help from a friend.

Suffice to say after this second ocurrance, I'm now thinking of a better wheelset and having done some looking around I've come up with a few sets which I'm interested in.
I'm looking for an all round better wheel than the Ritchey's- lighter, quicker, stronger?.
I've got a budget in mind - Under £400/£450 but would like to keep the pricing down if possible!

The wheels I've short listed are :-
Shimano 6700 Ultegra - £216
2011 Mavic Ksyrium Equipe - £216
American Classic 420 Aero 3's - £400
If you have experience of any or opinions on the wheelsets,let me know.
:wink:

Comments

  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Worth using the search tool (the one in blue, top right) as this comes up, oh about every 20 seconds or so.

    For a few more hits, stick "RS80" into your search.
  • mclarent
    mclarent Posts: 784
    fulcrum racing 3
    "And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
    - eccolafilosofiadelpedale
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    I wouldn't spend more on wheels than the bikes worth
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    I wouldn't spend more on wheels than the bikes worth

    Why?
  • gilesjuk
    gilesjuk Posts: 340
    Because if you're looking to "feel" the difference the saddle, bars, bar tape, shifters and pedals are better value for money?

    If you want to go faster you're better trying to be more aero.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    gilesjuk wrote:
    Because if you're looking to "feel" the difference the saddle, bars, bar tape, shifters and pedals are better value for money?

    If you want to go faster you're better trying to be more aero.

    But the OP is looking for quality and reliability improvements as well, I assume, as "feel".

    Wheels and tyres are one of the most fundamental improvements you can make to a bike -good wheels will make a far bigger difference than replacing a frame and keeping existing components (caveats apply...)

    Nothing wrong with the frame anyway...
  • niblue
    niblue Posts: 1,387
    I'd go with the American Classics 'cause they look lovely.
  • 123oldman
    123oldman Posts: 268
    Out of interest - Does anyone know how much better the cheaper options listed are over the original Ritchey wheels?

    Having read various reviews,the wheels I've listed have pretty decent reports however I personally don't know of friends or other riders whom I ride with when out that have experience with either wheel.

    The AC's have excellent reviews and one of the guys I sometimes ride with has a set, his opinion of them is glowing(which is kinda why I've included them in the list).

    Ideally I'd like to spend less, but if it warrants the extra on the AC's then I could stretch my budget so to speak.

    So, if anyone has opinions to the two cheaper wheel sets, please feel free to share them.
    Thanks for all the response thus far, trust me it's all welcome! :)

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