GUB VALIANT @ 1850g any good?

timtak

I generally get my bike gear online from China. There are 2013 Aksium wheelsets from there for about 170USD but something called a "GUB Valiant" (looking like Campagnolo G3s https://goo.gl/9g5C6a) weighing a similar-to-aksium (and G3) 1850g but for about 30% less than old Aksiums (with their plastic freewheel bush).

Aliexpress search link with NO affiliation.
https://goo.gl/G6mQUd

Should anyone have any experience or thoughts on these GUB Valiant, wheels please let me know. Since I know that Aksiums have issues, I am tempted.

shortfall

Cheap Ali Express Campagnolo imitation wheels. What could possibly go wrong?

arlowood

Shortfall wrote:

Cheap Ali Express Campagnolo imitation wheels. What could possibly go wrong?

Also don't see any indication of what hub is on offer - Shimano or Campag. No option on to select what you need as far as I can see.

Avoid like the plague

trailflow

You'll likely be hit with import duty fee's on wheels from China.

Do the 2017 Askiums have a plastic freewheel bush ?

They are £109 here from France with free shipping to the UK (EU so no import fee's)
https://www.acycles.co.uk/mavic-aksium- ... 7QodJJcOmg

What about Campagnolo Khamsin with the G3 spoke pattern at £120 delivered ?
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/campagnol ... #pid=28977

timtak

Thank you Trailfow

As you point out, there is import duty on anything above 16,666 yen including postage to Japan (where I am) so I would have to pay a little tax on the Campags, but not the Gubs.

I think that 2017 Aksiums no longer have the plastic freewheel bush. But alas, Acycles Web interface said " Sorry, no quotes are available for this order at this time." because there are no shipping methods to my destination.

The Campagnolos however can be had from Ribble for only 20% more than the GUB Valiants.

> Cheap Ali Express Campagnolo imitation wheels. What could possibly go wrong?
Not a lot in my experience, especially because the lower end campy and fulcrum wheels may well be made in the same Taiwanese factory
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/campag ... 69679.html
http://www.campyonly.com/rumors.html#march22
IF this is the case I would rather not pay the 20% markup for a campy label.

But alas, the GUB wheels are described as weighing 500g more on the GUB homepage
http://www.gubbike.net/article/show.asp?id=1672

I will seriously consider the Campagnolos from Ribble. Thanks again.

super_davo

Do you need Shimano or Campag fitment? 10 or 11 speed? The wheels you linked to don't specify. If Shimano 10 speed, just get R501s which are about £70 and perfectly serviceable (or RS010 if 11 speed). I use them as my winter wheels as they can take abuse and are cheap to replace. I actually use them on a Campag drivetrain with an Ambrosio converter cassette. If 11 speed just use a Shimano cassette which are cheaper anyway.

Khamsins are effectively the Campag equivalent, and a good choice.

To me the savings for the ones you linked to are no way worth the risks of safety, longevity, ease of servicing Vs originals.

Fyi Fulcrum are a Campag subsidiary, so hardly the same as an Aliexpress knock off!

timtak

I need Shimano 10s. I am sure that the Aliexpress sellers will supply the Shimano 10s, if without the spacer. Not so sure about Campy in Asia.

You are right it is a risk.

I will look into Shimano r501s. Thank you. Not bad. They can be had cheaper @ 10000 yen per pair here in Japan. They are almost the same weight (1900 grams) and I can also purchase just the front here in Japan for 5000 yen, and use them with my just about usable rear Aksiums. That said, I may miss bladed spokes.

Some versions of the Shimano's have bladed spokes.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/shimano-p ... #pid=20525

Bobbinogs

timtak wrote:

... That said, I may miss bladed spokes...

Apart from being a tart, in what way would you miss bladed spokes? Let's face it, there is not much of a bling factor or performance boost in the utilitarian wheels you are looking at so why not just accept there is a compromise to be had? The RS wheels are a great VFM option that also offer excellent maintenance due to cup/cone bearings that, if checked over twice a year, will outlast the rims. Forget all that knockoff crap, by buying it you are funding fraudsters and taking a risk when the savings are minimal at best.

rolf_f

Bobbinogs wrote:

timtak wrote:

... That said, I may miss bladed spokes...

Apart from being a tart, in what way would you miss bladed spokes? Let's face it, there is not much of a bling factor or performance boost in the utilitarian wheels you are looking at so why not just accept there is a compromise to be had? The RS wheels are a great VFM option that also offer excellent maintenance due to cup/cone bearings that, if checked over twice a year, will outlast the rims. Forget all that knockoff crap, by buying it you are funding fraudsters and taking a risk when the savings are minimal at best.

I wouldn't say cup and cone are necessarily better than sealed bearings in terms of maintenance. Sealed bearings are fit and forget and cost very little to replace - so if you can do that work yourself then the sealed bearing hub will equally outlast the rims. I think I could easily screw up a cup and cone setup on my commuter!

timtak

Oh dear, I don't want cup and cone bearings. All my hubs, with sealed bearings, outlast the rims without having to look at them once.

I am not sure if the blade spokes make a difference but I like the sound, a faint hum, of my fulcrums as they cut the air. Blink as maybe.

People keep describing aliexpress stuff as knock offs. I think that the stuff I buy from Asia is the real thing and the stuff that is labelled with some bike shop and racer sponsoring brand is the knock off. The stuff I buy from aliexpress, almost without exception, works great. Sometimes, rarely, there are lemons, but every time I purchase a branded item I know I am buying a lot of hot air.

GUB Bike confirmed the weight. Apparently these are an older model. Perhaps there were too few spokes. I am fairly light, like risks, China, and the look of the G3 Style, so made a purchase.