Wheels for tricross

kev_gray
kev_gray Posts: 44
edited March 2012 in Commuting general
So the rear wheel on my trusty tricross finally gave up the ghost and the rim bent then split after puncture/bad road incident. I can't really complain as its been a good few years and several miles in all weather and conditions. The question now is what can I get to replace it. I have decided on just replacing both front and rear so with wheelsets in mind what ones are good/bad/shocking?
Main use will be for getting to work and back on mostly cycle paths etc, some bad roads. My budget is roughly around the £100 mark, stretching to £150 I would say as long as the wife does not find out. So far I have seen the following sets:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fulcrum-racing- ... -wheelset/
(seen a few recommendations for these elsewhere)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-kham ... -wheelset/
(not heard much about these but says CX wheel so guessing sturdy)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=76730
(Cheap, are they and good?)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... 7_wheelset
(Heard a few good things about planet X bikes but nothing about wheels)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPS ... r_wheelset
(Also seem a bargin price, what are they like compared to the 501's above?)

As you can tell from above I really have no idea what is best, if anyone has any suggestions on which of the above is best or even something else that would be better it would be greatly appreciated! These wheel things are far too confusing!

Comments

  • Mr Plum
    Mr Plum Posts: 1,097
    I'm using the Shimano RS30 wheelset on my Tricross at the moment. They seem ok but are fairly heavy, fine once you get them rolling though. For the money you could do a lot worse than the Planet X model C wheelset - relatively light and built for strength, ideal for commuting and within budget. I reckon I should have gone for those myself over the RS30s.
    FCN 2 to 8
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    This was the recommendation I got from Spa Cycles:

    > I would recommend a pair of Deore hubs built into Rigida Snyper rims. These
    > will take tyres down to 25mm and up to 40mm max. The rims and hubs are
    > available in black. We only build with silver S/steel spokes. These wheels
    > would cost £148 and delivery FedEx would be £5. Rim tapes are included FOC.

    Hand built and bloody good. 36 spoke but they really aren't too heavy. I've not needed to adjust since buying them back in August last year.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • kev_gray
    kev_gray Posts: 44
    Thanks guys, so whats the benifits of having the hand built ones? Might take a look at the planet X ones if hand built aint much better.
  • jejv
    jejv Posts: 566
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    This was the recommendation I got from Spa Cycles:

    > I would recommend a pair of Deore hubs built into Rigida Snyper rims.
    [...]

    Hand built and bloody good. 36 spoke but they really aren't too heavy. I've not needed to adjust since buying them back in August last year.
    Did they (?Colin?) mean Tiagra ? I guess a Tricoss has 130mm dropouts.
    But yeah, Spa will make far tougher wheels than the machine-built road wheels the OP mentioned.
    Dunno why Cross bikes don't have 135mm dropouts, like MTBs.
  • Twostage
    Twostage Posts: 987
    If you can stretch a bit more (£170) - I got some halo aerorage for Christmas for my commuter. Really nice wheels, quite light (the box they came in felt empty), 24 spokes front and 32 rear. Very clicky freehub which is useful for letting pedestrians know you are coming.
    Very smooth running.
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    jejv wrote:
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    This was the recommendation I got from Spa Cycles:

    > I would recommend a pair of Deore hubs built into Rigida Snyper rims.
    [...]

    Hand built and bloody good. 36 spoke but they really aren't too heavy. I've not needed to adjust since buying them back in August last year.
    Did they (?Colin?) mean Tiagra ? I guess a Tricoss has 130mm dropouts.
    But yeah, Spa will make far tougher wheels than the machine-built road wheels the OP mentioned.
    Dunno why Cross bikes don't have 135mm dropouts, like MTBs.

    Don't know about the tricross, but my Boardman CX has 135mm spacing.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • scrumpydave
    scrumpydave Posts: 143
    Tricross has 130mm spacing. Mine (2009 Sport) has anyway.
    Riding the Etape du Tour for Beating Bowel Cancer - click to donate http://bit.ly/P9eBbM
  • kev_gray
    kev_gray Posts: 44
    Hi guys,
    I know it has been a bit of time since posting this but just want to put up a conclusion for anyone searching. I ended up going for the planet X A57 wheels as they had a deal of wheel, new tyres and tubes for £119.99. I have to say excellent choice, the wheels were delivered next day and got them Friday. Have had a few runs out on them and they just feel so light and are a major improvement on the stock wheels. Fitted the tricross perfectly as well.

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