Winter / training / commuting wheelset??

Gasco

Inspired purchasing / selling during the summer has left me with a Planet X SL Pro currently sitting on Ksyrium SLs (which I rather like).

The arrival of our first child plus a return to education (and that work thing) is limiting my opportunities to struggle up hills behind the boards crew. My cycling will be limited to long commutes for the foreseeable future.

I would like to "mind" the SLs until I can do them justice so am in the market for a sturdy, affordable wheelset.

Having read the Best budget wheelset ? thread from a little while ago - I think I am looking for something a little more budget.

Thus far been looking at:

Ksyrium Equipe which come in around the 300 mark.
Easton A70, a little cheaper.
Fulcrum Racing 5 at about 230.

I had Aksiums on a previous bike but found them rather flexible.

Any thoughts on the above, or can anyone recommend alternatives?

Thanks

G'co

Raam

Racing 7 are even cheaper. I use them on the trainer bike.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=13744

blorg

Worth considering handbuilts on that budget, Open Pros on Ultegra around €250 from a local shop, maybe a touch cheaper online. 32 spoke come in at 1,800g on the button which is a touch lighter than many entry-level factory wheels and they are very nice rolling. Arguably more repairable too.

Gasco

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the info.

The Racing 7s are at a very good price, cheaper than the usual suspects online and getting good reviews too, am tempted.

RE: the handbuilt wheels, have never encountered these, can you recommend a local shop (Dublin)?

G'co

Lumen

Gasco wrote: »

RE: the handbuilt wheels, have never encountered these, can you recommend a local shop (Dublin)?

In Dublin, Humphries and Cycleogical.

Online, Parker do handbuilt wheels, e.g. Open Pro 32/36 Ultegra for £244.51 including shipping to Ireland. I have a nicely built front Open Pro/DA from them. Note: they use silver spokes, not black.

penexpers

think cyclelogical charge 350 for Ultegra/Open Pro's.

rottenhat

penexpers wrote: »

think cyclelogical charge 350 for Ultegra/Open Pro's.

That seems a bit excessive - I got a rear Ultegra/Open Pro from Joe Daly a couple of months ago and I don't think I paid more than €120-40.

blorg

I got mine from Joe Daly's in Dundrum for under that Parker price. €250 the pair.

penexpers

rottenhat wrote: »

That seems a bit excessive - I got a rear Ultegra/Open Pro from Joe Daly a couple of months ago and I don't think I paid more than €120-40.

That's what I though - maybe the guy was confused or something.

biker_joe

I have used over the winters .... any mavic rim built on a tiagra hubs, nice and cheap, and very servicable ... and this winter and last winter Shimano RS 20's ...cheap too .....
I am always prepared to feck training wheels out after 2/3 winters .......

Biker Joe

blorg

biker_joe wrote: »

I have used over the winters .... any mavic rim built on a tiagra hubs, nice and cheap, and very servicable ... and this winter and last winter Shimano RS 20's ...cheap too .....
I am always prepared to feck training wheels out after 2/3 winters .......

Biker Joe

Also worth considering to save a few quid, likely the only difference is a bit of weight. I have a Tiagra rear hub that has been through three different Mavic rims at this stage and is still going strong.

Ryaner

I ride Open Pros with ultegra hubs. They have taken some beating over the past few months and stayed rock solid. Humpries did them for around 250 I think.

pgibbo

Showing my ignorance here - are these prices just for the wheels? I assume the rear cassette is extra? Does it typically cost much to get a cassette added, labour wise. I know the cost of the actual cassettes vary. Cheers.

blorg

pgibbo wrote: »

Showing my ignorance here - are these prices just for the wheels? I assume the rear cassette is extra? Does it typically cost much to get a cassette added, labour wise. I know the cost of the actual cassettes vary. Cheers.

Yes, just for the wheels. Generally there would not be much of a labour charge for fitting a cassette, it is a two second job. You just need a lockring tool.