Velocity USA Uriel

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Bluck. Bluck. Bluck. Way too flexy. Tried to get them retensioned and the wheel guy said, "not wasting my time and your money on these. I wouldn't take a pair for free.

Weaknesses:
Too flexy. Cruddy generic spokes. Blew a spoke out and it destroyed my Dura Ace derailleur. I hate you, Velocity Uriel wheelsets. Front wheel had problems staying in true.

Price Paid:  $180.00 at Chucks Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Any

Summary:
For the 650c wheels. Fairly aero, very light. Ride fantastic. Really good compromise between the more aero Spartacus and the lighter Nuvian. For the price, can't go wrong.

Strengths:
Light, aero, haven't had to true in over a year.

Weaknesses:
Haven't experienced any, but I guess they are not as aero as a Spartacus Pro

Similar Products Used:
Rolf Vectors

Price Paid:  $150.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
one w/ocean view

Bike Setup:
Classic Schwinn Circuit frame Frankenstein'd into a 19 lb. flat bar roadie.

Summary:
I bought these very slightly used. I was going to put them on my primary (Kestrel) road bike and switch the Alex A300 wheels that are currently on it to my flat bar road bike (Schwinn), thinking it would be a mild upgrade. After riding them a bit on both bikes I've concluded that I like the Alex wheels better. They're staying on the Kestrel and the Uriels are on the flat bar bike. Even though they have more spokes (24/28 vs. Uriels' 20/24), the A300s are lighter. They're also stiffer, roll just a tad smoother, have a better braking surface, and have a quieter freehub. Maybe the Uriels will last longer because they theoretically have a better rear bearing setup. If they do, I guess I can switch them then. The Uriels are really nice wheels and I would recommend them at the price I paid, but there are certainly worthy alternatives at the same price point.

Strengths:
Well built (in USA), aero spokes, good looking mid-aero profile, rear 4-bearing setup

Weaknesses:
Seem a bit soft. When I first touched up the true the spoke tension seemed pretty low, especially in the rear. Kinda surprising for a "race" wheel. Freehub is noisier than some others - nothing intolerable, though. I was also surprised that the new-ish Kool Stop brake pads that grabbed my other wheels like a claw seemed to slip a lot more on the Uriels' braking surface.

Similar Products Used:
Alex A300 as mentioned, all manner of Mavic, Shimano, Campy, Wolber, etc.