Reynolds Alta Comp

Price Paid:  $150.00 at Excel Sports

Favorite Ride:
Spearfish Canyon

Bike Setup:
Cann. Caad 5, Shimano 105 STI shifters derailleurs, Helium wheelset, Thompson seatpost, Dia Comp Ti. brakeset, FSA compact crank, Dura-Ace 12-27 cass. Flight seat, Campy headset

Summary:
I called Excel Sports and asked what was their best deal for the dollar on clincher wheelset. They thought Renolds Alta Comp wheelset was best bang for buck. For $150.00 was surprised with performance, ride, speed on flats, handling even during high cross winds, climbing not bad, best down hill wheelset ever had. Thought had it made! Untill 3 months later started breaking non drive side spokes at nipple.
Then cass. mechanism went bad. E-mailed Renolds, they e-mailed right back but no help. Buy if you don't mind possibly ending up with a good front wheel, extra 24 hole rim and set of skewer's. Maybe need to go back to stronger 32 hole cross three wheels and train harder to go faster?

Strengths:
Flat land high speed, sprinting, ride was good, hubs have great bearing's, fit and finish seems to be very high.

Weaknesses:
Rear spoke breakage, Cass. metal soft, little heavy but what do you expect for the price. Not such a good deal when add up missed rides!

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Helium's
American Classic 420?

Price Paid:  $100.00 at Craigslist

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
stock Giant OCR w/ rack and panniers

Summary:
I hated the set of Xero wheels that came on my bike so I picked these up off Craigslist never used just to have anything other than those crappy Xeros. So far I've put over 1000 commuter miles on these. That's about 35 miles per day with sections of construction and dirt paths. Spoke tension is still strong, true as they day they got out of the factory, and free spinning hubs to this day.

Strengths:
For the money you can get a set of these for, they can't be beat. The Reynolds hubs are still some of the best, even if these are the least expensive wheels they sell.

Weaknesses:
Not the lightest or stiffest, but for the money who cares.

Similar Products Used:
Xero, Mavic, Shimano

Price Paid:  $0.00 at pedal sports

Favorite Ride:
spook rock

Bike Setup:
Fuji Team RC, Shimano Dura-ace all around

Summary:
This wheelset has been decent. I like the stiffness and deep profile. I haven't had any problems with breaking spokes (I weigh in @ 175 lbs.) Although, I did have to return them to reyonlds to replace the freehub after 2000 miles. Other than that they are solid and as true as the day I rode them out of the shop. Reynolds customers service was top notch.

Strengths:
Solid wheel without being punished.

Weaknesses:
Freehub.

Similar Products Used:
Tempest II

Price Paid:  $115.00 at E-Bay

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Dam Mt Tam Marin County

Bike Setup:
Ibis Silk Ti Sram Force 10, FSA Carbon Cranks.

Summary:
You get what you pay for. I needed a set of spare wheels for the winter season. At 115 with the Reynolds brand, how bad could they be. With less then 750 miles on these wheels I broke 4 spokes on a fairly flat low intensity training ride. Three non drive side spokes at the nipple, one drive side at the hub, left me walking to a close by shop for emergency repair. Replaced 5 spokes, and made it home. Freehub already showing sign of wear from the cassette. I wrote Reynolds to see what they would do about these wheels. I have high hopes based upon their good name and quality of forks, etc. Will post when I find out what they offer, in the meantime I would avoid these wheels. Poor build quality, spokes, freehub body and hubs.

Strengths:
Price maybe, but do not confuse price with value

Weaknesses:
Spokes, hubs, wt, durability, all of the above

Similar Products Used:
FSA 200

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Prout's Neck + Cape Elizabeth, ME

Bike Setup:
Airborne Thunderbolt w/Ultegra

Summary:
Thank God they don't make this wheelset anymore! These wheels came on my Airborne Thunderbolt. I put about 375 miles on mine and replaced three spokes on the rear wheel, had the rear wheel rebuilt by Reynolds (on their dime, I just paid shipping) and then broke another spoke and developed hub problems. Avoid if you are even close to 200lb. as I am. You can buy the wheelset for not much over $100 now if you look hard enough, but I'd spend more on the Solitudes if I had to have Reynolds wheels.

Strengths:
They look nice, and are fairly light. Reynolds customer service was pretty good concerning the rebuild. Front wheel has been great and is currently on my rain bike.

Weaknesses:
Pretty weak overall. Broken spokes on the rear wheel and hub started catching.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Campy, Alex.