[RangerDD]

@cxwrench has advised me to repost this question here: I need to replace the worn-out wheelset that came with my 2013 Giant Defy Advanced. Trying not to spend more than $300, and I have a personal dislike of noisy hubs. I've seen a bunch of good notices about the Shimano 6800, which is now discontinued; current version seems to be the Shimano RS500, but at 195 pounds I don't know if the 16/20 spoke count is a good idea. Then there's the Vision Trimax 30, Vision Team 30 and Vision Team Comp 30 -- the latter has cup-and-cone hubs like Shimano, which would presumably be quiet. Any feedback? Thanks in advance!

 

[robc in wi]

I recommend bicyclewheelwarehouse.com. They build great reasonably priced wheelsets. I would click on "road" and then "training " and you will find wheels in your price range with an option for 5800 hubs if that's what you desire. 24f and 28r for spokes, but most of the builds have options. Their Pure hubs are pretty quiet and roll well. My BWW wheels have about 6k miles on them and have been bulletproof so far.

 

[mfdemicco]

@cxwrench has advised me to repost this question here: I need to replace the worn-out wheelset that came with my 2013 Giant Defy Advanced. Trying not to spend more than $300, and I have a personal dislike of noisy hubs. I've seen a bunch of good notices about the Shimano 6800, which is now discontinued; current version seems to be the Shimano RS500, but at 195 pounds I don't know if the 16/20 spoke count is a good idea. Then there's the Vision Trimax 30, Vision Team 30 and Vision Team Comp 30 -- the latter has cup-and-cone hubs like Shimano, which would presumably be quiet. Any feedback? Thanks in advance!

Wrong on the Shimano wheels. I weigh 195 pounds and have two sets of 6800 wheels and have been riding them for a number of years with lots of miles. They are very durable wheels and I wouldn't hesitate buying them again. Compare that to crap Bontrager wheels that crack after a year of riding.

 

[Mike T.]

Yep it's tough to come close to BWW wheels for price, options and build quality for N.American made wheels.

 

[OldChipper]

A bit over your price range, but these are awesome wheels...

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Hunt/Race-Aero-Clincher-Wheelset/FVOM

They've gotten great reviews as has the newer "wide" version that's available on the Hunt Wheels website. Much wider than the Shimano wheels which give you greater comfort (can run lower pressure), better cornering, tubeless compatible, etc. IME, it's tough to find reasonably priced, wide aluminum rims.

As a bonus, I know of 3 sets that have been ordered from Sigma and you we all got them in like 2 days from the UK for $12 shipping!

 

[Srode]

I found a like new set of RS81 Shimano wheels for $150 on Craigs list - highly respected wheels. If you live in a community of reasonable size Craigs list would be a good place to watch daily to see what pops up.

 

[Lombard]

I found your wheels here. Hand built DT460s laced to Shimano 105 5800 hubs. $130 for the front, $160 for the rear. Great components at a great price. I am assuming if they are hand built, they will be stress relieved properly:

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...8&category=245

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=245

If you want to take a chance with Velomine, you can get the same DTR460 rims laced to Ultegra 6800 hubs for $229. But as I mentioned earlier, these are machine built and aren't stress relieved. So you will eventually need to have them re-trued - grovel to your local bike shop that you bought them online and not from them. The good news is that a bike shop will usually only charge you around $25 for this service:

DT Swiss R460 Rims Road Bike Wheelset 8-11 speed 32h Ultegra [741463] - $229.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

 

[FasterStronger]

I recommend bicyclewheelwarehouse.com. They build great reasonably priced wheelsets. I would click on "road" and then "training " and you will find wheels in your price range with an option for 5800 hubs if that's what you desire. 24f and 28r for spokes, but most of the builds have options. Their Pure hubs are pretty quiet and roll well. My BWW wheels have about 6k miles on them and have been bulletproof so far.

Whats not to like about that?

I bought some custom made wheels that cost about 1500 CAD all in which suffered a broken spoke with less than 1500 KM on them.

 

[RangerDD]

Lombard, you da man. I will remember you in my will (though as you can tell from my wheel-price range, that won't amount to much).

 

[OldChipper]

The problem with a lot of aluminum hoops out there (including Shimano, which is a mystery to me) is that they have narrow-by-current-standards bead and external width. This is a real problem in terms or aerodynamics and cornering performance with the current trend toward wider tires. Both Hunt wheels I mention above are some of the very few affordable options that are considerably wider.

 

[Lombard]

Lombard, you da man. I will remember you in my will (though as you can tell from my wheel-price range, that won't amount to much).

LOL! Glad I could help.

 

[Z'mer]

I recommend bicyclewheelwarehouse.com. They build great reasonably priced wheelsets. My BWW wheels have about 6k miles on them and have been bulletproof so far.

I also have BWW wheels with over 10K miles, no problems.
These Pure Aero are now on sale for $249
These are very nice hand built wheels done right. Look at the little details - 24/28, double butted spokes, etc. The Velomine stuff is machine built with 32/32 single butted spokes, and will likely need to be stress relieved and re-tensioned, agreed. Also will be a lot heavier.
I know, I also have a similar set of wheels from Velomine, they are made in a huge volume wheel factory.

Pure Aero 700c Wheel Set 1600g

 

[Lombard]

I also have BWW wheels with over 10K miles, no problems.
These Pure Aero are now on sale for $249
These are very nice hand built wheels done right. Look at the little details - 24/28, double butted spokes, etc. The Velomine stuff is machine built with 32/32 single butted spokes, and will likely need to be stress relieved and re-tensioned, agreed. Also will be a lot heavier.
I know, I also have a similar set of wheels from Velomine, they are made in a huge volume wheel factory.

Pure Aero 700c Wheel Set 1600g

These are great if you don't mind that they are only 14mm internal width wheels. That being said, we rode on 14 and 15mm wheels for years before wider rims became all the rage. I did notice a feeling of more stability when I went from 15 to 17mm rims, though I can't say for sure whether that had to do with width or the fact that my newer wheels have a higher spoke count.

 

[Z'mer]

These are great if you don't mind that they are only 14mm internal width wheels. That being said, we rode on 14 and 15mm wheels for years before wider rims became all the rage. I did notice a feeling of more stability when I went from 15 to 17mm rims, though I can't say for sure whether that had to do with width or the fact that my newer wheels have a higher spoke count.

Those 14 and 15 mm internal wheels were OK for a 30+ years. Wider wheels are better, but iyou can also run wider tires
I also have Archetypes, HED C2. For $249 you won't get everything. I guess it depends on what you are willing to concede.

I would take the handbuilt, 24/28, DB spokes and much lighter weight, over a lesser wheel in all those regards that was simply wider. But it's not my choice, just making a suggestion.

Mostly because I've owned wheels from both sources (BWW and Velomine) Velomine also sells much more expensive handbuilt stuff, but the lesser $ wheelsets are machine built and not fully stress relieved.

 

[tlg]

Another thumbs up for BWW. I've got 3 sets. A MTB set. Pure Podium. And Blackset Race. All great wheels. I've never had to true any of them.
You'll be hard pressed to find cheaper, lighter, stronger wheelsets.

$400 for a 1388g wheelset hand built with 24/28 CX-Ray spokes.
Blackset Race 24 700c Wheel Set

 

[Lombard]

Those 14 and 15 mm internal wheels were OK for a 30+ years. Wider wheels are better, but iyou can also run wider tires
I also have Archetypes, HED C2. For $249 you won't get everything. I guess it depends on what you are willing to concede.

I would take the handbuilt, 24/28, DB spokes and much lighter weight, over a lesser wheel in all those regards that was simply wider. But it's not my choice, just making a suggestion.

Mostly because I've owned wheels from both sources (BWW and Velomine) Velomine also sells much more expensive handbuilt stuff, but the lesser $ wheelsets are machine built and not fully stress relieved.

RangerDD,

I don't think you would go wrong with either of these two options. Either of these will be better than the stock wheels you are replacing. The BWW wheels will be around 300-400g lighter than the wheels I linked to. And 24/28 spoke count is plenty for your weight. Their wheels have a reputation here for high miles and reliability.

That being said, unless you race, you probably won't notice much difference. The lighter wheels may spin up faster from a stop and therefore feel faster (granted that feel is an important part of enjoyment on the bike), but once up to speed, it's a wash. Also, unless you consistently ride at speeds of 20+ mph, less spokes will not give you any aero advantage Your average speeds will not be significantly different.

 

[QuiQuaeQuod]

I am assuming if they are hand built, they will be stress relieved properly

I would hope for that, but I would not assume it to be true. Seen too many cases where it was not.

 

[Lombard]

I would hope for that, but I would not assume it to be true. Seen too many cases where it was not.

I should have known never to assume.

 

[RangerDD]

How quiet are the Pure hubs?

 

[RangerDD]

How quiet are the Hunt hubs?