[JoelS]

My new wheels showed up yesterday (no pics). I got 'em from http://www.psimet.com/

Hi built up Alchemy Hubs (Campy), Kinlin XR270 rims, CXRay spokes, and brass nipples. Laced 20/24. Front is radial. Back is 2x drive side and 1x on the other. No problem moving over the cassette from the old wheels (Bontrager RaceXLights - the paired spoke version from ~2 years ago). The cassette seems to be in the same relative position and no rear der tweaks were needed. I did have to open up the brakes a bit as the new rims are a tad wider.

With rim tape, the old wheels were 1817gms (actual weight).
With rim tape, the new wheels are 1446gms (actual weight).

That's a big difference! Enough to bring my bike from 17lbs to 16 1/4lbs. I don't know what I'll notice on my ride tomorrow. I have heard that the Alchemy hubs roll better than the DT Swiss hubs on the Bontragers. And the rims/spokes are lighter. Climbing should be a bit easier, but what will perception be? I did notice that the freehub is quieter.

I'll find out tomorrow. Maiden ride is ~75mi and 4500 with grades up to 14%. I'll put in a post ride report in this thread.

 

[Dutch77]

Cool, looking forward to hearing how you like the Alchemy hubs

 

[natedg200202]

Give us a ride report after you get them on the road!

 

[intence]

Good to hear, Rob's always offering helpful advice and seems to genuinely care about building wheels

 

[flying]

Congrats ! I went about the same weight change wise years ago on clinchers & you will love the first ride. After that it kind of becomes the norm...But I still remember that 1st ride.
Losing 400 grams off a set of wheels has got to be one of the best feelings.

On a side note that site you bought from/linked says this about their 50mm carbon wheels....
You can get into the series for $699 for tubular and $799 for clinchers.

So I wondered ....are those the same china carbon rims from the other thread? Also that price is very low for a built set of carbon wheels eh? Perhaps he meant just the rims?

 

[Dutch77]

So I wondered ....are those the same china carbon rims from the other thread? Also that price is very low for a built set of carbon wheels eh? Perhaps he meant just the rims?

AFAIK that's for a set built with Novatech hubs, not sure what spokes.

He's pretty active on bikeforums.net too if you want to check out some more threads about his wheels...

 

[wetpaint]

So I wondered ....are those the same china carbon rims from the other thread? Also that price is very low for a built set of carbon wheels eh? Perhaps he meant just the rims?

No, he builds the wheels himself and I believe the rims are Gigantex, the same ones that Neuvation, Planet-X, etc. use

 

[JoelS]

UPDATE: Holy cow! What a difference those wheels made. As far as I can tell, it's not placebo. My HR was 8bpm slower at the same pace on hills. Same on the flats. They roll super smooth. Much better than my Bontrager wheels. I think they'll be for sale - anyone want some RaceXLights with a Campy freehub?

Anyway, I'm really happy with the wheels. Even hit a couple of good holes today and they're still true.

More time will tell the story, but the initial impressions are outstanding.

 

[Psimet]

Congrats ! I went about the same weight change wise years ago on clinchers & you will love the first ride. After that it kind of becomes the norm...But I still remember that 1st ride.
Losing 400 grams off a set of wheels has got to be one of the best feelings.

On a side note that site you bought from/linked says this about their 50mm carbon wheels....
You can get into the series for $699 for tubular and $799 for clinchers.

So I wondered ....are those the same china carbon rims from the other thread? Also that price is very low for a built set of carbon wheels eh? Perhaps he meant just the rims?

Don't know what other thread there was...not too active on here. Got driven back over here because of all the traffic this generated on my site - thanks.

The carbon rims are from Gigantex in Taiwan. They are NOT from China - big difference. Those prices were for full built options with some of my import hubs and DT spokes. I custom configure and custom price to suit.

 

[Rajdog]

This post is nothing without PICTURES, Gimme Pix !!!

Pictures Please ! ! ! !

 

[intence]

Big difference between China and Taiwan, and also a big difference between having a wheel built overseas in a random factory and having a builder doing it for you locally to your spec (taking into account riding style, weight etc.)

 

[Quixote]

Mind if I ask what they set you back?

 

[JoelS]

Mind if I ask what they set you back?

I'll send you a PM with that. PSIMet doesn't post prices on his website. And while I can speculate as to the reasons, I think I'd rather respect that. So check your box.

 

[RichardHead]

"UPDATE: I think they'll be for sale - anyone want some RaceXLights with a Campy freehub?."

Are the Bontragers tubular?

If so, PM a price.

 

[flying]

Don't know what other thread there was...not too active on here. Got driven back over here because of all the traffic this generated on my site - thanks.

The carbon rims are from Gigantex in Taiwan. They are NOT from China - big difference. Those prices were for full built options with some of my import hubs and DT spokes. I custom configure and custom price to suit.

Hey thanks for the reply. Am out of the country at the moment but when I get back I may just give you a call.
Nice Price !

PS: can you give an idea here of weights on the carbon wheels ?

 

[Psimet]

Yup - I don't post prices for a few reasons as one would suspect. The biggest reason is that it would serve to push away more customers than it should - I can custom spec and build to fit anyone's specific price point so people might mistakenly think they can't afford them - or think they're too cheap.

I'd rather just start a dialog with them instead and find what works for them.

Not trying to advertise or spam here - just trying to explain some of the reasoning posed by forum members in this thread. Thanks for reading.

 

[D-Town]

Yes...

Pictures Please ! ! ! !

I'm considering a similar build - pictures please!