[lucky13]

I just found a crack in my Mavic Ksyrium SL. I bought them in 2009 used anad put on about 20 000 mile in last 4.5 years.

I have no idea what to look for when shopping for wheels.

I have read a bunch of post on this forum and getting a headache with all the choices

I have been looking at the following but looking for suggestions around $400.

1. Shimano Ultegra 6700 for around $400
2. Neuvation R28AW for around $400

I weigh around 167-177 pounds. No racing, not much climbing where I live in Western NY.

 

[uncrx2003]

I'm really happy with a set of Campy Zonda I just bought. They were $377. I would consider them too.

 

[Maximus_XXIV]

Those are both good choices. I like custom wheelsets myself. Standard parts and usually better value.

 

[lucky13]

I would consider customs wheelset but I have no idea what to look for etc

 

[Maximus_XXIV]

Email one of the companies that posts here like Zen Cyclery or Neuvation. They can walk you through. Ultegra hubs are a good starting point.

 

[lucky13]

what s your opinion on hubs from bikehubstore.com?

 

[BigPoser]

I've heard a lot of great feedback from bikehubstore.com. I'm planning on sending in my order here very soon. I'll spend just under $400 for a great wheelset that will be around 1400g. Just send an email and Brandon will help you out immensely. Good luck.

 

[changingleaf]

A custom wheelset with quality parts will last longer and offer a better warranty. The inexpensive hubs from Asia can be durable, but they usually don't have stainless steel bearings. To make the rear hub light they usually have an aluminum cassette body, which the cassette will often dig into and make removal difficult. Many high end hubs such as DT Swiss use the aluminum freehub body also - it works fine with the higher end cassettes such as Dura ace and SRAM Red that don't have individual teeth on the lower cogs. White Industries and Dura-ace use a Titanium cassette body. Custom wheels with these hubs will cost more than $400 unfortunately. Quality spokes from Sapim, DT Swiss and Wheelsmith are also the best choice.

 

[lucky13]

I just got this quote on a new wheelset and would like to hear peoples thoughts on the built and parts

Here's the wheel specs;
White Industries T11 hubs, silver
Silver Wheelsmith DB14 spokes
Silver brass Wheelsmith nipples
HED C2 rims, 28h rear, 24h front
The front would be laced two cross and the rear three cross.
Based on the manufacturer's claimed weights, this wheel set should finish around 1475g ready for your tires.

 

[Mike T.]

It's tough to beat these, $379 -

PURE Race

Or lighter ones. $349 -

Blackset Race 13

- especially with their $1 shipping.

 

[SystemShock]

I just got this quote on a new wheelset and would like to hear peoples thoughts on the built and parts

Here's the wheel specs;
White Industries T11 hubs, silver
Silver Wheelsmith DB14 spokes
Silver brass Wheelsmith nipples
HED C2 rims, 28h rear, 24h front
The front would be laced two cross and the rear three cross.
Based on the manufacturer's claimed weights, this wheel set should finish around 1475g ready for your tires.

Sounds very nice from the parts list. Of course with wheels, it's all about the build quality. Who's the builder?

One other thing... I not sure those parts add up to the build weight claimed. More like 50-100 grams more than what they say, far as I can tell. But I assume that's par for the course with wheelbuilders/wheelsets?

Still pretty light.

 

[lucky13]

Sound very nice from the parts list. Of course with wheels, it's all about the build quality. Who's the builder?

One thing though... I not sure those parts add up to the build weight claimed. More like 50-100 grams more than what they say, far as I can tell. But I assume that's par for the course with wheelbuilders/wheelsets?

Still pretty light.

Its a local builder...

I thought it was a bit light also

 

[lucky13]

Sounds very nice from the parts list. Of course with wheels, it's all about the build quality. Who's the builder?

One other thing... I not sure those parts add up to the build weight claimed. More like 50-100 grams more than what they say, far as I can tell. But I assume that's par for the course with wheelbuilders/wheelsets?


how do you tell if it is a "quality builder" ?

 

[dcgriz]

I just got this quote on a new wheelset and would like to hear peoples thoughts on the built and parts

Here's the wheel specs;
White Industries T11 hubs, silver
Silver Wheelsmith DB14 spokes
Silver brass Wheelsmith nipples
HED C2 rims, 28h rear, 24h front
The front would be laced two cross and the rear three cross.
Based on the manufacturer's claimed weights, this wheel set should finish around 1475g ready for your tires.

This is a sensible build! The weight estimate seems to be on the light side though.

Get references for the builder if you can and if everything checks out go with the build.

One thing I may suggest is to use spoke prep with the T11 as an added insurance to keep the NDS spokes where they need to be.

 

[SystemShock]

how do you tell if it is a "quality builder" ?

I'll let others chime in on that (posters like Mike T and Kerry Irons), as I have it too easy in that dept to ever have had to worry.

Here in the Bay Area, there's a LOT of good 'pro-oriented' bike shops (maybe even too many). There's one near me that has a former pro-team-mechanic/wheelbuilder. He seems to know what he's doing.

Another route is to have a 'famous wheelbuilder' do you up over the Internet, guys like Peter White. You tell 'em what you want, they might make a counter-suggestion based on their experience, you agree to a build, and they ship 'em to you. Some don't like to build with parts they don't personally stock/carry, though.

 

[tidi]

A custom wheelset with quality parts will last longer and offer a better warranty. The inexpensive hubs from Asia can be durable, but they usually don't have stainless steel bearings. To make the rear hub light they usually have an aluminum cassette body, which the cassette will often dig into and make removal difficult. Many high end hubs such as DT Swiss use the aluminum freehub body also - it works fine with the higher end cassettes such as Dura ace and SRAM Red that don't have individual teeth on the lower cogs. White Industries and Dura-ace use a Titanium cassette body. Custom wheels with these hubs will cost more than $400 unfortunately. Quality spokes from Sapim, DT Swiss and Wheelsmith are also the best

How common are the non stainless steel bearings in the Asian hubs and can you confirm this as I'm considering a new hub set?

 

[changingleaf]

I can't say as a percentage, but you can find Asian hubs with stainless bearings and it should be written in the tech specs or you can ask the seller. I have seen some very cheap stainless bearings that don't last long. Chromoly bearings are actually stronger, but lots of wet riding can contaminate them.