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So here's my situation - I am in the process of building up a carbon fiber frame bike, and am starting to look at wheels.
I would describe myself as a fast recreational rider, putting in about 200 miles per week on average. I live in an area where it's mainly hilly (my standard weekday loop ride has about 2600 ft of total climbing over a 25 mile loop). Fortunately, I am 140 lbs and 5' - 7" so it makes the hills a little easier. I generally climb in the saddle and can power up hills. I do longer rides on the weekend, including one long flat ride where I usually put it into a big gear and push. The roads I ride on are usually pretty good except for an occasionaly pothole here and there.
My question is what type of wheel I should be looking at if I can only get one type (or rather, if my wife only lets me get one type) - a lightweight racing/climbing wheel, an aero "V- type" wheel (heavier but more durable), or a training type wheel (heavy, more spokes and bombproof). Ideally I would like to have a lightweight wheel that is durable enough for everyday riding (for the type of riding I do) but I am not sure that is an oxymoron. Of course, a training wheel would be the logical choice, but it seems to defeat the purpose of building a lightweight carbon bike (of course, my current bike is a 23 year old Guerciotti and is about 24 pounds so anything is light compared to that). I thought that perhaps a aero V type wheel could be a compromise between light weight, durability, although it does nothing for aerodynamics since most of my rides are hilly by nature.
Any comments would be appreciated.
I would describe myself as a fast recreational rider, putting in about 200 miles per week on average. I live in an area where it's mainly hilly (my standard weekday loop ride has about 2600 ft of total climbing over a 25 mile loop). Fortunately, I am 140 lbs and 5' - 7" so it makes the hills a little easier. I generally climb in the saddle and can power up hills. I do longer rides on the weekend, including one long flat ride where I usually put it into a big gear and push. The roads I ride on are usually pretty good except for an occasionaly pothole here and there.
My question is what type of wheel I should be looking at if I can only get one type (or rather, if my wife only lets me get one type) - a lightweight racing/climbing wheel, an aero "V- type" wheel (heavier but more durable), or a training type wheel (heavy, more spokes and bombproof). Ideally I would like to have a lightweight wheel that is durable enough for everyday riding (for the type of riding I do) but I am not sure that is an oxymoron. Of course, a training wheel would be the logical choice, but it seems to defeat the purpose of building a lightweight carbon bike (of course, my current bike is a 23 year old Guerciotti and is about 24 pounds so anything is light compared to that). I thought that perhaps a aero V type wheel could be a compromise between light weight, durability, although it does nothing for aerodynamics since most of my rides are hilly by nature.
Any comments would be appreciated.
