BIL is after new wheels, has suggested something with alloy nipples argh! He’s scared of stans and not into tubs, but might accept alloy freehub (he’ll not have any choice?)

I know it’s been debated a lot here but I’ve never listened as I go down the build route…what’s good to buy?

For factory built either mavic or shimano. You could probably get open pros built onto ultegra hubs if you want handbuilt.

Campagnolo Neutron. Reasonably light, very reliable, quite fast.

RS80’s.

shimano rs80’s – exactly the same as duraace apart from slightly less blingy hubs – the carbon/ali rim & spokes are the same.

you can pic them up in the sale sometimes for £300 (px) get some nice rubber and your under budget 😉

I’d go Ksyrium Elites

He’s looking for lighter rims than open pro (and lighter wheels than ultegra/open pro), must be shimano.

+1 Sefton. I have the dura ace wheels and Kysrium sl’s, the shimano’s are far superior. They are much more comfortable to ride with the carbon alloy rim but are still plenty stiff enough. They’re lighter. The hubs especially the freehub are way, way better than mavic’s.

May be able to find Dura-Ace for that, can’t remember exactly how much mine were but it was around that figure.

Think I’d get Ksyrium Elites if I was buying again as the DAs flex a bit more than my Ksyrium Equipes. That said I’m certainly not a lightweight so I maybe shouldn’t be using that light a wheel….

Nothing against the DAs, they’re great wheels apart from the flexing. That’s actually a bit better that they were split new now too since I got them tightened a bit.

Ta…I’d prefer shimano to mavic…is the mavic spares situation still dire?

IRD Cadence? Veolcity Aeroheads? Both are lighter than the open pros (and they have the all important aero profile)

Also the alloy nipples on the kysriums are chocolate, if you ride anywhere with salt on the road they will seize and then disintegrate when you try to free them.

It’s a shame you can’t find a bit more budget as Soul’s S2.0 is incredible value. 1,330 grams and they have been reviewed really well by road.cc. The warranty is second to none, even includes consumable for the first year. But they have an RRP of £575.00…

http://road.cc/content/review/48341-soul-s20-wheelset

**before anybody does too much searching yes I do work for the distributor 😉

I looked at the same choices and went for £300 RS80s on planet x.

Look really nice but as they are on my race bake they have not yet been ridden.

Other options were custom builds – novatech or hope pro 3 on stans Alphas (strada or justridingalong). American classics, Stan’s road wheels if you can find them.

Talk to Darren at Strada – hand built A23 rims and choice of hubs – built for your individual needs – beat the Ksyrium Elites in a head to head.

hope hoops. DT rims on Hope Pro III.
semi factory/ semi custom

If he doesnt trust you to build his wheels, then Just Riding Along are worth bothering with. Top notch service and cheaper than anyone else!

Tell him to MTFU on Stans and get some Alphas, get some of the Novatech 6-pawl hubs on eBay, and some Revolutions/Aerolites/CX-Rays. Done!

fulcrum 3
strada A23
Ksyrium Elites
cole wheels via evans must do something for that price.

I’d get the strada A23

what about kinlin/IRD rims for the build?

Hope pro 3’s on open pros with sapim spokes, for me they workout out under 1600grams and sub £400. i think thats not a bad balance between weight strenght and cost.

He’s a bit hesitant re. stans due to having seen a 190lb weight limit on 24H builds and also I trashed one of mine (albeit the off might have trashed any rim)

Thanks again, will check out those other alternatives.