Looking to treat myself to some new climbing wheels for holidays, and want to stay clear of carbon as I run rim breaks. Having descended a few alps and the like I'm not convinced I'd enjoy the experience on my carbon wheels, especially in the wet.
Currently running a set of ksyriums that come in at around 1560 gms, but I expect them to need replacing in 3 or 4 months. Lots of options around the same weight but anything lighter I should be looking at? Considered having some built but having done the maths I'm unconvinced of benefits, but feel free to recommend some good lightweight rims/hubs.
I'm around 75 kg if that makes any difference
The Mavic Open Pro UST rims are pretty light and available for a good price at present.
If the wheels are for summer use then Bitex hubs will do you nicely, pretty reliable and very light for the money.
Maybe 24/28 with D-lights or CX-rays if you want to splash out.
Should come out at 1400g or thereabouts.
Are open pros still the go to option for rim only.i see they can be had for about 100 quid a pair.
Never heard of bitex. Are they similar to novatec? Seen them for around 100 quid and weigh around 260gms for the pair
Go for the newer UST Open Pros, not the old style ones.
Wiggle and CRC had them for 40 each recently. Sigma Sports seem to have them in stock for 42 quid each.
Bitex are a similar level to Novatec, probably slightly better IMO. Spot on for a light, economical hub for summer use.
These ones? Can't seem to find any uk sellers. Do folks buy these off eBay.. reviews seem good. By my reckoning a set of these with open pros and db spokes will cost me 300 quid including building by lbs, for a pair of wheels weighing 1420 or there abouts. Seems too good to be true!
Why not carbon ? Wheelsfar do some quality wheelsets at your price range. I ran a set for 3 years not a peep from them. Sold them on a bike they’re still running sweet.
https://www.wheelsfar.com/25mm-x-25mm-carbon-tubeless-wheels-novatec-hub-sapim-cx-ray-spoke.html
https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collections/hubs/products/bitex-raf12-or-rar12-bicycle-road-hubs
Extra 10% off with the code on site if you order today.
https://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/dcr-components/dcr-hubs/
DCR's own hubs are also based on Bitex AFAIK, so you can get different colours if that matters to you. They also have "UK weather treatment" whatever that is!
Miche Primato hubs worth looking at, build up with Kinlin rims and spokes to suit
(might not be the lightest, but could come in fairly well)
Why not carbon
I have a set of carbon wheels which I love, but wouldn't want to be taking them down an alpin descent in the wet. If I had disks it would be a no brainer but my good bike is rim braked.
I've two wheelsets built up for cx racing that use Bitex hubs. Spot on and very happy with them.
One pair is with kinlin xr31t rims, the other with Ambrosio Nemesis.
I'd definitely consider the kinlin rims for rim brake clinchers.
Could £300 save 140gm elsewhere on the bike?
Probably not, it weighs 7kg as is..and I'll need new wheels anyway.
Ksyrium Pro SL for 1395 grams? I picked up a pair at well below your budget a year or so ago. Been used for hilly road races, alps climbing like the etape and as an every day wheel. No issues. Oh, and look great!
Hunt race aero claim to be 1439g, it's a respectable weight, they're alloy and well inside your budget OP...
https://www.hedoutlet.com/product-page/belgium-plus-powertap-g3-wheelset-2018
A little heavier. But do any of the others come with a free power meter. Frankly that is crazy cheap!
Hunts and an aero cockpit?
TiRed that's incredibly cheap!!