I know this question gets asked often, but after reading through countless pages of archived threads I still cannot find an answer to my questions. I am currently a cat5 rider on the verge of moving to cat4. I ride an s-works e5 with full ultegra. The only aspect of the bike that I do not enjoy are the a-class 260 wheels. I am not mechanic so I cannot diagnose the problems but they just do not feel good to ride, even compared to my old alex DA22 rims I had on my masi. I have had them trued a couple times and it does not seem to help. I am looking for advice on a good wheelset for competion and training. I am limited to ~300$. Through my team discount I can get a set of ritchey protocols for right about 300$ if I wait until around March. I will be spending the majority of my time doing road races and time trials (I do not do crits). Most of the races in my area will be hilly. Wheels must:
1. Be in my price range 2. Be durable and be good for both racing and training (I intend to use my a-class wheels only as backups). 3. Stiff...this is a bigger priority than weight for me.
I know this question gets asked often, but after reading through countless pages of archived threads I still cannot find an answer to my questions. I am currently a cat5 rider on the verge of moving to cat4. I ride an s-works e5 with full ultegra. The only aspect of the bike that I do not enjoy are the a-class 260 wheels. I am not mechanic so I cannot diagnose the problems but they just do not feel good to ride, even compared to my old alex DA22 rims I had on my masi. I have had them trued a couple times and it does not seem to help. I am looking for advice on a good wheelset for competion and training. I am limited to ~300$. Through my team discount I can get a set of ritchey protocols for right about 300$ if I wait until around March. I will be spending the majority of my time doing road races and time trials (I do not do crits). Most of the races in my area will be hilly. Wheels must:
1. Be in my price range 2. Be durable and be good for both racing and training (I intend to use my a-class wheels only as backups). 3. Stiff...this is a bigger priority than weight for me.
R28SL2's on sale for $299/set and the R29Aero2's on sale for $399. If you're in Oz, you can get the R29Aero's for $399; not available elsewhere. Think all prices are in $US.
I know this question gets asked often, but after reading through countless pages of archived threads I still cannot find an answer to my questions. I am currently a cat5 rider on the verge of moving to cat4. I ride an s-works e5 with full ultegra. The only aspect of the bike that I do not enjoy are the a-class 260 wheels. I am not mechanic so I cannot diagnose the problems but they just do not feel good to ride, even compared to my old alex DA22 rims I had on my masi. I have had them trued a couple times and it does not seem to help. I am looking for advice on a good wheelset for competion and training. I am limited to ~300$. Through my team discount I can get a set of ritchey protocols for right about 300$ if I wait until around March. I will be spending the majority of my time doing road races and time trials (I do not do crits). Most of the races in my area will be hilly. Wheels must:
1. Be in my price range 2. Be durable and be good for both racing and training (I intend to use my a-class wheels only as backups). 3. Stiff...this is a bigger priority than weight for me.
Any suggestions? ~Nick
Mavic Open Pro rims on Ultegra hubs. Not the lightest or most aero, probably not the most anything but they're still lighter than many deep section aero rims, they're reasonably sturdy and they're repairable. It's a wheelset that you'll never have to apologize for using and they can usually be had for around $200 - $250.
Yes! Get the Ritchey Protocols! I have Ksyrium SLs, Eurus, Performance Titans, Shimano R535, HED 3s, ... to compare to.
Protocols are aero, lightweight, and have good low friction hubs. I like them best among my racing wheels. They are more aero than the Ksyrium and Eurus. Probably lighter too.
Yes! Get the Ritchey Protocols! I have Ksyrium SLs, Eurus, Performance Titans, Shimano R535, HED 3s, ... to compare to.
Protocols are aero, lightweight, and have good low friction hubs. I like them best among my racing wheels. They are more aero than the Ksyrium and Eurus. Probably lighter too.
Yes they are lighter than the SLs if I go by the manufacturer's quoted weights. I have been suggested elsewhere to look at the Reynolds Alta race wheelset for 249$ (they are under 1600g for the set), soul semi-aero (weigh in a few grams less than the protocols) for 225$ + shipping, and easton vista for 229$ at performance. Also, there is an online vendor that is selling '06 kyserium elites for 299$. I am intrigued by those soul wheels and although they get great feedback, I am skeptical about buying a set of wheels from the other side of the world. ~Nick
I know this question gets asked often, but after reading through countless pages of archived threads I still cannot find an answer to my questions. I am currently a cat5 rider on the verge of moving to cat4. I ride an s-works e5 with full ultegra. The only aspect of the bike that I do not enjoy are the a-class 260 wheels. I am not mechanic so I cannot diagnose the problems but they just do not feel good to ride, even compared to my old alex DA22 rims I had on my masi. I have had them trued a couple times and it does not seem to help. I am looking for advice on a good wheelset for competion and training. I am limited to ~300$. Through my team discount I can get a set of ritchey protocols for right about 300$ if I wait until around March. I will be spending the majority of my time doing road races and time trials (I do not do crits). Most of the races in my area will be hilly. Wheels must:
1. Be in my price range 2. Be durable and be good for both racing and training (I intend to use my a-class wheels only as backups). 3. Stiff...this is a bigger priority than weight for me.
Any suggestions? ~Nick
As with the previous suggestion from old goat you cant go wrong with neuvation wheels. It is a one man company (for now) customer service that is 2nd to none. and very good product. I have a set of the r28sl2 wheels they might be a little to light for your needs but the r28aero wheels are light and really strong and you cant beat the price. www.neuvationcycling.com. is the website
I have a set of the r28sl2 wheels they might be a little to light for your needs but the r28aero wheels are light and really strong and you cant beat the price. www.neuvationcycling.com. is the website
Define "really strong". I've had a pair for a few months, which I've primarily trained on but have ridden a bunch of crits in as well. The freehub body is chewed to pieces (and the cassette has always been set to around 40Nm), I broke a spoke last week and the wheel went so far out of true it was hitting the stays, and under load like a sprint or driving out of a corner in a crit, the wheel flexes like a pretzel, seriously enough to get rub on the brake blocks (and I weight 73kg, so hardly a heavyweight).
We might have different definitions of "strong".
They are average wheels. Decent for the price but for another $150(AU) or so I can get Mavic Cosmic Elites, Easton Circuits etc which are all significantly better wheelsets.
I know this question gets asked often, but after reading through countless pages of archived threads I still cannot find an answer to my questions. I am currently a cat5 rider on the verge of moving to cat4. I ride an s-works e5 with full ultegra. The only aspect of the bike that I do not enjoy are the a-class 260 wheels. I am not mechanic so I cannot diagnose the problems but they just do not feel good to ride, even compared to my old alex DA22 rims I had on my masi. I have had them trued a couple times and it does not seem to help. I am looking for advice on a good wheelset for competion and training. I am limited to ~300$. Through my team discount I can get a set of ritchey protocols for right about 300$ if I wait until around March. I will be spending the majority of my time doing road races and time trials (I do not do crits). Most of the races in my area will be hilly. Wheels must:
1. Be in my price range 2. Be durable and be good for both racing and training (I intend to use my a-class wheels only as backups). 3. Stiff...this is a bigger priority than weight for me.
Any suggestions? ~Nick
Velocity Deep V rims built on Ultegra 6600 hubs with Sapim Race 14/15 DB spokes and Sapim Polyax nipples. 32H front and rear unless you weigh more than 220 or less than 150 pounds. They are stiff, reliable, and serviceable. Quality build is the most important.
Yes! Get the Ritchey Protocols! I have Ksyrium SLs, Eurus, Performance Titans, Shimano R535, HED 3s, ... to compare to.
Protocols are aero, lightweight, and have good low friction hubs. I like them best among my racing wheels. They are more aero than the Ksyrium and Eurus. Probably lighter too.
Oh, please. How are Protocols "aero?"
And how are they, uhm, lightweight? According to Weight Weenies user database, Protocols weigh 1476-1510g, not what anyone would call "light weight."
