Most durable wheel?

donrhummy said:

I've gone through two wheels in too short a time and I'm looking for a more durable one. I was told that 32 or 36-spoke Mavic Open Pro Rims were the way to go. They were going to build the entire wheel (including a new hub) for $200 pre tax. So my questions are:

1. Is this a durable wheel?
2. Is there a better wheel to get (for durability in a road wheel)?
3. Is the price reasonable or can I get it cheaper?

Thanks!

Velocity Deep V's 32 spoke 3x are thermonuclear bomb proof , i given these wheels a hammering and they have shrugged it off.

Imanewbie said:

Velocity Deep V's 32 spoke 3x are thermonuclear bomb proof , i given these wheels a hammering and they have shrugged it off.

Thanks! ANy idea where to buy them?

donrhummy said:

Thanks! ANy idea where to buy them?

They are made in the USA and Australia a google should bring up online sellers and the velocity website. 🙂

Imanewbie said:

They are made in the USA and Australia a google should bring up online sellers and the velocity website. 🙂

Yeah I found that but I didn't know any of the online sellers and the offline ones are no where near me (and never heard of them either). So I don't want to purchase from an organization I don't know.

donrhummy said:

I've gone through two wheels in too short a time and I'm looking for a more durable one. I was told that 32 or 36-spoke Mavic Open Pro Rims were the way to go. They were going to build the entire wheel (including a new hub) for $200 pre tax. So my questions are:

1. Is this a durable wheel?
2. Is there a better wheel to get (for durability in a road wheel)?
3. Is the price reasonable or can I get it cheaper?

Thanks!

OpenPros are tried and true (please pardon the pun). Well built, they are very dependable and rugged. Mavic wheels and rims are amongst the finest available. There are other great rims and wheels, but the Mavic brand is well established. Here's a couple of links to help you make your decision. Both are well known and reliable wheel builders:

peterwhitecycles.comwheels.aspOpen ↗
youngwheels.comprices rims spokes.htmlOpen ↗

Yes, it should be very durable. Better wheel? - subject to debate (lots and lots). Can you get it cheaper (than your price)? Yes. Check out the links I supplied for lots more info and prices.

My advice is to get double butted spokes (definitely!) and buy the best hubs you can afford and you can get wheels that should last for many, many years.

donrhummy said:

So I don't want to purchase from an organization I don't know.

Both of the links I references are to well known wheelbuilders. If you solicit other opinions I'm sure you'll get plenty of support for both of them. But, they are both in the US and I don't think you ever said where you are located (???).

fish156 said:

OpenPros are tried and true (please pardon the pun). Well built, they are very dependable and rugged. Mavic wheels and rims are amongst the finest available. There are other great rims and wheels, but the Mavic brand is well established. Here's a couple of links to help you make your decision. Both are well known and reliable wheel builders:

peterwhitecycles.comwheels.aspOpen ↗
youngwheels.comprices rims spokes.htmlOpen ↗

Yes, it should be very durable. Better wheel? - subject to debate (lots and lots). Can you get it cheaper (than your price)? Yes. Check out the links I supplied for lots more info and prices.

My advice is to get double butted spokes (definitely!) and buy the best hubs you can afford and you can get wheels that should last for many, many years.

Thanks for the info! I am in the U.S. so those work for me and I have heard of Peter White cycles. The problems with my last two wheels were both with the rims so that's my main concern but will double butted spokes help with that as well? Can tougher spokes take some of the pressure off a rim or hold it "stronger" curing an impact?

You could always try to get the Mavic Open Pros laced to Ultegra or Dura Ace. Those two wheels come pre-built and are pretty common in many shops. I just picked up a rear Open Pro/Ultegra wheel for $120.

AlvChen said:

You could always try to get the Mavic Open Pros laced to Ultegra or Dura Ace. Those two wheels come pre-built and are pretty common in many shops. I just picked up a rear Open Pro/Ultegra wheel for $120.

Where did you get it for $120? I'd been quoted $150 (with shipping).

Just spoke with Peter White and he recommended Velocity Aerohead rims w/ultegra hub, 36 spokes (3x, double butted). The only thing is they're a little bit expensive. Are they really that much better than Mavics? I'm under 200 lbs (180-190 usually), but I'm probably not the smoothest rider. Is a Mavic Open pro going to be fine? White says that he's seen them crack but never Velocity Aeroheads. Another store, an LBS, (talking about Deep V's not aeroheads) said that Mavic pros are better than Velocity. True?

I ended up going with a hand-built Mavic Open Pro, Ultegra 10-spd, 36 2.0-1.8 dt-swiss double butted spokes/nips, 3x, for $150 from LBS. They were willing to match an online price (including shipping).

THANK YOU for all your help guys! 🙂

in my opinion, Open Pros aren't as durable or stiff as deeper rims.

I recommend just about any 30mm deep rim as being bomb proof, such as Velocity Deep V, DT RR1.2, Rigida DP18, or even some old Mavic CXP30s.

I have hammered all these rims, hitting potholes, curb hopping, a few crashes, etc, and I've never so much as cracked one, even though I was (at times) just over 200 pounds!!

531Aussie said:

in my opinion, Open Pros aren't as durable or stiff as deeper rims.

I recommend just about any 30mm deep rim as being bomb proof, such as Velocity Deep V, DT RR1.2, Rigida DP18, or even some old Mavic CXP30s.

I have hammered all these rims, hitting potholes, curb hopping, a few crashes, etc, and I've never so much as cracked one, even though I was (at times) just over 200 pounds!!

Many people have said that deep V rims are stronger. So why is it that pros are using box-shaped rims like the Ambrosio Nemesis at the Paris Roubaix? What are the strengths of a box shaped rim? (Are open pros described as such as well?)

thomas_cho said:

Many people have said that deep V rims are stronger. So why is it that pros are using box-shaped rims like the Ambrosio Nemesis at the Paris Roubaix? What are the strengths of a box shaped rim? (Are open pros described as such as well?)

hmmm, good point 🙂

I assume they need the 'elasticity' of the longer spokes for the shock of the cobbles.

the pro's use box rims for the cobbles because they "give" more and are therefore more comfortable, and as 531 said the extra spoke length will add comfort. is it any coincidence that the biggest stack in roubaix recently was involving deep section rims? all that shock going through the wheel to the fork steerer, yes george im talking about you.

DT RR1.2 will be one of the most bomb-proof rims you could build a wheel with, but weigh a ton. The pros use box section rims because they are more comfortable, acting like suspension, and it is hard to find mid to deep V alloy tubular rims in tubular before you step up to carbon 38mm+ that can't really stand up to cobbles for 250km anyway.