Another wheel poll

Ksyriums seem to be a great all-round choice. You should also take a look at Campag Zondas - if you dig around you might even find a pair of Campag Eurus within your budget.

The other thing you should never overlook is the possibility of getting a pair custom-built. Mavic CXP33 rims laced to, say, Ultegra or Chorus hubs would do the job too, and would likely be a lot cheaper than proprietary wheelsets, as well as being easier to maintain/repair. They can even be made more durable, if you go for 32 spokes.

Can you get Campag wheels with a Shimano cassette body? I've always wondered that. As for CXP33's, I was under the impression they were a heavy rim?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by GuyStevens
Can you get Campag wheels with a Shimano cassette body? I've always wondered that. As for CXP33's, I was under the impression they were a heavy rim?

you can, the question is if you wanna put campy wheels on shimano bike

Right -- most wheelset manufacturers offer both, including Campy. In other words, you can buy, say, a Neutron set configured for a Shimano cassette. Of course, purists will grumble...

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by GuyStevens
Can you get Campag wheels with a Shimano cassette body? I've always wondered that. As for CXP33's, I was under the impression they were a heavy rim?

A CXP33 is an excellent choice. I use a 32H for durability as lokstah suggest and my Hugi hub-DT Aero spokes-aluminum nipples combo is lighter than the entry level Campagnolo Scirocco wheelset. A pair of CXP33 goes for around £70 (not exactly cheap if you factor in premium hubs and spokes) but that's because they are premium rims among their category.

Ksyriums are also durable and looks-wise they are hard to beat. Personally i feel nervous about rims with fewer than 28 spokes. Top-end rims such as the Ksyrium SSLs are highly regarded in the pro peloton and their integrity is unquestionable. But they would upset your budget. It's only the lower end rims of similar nature (minimalist-aero) that makes me nervous.

If you're in a budget but wants maxed-out looks, you may want to check out Vuelta-Crossers wheelsets or Gepiemme wheelsets. They won't fetch more than 150 quids.

Just started racing 4th Cat and i use a pair of Campag Eurus wheels. Firstly they feel very stiff which i love, much stiffer than a standard pair of Open Pros. The build quality is excellent as you would expect from Campag. But the piece de resistance are the Record quality hubs, they're wonderful, very smooth, they want to roll for an eternity..sheer quality. Also, unlike the the Ksyriums which only have standard 24 mm box rims the 30 mm rims on the Eurus offer more of an aero advantage. I think they're great looking wheels too. More understated than the chunky looking Mavics and are less commonly seen around this neck of the woods which can't be bad. Maybe the Zondas offer better value for money, they're 130 quid cheaper and weight only a third of a pound more but the hubs on the Eurus did it for me 🙂

The Eurus sure has gathered an intense following -- clearly, there's something there. I've never been on them myself, but they seem to have a reputation as a near-perfect mid-range wheel, lightweight, stiff, comfy, stable, and on and on.

Definitely worth a look, the consensus seems to be. What do these go for? Aren't they around $600 USD? Might be just outside of your price range. Can ya find a few more bones?

The Ksyrium wheel line consists of three or four models at this point, and it's important not to get them mixed up. There's the SSC SL, the ubiquitous, all-purpose race wheel, and the SSC SL TDF Edition, a rare sister wheel which weighs a few grams less; the Elite, an extraorinarily popular version which cost about 60% as much as the SL -- it's very similarly constructed, albeit with a heavier overall gram count and a less refined hub. The Equippe is new for 2004, and it extends the line even a bit further into the budget realm -- I don't know much about this guy other than that it's quite cheap.

The Elite isn't the lightest wheelset around, but like the costly SL, it's got a reputation for durability and stiffness. I think a set could fit within your budget, with a little shopping around.

I also agree with the suggestion that a CXP rim-build could be a great choice -- excellent value, wide-ranging hub options, simple servicability and so on. These wheels aren't quite as snap-start stiff as the best brand-label wheels out there, but they're tough, easier to true, and certainly comfortable.

Back to brand-label wheels... the other make I'd suggest looking into is Velomax. They offer a good range of wheels, from very inexpensive entry-level clinchers to deep, aero carbon tubulars with Tour credibility. Word is they're tough as nails, ultra-light, and have good ride-quality.

Good luck!

Ksyriums all the way... Best all-round wheelset, with the added cool factor, even though apparently now its fashionable to not like the K's... Oh well. I have a pair, and i was excited like a kid when i got them. What the hell, i still am...

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
The Eurus sure has gathered an intense following -- clearly, there's something there. I've never been on them myself, but they seem to have a reputation as a near-perfect mid-range wheel, lightweight, stiff, comfy, stable, and on and on.

Definitely worth a look, the consensus seems to be. What do these go for? Aren't they around $600 USD? Might be just outside of your price range. Can ya find a few more bones?

The Ksyrium wheel line consists of three or four models at this point, and it's important not to get them mixed up. There's the SSC SL, the ubiquitous, all-purpose race wheel, and the SSC SL TDF Edition, a rare sister wheel which weighs a few grams less; the Elite, an extraorinarily popular version which cost about 60% as much as the SL -- it's very similarly constructed, albeit with a heavier overall gram count and a less refined hub. The Equippe is new for 2004, and it extends the line even a bit further into the budget realm -- I don't know much about this guy other than that it's quite cheap.

The Elite isn't the lightest wheelset around, but like the costly SL, it's got a reputation for durability and stiffness. I think a set could fit within your budget, with a little shopping around.

I also agree with the suggestion that a CXP rim-build could be a great choice -- excellent value, wide-ranging hub options, simple servicability and so on. These wheels aren't quite as snap-start stiff as the best brand-label wheels out there, but they're tough, easier to true, and certainly comfortable.

Back to brand-label wheels... the other make I'd suggest looking into is Velomax. They offer a good range of wheels, from very inexpensive entry-level clinchers to deep, aero carbon tubulars with Tour credibility. Word is they're tough as nails, ultra-light, and have good ride-quality.

Good luck!

ah i wish eurus wheels cost that much, but i think 2004s go for something more like $850, which is just about what ks cost too.

zondas cost about $550 i beleive, which means they match up just about evenly pricewise with elites.

i dunno the difference between kysrium ssc sls and elites, but it seems that just like with gruppos, there is less and less difference between campys top of the line products and their next best offerings. for 04 euruses and zondas look almost identical, with most of the difference prolly being in the hubs. my big brother mostly rides 03 zondas and he loves them, of course hes just a lil guy weighing in at about 130lbs.

does any one know how campy wheels are supposed to hold up for bigger riders? i know especially elites are said to be bombproof, so id definately take that into consideration if youre a bit heavier.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fushman

i dunno the difference between kysrium ssc sls and elites,

SSC SLs have deeper sidewalls, fewer and wider black spokes than Elites.