Paul Kopit said:On Fri, 07 May 2004 11:13:59 +0200, Derk <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:My first priority is cycling without visiting any repairshops if
possible, but because I'll do a lot of climbing, I want a relatively
leightweight wheelset that doesn't have to be trued all the time.
I have a pair of D-A 9S hubs lying around here. Would an Open Pro
wheelset be a good idea? Any ideas about this? What is the
difference in weight between a 36 spoke D-A open Pro wheelset and a
pair of ksyrium Elites?
Leave the Ksyrium's home. They are not readilly repaired on the road.
A set of Open Pro rims with 36 holes, DA hubs, and 15/16 swaged spokes
will work fine. The build is everything. If built properly, you
won't be truing the wheels hardly ever. Should you have a mishap,
replacing a spoke or just riding with one spoke less works fine. On a
5 mi climb at 6% I'd doubt that the weight difference to the Ksyriums
would produce 1 minute of difference for normal riders. Ultegra 6500
hubs will build just as good a wheel. You will have difficulty
finding Ultegra 6500 hubs in 36 holes.
The CXP33s may be even stronger but I don't like them. I much prefer
the Velocity Aerohead OC ahead of the CXP33 and Open Pro.
Much of the weight difference in these lightweight wheels comes from the hubs.
For example, I bet my Rolf Sestriere rims weigh at least as much as Open Pros,
if not more. But the Hugi-made hubs are probably 200g lighter, with the rest of
the weight savings coming from Ti skewers and fewer spokes.
My Rolfs came with my bike and they're fine, but wouldn't be my first choice.
Instead I'd probably choose Velocity Aerohead, Torelli Master, or Open Pro rims,
36 lightweight DB spokes, and "whatever" hub and skewer, from a good builder.
Personally I don't think weight matters very much, but if weight is a
consideration then Hugi or Chris King hubs are both lightweight and proven. I
suppose the latest DA and Campy hubs are pretty light too. Note that even with
such expensive components, custom-built wheels like these will still cost less
(MSRP) than Ksyriums, Sestrieres, or other "hot" wheels du jour. They'll be
built better, and won't require special parts or tools to fix, should that ever
be necessary.
Sometimes I can't believe I'm riding around on a supposed $800 set of wheels.
It just seems silly. I've thought a lot about "cashing them in" on eBay and
buying what I would really prefer, but so far they're holding up fine.
Matt O.
