Shimano vs Token wheels

Ian00

Hi,

I'm looking at alternatives to the Shimano 550 wheels that came with my bike and am hoping someone can offer thoughts on wheels that are a bit lighter & roll better. The financial advisor ie my wife has set me a budget of about $600 so Kysrium Elites or something similar are probably out of my range...

I've looked at the Ultegra 6600 & Token C30A wheels - I'm leaning towards the Ultegras (same as my groupset), but has anyone got any opinions on the Tokens (or for that matter something else in my price range ?)

I'm guessing my budget will really limt my choices, but appreciate any opinions.
I live in Melbourne, so if anyone knows of some good deals around let me know.

Cheers

nerdag

Is there anything wrong with your current wheels? Have you had the problems that others report having with broken spokes and poor alignment?

If not, then I would suggest that you reconsider the *need* for another pair.

IMHO, better wheels in that price range are likely to be a negligible step up from the 550's in terms of either weight or RR. Search for "which wheelset should I buy?" threads, and you'll get a lot of opinions.

The only improvement per se that you may find is that the durability of hte wheel is a little better, however, I am basing that on the skewed sample of comments against the R550 wheelset.

If, however, you're still *wanting* to get a new wheelset and the financial advisor agrees, then your choices are a little wider.

Between the two sets you've mentioned, the Token is a little more aero than the R600, but probably not by a huge amount. I would expect durability to be similar, but don't have personal experience with either wheelset. The Ultegra R600 wheels seem to get good reviews, however.

HTH,

n

Wayno

Read the Bicycling Australia Nov Dec 07 review of the Tokens. I'm going to get a set myself.
Summary ----->Value 99%, Qaulity 95%, Performance 90%, Overall 85% - Best bang for buck out there!!!

__________________
wayno

anthonyg

I had a set of Shimano 550s. I broke 1 spoke on them but other than that they were fine for that style of wheel. I only sold them because I went to a custom bike with 650c wheels instead so I disasembled the 700c bike and used the parts or sold them off.

I'm now using traditional 32 spoke 3 cross wheels and I like them a lot but thats a reflection of the fact that there was nothing wrong with traditional wheel design that has stood the test of time and its not a specific critisism of Shimano 550 wheels. Its failings are ones it shares with ANY low spoke count, radial front, deep rim, aeroish wheels. These new wheel designs aren't all that they are cracked up to be.

So having said that I dont think that 550 wheels are better or worse than equivelently designed wheels. They actualy have BETTER hubs than many simmilar wheels so if yours arent rolling properly then you probably need to adjust the bearings. Most wheel bearing come out of the factory set too tight.

So short answer is to keep on riding them.

If you realy want to spend the money then my view of what is better and lighter without breaking the bank is a set of Shimano Ultegra hubs custom built with Velocity Aerohead rims either 32 spoke 3 cross front and rear or 28 spoke 2 cross front and rear if you aren't too heavy.

Despite all the hype traditional wheels are still hard to beat.

Regards, Anthony