You want a good hub, slim steel spokes that are preferably bladed, no more than 24 spokes on the rear and 20 on the front, a rim that is more or less elliptical or parabolic in profile, ideally 30+mm in depth, and of alloy construction (for durability) where it faces the road, although a carbon fairing is acceptable or even desirable. This ideal wheelset also has alloy braking surfaces. Weight and stiffness are secondary considerations, although you don't want it to be unnecessarily heavy or so floppy that it rubs the pads in a sprint.
How many wheelsets fit the bill?
None.
Which comes closest?
In my opinion, Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL/Premium. I was recently dismayed to learn that the hub fitted to Ksyrium SSC and the Cosmic Carbone has a plastic bush in the freehub body that needs regular service. This is an unnecessary gesture in a heavier wheel such as the Carbone, and it has certainly diminished my keenness for a set. It is for this reason that it fails to make the grade as a close-to-ideal wheel. It fulfills all of my other criteria, and seems to have a reputation for being a robust wheelset.
What else is reasonable in your price range?
Campy Zonda .
Fulcrum Racing 3.
Shimano 7801.
Shimano 6600.
This is NOT a comprehensive list. There are probably some Eastons etc that deserve to be on it. None of the above are close to ideal, but have aerodynamic section, low-spoke count, slim bladed spokes and are alloy.
Many ranges (Ksyrium, Fulcrum, Campy) have cheaper wheels with steel spokes that are probably superior, in terms of drag and stiffness, to their more expensive siblings (ie Zonda vs Eurus, Ksyrium Elite/Equipe vs SSC SL, Racing 3 vs Racing 1/0).
Paul Merlo of RMIT recently published a study showing that a non-deep-profile (~30mm) aerodynamic-section rim laced with 32 spokes is superior in terms of drag to a box-section rim such as an open pro laced with 16 spokes. So don't forget options such as a hand-built Velocity deep V wheel, although a 28-36 spoke wheel can't equal a 20 spoke wheel.
How many wheelsets fit the bill?
None.
Which comes closest?
In my opinion, Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL/Premium. I was recently dismayed to learn that the hub fitted to Ksyrium SSC and the Cosmic Carbone has a plastic bush in the freehub body that needs regular service. This is an unnecessary gesture in a heavier wheel such as the Carbone, and it has certainly diminished my keenness for a set. It is for this reason that it fails to make the grade as a close-to-ideal wheel. It fulfills all of my other criteria, and seems to have a reputation for being a robust wheelset.
What else is reasonable in your price range?
Campy Zonda .
Fulcrum Racing 3.
Shimano 7801.
Shimano 6600.
This is NOT a comprehensive list. There are probably some Eastons etc that deserve to be on it. None of the above are close to ideal, but have aerodynamic section, low-spoke count, slim bladed spokes and are alloy.
Many ranges (Ksyrium, Fulcrum, Campy) have cheaper wheels with steel spokes that are probably superior, in terms of drag and stiffness, to their more expensive siblings (ie Zonda vs Eurus, Ksyrium Elite/Equipe vs SSC SL, Racing 3 vs Racing 1/0).
Paul Merlo of RMIT recently published a study showing that a non-deep-profile (~30mm) aerodynamic-section rim laced with 32 spokes is superior in terms of drag to a box-section rim such as an open pro laced with 16 spokes. So don't forget options such as a hand-built Velocity deep V wheel, although a 28-36 spoke wheel can't equal a 20 spoke wheel.