best wheels to buy

Plawless, you are asking a loaded question buddy. Just like brands of bikes and saddles, everyone has a favorite and they are rarely the same one. My advice to you is to ask your LBS if they can set you up with several sets to try out in their parking lot, or join your local bike club and see if other members might have a set or two that you could try out.

I personally like Bontragers, but that's just me (I paid enough for them, I'm gonna get my moneys worth). Seriously they are a sweet ride. I am about the same size as you and I haven't had any problems spokewise and have nearly 1000 miles on them.

plawless said:

I am looking to upgrade my wheels. I currently am on Campy Euros but rather than giving up dessert I thoght I woud try to buy some success. I dont know what to do. Zipp 404 - Campy Bora Ultra - Mavic? something else?

I am around 200 lbs and generally stick to the road (no crits etc).

Any advice appreciated.

I am 6' and just over 200. I have two sets of wheels for my Road bike. I use Mavic Cosmic Carbone Premium clinchers for training. A bit heavy, but great training wheels.

I have a set of ZIPP 404 Tubbies for club rides and racing. I spoke with ZIPP before buying as I was concerned with the 200# weight limit. They told me the wheels are conservatively rated and would be fine for me.

The 404's are significantly lighter then the Mavic Cosmic Carbone Premiums and the ride is superb.

plawless said:

I am looking to upgrade my wheels. I currently am on Campy Euros but rather than giving up dessert I thoght I woud try to buy some success. I dont know what to do. Zipp 404 - Campy Bora Ultra - Mavic? something else?

I am around 200 lbs and generally stick to the road (no crits etc).

Any advice appreciated.

I currently have the Eurus like yourself and a set of clinchers HED ALPS for training. I've ridden both the 404s and the Carbones, and nothing compares so far to the eurus you and I have (my opinion). So if you have the money to spend I will recommend you stick with Campy (the BORAS) it has the same 3G technology that the Eurus have with less weight and aerodynamic profile. One downner for me is that they are tubulars. I live in Miami and we tend to get alot of flats down here, so tubulars would be a pain for me.

Bests

Unless you plan to do some serious racing I don't think spending 2000 on a pair of Boras makes sense unless you have cash to burn. Really, you're not going to get a ton of benefit from any deep section wheels unless you are TTing? Just my opinion.

I also have 404's in tubie. Sweet riding wheels, very smooth, and a bit faster on downhills than the 30mm AL aero wheels. But the main reason I love to keep the Zipps on is the velvet smooth ride, a combination of the tubular tires and CF rim.

You do want to watch out for road hazards with a CF rim. It isn't so much that it's substantially more fragile than an AL rim, just that the cost of rim replacement is much higher.

My everyday wheelset is Campy Zonda in clincher. Also a fine wheelset.

Personally, I couldn't have justified the Zipps had I bought them new. Got them used on ebay.

I have a set of 202, 303 and 404, each has its useful purpose and all are great wheels. Buy what you can afford, wheel upgrades are IMO the best place to spend money.

Not on CF bottle cage bolts

Loose bodyweight....😎