best wheelset for custom frame

Kocsis said:

Looking for recommendations - given the price of the frame (a Seven Ti) and Campy Record components, what would be the best....not for $3,000, but something appropriate and high quality. I weigh 150 lbs and will use road bike on all kinds of surfaces, including commuting on roads, some sand (inevitable in New England)....so i need something a bit forgiving. Thanks for advice.

how about a Custom wheelset w/ at least Record 9/10 hubs :p 😉

Right....any suggestions for rims? spokes?

Kocsis said:

Right....any suggestions for rims? spokes?

DT RR1.1 rims......DT Revolution spokes.......

Kocsis said:

Looking for recommendations - given the price of the frame (a Seven Ti) and Campy Record components, what would be the best....not for $3,000, but something appropriate and high quality. I weigh 150 lbs and will use road bike on all kinds of surfaces, including commuting on roads, some sand (inevitable in New England)....so i need something a bit forgiving. Thanks for advice.

Why not continue w/Campy? The Campy Eurus is a very solid performer for under $700.00 an they roll on Record hubs.

mjmc1273 said:

Why not continue w/Campy? The Campy Eurus is a very solid performer for under $700.00 an they roll on Record hubs.

Ahhhhh Consumerizm at its finest 😕 🙂 🙁

I'm sure they are fine wheels..... but $700 is a chunk to lay down for a set of road wheels(to commute on .... or do an occational race on).

Record hubs.... on a pair of Mavic Open Pro (silver.. black... CD... what ever), laced with butted spokes... and alloy nips - this can be accomplished for about $350 new Go with brass nips if you want to be certain not to have any nipple issues/seizing up. Or even 15 gauge spokes/alloy nips up front..... and 14 gauge butted w/brass nipples on the rear(given how much more stress the rear wheel recieves . Could even go 28-hole front , 32-hole rear 😉 😄

Adam-from-SLO said:

Ahhhhh Consumerizm at its finest 😕 🙂 🙁

I'm sure they are fine wheels..... but $700 is a chunk to lay down for a set of road wheels(to commute on .... or do an occational race on).

Record hubs.... on a pair of Mavic Open Pro (silver.. black... CD... what ever), laced with butted spokes... and alloy nips - this can be accomplished for about $350 new Go with brass nips if you want to be certain not to have any nipple issues/seizing up. Or even 15 gauge spokes/alloy nips up front..... and 14 gauge butted w/brass nipples on the rear(given how much more stress the rear wheel recieves . Could even go 28-hole front , 32-hole rear 😉 😄

You sure on $350? The Record hubs are around 270 to 300.00. The OP's are @ 60.00 apiece. Maybe $50 for spokes. Maybe $30 for nipples. Maybe shipping, tax and labor charges and you're at $600.00.

I have a set of 32 DT spoke, Record hubs, OP's, and alum nipples and I think they cost me near the 600.00 built here locally in San Jose. Owner of the shop says the campy wheels are great. Hasn't had many failures, they're light and they work for everyday. I didn't want to spend the extra money because I was building a whole bike and it was getting expensive...

tfstrum said:

You sure on $350? The Record hubs are around 270 to 300.00. The OP's are @ 60.00 apiece. Maybe $50 for spokes. Maybe $30 for nipples. Maybe shipping, tax and labor charges and you're at $600.00.

I have a set of 32 DT spoke, Record hubs, OP's, and alum nipples and I think they cost me near the 600.00 built here locally in San Jose. Owner of the shop says the campy wheels are great. Hasn't had many failures, they're light and they work for everyday. I didn't want to spend the extra money because I was building a whole bike and it was getting expensive...

go to : www.coloradocyclist.com , and in there new catolog, Record hubs w/silver open pro's(14 gauge spokes/brass nips) = $367 + shipping. To upgrade to butted spokes = .16 cents per spoke , and silver alloy nips = .10 cents each. I'm sure if you check around the web.... etc. , you could find this wheelset w/ butted spokes... maybe silver alloy nips , shipped for about $400. Shucks... I remember back in 1997, I bought a MTB front wheel- King Hub on a Mavic 517 Ceramic 32-butted spokes for = $125 😄

Wow... those prices you gave for spokes/nips are way off... maybe if your paying retail at some LBS that could care less about there customers, ... no bro-deal ..... and no complete wheel build 😕

Adam-from-SLO said:

Ahhhhh Consumerizm at its finest 😕 🙂 🙁

I'm sure they are fine wheels..... but $700 is a chunk to lay down for a set of road wheels(to commute on .... or do an occational race on).

Record hubs.... on a pair of Mavic Open Pro (silver.. black... CD... what ever), laced with butted spokes... and alloy nips - this can be accomplished for about $350 new Go with brass nips if you want to be certain not to have any nipple issues/seizing up. Or even 15 gauge spokes/alloy nips up front..... and 14 gauge butted w/brass nipples on the rear(given how much more stress the rear wheel recieves . Could even go 28-hole front , 32-hole rear 😉 😄

Your statement is true enough. However, Campy Record components are also not a commuting requirement. 😉

mjmc1273 said:

Your statement is true enough. However, Campy Record components are also not a commuting requirement. 😉

Exactly ... 😄 😉

However, it sounds like he is building up one hell of a bike w/ Record already.

**Also, if you go with a specialty wheelset(ie. Campy Neutron, etc.)... they have a spoke count of say 22F/ 24R ...... well, what happens when the rim goes to [censored].... then your left with some super nice Record quality hubs... but where in the hell are you gonna find a 22 / 24 hole rim 😕 🙁 :p 😉

Forgot to mention... Colorado Cyclist also has:
*Record w/ Mavic CXP-33 Black rims @ $378 ( almost 2oz. heavier then Open Pro... but mega- bomb proof 😉

*Chorus w/ Mavic CXP-33 Black @ $344

*Chorus w/ Mavic Open Pro silver @ $344

Decisions... Decisions :o

Ahhhhhhhhhh, get out there and ride.... its almost 2006....... Happy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😄 😄 🙂

Thanks for all input. It's going to be a great New year! Happy new year to all!🙂

Adam-from-SLO said:

Exactly ... 😄 😉

However, it sounds like he is building up one hell of a bike w/ Record already.

**Also, if you go with a specialty wheelset(ie. Campy Neutron, etc.)... they have a spoke count of say 22F/ 24R ...... well, what happens when the rim goes to [censored].... then your left with some super nice Record quality hubs... but where in the hell are you gonna find a 22 / 24 hole rim 😕 🙁 :p 😉

Forgot to mention... Colorado Cyclist also has:
*Record w/ Mavic CXP-33 Black rims @ $378 ( almost 2oz. heavier then Open Pro... but mega- bomb proof 😉

*Chorus w/ Mavic CXP-33 Black @ $344

*Chorus w/ Mavic Open Pro silver @ $344

Decisions... Decisions :o

Ahhhhhhhhhh, get out there and ride.... its almost 2006....... Happy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😄 😄 🙂

Adam, I agree with you that the pre-built Campy wheels are quite pricey, but replacement rims and spokes are readily available for their wheels (not on the shelf of your LBS, but by order). Just like any other Campy component, you can rebuild it--at a cost though. I had a chance to pick up a proton hub in good condition for about $50, but passed when I found out that the rim and spokes would be and additional $140 at online discount prices.

Since he's building a nice bike, I didn't think he wanted low end stuff. Spokes range from .50 to 1.20 depending on what he wants. 32 per wheel and it adds up. Plus nipples...

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=779
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/displayproductlist_v2.cfm?&CGRFNBR=313&CRPCGNBR=313&TextMode=0&CI=1,224

tfstrum said:

Since he's building a nice bike, I didn't think he wanted low end stuff. Spokes range from .50 to 1.20 depending on what he wants. 32 per wheel and it adds up. Plus nipples...

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=779
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/displayproductlist_v2.cfm?&CGRFNBR=313&CRPCGNBR=313&TextMode=0&CI=1,224

Re-read my las post regarding the Colorado Cyclist pricing..... thats in buying a "custom wheels" - which include your choice of hubs/rims/spokes/nips. Even better- give them a call 1800-688-8600 and talk with a sales rep for 3-5 minutes - problem solved :o 🙂

Adam-from-SLO said:

Ahhhhh Consumerizm at its finest 😕 🙂 🙁

I'm sure they are fine wheels..... but $700 is a chunk to lay down for a set of road wheels(to commute on .... or do an occational race on).

But in response to a rider who's purchasing a custom Seven Ti frame, a perfectly reasonable suggestion, no? You're going to get very different rides from the great wheelset you suggested and the Eurus, aren't you? Just curious, facing a similar kind of question myself.

achtervolger said:

But in response to a rider who's purchasing a custom Seven Ti frame, a perfectly reasonable suggestion, no? You're going to get very different rides from the great wheelset you suggested and the Eurus, aren't you?

Very different rides.... I dont think so ( a 1-3 ounce difference.. maybe).

The way I look at wheels.... there are 4 different kinds:

1. aero wheels(CXP-30 .... Campy Vento/Shamal ..... Rolf Vector, Mavic Cosmic). Bullet-proof... great training wheels(heavey).. yet aero, if in case you need it in an event.

2. training wheels(could be boxed section.... heavy.... 36 hole, brass nips.... built to last a long time... and not have to be trued very often, with a "good enough" durable hub- ie. Ultegra, Athena, Chorus....).

3. Light wheels(tubulars... maybe).... light at the nipple/rim/tire . Designed to scale mountains in a single bound . This "custom wheel build" fits in the catogory... overall light, durable, reliable clinchers 😉

4. Light Aero wheels(usually carbon deep section).. ie. Zipp , HED, Corima, Mavic Carbone... etc. A great all around wheel that is light/aero.. here is where you spend the big $$ .

#3 can be attained without having to spend ALOT of money(ie. over $500) ...... where-as #4 , you get what you pay for - typically... have usually have to spend over $750 to get anything worth-wild

Adam-from-SLO said:

Very different rides.... I dont think so ( a 1-3 ounce difference.. maybe).

The way I look at wheels.... there are 4 different kinds:

1. aero wheels(CXP-30 .... Campy Vento/Shamal ..... Rolf Vector, Mavic Cosmic). Bullet-proof... great training wheels(heavey).. yet aero, if in case you need it in an event.

2. training wheels(could be boxed section.... heavy.... 36 hole, brass nips.... built to last a long time... and not have to be trued very often, with a "good enough" durable hub- ie. Ultegra, Athena, Chorus....).

3. Light wheels(tubulars... maybe).... light at the nipple/rim/tire . Designed to scale mountains in a single bound . This "custom wheel build" fits in the catogory... overall light, durable, reliable clinchers 😉

4. Light Aero wheels(usually carbon deep section).. ie. Zipp , HED, Corima, Mavic Carbone... etc. A great all around wheel that is light/aero.. here is where you spend the big $$ .

#3 can be attained without having to spend ALOT of money(ie. over $500) ...... where-as #4 , you get what you pay for - typically... have usually have to spend over $750 to get anything worth-wild

Don't know what the ounce difference would be, since the specs for a custom wheel are variable. But I'm talking about ride, not weight. I've been told repeatedly over the last week that a traditionally spoked wheel w/Record hubs and open pro or the like would be a lot less stiff laterally and offer a very different ride than a set of Eurus. Even with a lower spoke count. No?

First ?

do you plan to race this bike?

If so then it would be a good idea to build up a set of 32 spoke training wheels and then also buy a set of race-level wheels, I have a pair of Rolf Vigor's myself but I only use them for races and time trials.

The wheels I train on all the time have about twice the spokes and weigh 400 grams more.

achtervolger said:

Don't know what the ounce difference would be, since the specs for a custom wheel are variable. But I'm talking about ride, not weight. I've been told repeatedly over the last week that a traditionally spoked wheel w/Record hubs and open pro or the like would be a lot less stiff laterally and offer a very different ride than a set of Eurus. Even with a lower spoke count. No?

I'd say no. Does the person telling you this have a set of Eurus to sell you? The data I've seen, as well as my personal experience, says that lateral stiffness isn't really a selection criteria for wheels. Same for ride quality. Would be interesting to know which wheel your advisor claims rides better, and why.