Vuelta wheels

[Al C-F]

Hi all,

A quick question:
is there anything wrong with the Vuelta ZeroLite Corsa wheelset? They
seem remarkably cheap, and (to my eyes) they look rather nice.

They're not heading for a huge amunt of use - I just fancy building a
frame into something 'pretty' for short rides when I don't need to take
the tourer, and perhaps I'll take a look at the TTs organised by one of
the local clubs.

I know the panel would recommend handbuilt, but I can always have a go
at tuning them with a spoke key - I was wondering if the hub bearings
are going to collapse and the rims buckle at the first sign of use.

Cheers,
Al

 

[David E. Belcher]

Al C-F wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> A quick question:
> is there anything wrong with the Vuelta ZeroLite Corsa wheelset? They
> seem remarkably cheap, and (to my eyes) they look rather nice.
>
> They're not heading for a huge amunt of use - I just fancy building a
> frame into something 'pretty' for short rides when I don't need to take
> the tourer, and perhaps I'll take a look at the TTs organised by one of
> the local clubs.
>
> I know the panel would recommend handbuilt, but I can always have a go
> at tuning them with a spoke key - I was wondering if the hub bearings
> are going to collapse and the rims buckle at the first sign of use.
>

I'll let you know! I've just ordered a pair myself (from Parkers) as I
was tempted by the price and needed to get the race bike up and running
again on a shoestring, so I'll have to see how I get on with them. I've
also upgraded to a proper Campag 9sp transmission rather than a
bodge-it-yourself 8sp one using Shimano 8sp cassette with Campag 9sp
mechs and shifters. For a budget wheel, probably better quality/value
than Gipiemme T-Quattros; mine finally ended up falling to bits
(freehub failure) just as most other owners' examples have. No chance
of repair either, as Gipiemme themselves went bust about 10 months ago,
so the former UK agents hardly have any spare bits left :-(

David Belcher

 

[Al C-F]

David E. Belcher wrote:
> Al C-F wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>A quick question:
>>is there anything wrong with the Vuelta ZeroLite Corsa wheelset? They
>>seem remarkably cheap, and (to my eyes) they look rather nice.
>>
>>They're not heading for a huge amunt of use - I just fancy building a
>>frame into something 'pretty' for short rides when I don't need to take
>>the tourer, and perhaps I'll take a look at the TTs organised by one of
>>the local clubs.
>>
>>I know the panel would recommend handbuilt, but I can always have a go
>>at tuning them with a spoke key - I was wondering if the hub bearings
>>are going to collapse and the rims buckle at the first sign of use.
>>
>
>
> I'll let you know! I've just ordered a pair myself (from Parkers) as I
> was tempted by the price and needed to get the race bike up and running
> again on a shoestring, so I'll have to see how I get on with them. I've
> also upgraded to a proper Campag 9sp transmission rather than a
> bodge-it-yourself 8sp one using Shimano 8sp cassette with Campag 9sp
> mechs and shifters. For a budget wheel, probably better quality/value
> than Gipiemme T-Quattros; mine finally ended up falling to bits
> (freehub failure) just as most other owners' examples have. No chance
> of repair either, as Gipiemme themselves went bust about 10 months ago,
> so the former UK agents hardly have any spare bits left :-(
>
> David Belcher
>
Thanks David, I thought I might try ebay item 7250617864. Seems like a
good price.

Cheers,

 

[David E. Belcher]

Al C-F wrote:
>
> >
> Thanks David, I thought I might try ebay item 7250617864. Seems like a
> good price.
>

Just as an update, my Vuelta Zerolites arrived from Parkers this
morning, and I am *very* pleased with them; even better value for money
than I thought, since the rear freehub, for the Campag version at
least, is a cartridge-bearing type and extremely smooth running (the
ball 'n' cone front hub is rather unexciting by comparison!). Finish &
build quality definitely better than the Gipiemme wheels, the weight is
a shade less mainly due to being 24-spoke rather than 28, and they even
throw in a few spare spokes. Time to get busy installing them tonight
once I've watched the TdF coverage on ITV, I think....

David Belcher

 

[Al C-F]

David E. Belcher wrote:
> Al C-F wrote:
>
>>Thanks David, I thought I might try ebay item 7250617864. Seems like a
>>good price.
>>
>
>
> Just as an update, my Vuelta Zerolites arrived from Parkers this
> morning, and I am *very* pleased with them; even better value for money
> than I thought, since the rear freehub, for the Campag version at
> least, is a cartridge-bearing type and extremely smooth running (the
> ball 'n' cone front hub is rather unexciting by comparison!). Finish &
> build quality definitely better than the Gipiemme wheels, the weight is
> a shade less mainly due to being 24-spoke rather than 28, and they even
> throw in a few spare spokes. Time to get busy installing them tonight
> once I've watched the TdF coverage on ITV, I think....
>
> David Belcher
>

Excellent news. I went for the ebay offer (dave hinde cycles) and I'm
waiting for them to arrive. I've got a few more bits to buy to complete
building the bike before I can ride them.

 

[David E. Belcher]

Al C-F wrote:

> Excellent news. I went for the ebay offer (dave hinde cycles) and I'm
> waiting for them to arrive. I've got a few more bits to buy to complete
> building the bike before I can ride them.

Let me know how you get on. I've only given the bike a spin around the
block so far, but all the signs are very encouraging. 9sp all-Campag
transmission works a treat, too!
On a far less pleasant note, had to ride home from work - on the
training bike, I hasten to add - in a flash flood tonight (complete
with over-worked drains, murky-looking water, and a rather ominous
smell in the air) :-(

David Belcher