Paul Kopit said:Derk said:My first priority is cycling without visiting any
repairshops if possible, but because I'll do a lot of
climbing, I want a relatively leightweight wheelset that
doesn't have to be trued all the time.
I have a pair of D-A 9S hubs lying around here. Would an
Open Pro wheelset be a good idea? Any ideas about this?
What is the difference in weight between a 36 spoke D-A
open Pro wheelset and a pair of ksyrium Elites?
Leave the Ksyrium's home. They are not readilly repaired
on the road. A set of Open Pro rims with 36 holes, DA
hubs, and 15/16 swaged spokes will work fine. The build is
everything. If built properly, you won't be truing the
wheels hardly ever. Should you have a mishap, replacing a
spoke or just riding with one spoke less works fine. On a
5 mi climb at 6% I'd doubt that the weight difference to
the Ksyriums would produce 1 minute of difference for
normal riders. Ultegra 6500 hubs will build just as good a
wheel. You will have difficulty finding Ultegra 6500 hubs
in 36 holes.
The CXP33s may be even stronger but I don't like them. I
much prefer the Velocity Aerohead OC ahead of the CXP33
and Open Pro.
Much of the weight difference in these lightweight wheels
comes from the hubs. For example, I bet my Rolf Sestriere
rims weigh at least as much as Open Pros, if not more. But
the Hugi-made hubs are probably 200g lighter, with the
rest of the weight savings coming from Ti skewers and
fewer spokes.
My Rolfs came with my bike and they're fine, but wouldn't be
my first choice. Instead I'd probably choose Velocity
Aerohead, Torelli Master, or Open Pro rims, 36 lightweight
DB spokes, and "whatever" hub and skewer, from a good
builder. Personally I don't think weight matters very much,
but if weight is a consideration then Hugi or Chris King
hubs are both lightweight and proven. I suppose the latest
DA and Campy hubs are pretty light too. Note that even with
such expensive components, custom-built wheels like these
will still cost less (MSRP) than Ksyriums, Sestrieres, or
other "hot" wheels du jour. They'll be built better, and
won't require special parts or tools to fix, should that
ever be necessary.
Sometimes I can't believe I'm riding around on a supposed
$800 set of wheels. It just seems silly. I've thought a lot
about "cashing them in" on eBay and buying what I would
really prefer, but so far they're holding up fine.
Matt O.
