Wheels for under $600

Have you looked at the Campag wheels?

you should be able to get a set of Zondas or maybe neutrons for $600 US

Do you have any ideas about how these perform? weights?

The american classics are going for $600 from bike nashbar ...and they weight around 1450 g .....that's pretty good I think

Or I can go cheap by just getting the rear wheel only and get something else cheap for the front wheel

Ksyriums aren't too heavy, Rudy. The SLs are just over 1500g, which is very light; the much cheaper Elites are heavier, but at 1745g, they're 230g lighter than the Cosmic Elites.

How about Ritchey WCSs, or Cane Creek Volos?

You could probably also find a pair of Velomax Ascent IIs or Orion IIs for under $600. Worth looking into, at least. I've considered those for a while myself...

Here's a link on this subject from a week or two ago.

http://www.cyclingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52835

I will reiterate the fact that the Race Lites have worked great for me! 😉

Lokstah...have you taken a look at the american classic 420 as I mentioned here? I thought they're pretty good for the price and not bad looking aero wheels either.
I just simply can't decide...on how I should build up my Talon. To build it with dura ace and cheaper wheels or decent wheels with ultegra...or somewhere in between and save some dough...
Whatever it is...I sure like to have black wheels...for my talon has a yellow and black theme color

You can get all the technical stuff for campag wheels on their site

I've got Campag protons and they work very well, nice bearings, fairly light and they only cost me $650 AU

Good report on the Protons. Wonder how long you've used them? According to the Campy website, they ride better than their aero section wheels, and are ideal for long-distance riding.

Sounds like what I want, but how about durability on the 24 spoke rear? (Zonda is even lower at 21 rear). Can these possibly hold up as well as a 32 spoke Record hub and Mavic OP rim? I don't need a wheel that comes unglued halfway across the state!

I'm looking at buildkit options now also for a new frame, and the Race Lites are a good deal. However, I'm leaning to spending more for a Campy wheel, either Campy hub/Mavic OP 32 spoke classic, or the Proton or Zonda. I like the appearance of a Campy wheel on a Campy-equipped bike, and favor the classic 32 spoke look.

These choices all weigh roughly the same as the Race Lites, and minor weight savings isn't an issue for me since I don't race. Primarily for me it's style, durability, ease of repair/rebuild, and a good ride over the sometimes bumpy backroads.

Appreciate any additional insight/comments folks here may have.

Dan

dan...if primarily for you is style...then what about some aero wheels like the american classics? or even the Mavic Ksyriums series?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
I'm in the process of building a new bike and can't decide about wheels. I can spend very little right now, like getting the wheels that came with a kit, and upgrade them later on.

What ya think of any of these wheels?

For cheap wheels, I was considering the Bontrager Race Lite.

Mavic Cosmic Elite?

A little bit more money...would be the Mavic Ksyrium, but they're heavy.

If I decide/can go all out, I may get the American Classic 420..

Or I can just get a American classic 420 rear wheel only for now...

Thanks

Hi,
I think this thread turned into"Which wheels are lighter". But if you want a high quality pair of wheels that are high performance but reasonably inexpensive, I have a brand new pair of Mavic Cosmic Elite's I'll sell you for $350.00.
Please e-mail me at [email hidden] if you're interested. I also have a large list of parts for sale.

Thanks,
Jason

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
Lokstah...have you taken a look at the american classic 420 as I mentioned here? I thought they're pretty good for the price and not bad looking aero wheels either.
I just simply can't decide...on how I should build up my Talon. To build it with dura ace and cheaper wheels or decent wheels with ultegra...or somewhere in between and save some dough...
Whatever it is...I sure like to have black wheels...for my talon has a yellow and black theme color

Honestly, not yet, but thanks for the tip. I've heard good things about AC wheels in general. If you go that route, be sure to let us know how they work out for you.

Since you brought up style, though 🙂, I'm actually leaning towards something not black for my next build. The silver '04 Ksyriums are looking mighty nice...

What about the campy Scirocco? The set weight in at around 1700g but at a price around $350 to $400

Anyone has any ideas about these as suppose to the campy protons?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
What about the campy Scirocco? The set weight in at around 1700g but at a price around $350 to $400

Anyone has any ideas about these as suppose to the campy protons?

I don't know anyone using those... they worry me a touch because Campagnolo sells them as a newer budget wheel employing the sexy G3 spoke technology of their flagships -- in other words, a cheap wheel designed to look like a fancy wheel.

That's probably an unfair assesment on some level, but my basic shopper's instinct tells me that if I'm buying something which costs considerably less than average, it had better be a pretty basic piece of merchandise. For $350, I'd rather get a pair of rock-steady Ritcheys and leave it at that.

What sort of prices are you finding for the AC 420s?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
I don't know anyone using those... they worry me a touch because Campagnolo sells them as a newer budget wheel employing the sexy G3 spoke technology of their flagships -- in other words, a cheap wheel designed to look like a fancy wheel.

That's probably an unfair assesment on some level, but my basic shopper's instinct tells me that if I'm buying something which costs considerably less than average, it had better be a pretty basic piece of merchandise. For $350, I'd rather get a pair of rock-steady Ritcheys and leave it at that.

What sort of prices are you finding for the AC 420s?

I spotted the AM 420 ...a full set for $600 at bike nashbar...if you have their coupons, another 10% usually.. These I've seen at $650 and up.

I read a good long term report on these wheels but seem to have lost the url plus I'm at work. But i'll find & post it once I get home. I think it's from some site called "PEZ" or something similar.

I'm very tempted to get the am 420 rear wheel or even the full set. These are used by quite a few TT riders at LBS. And they're selling for $660 there.

LOL..I'm just getting back to cycling seriously...and my job doesn't always allow me to go ride every day. so I'm also having a hard time justifying a $600 wheelset. Though I may look good with them but my skills are...well...need more riding times.. hehe

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
I'm in the process of building a new bike and can't decide about wheels. I can spend very little right now, like getting the wheels that came with a kit, and upgrade them later on.

What ya think of any of these wheels?

For cheap wheels, I was considering the Bontrager Race Lite.

Mavic Cosmic Elite?

A little bit more money...would be the Mavic Ksyrium, but they're heavy.

If I decide/can go all out, I may get the American Classic 420..

Or I can just get a American classic 420 rear wheel only for now...

Thanks

Cirrus wheels at excel...$300. Hard to beat.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
I don't know anyone using those... they worry me a touch because Campagnolo sells them as a newer budget wheel employing the sexy G3 spoke technology of their flagships -- in other words, a cheap wheel designed to look like a fancy wheel.

That's probably an unfair assesment on some level, but my basic shopper's instinct tells me that if I'm buying something which costs considerably less than average, it had better be a pretty basic piece of merchandise. For $350, I'd rather get a pair of rock-steady Ritcheys and leave it at that.

What sort of prices are you finding for the AC 420s?

I think the rims and spokes on the various G3 technologies are very nearly the same (although the Eurus has front radial lacing, not G3). The main difference is in the hubs. Eurus uses the Record hub with the plastic external cover (HPW design?). The Scirocco uses the Mirage hub, perhaps?

My Eurus wheels have been rock solid. I wouldn't hesitate on the Sciroccos myself. There is a weight difference (and possibly durability and smoothness?) that comes with the hub and price differences, but it might be a good tradeoff.

You're probably right, Look381i. I suppose my aprehensions about the Sciroccos are sort of moot, because I'm not really shopping for a wheel in that category right now, and I couldn't justify Campy wheels on a Shimano drivetrain anyways.

Good to know folks will vouch for their sturdiness, though.

What about Velomax? They are the same price as the others quoted and may be better/stronger.

Velomaxes are pretty intriguing. I've only heard and read good things about them, they're light, and the prices are below average. Can't find too many consumer complaints about Ascents or Orions failing, either; plus, they come in clinchers and tubulars.

Just wish I knew some folks who had them; it'd be nice to get some first-hand advice or ride them myself.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Velomaxes are pretty intriguing. I've only heard and read good things about them, they're light, and the prices are below average. Can't find too many consumer complaints about Ascents or Orions failing, either; plus, they come in clinchers and tubulars.

Just wish I knew some folks who had them; it'd be nice to get some first-hand advice or ride them myself.

I bought the Campy Nuetrons under $600 from www.bikesitalia.com and you could probably go with Chorus or Veloce instead of Shimano too from them. I just built a whole bike form Mirco at bikesitalia and his prices are great. I have only riden the Nuetrons about 40 miles so far but the guy that owns the LBS in town rides them over his ksyriums all the time that's why I went with them in tubular though.