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Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 23rd 03, 06:29 AM
glen
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels


I just got a great deal on a Klein Q-Carbon. The only thing I don't
like about it is the cheap wheelset. I do a lot of charity rides and
don't race (usually average between 17-20 mph). I ride about 2000
miles per summer in hilly New England. I weigh 170 lbs. I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels:

Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs and butted stainless spokes ($200
set)

Cane Creek AeroHead SG - on sale for $249 (usually $450 set)

Mavic Cosmos ($300 set)

I've ridden the Open Pro set-up and the Cosmos in the past but I have
no expereince with the Cane Creeks except the good reputation of the
company. Since the Cane Creeks are almost half price, I'm leaning in
that direction. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks,

Glen
Ads
  #2  
Old November 23rd 03, 06:40 AM
Mike S.
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels


"glen" wrote in message
...

I just got a great deal on a Klein Q-Carbon. The only thing I don't
like about it is the cheap wheelset. I do a lot of charity rides and
don't race (usually average between 17-20 mph). I ride about 2000
miles per summer in hilly New England. I weigh 170 lbs. I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels:

Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs and butted stainless spokes ($200
set)

Cane Creek AeroHead SG - on sale for $249 (usually $450 set)

Mavic Cosmos ($300 set)

I've ridden the Open Pro set-up and the Cosmos in the past but I have
no expereince with the Cane Creeks except the good reputation of the
company. Since the Cane Creeks are almost half price, I'm leaning in
that direction. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks,

Glen


For what you're doing, stick with the OPs.

Mike


  #3  
Old November 23rd 03, 07:42 AM
Mike Jacoubowsky
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

I just got a great deal on a Klein Q-Carbon. The only thing I don't
like about it is the cheap wheelset. I do a lot of charity rides and
don't race (usually average between 17-20 mph). I ride about 2000
miles per summer in hilly New England. I weigh 170 lbs. I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels: ...


On many moderately-priced road bikes, the stock wheels leave a lot to be
desired due to spokes of low quality, poor build techniques (no
stress-relieving) and junky rims. That really isn't the case with the stock
wheelset on your machine.

That "cheap wheelset" is actually pretty decent. If you picked up a 2003
Q-Carbon, you've got fairly inexpensive yet very serviceable Tiagra hubs
laced up to Bontrager offset-spoke-bed rims. They're reasonably light and
very sturdy. If it's a 2004 Q-Carbon, you're looking at Bontrager Select
wheels, a bit more aero with 20 spokes front/24 spokes rear.

You'll make a more significant improvement in how the bike feels by
upgrading to really nice tires rather than any changes in the wheels. Yes,
really light wheels will feel nicer, and the bike will weigh a bit less, but
I think you'll find overall that the difference in tires from stock to
something like a GP3000 or Michelin Axial Pro Race will give you a smoother
ride and feel "zippier." (Sorry to throw around a technical term like
"zippier", but not sure how else to say it!).

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"glen" wrote in message
...

I just got a great deal on a Klein Q-Carbon. The only thing I don't
like about it is the cheap wheelset. I do a lot of charity rides and
don't race (usually average between 17-20 mph). I ride about 2000
miles per summer in hilly New England. I weigh 170 lbs. I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels:

Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs and butted stainless spokes ($200
set)

Cane Creek AeroHead SG - on sale for $249 (usually $450 set)

Mavic Cosmos ($300 set)

I've ridden the Open Pro set-up and the Cosmos in the past but I have
no expereince with the Cane Creeks except the good reputation of the
company. Since the Cane Creeks are almost half price, I'm leaning in
that direction. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks,

Glen



  #4  
Old November 23rd 03, 01:48 PM
B
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels:


I would go with the Mavic OP/Ultegra
B

(remove clothes to reply)
  #5  
Old November 23rd 03, 03:15 PM
Qui si parla Campagnolo
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

slovak- The only thing I don't
like about it is the cheap wheelset. I do a lot of charity rides and
don't race (usually average between 17-20 mph). I ride about 2000
miles per summer in hilly New England. I weigh 170 lbs. I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels: BRBR

Why?

What question do you wish to answer with the wheels you mentioned when compared
to the wheels on the bike?

If they have been built or at least tensioned, dished, trued, rounded and strss
relieved, they will work for you and will not hold you back in any way, shape
or form.

slovak but I have
no expereince with the Cane Creeks except the good reputation of the
company. BRBR


Must be a different company than the one's wheels we see....

slovak Since the Cane Creeks are almost half price, I'm leaning in
that direction. Does anyone have any advice for me? BRBR


ride??

Forget about upgrades until necessary?

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"
  #6  
Old November 23rd 03, 05:10 PM
Jeff Starr
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

"Mike Jacoubowsky" wrote in message .com...


On many moderately-priced road bikes, the stock wheels leave a lot to be
desired due to spokes of low quality, poor build techniques (no
stress-relieving) and junky rims. That really isn't the case with the stock
wheelset on your machine.

That "cheap wheelset" is actually pretty decent. If you picked up a 2003
Q-Carbon, you've got fairly inexpensive yet very serviceable Tiagra hubs
laced up to Bontrager offset-spoke-bed rims. They're reasonably light and
very sturdy. If it's a 2004 Q-Carbon, you're looking at Bontrager Select
wheels, a bit more aero with 20 spokes front/24 spokes rear.

You'll make a more significant improvement in how the bike feels by
upgrading to really nice tires rather than any changes in the wheels. Yes,
really light wheels will feel nicer, and the bike will weigh a bit less, but
I think you'll find overall that the difference in tires from stock to
something like a GP3000 or Michelin Axial Pro Race will give you a smoother
ride and feel "zippier." (Sorry to throw around a technical term like
"zippier", but not sure how else to say it!).

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Hi Mike [and others;-)], what can you tell me about the stock wheels
on my '02 LeMond Tourmalet?
I guess I'm mostly interested on learning more about the rims, the
bike comes with Matrix Aurora rims with a Tiagra rear hub and a no
name front hub. The rear is offset and other than some excessive
decals, I like their appearance.

If I go from IRC Redstorm Classics to Conti Ultra Gatorskins will
there be any "zippier" benefits, or must I go with the GP3000 for
"zippier"?


Eventually I want to get another set of wheels and I am leaning
towards the Open Pros w/Dura-Ace hubs. Should I also consider
replacing the hubs on my current wheels? The only downside to that
idea, is that I'll have to pay someone to do the labor. While I am
buying tools and starting to do more of my own labor, I'm not ready to
tackle wheels.
And finally comparison of DA to Ultegra hubs, differences? benefits?
Thank you,
Jeff
  #7  
Old November 23rd 03, 09:19 PM
Werehatrack
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Posts: n/a
Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 05:29:57 GMT, glen may have
said:

Does anyone have any advice for me?


Get on the bike. Ride it. If the wheels then prove unsatisfactory,
shop for different ones. Good deals on wheel sets happen all the
time, there is no need to be hasty.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something,
it's also possible that I'm busy.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
  #8  
Old November 23rd 03, 11:33 PM
David L. Johnson
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Posts: n/a
Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 05:29:57 +0000, glen wrote:


I just got a great deal on a Klein Q-Carbon. The only thing I don't like
about it is the cheap wheelset.


What's "cheap" about them? It would seem strange indeed if they weren't
on a par with your first suggestion of Mavic wheels and Shimano hubs.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | It is a scientifically proven fact that a mid life crisis can
_`\(,_ | only be cured by something racy and Italian. Bianchis and
(_)/ (_) | Colnagos are a lot cheaper than Maserattis and Ferraris. --
Glenn Davies

  #9  
Old November 23rd 03, 11:40 PM
Paul Kopit
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Default Need Advice Choosing Road Wheels

On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 05:29:57 GMT, glen wrote:

I weigh 170 lbs. I'm considering
three options to replace the wheels:

Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs and butted stainless spokes ($200
set)

Cane Creek AeroHead SG - on sale for $249 (usually $450 set)

Mavic Cosmos ($300 set)


Consider one more option, the Ultegra hub with a Velocity Aerohead
rim. Get 32 15/16 spokes. That should cost slightly less than the
Open Pro. Certainly build the wheels well. You'll have a wheelset
that you will wear out and get bored with because there is nothing to
do with them. I'd offer to build the wheels for you but I can't buy
the components for the $200 that you are being quoted.

The Cane Creeks are a unique hub and turning the nuts to trim the
wheel needs a special wrench.
 




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