General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Road Race Wheels?? Rss Feed  
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2006-03-14 4:18 PM

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Subject: Road Race Wheels??

In addition to my tri schedule I have started road racing. If you have not done a crit it is crazy fun!!!

I am looking for suggestions on a set of road race wheels, I will be doing crits/stage/ and one day races.

THANKS!!



2006-03-14 4:38 PM
in reply to: #369507

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The Original
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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
I have some American Classics- carbon rims 38's.  I love them- they are super light and they look really sharp too!
2006-03-14 4:50 PM
in reply to: #369507

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
I'm also using American Classics. 430s and 350s. But it also depends on your weight and buget.

Zip's 404 is hard to beat.
2006-03-14 7:36 PM
in reply to: #369507

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
What are some good websites to find crit races at?
2006-03-14 7:54 PM
in reply to: #369507

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??

If you start at www.usacycling.org then search for a club in your area, that would probably be the best place to start.  There is a web site for all of Kansas and the surrounding area which lists all of the crits / TTs / road races / and stage races.

For the wheels - I have looked at the American Classics but am not ready to drop the coin on another carbon set, looking for a light Aluminum set.  Thoughts there????

2006-03-14 8:01 PM
in reply to: #369706

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
Mavic Ksyrium SSL's ...... fairly decent weight, crazy strong, good solid all around wheel.

You don't want aero wheels for criteriums ........ stick with a good solid standard rim. The chances of you doing a true "stage" race are slim (especially as a 5, maybe when you get up to 2 or 1) . They are very few and far between. And you already have a TT bike for those days.


2006-03-14 9:03 PM
in reply to: #369507

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
AM Classics 350s are aluminum and retail for about $700 but can easily be had new on Ebay for $350 or less. They are very light, lighter (@1320) than Mavic Ksyirums @ 1560. ( one of the gold standards of aluminum wheels) AMCs are very strong and semi aero rims and good hubs. Just make sure they get trued by someone who knows what they are doing and the cassette gets mounted right with the extra shim and all three spacers.



Edited by Nob 2006-03-14 9:08 PM
2006-03-14 9:41 PM
in reply to: #369771

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
Forgot, weight limit on the 350 is 220# and tire pressure limit is 120#. Both are something worth knowing ahead of time.

Edited by Nob 2006-03-14 9:43 PM
2006-03-14 9:55 PM
in reply to: #369507

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
People love to bash Ksyeriums. They're not that light. They're not really aero. Half the field is on them, etc.

The reason half the field is on them is because they work. They aren't the lightest wheelset by far and they really aren't aero, but they are STIFF and tough as hell. You can find a lot of other wheelsets that are better in certain areas, but the K's are a great all around wheel.

Also look at Rolf Prima Vectors, Fulcrum Racing 1, OP's with Ultegra/Dura-Ace/Record hubs. I have a set of Dave Thomas wheels that I love for training or hilly rides but flex them enough to rubs the pads in a hard sprint.

What is your budget and do care about bling?
2006-03-14 10:27 PM
in reply to: #369507

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
What's the difference between road race wheels and a wheel you use for TT or Tris?
2006-03-15 7:01 AM
in reply to: #369796

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??

Nakima - 2006-03-14 9:55 PM People love to bash Ksyeriums. They're not that light. They're not really aero. Half the field is on them, etc. The reason half the field is on them is because they work. They aren't the lightest wheelset by far and they really aren't aero, but they are STIFF and tough as hell. You can find a lot of other wheelsets that are better in certain areas, but the K's are a great all around wheel. Also look at Rolf Prima Vectors, Fulcrum Racing 1, OP's with Ultegra/Dura-Ace/Record hubs. I have a set of Dave Thomas wheels that I love for training or hilly rides but flex them enough to rubs the pads in a hard sprint. What is your budget and do care about bling?

 

I've looked at the K's they are nice and they are in the hunt.  Rolfs - they look wicked fast, so you know anything about the Rolf Elans-really really light.  I was also given a recommendation for a custom build at odds and endos (www.oddsandendos.com).

 

Budget - under 1K - Bling not really unless they are the same price /  performance level.  Something that I am willing to put out during a crit and not worry about a crash - aka $1800 for a set of carbon wheels.



2006-03-15 8:52 AM
in reply to: #369884

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Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
I don't know anything about the Elan's other than they are a lightweight wheel. The Vigors higher rim profile is not really that aero but does increase lateral stiffness at not much of a weight penalty. Remember that for crits you want reasonable weight but a premium on stiffness and power transfer. I saw an interview recently with the guy that owns Carbon Sports (Lightweight Wheels) and he basically said that every pro they talk to wants stiff wheels over low weight, the low weight is a byproduct of their production process.

I've heard nothing but good things about Mike Garcia's wheels and his prices are great. One other that I forgot about are
2006-03-15 2:42 PM
in reply to: #369884

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Tuscaloosa, AL
Subject: RE: Road Race Wheels??
Sorry, got distracted at work. Another wheelset to consider are the Campy Eurus.
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