Best Value for Aero Clincher Wheel Set

I lik the Hed3 as a good value in a front wheel. Certainly well within your budget.

I bought a used pair of Hed Jet 60's with about 400 miles on them.  They didn't have a mark on them and I got them for under $900.  Nice wheels that I can train and race on in all conditions.  I guess I could add a disc cover if I felt the need.

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I was recently in the same situation .... here's what I learned.

Easton EC70's on Chainreaction for a grand is a fair deal, but this is not a premium wheel ... it is a very good wheel though, probably more wheel than I can fully utilize. It is a 38mm deep carbon clincher with an aluminum braking surface, so it is extremely durable and verstatile. It's a little heavy if I recall ~ 1750 grams.  I have not ridden these wheels, though.

Probikekit (and Chainreaction)  has Shimano 7850 50mm Dura Ace carbon clinchers for about $1300. This is a Kona quality wheel. Competitive Cyclist sells them for two large, and has a great video review online of this wheel. The video review is worth watching. I have ridden these wheels, just once, and liked them. Hard to go wrong here. The only thing holding me back was 16/20 spoke pattern. These wheels are reported to be VERY durable, but I go about 180 and so was looking for 20/24 spokes.

Neuvation carbon clinchers.... hmmmm.... I have Neuvation aluminum M28 Aeros on my roadie and like them alot. People who like John and Neuvation REALLY like John and Neuvation. These would be worth a try but I'd be thinking about paying a little more for the Shimano. If you get stuck in your decision-making and want to upgrade without going all in, then the lighter R28 Aero 4's are a god choice. As I said, I have these ... have 600 miles on them, and love them. They are very durable, but not the lightest thing going, although the R's are about 200grams lighter than the M's. These are 28mm deep Aluminum wheels, but not really a whole lot nicer than your Bontragers. (I'd take the R28's over the Race, tho).

Me, I just picked up a set of Reynolds DV3K 46mm full carbon clinchers with Ti-skewers and bags for $1250 on Bonktown. You have to be persistent to score on Bonktown. This was a good deal.... this is normally a $2K+ wheelset. And for $200 I can buy 3 year NQA wheel insurance from Reynolds, so I can ride these in centuries and occaisional training rides without fear of cata$trophic failure. I'll get a review on these up in the next month or so. I can't wait to get them out on Seagull Century in a few weeks!

If I had not gotten the Reynolds, I'd have been on the lookout for a pair of closeout Flashpoint 40's or (preferrably) 60's in the $1200 range. They are made by the boys in Speedway, Indiana ... you know ...those same guys who make the Zipps. I have ridden these, but only briefly on a demo bike ... but they are ....hmmmmmm well, zippy. And also relatively rugged. I've heard similar reports on the Srams.

You could also ask this same queston on roadbikereview and get some input from bike-freakin-maniac-all-day-all-bike experts....

Happy hunting.

personally i have flashpoint fp60 front / fp80 rear.  combo is about $1400.

HED3 is a good set if you can get them used.  MY SUGGESTION though:

Neuvation c50

front clincher $429
rear clincher with power tap $1170

you are getting aero + power tap with computer and for $1500 + 100 and you can get disc cover for the wheel for races.

Just FYI .... won't be the case when you read this ... but those Reynolds DV3K carbon clinchers are back on Bonktown for 31 more minutes.... this time for $1230 .... even less that they were last week. These normally go for about two grand.
http://www.bonktown.com/?cmp_id=ODAT_GGCL5001&amp%3bmv_pc=1032&amp%3bcmp_sku=CCL0003

Thanks for the update!  Of course I was at the gym doing a swim workout!  I'll keep a close eye on Bonktown to see these come up again!

Yep, agree ... my Neuvation M28's have 600 miles on them. I weigh about 180 and have had no problems with them. I trued three spokes on one wheel, right after new (not uncommon), on the rear wheel and after that they get around backwoods Maryland chipseal with no worries.... they are bombpoof, and faster than I am. ( I roll out on my buddies $1000 Bontrager Race X Lites at freakin' EXACTLY the same speed as my $250 Neuvation M28 Aero 3's).  But there is a HUGE difference on my roadie when I slapped on a pair of demo Z404's. No doubt. 300 grams is what ... over half a pound ... no big deal on the flat, but feel-able on the up hill. And the aero is noticeable. Plus the deep dish carbon's make that cool TZRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR sound....