bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced

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2012-05-23 3:30 PM

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Indiana
Subject: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced

I've been riding on the wheels that came on my Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra since I got it last year, but the rear popped a spoke and I am starting to wonder if it may be entering the last phase of its life. I think I am fairly hard on bike wheels: I am 215 lbs, and I use the same wheels for everything: training, racing, group rides, zipping around town, and even some occasional kid trailer duty (though I try to limit this to my hybrid bike as much as possible).

Would like suggestions for a wheel set that is durable enough for my varied uses. Second criterion is price: I can't afford the mega-$ wheels so beloved of BT folks. $400 a set would be a painful stretch, but just do-able. Third priority would be speed; I am not in that performance zone where shaving 30 seconds with super fast wheels will get me on a podium or qualify me for Kona - but obviously I would like the best performance I can get given my first two criteria.

2012-05-23 3:36 PM
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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced

Wheel durability is more an issue of the build, as most rims will last a good long time. I doubt that your rear wheel is nearing the end of its life after a year, regardless of your weight (215 isn't that high).

But... the best, most durable wheels I've encountered are those built on the Mavic Open Pro rims. I have several wheels built on the Mavic Open 4CD (a couple generations before the Open Pro), and they're some 18+ years old, and going strong. But I also don't race tri's on them... Not the most aero rim going.

2012-05-23 3:39 PM
in reply to: #4225856

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Malvern, PA
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
Look at what Neuvation has to offer.
2012-05-23 4:15 PM
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Elite
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Cleveland
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
I have to 2nd what briderdt said - I doubt that you're wearing them out after just one year. It's probably just a single spoke and your LBS can probably repair it cheaply.

If you absolutely want to buy a new set and aren't overly/hyper worried about weight, I bought a set of these and while I haven't ridden them much (still), I kinda like em. I'm a bigger guy like you (I float between 208-215) and they're fine for me, and they look kinda cool, too

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XOJD9A/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00


I've compared these to Easton EA50's and with the exception of these being about 1/2 kg heavier (which for big guys like us is kinda moot), they compare VERY favorably, for a boatload less (Easton's: >$400/set, AeroMax: $99/set).

I kinda broke it down in a post in Gear Reviews: here
2012-05-23 4:17 PM
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Deep in the Heart of Texas
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
x2 on the Mavic Open Pros.  A set should run you under $400. 
2012-05-23 4:20 PM
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Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
Shimano WH-R500

You can pick them up for about $200 and they'll probably outlast you if you change out the bearings regularly.

(edit) Oh, I vary between 215 and 230 and they don't have a problem with it.

Edited by DanielG 2012-05-23 4:21 PM

2012-05-23 4:28 PM
in reply to: #4225993

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Elite
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Cleveland
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
DanielG - 2012-05-23 5:20 PM

Shimano WH-R500

You can pick them up for about $200 and they'll probably outlast you if you change out the bearings regularly.

(edit) Oh, I vary between 215 and 230 and they don't have a problem with it.


I have those on my tri bike that I just got (bike came with them), which is why I still haven't ridden those AeroMax much.
I love my R500's.

Though, I do kinda wonder if those and the AeroMax aren't the same but rebranded... the specs are VERY similar.

Edited by cgregg 2012-05-23 4:29 PM
2012-05-23 4:33 PM
in reply to: #4226002

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced

I can't seem to knock my R-500's out of tru no matter what I do to them, and I'm 235lbs.

I found this:  http://thatswhatshesaidaboutyourbike.blogspot.com/2009/07/top-nine-bombproof-wheels.html

It's somewhat dated, but most of those wheels are still being made.  Many of them are also suggested in this thread and other similar threads.

2012-05-23 6:29 PM
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Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
The one downside of shimano wheels is that you eliminate the possibility of a wheel cover for that wheel. 
2012-05-23 7:46 PM
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Master
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Bedford, MA
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
Very happy with my two sets of Neuvation wheels. Over 9,000 miles on the two pairs that I have, and neither has had to be trued. They roll well and are light, durable, and reasonably priced.
2012-05-23 8:20 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Eden Prairie, MN, Minnesota
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced
For $400, my vote is for the ROL Volant.  I've had a great experience with my Volants.  I love the way they ride for a "budget" wheel.  They've taken plenty of beat-downs, but still remain true after 3 years.

2012-05-30 7:18 PM
in reply to: #4225856

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Indiana
Subject: RE: bike wheels recommendations: durable and moderately priced

UPDATE:

Rear wheel went out of true again - at the point now where I have to ride with the brakes "open" to keep them from rubbing. So the mechanic at my LBS calls Cannondale and tells them my rear wheel is shot. Previously had had problems with the front, which they replaced with the same original equipment wheel. This time Cannondale says they'll replace the whole wheelset - and not with the same wheels, but upgrading to Shimano WH R 500s. Came back to this thread and saw, yes, those are the same Shimanos several people had recommended here.

Needless to say, Cannondale and my LBS both earned some customer loyalty today Smile



Edited by alath 2012-05-30 7:33 PM
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