gmason

I am deciding whether to buy or build a new set of wheels. The parameters:

1. I want them optimized for climbing.

2. I weigh about 80 kilos.

3. I want lube holes in the hubs.

4. Clinchers.

5. The lighter the better within these parameters.

Anyone?

If I build, any strongly felt recommendations for rims, spokes, etc.?

Thanks...Gary

TeamBikesportJR

hugi came out with these really cool hubs called 240s...check em out...they run for about $130 for the front (94 grams for the front!!!) and $260 for the back...that should help lighten ur wheels..or if u wanna buy a pair of wheels...american classic has a wheel the "sprint 350s"...very light weighing in around 1250 grams...hope this helps

~alex

Smoothie104

If you want them optimized for climbing, why not go tubular instead of clincher? Will you be descending on them too? I dread the day I blow out a front clincher on a twisty descent.

TeamBikesportJR

very true....way better selection of climbing wheels if u go tubular

capsicum

He said he wants greasable clincher recomendations.

pgreene

www.speeddream.com

dave thomas builds some great wheels. builds them light and very strong. give him a call; he'll hook you up.

BigFloppyLlama

I think it's hard to beat the Sprint 350's (especially if laced with Sapim CX-Ray spokes) in terms of weight. However I've heard of enough problems with the build and hub quality that I would personally shy away from them. Any reason why you're not considering going tubular?

gmason

Thanks for the good stuff so far.

As for tubulars, I have never used them, so don't want to get into them at this point (though I understand their appeal). I am 63, retired, and live in the foothills of the Alps, so climbing has become somewhat of a passion for me. I don't race, just climb for the fun of it. I have 36 spoke tank wheels now, and am just looking for a little easy help on the rotating mass front.

Descents? Of course - since I started, I have discovered that what goes up must come down. But I must say that I almost always like the climbs better. Many of the roads I ride are very narrow, with bad sight lines. And the folks here seem - by birthright, I assume - to always want to be partway over the "centerline", even when there isn't one. So the descents everywhere but on the very big and popular hills like le Mont Ventoux, Col de Limouches, Col d'Aleyrac, etc., are more, um ..., interesting than I would like.

I am thinking of 24 spokes as well. Comments?

Cheers...Gary

flat tire

I'm no racer, have little experience, and actually I am just an average Joe, but I really like my Campagnolo Eurus wheels.

Ajay213

How much do you want to spend? For $1500-2000(us in the us) you can get a wheelset that is just a hair over 1kg in weight (or even lighter), which would be awesome for the kind of climbing you're doing.

Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL's weigh in at about 1.5kg
Mavic Ksyrium Equipe or Cosmos weigh in at just under 2kg

Andrew

BigFloppyLlama

Here's a list compiled buy the people over at weight weenies consisting of the lightest clincher wheels.

1. Spada Stiletto Mg 1080g (NYA) $850
2. American Classic Magnesium 1207g 28/32 spokes, 24/24mm rims $1100
3. Spada Carbonio Aero Light 1260g, $650
4. Spada Stiletto Light 1280gm, 28/28 spokes, 18/18mm rims $650
5. Rolf Prima Elan Areo, 1295g, 20/24 spokes, 24mm rims, $950
6. Spada Carbonio Aero 1312g
7. Rolf Prima Elan 1314g (actual), 20/24 spokes, 24mm rims $850
8. American Classic 350 1320g (standard build), 28/32 spokes, $599
9. Spada Stiletto 1340g
10. FRM SP-R21SD Light 1348g
11. Campagnolo Ultra Hyperon 1350g, 22/24 spokes, $2200
12. Extra lite ExtraClimb 1360g
13. Nimble Fly 1367g
14. Velomax Victoria 1370g (145lb recomended weight limit, to be released in Jan)
15. Wheel Craft Sprint DS 1370g ( Actual) 18/24 Spokes, 40/40mm Rims $A1000
16. Speed Dream R 359 1390g, 25/32 spokes, $529
17. Ritchey WCS Protocal 1390g (to be released in Jan)
18. Campagnolo Hyperon 1395 g, 22/24 spokes
19. Nimble Spider 1400g
20. FSA (don't know model) 1400g (to be released in Jan)
21. Topolino 1402g (actual Shimano Freehub) , 24/24 spokes, 24/24mm rims
22. Velomax Ascent II 1423g (actual) $700
23. American Classic 420 1425g (standard build) 18/24 spokes, 34/34mm rims, $800
24. Wheelcraft Classic Elite 1427g (DT Rev's) 28/32 spokes, $A1000
25. Corima 1440g, 18/24 spokes, 45/45mm rims $994
26. Reynolds Stratus 1450g, 16/20 spokes, 46/46mm rims,
27. Rolf Prima Vigor 1467g (actual) 14/16 spokes, 34mm rims, $850
28. X-Lab Aero 1475g
29. Velomax Orion II 1477g $700
30. Extra Lite ExtraRoad 1480g
31. Bontrager Race X Lite 1490g, 20/24 spokes, $750
32. Speed Dream Aerolite 1490g, 18/24 spokes, $549
33. American Classic Velocity Aerohead 1493g (Alloy Nipples) 28/32 spokes, 19/19mm rims $635
34. Rolf Prima Vigour RS, 1495g, 14/16 spokes, 34mm rims, $850
35. Velomax Tempest II 1500g $750
36. Corima WINIUM 1500g, 24/24 pokes, 24/24mm rims, $970
37. Bontrager X-Lite 1520g $700
38. Reynolds Stratus Clincher 1523g, 16/? spokes, 46mm rim, $1995
39. Tune Standard Lightweight 1530g
40. Spinergy Xaero Lite 1540g 18/24 spokes, 24/24 mm rims $700
41. Campagnolo Neutron 1550g $700
42. Ritchey WCS DS 1550g
43. Cane Creek Volos Team Ti, 18/28 Ti spokes, 21mm Alu rims 1556g
44. Spinergy Tilium Carbon 1557g (actual) $1000
45. FSA RD400 1558g, 20/24 spokes, 27/27mm rims
46. Campag Eurus 1560g, 16/21 spokes
47. Mavic Ksyirum SSC SL TDF 1560g (actual) $1000
48. Hed Alps 1565g 18/24 spokes, 50/50mm rims
49. Zipp 303 1575g 20/18 spokes, 40/40mm rims $1350
50. Dura Ace 7800 1579g $800
51. Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL 1590g (actual) $800
52. Spinergy Carbon SS 1599g 16/20 spokes, 45/45mm rims $800

chad

Since you are going downhill as well...and aren't racing, I assume some durability would be a bonus?

I just got the Campagnolo Zondas on my bike...1660grams total weight semi aero w/ medium dish (but still light enough for climbing IMHO) for an extra 465$ canadian I could of up'd the anti to the Euros which are around 1500 grams (again very durable, especially the rear wheel).

Anyway if you JUST want a crazy climbing wheel that will go out of true if you hit a bridge joint just the wrong way...I have no experience I live on the Niagara Escartment (Nothing like the alps I understand but they do call it the "hamilton mountain" I ride the course that was the 2003 worlds quite often) anyway I like these, Euros are identical just lighter (and more expensive)...HTH

Chad



**EDIT**

My LBS owner rides the Neutrons...he loves them, I think they weigh 20Grams less than the Euro's but I like the more durable G3 rear wheel.

gmason

Thanks for all the interesting stuff.

I decided on Protons, because:

1. I am retired, and price is an issue

2. I saved some weight, possibly a considerable amount, though there was much more to save, seeing the list above

I sacrificed the lube port, as you can see, unfortunately.

If I come into some money (a possibility), I am getting a whole new bike. I will have a French custom steel frame built a few Km from here; probably Chorus gruppo; and ... wait for it ... lighter wheels mayhap!

In the meantime, I will be happy with my Protons.

Cheers...Gary

gmason

I got 'em. I like 'em. But whoever mentioned that it was hard to mount tires on 'em was not kidding! Amazingly difficult. They were the last of my wire beads, so I am hoping that the Pro Race Kevlar beads will be easier when the time comes.

Cheers...Gary

P.S. Boy are the pawls quiet compared to my old ones.