What are my options? Don't really keep up with the current offerings. Especially from the smaller online retailers.
What is the deal with these?
wow - $400 for a carbon tubie wheelset. Crazy.
Those front hubs look bigger [better] than the ones the micro ones that Williams uses (williams often has a link on VN - to the right)
I'm sure those wheels are fine. A lot of the more recent hype is for the fatter/wider rims that are 'better' aerodynamically in a cross wind - I've not yet seen the 'firecrest' or '3d' fatter rims hit the econo-market yet though - but they may be out there..
Like I said, I am a little guy and they would be for race day/nice weather only.
(edit)And it is hard to find stuff for Campy.
Troll on chainlove.com for a few days. Reynolds has had some nice wheels on there recently.
Don't sweat Campag / Shimano, especially since you are running 9 spd. Either works really well with the other.
The wheels up there seem to have decent wheels (but ceramic bearings are worthless) but they are just using generic v-shaped Chinese Rims. Not the best bang for your aerobuck.
Don't do cheap. A team mate did, ripped a spoke right out of the rim. Unrepairable and the rest is history. Shop on e-bay for a used pair.
November Bicycles, which has some connection to forum member if I recall correctly, just had a pre-order of the wide (23mm) carbon tubulars for $785. Unfortunately, the pre-order ended Nov 30
I am running 10 speed now CK. Made the upgrade a couple of years ago.
Not really concerned about the aero thing (but you know that). Just looking for a decent set of tubular wheels for racing.
Kameron, that is my only concern. Quality of carbon fiber layup and manufacture.
But the price is SO right.
http://www.novemberbicycles.com/fsw-cx/
The November Bikes tubular alloy is not a bad deal.
10 spd still works pretty damn well. I ran 10 spd Shimano wheels on Campag drivetrains pretty regularly a few years ago and my road bike is still Campag and I use my Shimano PT hubs on it.
As for the aero thing, just saying that if you are gonna drop some $$ on wheels, get the most aero bang for your bucks. IOW, two similarly priced wheelsets - one more aero than the other. Why wouldn't you get the more aero one? I know it isn't a priority for you, but at least maximize the benefit for your $$$.
dude. this is what you want: http://flyxii.com/products.asp?menuid=334
carbon tubulars straight from the Taiwanese factory. great prices. my buddy has bought and sold, and continues to ride them all the time. loves them. he rides the 38mm wheelset. http://flyxii.com/products_1.asp?menuid=334&id=603
or the 45s
heck why not 880s
they're not super lightweight but all for $400 WTF?
JA, they don't appear to do tubulars, at least according to the website.
(edit)Ahhh...second page.
there are options for both clinchers and tubulars.
CK, I hear you. Price being equal, I will go with more aero. But $500 is my absolute limit.
Check out Neuvation - he has carbon and alloy tubies available for decent prices. Alloy tubies at 1350 grams and around $400 bucks seem to be a good deal, Thinking about those for cross race wheels.
I have a set of his road clinchers and they are very nice for the price.
Isn't November Bikes dkri's spot?
I thought they were drki's but didn't feel confident enough to say for sure.
Yes, you are right: forgot about that! maybe he'll cut you a brodeal.
I would never ask such a thing. Small business dudes live or die by their profits and every bit counts.
keith, you intend to get a racing licence. that's enough to walk into any bicycle retailer and demand a deal:) at least it seems that way when you're behind the counter
Jah, I was in the business for 5 years. Don't I know it!
Then the same dude won't work with you in the break...lol.
Guilty as charged. I don't want to spam the list, if anyone has any questions please feel free to PM me. And EVERYONE gets a bro deal (that's the good news). The bad news is that our retail is our bro deal price. The price on our alloy tubulars, for example, is barely more than the retail price of the components, and I'm pretty confident in my wheelbuilding.
The price for the wheels that KR originally posted is not much (at all) more than we pay the manufacturer for a set of rims. That's sort of a "do the math" moment there.
EDIT - Keith and Jah, that's precisely why we did what we did. Bicycle Retailer (I think it was there?) just posted a great opinion piece by a guy who argued about how harmful that whole mindset is. I'll try to find it.
dkri...I live in Silver Spring. Imma see you come early March for the alloy tubbies. I am willing to sacrifice some aerodynamics to spend the money with you and keep under my budget.
I'd prefer to keep the money in the family, ya know?
Although I have to admit the wheelset I started this thread with are a screaming deal..
drki, and the thing is the average racer has massive disposable income according to demographic research. Why the hell should they get a deal?
Here's the link to that article.
Keith - Cool, thanks. I may have a hook for you and since we pretty well have no secrets that hook is that the tubulars I use myself are in great shape but it actually is sort of important that I ride shiny new looking stuff. After a few dozen cross races they run perfect but their shiniest days are behind them.
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