Is there anything harder to purchase than wheels?
Discussion
There have been quite a number of what wheel threads recently, including my own.
Other than the bike itself can there be a more difficult item to purchase/decide on that a set of wheels?
I have no problem buying Rapha, Campagnolo, Oakley blah blah etc etc. and generally accept the premium in price for the increase in longevity, comfort or ergonomics.
Yet when it comes to wheels...wow what a minefield of spurious aero claims, weight, build quality and seemingly random pricing.
Should I just let my dreams of cheap, light and strong aero carbon wheels go in favour of Open Pro rims on Hope hubs?
Other than the bike itself can there be a more difficult item to purchase/decide on that a set of wheels?
I have no problem buying Rapha, Campagnolo, Oakley blah blah etc etc. and generally accept the premium in price for the increase in longevity, comfort or ergonomics.
Yet when it comes to wheels...wow what a minefield of spurious aero claims, weight, build quality and seemingly random pricing.
Should I just let my dreams of cheap, light and strong aero carbon wheels go in favour of Open Pro rims on Hope hubs?
Yep! Short of trying to score crack in a primary school, bike wheels are right up there!
The last time I went looking for new mountain bike wheels, I got so hacked off trying to decide that I ended up re-using my existing Hope hubs and just building some wheels myself.
Yes, I'm sure there were probably loads of better options out there, but at least I had the satisfaction of knowing I'd done it myself!
In fact, I think I'm going to be feeding that additction again soon, as the OEM hubs on my full susser are knackered, and there's something quite therapeutic about threading the spokes in yourself and getting the thing to actually go round without wobbling all over the shop!
The last time I went looking for new mountain bike wheels, I got so hacked off trying to decide that I ended up re-using my existing Hope hubs and just building some wheels myself.
Yes, I'm sure there were probably loads of better options out there, but at least I had the satisfaction of knowing I'd done it myself!
In fact, I think I'm going to be feeding that additction again soon, as the OEM hubs on my full susser are knackered, and there's something quite therapeutic about threading the spokes in yourself and getting the thing to actually go round without wobbling all over the shop!
Understand what the OP means.
I'm ordering my new bike next month and I'm putting new wheels on it from the outset.
Budget is always the limiting factor for me and that actually makes the whole decision process much easier. I can see how people struggle when they have have £500-£1000 to spend (Nice problem to have)
My choice is between Cycle Division Aero 24s, Ultegra 6800s and thanks to Wiggles 10% discount for gold members, their own Cosine 32mm Clinchers. The Cosines are the best looking of the bunch and seem to have a much more modern design compared to the Aero24s and the Ultegras.
I could also go carbon 50mm clinchers from EBay, but I'd rather buy from a known supplier.
I'm ordering my new bike next month and I'm putting new wheels on it from the outset.
Budget is always the limiting factor for me and that actually makes the whole decision process much easier. I can see how people struggle when they have have £500-£1000 to spend (Nice problem to have)
My choice is between Cycle Division Aero 24s, Ultegra 6800s and thanks to Wiggles 10% discount for gold members, their own Cosine 32mm Clinchers. The Cosines are the best looking of the bunch and seem to have a much more modern design compared to the Aero24s and the Ultegras.
I could also go carbon 50mm clinchers from EBay, but I'd rather buy from a known supplier.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff