Hi, my name is Ike and i’m 15.
- I just bought a new cycle cross bike and i got trainning wheels with it but this year i want to do some races and i was wondering what kind of wheels i should buy for racing? *
I use my 32x3 mavic rims with Shimano hubs for racing. You don’t go fast enough for anything aero. I know people like the deep aero rims because it does not allow mud to build up on the rims in the slop.
I’m too afraid of taco’ing an expensive race wheel with all the barriers and such.
Hey Ike,
are you on 650cc or 700cc wheels? Road/ cross bike or mtb bike? Since you are 15 and probably still growing I would wait if you are on 650s as you would soon be on 700cc wheels. If you are already on 700ccs I would consider 3 companies-
Industry Nine, Mavic Crossmax and Zipp Cyclocross (only if you are racing at a high level on a regional level).
Work on the motor and the skill sets more than worrying about what equipment you have (as long as it is safe). Get a mentor and/ or a coach and have a fun season. If you are in the Seattle area come out to the Cross practices on Wednesday nights hosted by a couple of pros at Marymoor Velodrome.
Thanks i’ll look in to them…i’m on 700 and racing in france…thanks again for the info…
Thanks i’ll look in to them…i’m on 700 and racing in france…thanks again for the info…
Here in the US I see a lot of people racing on Mavic Ksyrium SL’s, a very strong but lightweight wheel:
While they take more work, I’d say TUBULARS. You can run much lower pressure which will prove useful on wet/technical courses. Use Tufo (or in a perfect World Dugast) tires (32).
Ksyrium SSC SLs are bomb-proof and adequately light. Otherwise, simply lace some tubular box rims (32 spoke 14/15) to a Dura Ace or Chorus Hub and you’ll have something light, durable, and very nice for the season…
Cheers,
Jonathan C. Puskas
Ike, you’ll see folks running everything. Run what you brung. It’s tempting to lust after the carbon wheels and all, but get your engine fast first. I saw a junior this past weekend throwing a temper tantrum at his mom after the race in Tacoma on Sunday. This kid had all the bling, right down to the Zipp cross wheels. He was almost dead last. It was his mom’s fault. Yeah right. The equipment doesn’t make you fast.
If you can put together a basic set of box rim tubulars, they will be a fantastic upgrade without breaking the bank. But you should know that Rachael Lloyd raced clinchers for most of her wins, and she was on the worlds team!
I was assuming you were buying racing wheels, but if not then yes what cmetri said “run what you brung”.
hey Ike
I just got a set of these American classic hurricanes and they just ROCK!
They’re light at about 1550/1600gm and they’re very strong. They’re not flashy like some of the wheels people are running but hey also don’t cost $800+ dollars and are just as fast!
I have 3 muddy races on my set and they are still true as the day I took them out of the box.
Go take a look.
And have fun Cross is the best.
Dan…
I have a set of Spinergy 4 spokes that are coming to the end of their life. I am thinking about putting them on for cross this season just to add a little bling to my heavy ass K2 Enemy.
As a younger racer in Europe, I would go with 36 hole box rims sewups. I think clinchers on the road are as good or better, but with the low pressures run in cross, pinch flats and rolling clinchers mean a long run to the pits. I just got back from the Portland Cliff Bar National event, and watched the Canadian Nat Champ run 3/4 s lap with a wadded up clincher in his hand and bike on his back. He was running top 10 when the tire rolled or flatted then rolled.
There was a sidewalk crossing with a sharp transition that I saw at least 5 pinch flats and some dented rim sewup riders that kept going. You will see a bunch of fancy wheels out there, but as you get better and more money you can worry about that stuff. My advice is get with a coach and group at your age and get good as fast as you can. When you start getting results,
your equipment issues will behelped by the team/ sponsors. The French are really looking for the next great hope in cross as you neighbors from Bel, and Holland pretty much rule the sport.
Do note that most of the crossers are really really hard men/women/boys.
How about Neuvation wheels? I met the guy who builds them and he seems to have a pretty good philosphy. He basically buys the same rims, hubs, and spokes directly from the manufacturers who produce the parts for other high-end name brand companies who put their names on it to resell as theirs. He builds the wheels in the traditional manner so that it is easy to fix and even gives you spare spokes with your purchase. Very resonably priced for the quality of wheel you get. Tried and tested by members of our team.
Well i already have a team of 30 boys around my age and three caoches and last year i did cycle cross races with my mountain bike and got some really good results…so that’s why this year i decided to buy a cycle cross bike…But i would like to thank u all for giving me info and now i know what to look for…thanks…Have a fun cycle cross season…
.
Good, now go out and ride like hell and keep us postedc on our results. G
Hey there,
I’m pretty much in the same position and need some advice as well. Building up a new crossbike and looking for the right wheelset. I’ve always run clinchers on my road and tri bikes, so now I don’t know what to do. Tubulars do have some advantages for cross but I don’t know if I want to put up with the glueing and all that. The bike and wheelset will primarily be used for training this winter, both offroad and some winter roadriding as well. So either go with the Mavic Open Pro for clincher or Reflex rims for tubular, probably around a Chorus hub. Second question, 32 or 36 spokes? I weigh about 150lbs. Just looking for a good allaround no worries wheelset. Thanks for the advice, Jan