After my ride today, I have come to the conclusion that I need some new, bombproof wheels. I currently have some ALX 320’s that came stock on my bike, but they just won’t stay true anymore. I had to stop 4 times today to re-tighten spokes.
So what is a good, cheap, reliable wheel? I would prefer something with at least 27mm rims so that I can still use my current wheelcover. I don’t have the money for dedicated race wheels, so these will do double duty for racing and training for now.
Something that will take a beating, yet stay true and round.
And they have to be relatively cheap (college student cheap, not full-time worker cheap).
Thanks!
Here ya’ go. Dirt cheap, 27mm, and not near as bad as people think! Under $140 a set! Bladed stainless spokes (all black), reasonable weight.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1034379_-1___
How much to spend… do a search on here… multiple threads like this before.
How much to spend… do a search on here… multiple threads like this before.
I’m looking to spend no more than $400 absolute max.
And I know there are other threads, but I just felt like bugging you 
Seriously though, I just don’t want to dig through tons of threads and look up all the wheels mentioned to see which ones have at least 27mm rim depth. So I thought I’d ask in case anybody knew of any off the top of their heads.
Thanks!
Just curious, do you know how reliable/bombproof those wheels are? I only ask because they look the exact same as the ALX wheels I have, and I just don’t want to deal with wheels that will crap out on me like those have.
I’m willing to spend a little more if I can get wheels that will require less maintenance down the road.
They may be the same. Have heard nothing but good about them though (for the money that is). Personally, I really love my new Dura Ace WH carbons as my new training wheel, but it might just a wee bit out of your budget
If you have a LBS you trust, a set of Mavic Open Pro rims, Ultegra Hubs (maybe DT Swiss, but $) and std. DT Swiss spokes won’t run much more than $400 and will definitely be stout if built right.
Tom Demerly had a deal on here last year and bought some good strong training wheels - cannot recall how much I paid but it was only about $150 including tires etc.
Give him a call.
NOT affiliated in any way with his shop… 
Maybe keep your eyes open for some take-offs from someone’s new bike purchase? I got some easton circuits essentially brand new for $200 from craigslist.
I’ll second the Titans, I got the pair on sale at performance for about $150. I am about 200 lbs and ride about 400 to 500 a month and after 6 months they are as true as brand new.
Go to Excel Sports website.
Order a set of custom wheels.
Choose Ultegra hubs and Mavic CXP-33 or Open Pro rims - 32 spoke w/ 3x lacing.
You are done. You spent about $325. You have a set of wheels that will last as long as you want to keep them.
I got the Forte Titan wheels (front and rear) based on ST recommendations. Actually, I bought them based on Tom A.'s recommendation- that guy really knows what he is talking about.
I have about a thousand miles on them and they work great- strong, durable, no problems with them going out of true. As a bonus, I even “feel” faster on them than in my old 32-spoke box rims.
I rode mavic equipes for about a year and they stayed true even with my 255 pound ass riding them in the Chicago tri which is a pretty crappy course. I think they were around 400 when I bought them. I still have them if you’re interested in used.
Go to Excel Sports website.
Order a set of custom wheels.
Choose Ultegra hubs and Mavic CXP-33 or Open Pro rims - 32 spoke w/ 3x lacing.
You are done. You spent about $325. You have a set of wheels that will last as long as you want to keep them.
Real wheels, or any iteration of the above from any number of builders - why mess with anything else?
Thanks!
Just curious, do you know how reliable/bombproof those wheels are? I only ask because they look the exact same as the ALX wheels I have, and I just don’t want to deal with wheels that will crap out on me like those have.
I’m willing to spend a little more if I can get wheels that will require less maintenance down the road.
I’ve been using mine as near “daily drivers” for over 2 years now, and haven’t touched a spoke wrench to them (nor do they need it). I weigh ~160 lbs and don’t shy away from using them for anything. Before I put them into service, I checked the spoke tensions and they were nice and high and even. IMO they’ve been truly “bombproof” for me.
One thing about the Performance wheels that’s a HUGE bonus is the “100% Guarantee”. If something goes wrong on them, take them back and they’ll be replaced.
Another tip on them is that if you have a Performance store nearby, have them shipped to the store. There’s no shipping charges when you do that
It’s funny…for the price, one could basically think of them as disposables. But, like what happens with sunglasses, it’s usually the inexpensive ones that never break (or get lost)…go figure
edit: Oh yeah…they even passed the “rabbit” test: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...ring=wabbit;#2221808 
I got the Forte Titan wheels (front and rear) based on ST recommendations. Actually, I bought them based on Tom A.'s recommendation- that guy really knows what he is talking about.
Actually, the credit should go to Jens…he’s the one who turned me onto their “possibilities”.
I have about a thousand miles on them and they work great- strong, durable, no problems with them going out of true. As a bonus, I even “feel” faster on them than in my old 32-spoke box rims.
That’s another thing I learned from Jens…they actually ARE fairly fast wheels. Definitely faster than 32 spoke box rims. Low spoke counts with bladed sections will do that
Just use Craigslist wisely. I got a very nice pair of Ultegra wheels for $75 last week.
use allofcraigs.com to search every CL city listing at once.
They’re basically the same thing…but the Titans are less expensive and have the “100% Guarantee”.
Splurge, get some soul! $450 for 41mm depth alu clinchers.
http://bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=12
Stiuff enough for my fat arse, 225, and a lot lighter than the Cosmic Elites they replaced.
use allofcraigs.com to search every CL city listing at once.
I could kiss you full on the lips for this.