excuse my ignorance, but how are these ‘super aero’? they look a lot like my velocity deep-v training wheels, or some basic mavic cxp-12 training wheels. which are NOT 600 bucks. and I have never had a problem with my hubs…
not to just pick at you here, but I just don’t see spending the oney for those. they are aluminum right?
I didn’t say these wheels were ‘super aero’. In fact, I said that they are not in the same category as 404s and the like. Non-triathletes ride wheels in many more situations than just training and racing (triathlons). Crits, road races, time trials, climbs - these are great all-around wheels. Sure they’re not as aero as 404s, and they’re probably not as bombproof as some other wheels, but they’re a fantastic balance of durability and performance in a single wheel.
Note to self: If it ain’t carbon, people don’t see the value.
Lesson number three from ST forum today for the Tom man.
Thank you guys. I always learn things here.
oh - woops- I didn’t mean to quote you- I was referencing the above post:
I sell these as $600 race wheels: They are light, durable, super aero >with bladed spokes and very well made. They can also be serviced and >repaired unlike carbon wheels.
Note to self: If it ain’t carbon, people don’t see the value.
Lesson number three from ST forum today for the Tom man.
Thank you guys. I always learn things here.
I wouldn’t go that far- What the educated consumer is going to ask you is: why should I pay 600 bones for some fancy decals on a wheelset that is identical to my $200 mavic/velocity/whatever set. same materials. same spokes. maybe a better hubset, but are they faster? are they going to last longer? are they really that much different? believe me, i’m not trying to argue, I just don’t see the value in that wheelset. but who am I anyway, right? just a consumer.
These look just like my Velomax Circuits 
.
i see the value.
can you weigh them?
Those are probably Velocity Deep V rims, which are pretty damn good, but you aren’t buying the rims, you’re buying the hubs. Those are the high-end, full zoot Velomax hubs. A great design, and from what I understand they spin forever and are silky smooth.
Not sure who makes the spokes, but if you were to get this wheelset from American Classic with their (inferior?) hubs and sapim spokes, you would pay around $640.
I would say Velomax is right on target pricewise.
Note to self: If it ain’t carbon, people don’t see the value.
FWIW, I think my alu Shamal front wheel is a much better race wheel than these, at least for my needs (tri’s on mostly flat courses).
I’m thinking these wheels would make great stock wheels on a med/high-end tri bike. The concept would be similar in principle to my Bontrager Race Lites that came with my bike - very durable, with OK aerodynamics. I’m not seeing these as dedicated “race” wheels for anyone who primarily does triathlon, regardless of budget. (this may not be the case for road racing where aerodynamics aren’t nearly as important).
If these exact wheels were made in carbon, I would feel the same way (although carbon is inherently sexy)
I think Tom’s point was that these are real good wheels for all around cycling along the same lines as the Mavic Kyserium SSL and the like. The value is in the hub and 30 mm deep semi aero rim and the fact that they are reasonably light in the process.
I have the cheaper and not quite as nice Velomax Circuit’s that retail from $300-400 - although I got them for $200 at a road race. They are a significant upgrade over my old Mavic CXP 21’s so I imagine the Tempest is even further up the evolutionary rung.
Sweet looking wheels for sure. What do they weigh? Are they going to make tubular version? I don’t think Velomax ever did of that particular wheel. Do they weigh the same as the Velomax Tempest wheels?
-Robert
Just got them on the scale: 884 grams rear, 688 grams front actual weight. This includes vinyl rim strips but does not include quick release skewers. This is a 700c clincher, Shimano compatible set.
Total wheelset weight is 1572 grams actual measured weight according to our scale.
Hey Tom - given how much you like the Easton/Velomax wheels as a cheap/aero alternative, how do you think the full-on carbon tubie wheels compare to say a set of 404’s?
http://www.velomax.com/models_tubulars_TempestIITubCarb.php3
Hmmmm. Well I do like the hubs better on the Easton/Velomax versions.
Should be interesting to see what the Easton’s end up costing. The 2004 Velomax carbon wheels were more expensive than the zipps by $100, I think.
I don’t know pricing on the Easton carbons (basically 404’s but with Velomax’s excellent hub), but I know they will be expensive and am told, as of a few days ago, unavailable right now too.
They wil be a tough sell against Zipp 606’s. I think a lot of people will be attracted to the 80mm deep rear wheel.
also, interesting point somewhere above about carbon vs. aluminum-
the best wheels I ever had were a pair of Mavic Cosmics. the aluminum, gun-metal grey set. bearings were silky smooth, deep aero profile, and they are bombproof. wish I never got rid of them…
wonder why no mnfctr. had come up with a similar set- aluminum deep dish wheel ( deeper than the velocity et al) w/deep aero profile, bladed spokes, etc…