Wheels, rims and things... suggestions

[Amy]

OK, after that spoke went yesterday, I've started to think about what to upgrade the wheels on the Enigma to...

So, I'm looking for something that'll be strong yet lightweight (bearing in mind, I'm only a lightweight myself ) - I thought that I might ask for money towards them for my birthday/christmas (probably have to be both).

Suggestion can be off the shelf complete wheels or combinations of rims (no deep section and have to be easy to get tyres on and off, I'm only female) and hubs to have handbuilt, not forgetting that I'm a Campag girl

[Grahame]

Easy.

Second from top Campag hubs - Chorus? - 32 hole.

Mavic Open Pro rims.

Double butted DT or Sapim stainless steel spokes.

Brass nipples.

Built up 3 cross by a decent wheelbuilder.

End of thread.

[Andrew G]

'tis Chorus Grahame, although depending on your budget then the Centaur ones are also good.

I'd chuck a mention in the hat for Ambrosio Excellence (or Excellight if you want a lighter wheel but obviously a bit less bashaboutable) rims. Nice rims, look good, light, and box section so a doddle to flick tyres on and off. Come in silver or black. I'd also have a look at Ambrosio hubs as they are also good.

Derek at [url]http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/[/url] builds good wheels. My Planet X 50 carbon wheels are built by him and they are very good quality.

[John the old'un]

Campag Khamsins. Really cheap but brilliant.
or if you want to pay a lot more Campag Eurus.
Both really great. Bomb proof.
No broken spokes and both sets still dead true after 5 years.

[Jon H]

Wot Grahame said.
Except Amy could get away with 28 spoke as she's not exactly a clydesdale.

[Grahame]

The Abrosio Excellence are a good rim, I agree Andrew. But (and it's a big but), the new decals on them are horrible. If they had stuck with the previous generation of decals (the nice gold ones) like on my front wheel, I'd heartily recommend them, but the red and white declas on my back wheel are awful and make the wheel look cheap and "look at me" shouty.

28 spoke would be equally OK for Amy for normal road use. But the real weight saving is negligable, and with 32 spokes, they'll be strong enough to be used on her touring bike for laden holidays as well as on the road bike. Oh, and spares are easier to come by when the rim wears out.

Will build for cake.

[Dombo]

Easton EA90 SLX with Conti 4000S. A strong, light wheelset (sub 1500gms) that can be reshod post-p*nct*r* with Contis just using thumbs.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Grahame"]The Abrosio Excellence are a good rim, I agree Andrew. But (and it's a big but), the new decals on them are horrible. If they had stuck with the previous generation of decals (the nice gold ones) like on my front wheel, I'd heartily recommend them, but the red and white declas on my back wheel are awful and make the wheel look cheap and "look at me" shouty.

[Mike I]

To paraphrase the late Sheldon Brown, if you have the same number of spokes on the front and back, either your front wheel is too heavy or your back wheel isn't strong enough. Getting individual rims is easy enough, but let me know if you manage to find anyone who will sell you a 28/32 hub combo.

My rule of thumb is that, whatever level groupset you have, get the next one up for your hubs.

And yes, don't get rims with tacky decals.

[Alex S]

FYI i've found using inner tubes that are 18-25C make taking tyres off MUCH easier than with 20-28C tubes.

[Jon H]

[quote="Mike I"]To paraphrase the late Sheldon Brown, if you have the same number of spokes on the front and back, either your front wheel is too heavy or your back wheel isn't strong enough. Getting individual rims is easy enough, but let me know if you manage to find anyone who will sell you a 28/32 hub combo.
My rule of thumb is that, whatever level groupset you have, get the next one up for your hubs.
And yes, don't get rims with tacky decals.

[Amy]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions - I shall start looking at prices. Cheapest option might be the cake-making one

It'll have to be for after the purchase of a new freezer...but my thinking was that if I do upgrade my wheels now or in the near future, I can keep the current ones as back-up...

And, NO, I will not be using the Enigma for touring - hasn't got any means of attaching mudguards let alone panniers (not to mention the gearing...)

And THANK YOU, Jon, for saying I'm not a Clydesdale

Just had a quick look and how about Ambrosio Excellite??

[Grahame]

[quote="Amy"]Thanks for everyone's suggestions - I shall start looking at prices. Cheapest option might be the cake-making one

It'll have to be for after the purchase of a new freezer...but my thinking was that if I do upgrade my wheels now or in the near future, I can keep the current ones as back-up...

And, NO, I will not be using the Enigma for touring - hasn't got any means of attaching mudguards let alone panniers (not to mention the gearing...)

[Amy]

[quote="Grahame"]I meant that you could use the wheels on your Roberts if there were a problem with the wheels normally attached to that bike.

[Andrew G]

The Excellight/excellite (sp?) are very good. They are the one up the scale from the excellence, I think maybe the best rims below the tub/crono ones.

I think it's Evolution, then Excellence, then Excellight. All are good, just get a bit better and lighter the more you spend and go up the scale, although equally become a bit less pot hole bashproof as with any rimas you get lighter.

Plenty of good factory wheels like the the Eastons but most factory wheels tend to have a semi-profiled rim these days which will always make putting tyre back on more tricky. Box section make more sense for that.

Won't be able to use them with your touring bike as the freehub will be a ED9/10 hub for 9 and 10 speed only.

Mike - my commuting bike has 36 spokes front and rear - strong wheels.