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Thread: More Road Wheels Issues

  1. #1
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    More Road Wheels Issues

    So I have been going along on a used Specialized Allez I picked up for most all my road miles this season. It is a 2002 with the original rims and hubs on it. There had been at least 1 spoke that was repaired before I got it (silver spoke where all the rest were black).

    Last month I broke another spoke and had the wheel into the local shop and asked if they felt it was worth repairing or what. They stuck the new spoke in trued it up and now last night popped another- broke right at the elbow. Looking over the Ritchey rear hub today in the light it looks like the holes are getting worn. The rim is an Alex (which talk on many review sites are so-so for quality anyway).

    So local shop's wheel building expert is off today and I am debating whether to repair it one more time (to get through the season? and use as a backup) and order up something new either immediately or as soon as I can get the funds together. Could it be an OK backup - occasional use for me?

    Any suggestions on deals for replacement (9 speed cassette if it matters), I know a few recommendations have been made on here in the past from threads discussing road wheels but searching on wheels and spokes I have not found the threads.

  2. #2
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    Tough to tell without having seen the wheel built.

    But there's a chance more spokes are overstressed and will fracture over time. In this case the wheels are done and I'd look into a new built.

  3. #3
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    Think it was ironically this thread that had the wheel info. Good luck!
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  4. #4
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    That was one of them Tye 1, thanks. Also I would consider a known set of used wheels- not really the Ebay type of purchase, as I'd never trust the condition description no matter how many pictures are shown. If any mags have a line on good used road wheel (rear or full set even) then post up some details.

  5. #5
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    If two spokes broke in rapid succession (guessing both were on the drive side?) then replacing more is a waste of money. Can't tell if the hub is still good without pics.

    I've had road wheels built by Colorado Cyclist that held up very well under a lot of abuse. Looks like $167 shipped for Open Pro rims laced to your hub. That at least gives you a reference point with your LBS.

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    Thank me later ...


    click me

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    Quote Originally Posted by telebobski View Post
    If two spokes broke in rapid succession (guessing both were on the drive side?) then replacing more is a waste of money. Can't tell if the hub is still good without pics.

    I've had road wheels built by Colorado Cyclist that held up very well under a lot of abuse. Looks like $167 shipped for Open Pro rims laced to your hub. That at least gives you a reference point with your LBS.
    Actually the 2 latest spokes have been on the left non-drive side.

    I tried the Colorado Cyclist web site at work today and it was basically broken failing to load pages. SQL database log files full... I called and reported it to the sales guy and he gave me a quote on two rear wheels- One with Shimano Ultegra hub and Mavic Pro rim, the other was one of the Easton series but he was not very helpful. I also would NOT want to reuse my hub as that is where I suspect the problem is with the spokes breaking due to the wear of the hub.
    Last edited by RShea; 09-15-2010 at 08:09 PM.

  8. #8
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    I've never had good luck with Ritchey hubs. I had a pair of Ritchey wheels with a couple hundred miles on them that started popping bladed spokes daily. Not good.

    Couple suggestions:
    Have a pair Mavic Open Pros w/DT Spokes built up with Ultegra hubs. Not exactly bling, but the best wheelset you can get under $500. As bomber as they get. Go 28 hole.

    Easton EA50 or EA70. Solid, and a little racier. Fulcrum has some nice stuff too.

    Stay away from cheaper Mavic pre-builts - they are noodles.
    Gravity. It's the law.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by huckbucket View Post
    Thank me later ...


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    I had those on the list- but they are only available in silver. I have been doing more research including finding a better price on that combo at Performance Bike. Front wheel with the Mavic Open Pro and Ultegra 6700 hub are $99 and the rear wheel is $129. Free shipping also if order is over $200. You can also save some added funds if you want the Gray rims instead of black or silver.

    So it is down to these 2 or 3 pairs of wheels:

    Mavic Open Pro with Ultegra 6700 hubs - 32 spoke 3x stainless $211 with tax and ground shipping

    or

    Easton EA50 SL Wheelset with V2 hubs sapim double butted spokes, 20 spoke radial front, 24 spoke radial non-drive and 2x drive side on rear wheel for $189 plus shipping (have not done the check out completely on these) out of a CA shop's web site.

    And the 3rd possible would be a set of Neuvation Cycling Wheels- Areo Front wheels are $80 to $100 with some weight saving over the Mavics and Rear would be $120 to $170. A portion of the weight savings is the low spoke count- 16 up front and 20 in the rear wheel. Looks like they make their own hubs also.

    I am by no means a heavy rider (170 pounds to maybe 175 or so at the beginning of a season) and not really a weight weeny when it comes to grams of each component. Would rather have a wheel that is trouble free and not breaking or needing to be trued up after every little pot hole.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by axebiker View Post
    I've never had good luck with Ritchey hubs. I had a pair of Ritchey wheels with a couple hundred miles on them that started popping bladed spokes daily. Not good.

    Couple suggestions:
    Have a pair Mavic Open Pros w/DT Spokes built up with Ultegra hubs. Not exactly bling, but the best wheelset you can get under $500. As bomber as they get. Go 28 hole.

    Easton EA50 or EA70. Solid, and a little racier. Fulcrum has some nice stuff too.

    Stay away from cheaper Mavic pre-builts - they are noodles.
    I would only get a wheelset or a single wheel at this point. Not many Ritchey hubs spotted in my search so far. But many of the companies use their own hubs- Easton V2 hubs as 1 example- what are the collectives opinion on them, good or junk?

    Have not seen much in Fulcrum Racing 1 on Airbomb and Bike.com in similar price ranges to above wheels listed as contenders for my new wheels. I do not need the lightest racing wheels out there for my riding as stated.

  11. #11
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    I've been running Shimano RS80 C24 Carbon Clincher Wheels all season and they've been bomber, I haven't had to true them at all. They have the same carbon-alloy rim as the Dura-Ace 7850 wheels but with Ultegra hubs instead of Dura-Ace hubs.

    If you search for "Dura-Ace 7850 wheels review", most will say that the wheels are stiff, comfortable, light, and durable. I bought mine last winter from chainreaction when the exchange rate was better so I only paid $380 for a wheelset. Today a wheelset is $453 with free shipping: Shimano RS80 Clincher Wheels.

    It's might be more than you want to spend right now but it's still one of the best deals on road wheels available, IMHO.

  12. #12
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    A set of Nuevation Wheels, the end. Love mine, quality hand built wheels and cheap.

    http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.htmlhttp://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by sshores View Post
    A set of Nuevation Wheels, the end. Love mine, quality hand built wheels and cheap.

    http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html
    SShores which model or series of wheels did you get? I have read some about them and they are on my short list- but concerned about the issues discussed about the rims cracking and needing replaced. They have a warranty upgrade that is $10 per wheel from what I have read. Still discussion is the fact that they are such a low spoke count that the stress can still result in hair line cracks. I have never cracked a rim in my 25 years of riding well build bikes.

  14. #14
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    I have the M28X rear and the R28X front. I put these wheels through the wringer; I ride in a race group circuit once a week, very fast, with sprints over train tracks, etc. Held up great all summer. I think I have a total of 1500 miles on them and they are still solid. If you are worried I would go with the wheel replacement deal though I didn't and am pretty happy with them so far.

    They are pinned, not welded seams and took about 50 miles of braking to smooth down the seam but other than that they are a quality build IMO. I'm 180 and the spoke count does not bother me. Let me know if you have any other questions.

    Steve

  15. #15
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    you are on a 2002 used allez? They are great bomber nice riding bikes but hardly worthy of a big wheel upgrade, just maintane it. Get the Ultegra / Mavic wheels as cheap as you can and save up for a new bike. Alex is crap, our fleet of road rental bikes had constant issues and we replaced them all w/ 105 hubs and mavic rims and have no problems for years.

    Roll on

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