A good race wheel?

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  • August 16, 2011 at 3:27 am #910268
    Jsnyd
    Participant

    I only have about 400mi on the bike itself, but slowly and surely I am replacing parts with better parts. Besides the handlebars and componentry I only have wheels left. I’m wondering what a decent, entry level race wheel is. How much would they cost and what I could expect to gain from the upgrade. I really wanted to pull the trigger on the first sale I found online, but I thought twice. I have a shamano 7 speed cassette. I dont race but maybe someday Id like to try. I ride about 50-100 miles, depending on weather, a week spread out into 3 or 4 rides. Joy rides/fitness about 99% of the time.

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  • August 16, 2011 at 9:29 am #929255
    Dirt
    Participant

    I’m gonna go back through old posts and read about your bike and riding a bit more before I really respond. Race wheels start at around $500 for a set and go up as high as you can imagine. You can get wheels that are light, aerodynamic or both. I too don’t race, but I love the feel of good wheels.

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    August 16, 2011 at 11:57 am #929257
    CCrew
    Participant

    7 speed is going to make it difficult. Most Shimano based wheels are 8/9/10 with a few being 10 only.

    August 16, 2011 at 6:21 pm #929279
    Jsnyd
    Participant

    @CCrew 7124 wrote:

    7 speed is going to make it difficult. Most Shimano based wheels are 8/9/10 with a few being 10 only.

    That’s what I was afraid of. If thats the case then I might just ride her “as is” until…. the wheels fall off.

    August 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm #929526
    Jsnyd
    Participant

    I found a bontrager “race” front wheel for $25 on craigslist. The guy threw in the rear for free. Its bent up a little so I might see if it can be fixed but the front is nice and true. Ill take a spoke wrench to it and get it really smooth tomorrow. One small step to a better ride.

    August 23, 2011 at 4:40 pm #929552
    DaveK
    Participant

    If those are the paired-spoke style, be very careful to check for cracking in the rim around the spoke nipples. Those wheels have a bad reputation.

    August 26, 2011 at 1:35 am #929622
    Jsnyd
    Participant

    @DaveK 7451 wrote:

    If those are the paired-spoke style, be very careful to check for cracking in the rim around the spoke nipples. Those wheels have a bad reputation.

    Yea I think they are the same you are talking about. Bladded spokes? Thanks for the heads up. Ill keep an eye out for that.

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