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Best wheel set for under £600

The one thing letting my Velocite down (other than me) are the super heavy wheels that I have got on it, so I think it's time to treat it to some new hoops. I have a budget of about £600.

The bike is used for a mixture of rides and will be my triathlon rig for next year, so I was thinking 50mm deep carbons. Planet X seem to offer a lot for the money, but are they a little too good to be true? What alternatives would you recommend?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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23 comments

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Tjuice | 10 years ago
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Don't entirely discount the idea of the Planet X carbons.

I have the R50 50mm deep wheels. They are super light, very fast (not tested scientifically), inexpensive, and I have never found the crosswinds a problem (in fact, I have only once or twice even noticed it in the past year).

Anyhow, if that's not your bag, you are not going to go far wrong with the best Mavic or Fulcrum wheels you can afford (I nearly got the Racing Zero or Racing 1 instead of the PX wheels)

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matthewn5 | 10 years ago
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+1 for Shimano RS80s - 500kms over rough roads and still sweet and so smooth spinning I'm always grinning

+1 for Fulcrum Racing 3s - really outstanding stiff light wheels made by Campagnolo

Both available for slightly north of £300 or so.

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hotweathercyclist | 10 years ago
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Ive got some Gavias 50mm front 90mm read with alloy sidewalls brand new. going cheap.

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badkneestom | 10 years ago
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Heard great things about American Classics... I bought Fulcrums. Camapgnolo class and durability with less on price due to name change.

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Simon E | 10 years ago
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Bear in mind that a carbon 50mm section rim doesn't transform a simple wheel into something special or vastly improve your race times. Crosswinds and passing lorries mad my Grammos unstable and I didn't like the brakes. I'm now happier (and no slower) on shallow section RS80s.

You might like to read this before you buy cheap Chinese carbon:
http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/content/chinese-carbon-clinchers-rep...

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mcaley | 10 years ago
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+1 American classic 420s

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chris75018 | 10 years ago
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+1 for Campag Neutron Ultras light and very well made.

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mathewshotbolt | 10 years ago
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just don't use harry rowland - he's lost his touch over the last few years and i can't tell you how many bad wheelsets i've seen by him!

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Jack Osbourne snr | 10 years ago
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Two pairs of Prolite Braccianos and some super clamping skewers. Under 1500g and you can use them in a crosswind!

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brakesmadly | 10 years ago
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Another vote for the Dura Ace C24s. They're eerily comfortable, spin forever and are averagely aero.

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Yennings | 10 years ago
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I picked up a pair of Shimano Dura Ace C24-CL hoops for less than this via a Wiggle sale last year.

I really can't speak highly enough of them. They are not specialist aero wheels but brilliant all-rounders. Well worth considering if you can find them for the right price.

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veseunr | 10 years ago
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+1 for American Classic 350s or 420s

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bashthebox | 10 years ago
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A mate of mine got the wheelsmiths and has never looked back.

My local LBS builds a set of velocity A23 rims on spin hubs for about £400, reckons they weigh around 1400g. Think I'll try them out next time I need wheels.

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paslemeilleur | 10 years ago
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Campagnolo Neutron Ultra with Veloflex tyres: cannot go wrong.

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Bob's Bikes | 11 years ago
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Just bought a pair of Soul S2's (£575rrp) paid less than rrp though, cannot fault them.

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phax71 | 11 years ago
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With £600 to spend I'm sure you'll find plenty of choice.

I recently (April/May) brought some 24mm Carbon Tubs from one of the Chinese suppliers for £350 posted.... they arrived just 6 days after placing my order (incredible).

They weigh just 1023g or 1015g (cannae quite remember), built on lightweight hubs with Sapim CX Ray spokes and I don't care if people have their fears over Chinese suppliers (frames I can maybe understand), THESE WHEELS HAVE BEEN ON MOST OF THE SUMMER and are as good as new .. they've never needed re-tensioning and spin like butter... does butter spin ?  1

As far as I'm aware (tell me if I'm wrong) .. Planet X simply badge up some of these Chinese rims anyway ..

I guess what I'm trying to say is £350ish will get you a bullet set of wheels meaning you can buy some quality Tub tyres (I went cheap on my first set) to suit or even buy a cheap pair of £250 training wheels for wetter weather also .. keeping the Carbon for beter drier months.

I used Farsports and dealt with a guy named Johnson who was incredibly patient and answered every question I had.

Just my thoughts, hope they help.

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Jimmy Ray Will | 11 years ago
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For under 600 squids, look no further than a hanbuilt pair of wheels utilising the following...

Ambrosio Excellight rims, Dt 240 hubs and a mix of Dt revolution/supercomputer spokes. Depending on your weight and riding style, spoke count and lacing pattern can he tuned to meet your needs.

This pair of wheels comes in around 1500grams, with nicely distributed weight, incredible power transfer, reliable and fixable... You can not go wrong.

I've built a fair few pairs of these, and every single time the recipient has waxed lyrical about the quality of ride. It's nothing to do with my build (thats just following a process), but more to do with how accustomed we have all become to very average performing wheels.

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Hopalongsteve | 11 years ago
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Try Wheelsmith in Scotland. They have a website and Derek there is very helpful with a good reputation and lots of choice. All wheels handbuilt too and good service.

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crazy-legs | 11 years ago
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How about the brand new, unused Bontrager wheels that I'm selling on the Classifieds?
http://road.cc/content/forum/68509-fs-bontrager-wheels

RRP £650, I'll drop the price from what's stated on the advert to £500.

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Simon E | 11 years ago
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I wouldn't bother with deep section rims unless you're racing (though my Grammo Viper 50mm clinchers are for sale). Shimano RS80, Mavic Ksyrium series, Fulcrum 3 as well as Planet-X are some names that I can think of, there is no shortage of choice. A few people I know have American Classic Aero 420s (lightweight 30mm alu rims) and really like them.

Alternatively, why not treat yourself to some handbuilt wheels by the likes of Harry Rowland, Paul Hewitt, Wheelsmith.co.uk or Strada?

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Raleigh | 11 years ago
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Why not just go tried and tested and get the best Ksyriums you can afford?

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Ben Burns | 11 years ago
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I'm also thinking of some new wheels for next year and I like the look of Planet X tubulars.....all seem very well made (I went to their showroom earlier in the year to have a look around), relatively cheap and look the part....but I haven't read any reviews on them?

For example these wheels are only £399 and look very nice: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPXCAR70050NO/planet_x_pro_carbon_5...

I think Planet X also sell some Shimano C50's for less than £600, but after having trouble replacing a spoke on my Shimano RS30's earlier this year think I may steer clear of Shimano from now on!

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Liam Cahill | 11 years ago
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I'm looking for something similar and my local bike shop owner/mentor says planet X must use a very low grade of carbon. I'm a skint student so I only have about £700 max.

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