Stiff alloy tubular wheelset for climbs?

[addictR1]

any recommendation for a set of stiff alloy tubulars wheelset for climbing? something that is low profile and stiff and no flex?

[caballero]

Hed c2 tubular rims / wheels mfg hubs / cxray spokes.

Should be light, stiff confident descenders

[RussellS]

More or less, any rim with LOTS of spokes. Maybe some of those Sapim spokes that are 13 gauge at the hub and 14 gauge at the nipple. They are like rebar. A tandem rim with 48 spokes would be the stiffest of all. Disc wheels are extra stiff too.

[ultyguy]

Ah flex, measured in so many ways. I've got old version Campagnolo Neutron tubulars that are bullet proof and 1500g and quite stiff. It'll take an 11sp campag cassette.


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[Multebear]

How about building a wheelset with Mavic Open Pro T rims (previously known as Mavic Reflex)? With 32 spokes you have a light and stiff wheel.

[kgt]

Ambrosio Nemesis or Montreal tubular rims (32+32 spokes) with Record or DA hubs.

[caballero]

Ambrosio Nemesis or Montreal tubular rims (32+32 spokes) with Record or DA hubs.

Not stiff, not light and feel sluggish. Everything you don't want when you're climbing big mountains.

[kgt]

Any idea why a wheelset with HED Belgium C2 will be lighter, stiffer and feel less sluggish?

[Geoff]

An alloy rim is never going to be as stiff for a given weight as a carbon rim. For alloy, I have a set of old Campagnolo Hyperons which are stiff and light. The Dura-Ace version is not as light, but is very servicable. As soon as you start building a wheel from separate components, you may get light, but it won't be as stiff as an engineered wheelset.

[duvivr6]

Disagree about Nemesis/Record being sluggish/heavy and not stiff.

I have 2 alloy tubbies old Neutrons and Nemesis/Record hubs and they are both superb. Not flexy and around 1600g.
And they are also timeless and look great on any bike.

[addictR1]

How about building a wheelset with Mavic Open Pro T rims (previously known as Mavic Reflex)? With 32 spokes you have a light and stiff wheel.

how light would it be?

[Multebear]

The rim is 360 grams. I'm just gonna lay out an example here:

256 grams bitex hubs
294 grams (64) DT revolution spokes and alloy nipples
720 grams rims

Thats 1.270 grams. Don't think you can go much lighter with alloy rims, since they are so light and soft, that you need plenty of spokes to make them stiff.

[addictR1]

And that's with 32 spokes? If so... Where are some places to source these? Or any reputable builder that can build that in US?

[Multebear]

Yes 32 spokes. The mavic rims only come in 32/36 drillings.

Not sure where in US. I'm located in Europe. But from what I'm reading here, there are plenty options in US. Maybe start with @NovemberDave. If he can't do it, I'm pretty sure he can point you in the right direction.

[mattr]

Any idea why a wheelset with HED Belgium C2 will be lighter, stiffer and feel less sluggish?

Because marketing.


Though to be fair, most/much/all of a hand built wheels quality is actually in the builders hands. The rest of it is (probably) in the tyre you've chosen.

The nemesis rim is a bit of a lump though, 450-460 IIRC. Not enough to hurt in it's chosen area of excellence though.