Weight Weenies

Pretty sure I'm pulling the trigger on a 6.2 Madone but am not in love with bontrager wheels. I've got it down to hed ardennes cl, american classic hurricane and ROL SLR. I don't race, just ride mostly flats. Very very little climbing. At 210 pounds I want as troublr free wheelset as the velomax curcuits I've had. 20k with zero problems. On the Rols I'm a little concerned about the front wheel being 24 spokes radical. Thanks for any help to keep my 60 year old bones safe.

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Not ridden any of the wheels you looking at so not much help but.........

Understand you dont love Bontrager wheels, but I have used a set of those for 11000km, upgraded and didnt use them for a year then back onto commuter bike and never had a sniff of trouble. Only once had to get the front wheel trued (user error) and they ahve been bomb proof.

They are my go to wheels if I have trouble with other wheels or need to lend wheels to mates.

Otherwise - Mavic's are always reliable. My father in law has a set of Kysrium SL and loves them.

What's don't you like about the Bontragers? They're pretty much Bontrager's equivalent of the Circuits, except they have spokes that you can get replacements for easily.

But if you like the Circuits better, why not use them? I've been using a pair for years, they're good training wheels.

I ride ROL D'Huez wheels (initially at 180 lbs) and they hold up great in a variety of conditions, roll great, and are super stiff. The components used in the wheels are pretty "tried and true" and while they're not the lightest in the world they're pretty well viewed as being super tough and reliable. Oh, and the best part is ROL's customer service. A huge part of my decision to spend money with them was based on feedback for the company, I honestly don't think I found a single bad review about them - and that's saying something, especially on the internet.
When I called to order wheels I was undecided between the Race SL and the D'Huez, the company CEO, Sean, spent probably 30 minutes with me discussing what type of riding I do and where, my weight, expectations, etc. He then steered me toward the D'Huez... I still wasn't sure so he made things a little more... interesting. Suffice it to say, it was an offer and a service I couldn't refuse! The wheels shipped promptly and the packaging was more than sturdy.
In the interest of full disclosure, I did recently have the rear wheel go slightly out of true - I don't really think much of it, it hasn't been a perpetual problem, I haven't seen a lot reviews stating problems with truing, and stuff happens. I sent an e-mail to ROL just to mention it, because they seem EXTREMELY proactive when ANYTHING seems to be in error with their wheels, and I receieved another call from Sean. He offered to pay the cost of having my wheel trued. That's hard to beat. I declined his offer (because the $20 I paid to my LBS didn't hurt my feelings) but the gesture is what was most significant to me.

Good luck on your decision!

eric wrote:What's don't you like about the Bontragers? They're pretty much Bontrager's equivalent of the Circuits, except they have spokes that you can get replacements for easily.

But if you like the Circuits better, why not use them? I've been using a pair for years, they're good training wheels.

Circuits already have 20k on them and they are on my bike, my Roubaix.

shokhead wrote: Circuits already have 20k on them and they are on my bike, my Roubaix.

Why not grab a set of Easton Circuits then? Pretty sure they are the same design down to the twin threaded spokes.

aaric wrote:

shokhead wrote: Circuits already have 20k on them and they are on my bike, my Roubaix.

Why not grab a set of Easton Circuits then? Pretty sure they are the same design down to the twin threaded spokes.

I've heard of broken spokes and bad hubs but even if they were ok I'd like something different .

I have put about 20k on my Circuits and I weigh 190-200lbs through the year. I have broken 2 spokes (actually 2 nipples). A bit of a pain with the spokes threaded at both ends because can't really remove broken spoke by hand. ended up using tire patch to attach to spoke and riding home. Even with broken spoke not to out of true to ride home.
I believe the rims are still the same but the hubs have been through a number of changes since they were the circuits (now EA50). Never had a problem with hubs. Still use them on my rain bike.
I have some custom HED C2 rims built on Chris King hubs (not the R45 but the new ones). I have them overbuilt at 32h each. They were built for Flanders and Roubaix this year. Very solid and about the same weight as the circuits if not a little lighter. You could easily do something similar if you wanted the wide rim and build with spoke configuration you want.
If you like the Eastons you could easily step up to the EA 90s. They are supposed to be very solid wheels, or old standard DA C24s for the excellent hubs.

Bontrager race lite wheels are incredible wheels. The hubs are well machined and come from the factory with incredibly even spoke tension. I have been riding their older brother, the race x lite for years (~40k miles) with virtually no problems.

tylerjandreau wrote:Bontrager race lite wheels are incredible wheels. The hubs are well machined and come from the factory with incredibly even spoke tension. I have been riding their older brother, the race x lite for years (~40k miles) with virtually no problems.

At just over 200 pounds I'm uneasy with 20/24 spokes.

I don't have anything to add except to say I got a chuckle out of your post title!

You'd be surprised what modern wheels can do with low spoke counts and high, even tension.

I just recently pruchased the Ultegra wheelset to be used as my EVERDAY spinner, they are for the most part as good as my Dura-Ace wheelset and have been very happy. I cannot tell the difference between the 2 sets and honestly the Ultegras have a comparable ride and stiffness. I believe they maybe still on sale at bike Nashbar for $399.00 A STEAL

1) Both have the same hub design
2) both have the same spoke and spoke count and tension
3) Ultegra=Aluminum/ Dura-Ace= Scandium( ie fancy aluminum)
4) Both are ready for tubeless tires
5) Both have great ride quality
6) Ultegra is everday wheel, Dura-Ace retired until race day

Gotta love the forums. OP says, don't want Bontrager, don't want low spoke count, don't want same ol' same ol'. So what does everyone keep banging on him about? The stuff he doesn't want!

OK, HEDs are great. Good choice. AC wheels... meh. Hubs have been reputed to be iffy, but that might be old data (someone help me out on that one). ROL, don't know enough to comment but have heard good things.
1) You are bigger, you are not interested in a flimsy "uphill TT" wheel or low spoke counts. Check.
2) You don't race, therefore don't want the blingiest, latest greatest make you .00001% faster wheel. Check.
3) You ride flats -- to me that means either, don't care as much about weight OR that means you want aero. Given #2, I'll go with the weight side of that equation. Check.
4) You want reliability. Check.

SURVEY SAYS! Handbuilts, brah! Get you some HED Belgium rims laced to your hub of choice (White Industries, Campag, Shimano, Alchemy, DT Swiss, etc) with some nice spokes. Badabing badaboom. Serviceable, reliable, comfy, cheaper all while not being boat anchors either. I have a set with White Industries hubs and Sapim CX-Rays. Mmmmm..... so nice. Corner like crazy too with that wide rim.

If you can't find a wheelbuilder around you, consider Boyd or Revolution wheels. Seriously good values there and I especially like the build quality on the Boyds.

You're welcome.

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Get on over to Fairwheel-
Kinlin 38mm rims
Soul Kuzack hubs
24/24 spokes (front hub is aero but not laterally stiff even if the rims will be)