Even at nationals I've never actually seen that rule enforced. I'm not sure how it is in europe now, but here there are lots of pros riding non-uci legal wheels. My favorite set is some custom 404's on white hubs. As for HED hubs, they roll fine and you can build a reasonably stiff wheel on them, but I find they don't last that long with any form of abuse. I like a hub I can but 20k miles on, rain or shine, and never have to touch it. So that is what I would consdider "best" on a personal level. If you are bulding a superlight show bike or something, that is obviously a different matter.

I'd like a set of those, any preference?

That would be Dura-Ace then... followed by Chris King.. but still dura-ace......

Mine would be 3D3 tubs running conti comp 25's with Token ti skewers....... so thats what i use.... perfect for the Gold Coast, breezy, hilly, and plenty of chip seal.... 110psi FR, 120psi RR... shit for TT's tho...

The Hed wheels are good. I kind of agree with the hub comment, though. I prefer the 'factory' hubs with adjustable angular contact bearings.

Enve 6.7 tubies on the new Alchemy hubs. Would be hard to beat the ride quality on that one.

_________________
http://www.zencyclery.com

http://www.wheelbuilder.org

Zipp 404 Firecrests if it had to be a single set - optimum balance of aero, weight, braking, aesthetics and overall quality. Either side of that dimensionally trades aero or weight - worthwhile if multiple wheels are in play, but if its only one then that's my favourite.

_________________
Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts.

For the ulimate baller status -- Lightweight Fernweg (w/ service-up warranty)

For all-around use -- Lightweight Obermayer (w/service-up warranty)

For climbing -- Lightweight Gipfelstrum (w/ service-up warranty)

A point to note: If you are worried about UCI legal, you probably have mechanical support.
Regardless....going seriously specialised for each task-> Prendrefeu's list. (i'd use extralite hubs on the custom builds).
Real world here in NZ I'd go Smart 6.7's on extralite hubs and CXray spokes as all rounders.
Reynolds RZR Tubs for outright racing (45 or 65....you choose depending on hills/flat proportions).
Not a huge fan of tune hubs (clicky/creaky after a while on some and that gets bloody annoying)....the Mig 45 isn't bad.

_________________
Used to race....got too wrinkly and old Updated: Racing again! Thought this was unlikely! Eventually, I may even have a decent race!

I'm pretty sure Hesjedal was climbing on a custom pair of Enve 25's laced to King hubs during the Giro..

Enve 25s may squeak under the rim height criteria.

No, not true.

Hesjedal rode Mavic R-Sys Ultimate wheels on many of the climbing stages. Other days he rode Mavic CCUs and Mavic Cosmic CXR 80.

See wheels here on stage 20. BTW, Purito is riding CCUs behind him in that pic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slipstream ... 966271547/

Ah my mistake, for some reason I remember seeing someone's hand built wheels among images on cyclingnews, but I may be imagining it.

Prolly Sir Wiggo.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tec ... hine-bikes