Sweet Spot for Cheap(er) wheels?

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alcatraz
Posts: 4064
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:19 am

by alcatraz

Replace the bearings, swap whatever rim you deem is worn out with a new one. Bam, cheap and efficient.

I suggest you to run carbon in the rear if you are racing. Less spongyness putting power down.

You might want to get something tubeless compatible. That's the new edge.

by Weenie


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StevenH72
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2017 3:17 pm

by StevenH72

clarinet5001 wrote:
Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:37 am
AForce AL33 are more aero than FLO 30 according to an A2 wind tunnel test, but they're also pretty expensive.
I was going to suggest AL33's also. Had mine approx. 18 months and love them. Much stiffer than my Reynolds Strikes, pretty light, good braking and they don't feel much slower, if at all.

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F45
Posts: 1077
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:08 am

by F45

I usually do Kinlin rims 24/28 with aerolites on a nice set of hubs like Dura Ace or White Ind. Comes out to around $700.

clarinet5001
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:32 am

by clarinet5001

StevenH72 wrote:
Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:26 pm
clarinet5001 wrote:
Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:37 am
AForce AL33 are more aero than FLO 30 according to an A2 wind tunnel test, but they're also pretty expensive.
I was going to suggest AL33's also. Had mine approx. 18 months and love them. Much stiffer than my Reynolds Strikes, pretty light, good braking and they don't feel much slower, if at all.
I was thinking of getting them, are they really that good? The Strikes are DEEP and probably pretty stiff as well. Also, did you get standard or ceramic brake track?

What configuration did you get? If you did a custom build what's the spoke type and count, hubs, and rider weight?

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taodemon
Posts: 99
Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2017 2:04 pm
Location: Massachusetts

by taodemon

cbrshadow wrote:
Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:55 pm
taodemon wrote:
Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:49 pm
You can usually find HED jet 6 wheels for around $900 online. I've had a set of the jet5 wheels for 5 years (22462 miles) and they have been relatively problem free.
Regardless of price, which wheels woudl be generally better for crit racing?
- HED Jet 6
- HED Ardennes

Thanks for the responses so far!
I would think the jet6 would make more sense for crit racing plus would look better on the venge. Keep in mind the ones you buy online now typically come with the black hed decals and not the white ones I have on mine.
Attachments
old venge with my dad's Jet 6 wheels
old venge with my dad's Jet 6 wheels
old venge with my jet 5 wheels
old venge with my jet 5 wheels
SL5 with jet 5
SL5 with jet 5
current sl6 with jet 5 minus decals
current sl6 with jet 5 minus decals

Jacksoneaker
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 4:09 am

by Jacksoneaker

+1 for the Jet 5s. I’ve only had them a couple of months, but they have been great. I expected the aluminum brake track to add a bunch of weight, but they aren’t much heavier (if at all) than comparable 5mm wheels. Hubs sound cool, too.

One thing that sucks is that it’s a tubeless ready rim, but due to the carbon fairing it is tricky to anchor a valve stem with a nut.

Only real concern I have over long term use is having to true with the nipples hidden, but that’s even a problem on $3,400 ENVE wheels. It’s not that complicated, just not fun to have to take rim tape out.

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Matt28NJ
Posts: 259
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:16 am

by Matt28NJ

cbrshadow wrote:
Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:55 pm
Regardless of price, which wheels woudl be generally better for crit racing?
- HED Jet 6
- HED Ardennes
IMO, the HED Jet series is the best racing wheelset bar none for privateer/amatur crit racers.
  • Cheap
  • Wide
  • Very aerodynamic - consistently score well
  • Multiple depths available
  • Aluminum breaking surface - assault the race in any conditions

...and they're cheap and strong as hell. Weight is moderate but more than adequate.

cbrshadow
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:12 pm

by cbrshadow

Matt28NJ wrote:
Fri Jan 18, 2019 8:50 pm
cbrshadow wrote:
Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:55 pm
Regardless of price, which wheels woudl be generally better for crit racing?
- HED Jet 6
- HED Ardennes
IMO, the HED Jet series is the best racing wheelset bar none for privateer/amatur crit racers.
  • Cheap
  • Wide
  • Very aerodynamic - consistently score well
  • Multiple depths available
  • Aluminum breaking surface - assault the race in any conditions

...and they're cheap and strong as hell. Weight is moderate but more than adequate.
Thanks for the reply. HED Wheels are what I'm leaning towards. Now I have to decide between Jet 4, Jet 5, Jet 6, then of course "plus" or "black".. What's the best deal out there now? I assume the number (4, 5, 6) refers to the depth, correct? 4 = 40mm, 5 = 50mm, 6 = 60mm..

If all else is equal I'd probably be happy with 40mm depth.

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Matt28NJ
Posts: 259
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:16 am

by Matt28NJ

cbrshadow wrote:
Fri Jan 18, 2019 11:00 pm
If all else is equal I'd probably be happy with 40mm depth.
If the intended purpose as stated is indeed racing, IMO the best mix of height / weight is the Jet 6+. Go for the plus if your frame can handle.

AJS914
Posts: 5397
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

The Jet 6 seems a bit heavy for crit racing - 1700 grams/pair. I guess it would depends on your crit races but often there is a lot of accelerating out of turns. I'd be looking at a set of Farsports tubulars. 1300-1400 grams and half the cost. You'll save another 200 grams on the tubular tires.

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Matt28NJ
Posts: 259
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:16 am

by Matt28NJ

AJS914 wrote:
Sat Jan 19, 2019 4:28 am
The Jet 6 seems a bit heavy for crit racing - 1700 grams/pair. I guess it would depends on your crit races but often there is a lot of accelerating out of turns. I'd be looking at a set of Farsports tubulars. 1300-1400 grams and half the cost. You'll save another 200 grams on the tubular tires.

Not bad advice, but read the original post... it asks for aluminum brake tracks.

Also the wheel weight thing, hasn't that been dispelled in this forum yet?

Phuddy
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2018 7:48 pm

by Phuddy

Hunt Aero wide regular or Sprint: 24mm wide, 31mm deep, sub 1500g, alloy.

dim
Posts: 596
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:25 am
Location: Cambridge UK

by dim

HED Belgium Plus Rims, and with your remaining budget get the best hubs that you can afford
Trek Emonda SL6
Miyata One Thousand

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Matt28NJ
Posts: 259
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:16 am

by Matt28NJ

To the folks recommending low profile wheels vs. deep wheels for racing... why?

AJS914
Posts: 5397
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

Matt28NJ wrote:
Sat Jan 19, 2019 5:01 am
Also the wheel weight thing, hasn't that been dispelled in this forum yet?
Are you saying that wheel weight doesn't make a difference in a crit where you will decelerated and accelerated those wheels hundreds of times?

by Weenie


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