[Cashmason]

I have seen comments on some stock wheels on bikes being sub par.<br><br>
I have a Trek 1000 with Alex wheels. I have been told they pretty much suck.<br><br>
How do good wheels differ from these? The bike only cost 680 dollars total with lovely Sora shifters.<br><br>
What would new wheels mean to me? How much would they cost?<br><br>
Thanks.<br><br><br>
Cash

 

[jroden]

For training wheels, I like a build with following:<br><br>
-top quality hub with cup and cone bearings rather than cartridge, which for me is Dura ace level. I think American Classic or Chris King would be great if I wanted to spend more.<br><br>
- I like standard Mavic Box section wheels<br><br>
- DT swiss spokes in 14 / 15 butted<br><br>
- Brass (not alloy) nipples.<br><br>
My shop doesn't want to mess wit wheel building, so I send my hubs back to Colorrado Cyclist and they build these up in the winter and I have wheels for the year. Generally, the fronts last a lot longer. I use 32 spoke 3 cross, you can run a 28 in the front.<br><br>
For race wheels, Dave Thomas at <a href="http://www.speeddream.com" target="_blank">www.speeddream.com</a> makes really well constructed wheels that will last. Most of the new wheels on bikes have low spoke counts, poor tolerances in the hubs and poorly designed builds, so they flex, get wobble and can't be serviced or repaired.

 

[pcsronbo]

step back a second - what problem are you trying to solve? Presuming you have that, then how much are you looking to spend?<br><br>
You already have these, I might suggest you ride them into the ground, then buy some new ones. Not that it would be bad to have the spares on hand before they die <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>
If you got cash to burn, then maybe buy some fancy race wheels?

 

[Cashmason]

Naw why buy fancy wheels for a 680 dollar bike with sora shifters.<br><br>
Just wondering if moving up to non sucky wheels would make me a mile an hour faster?

 

[jroden]

Cash--mostly you get good training wheels when the old ones break, or you replace the rear at least if it's all wobbly. It won't make you any faster, sorry.

 

[pcsronbo]

sorry dude, probably not. Spend 3x/wk at the gym for lower body and 3x/wk on your trainer (or outside, cuz you suck and you live in PARAFREAKINDISE and can go outside! <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> ) - that's gonna help more.<br><br>
Work on strength, see Amnesty thread re: hill drills workout I posted maybe that will help

 

[Cashmason]

You two took all the fun out of that idea.<br><br>
Ron, I would suck no matter where I live.... wink.

 

[pcsronbo]

If want want to blow $1,000 - please make out a check to RON'S PIZZA FUND and send it to my address <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">