23mm Rims/ Archetypes ....

[fossyant]

The Excellight is the same weight as the Open Pro. Don't get too wound up about low spoke counts. I run my commuter on 32 spoked CXP33's and the best bike on 28 spoked CXP33's. The new CXP33's have more subtle graphics.

The excellight is a similar price to CXP33's as well, so there is a lot of choice. I perfer handbuilts due to the fact you can have exactly the wheel you want, and they can be re-built. Ultra low weight wheels achieve most of the weight loss in the hubs, and that makes bugger all difference to wheel performance. The important thing is rim and tyre weights. It's very rare 'factory' wheels have a published rim weight !

I've built a few sets myself now !

 

[fossyant]

FF, out of that I'd go Grey Archetypes, DT Swiss or ACI spokes, double butted for no nonsence (3 cross lacing), and grey Ultegra if you can't get Novatec. Match the groupset !!

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I can live with noisy hubs on one bike .... my Reynolds are noisy ... you have to keep pedalling!

OK, I'm 88kg right now and planning to drop 10kg to say 80kg.

Grey Archetypes
Novatec Hubs (which ones) Would 24/28 be possible? Price up to and around Ultegra ....
Dble butted spokes

Or with

105 32/36
Double Butted Spokes

What would you choose? I'm finding it hard to get Novatec prices and details.

Hi again,

I couldn't find the Archetype in 24 and grey rims. I was told they are not manufactured in grey..... I admit that I didn't follow that up so I took their word for it.

If I was 80kg I'd go for 28 spokes but then I would be doing the repairs if they failed..... they will not collapse on you but you are certainly shortening the life of the wheel if you are too heavy for the wheel. If you are really going to go down to 80kg then go for 28. If it is simply a wish to go down then 32 would last you longer.

At 80kg you can go 20 on the front wheel too. A radial pattern looks nice but you might prefer a 2 x for the front. Definitely 3 x for the rear.

Another option: go 24/32 with lighter spokes ie Sapim Laser spokes.

I'm running 32 but then again I weight a lot more than 80.... so much more that I'm embarrassed to say it

Depends what you need the wheels for. Commuting and I'd say go with Shimano simply because they are so tough and reliable. Sunday road ride and go with Novatec.

Novatec set, 191 and 192 - correct me if I got the models wrong, cost around £50. Shimano 105 about the same. Ultegra cost about £90 something.

Ambrosio do the same hubs, Novatec with a different label. Those do come with a logo. They cost a bit more though.

As for total cost..... mine were £186. I have silver spokes as I was counting on building a grey set of wheels. Black spokes are a bit more expensive.

 

[tigger]

As above.
Rim brakes? Archetypes? No!
Disc brakes? Archetypes? Hell yes!

A23 is what you want for rim brakes.

How much you looking to spend? Pricier but quality complete hand builts:
http://www.hedwheels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HopeArd
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPSH9000C24CL/shimano_dura_ace_wh_9000_c24_cl_wheelset

 

[amaferanga]

Archetypes look like a normal rim once the anodizing wears off so I wouldn't say they look crap. They look stealthy to begin with, then after a few hundred wet miles they just look like normal alloy rims.

 

[tigger]

I wish I hadn't looked at this thread as its made me look at the HED website again. I've got a slightly older and lighter version of the CL. 4000+ fast, smooth and comfortable miles on Peak District roads and they've never been trued or serviced. So very happy indeed with not even the slightest inclination to upgrade.

But now I've seen these. Wow!
http://www.hedwheels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Ard+SL

And don't be afraid to run 25mm tyres on 23mm rims, I think they ride a little better than 23mm.