Best Wheel set for £150

[DWiggy]

I need to replace my wheels Mavic Aksium as rims worn out, quite liked them for the money and may get again but didn't know if I could get anything better for the money?
I use them for hilly commuting and the occasional sportive so rims need to be able to last, I have previously had Shimano 501r which I didn't really like and just like the Aksiums they only lasted for about 5000 miles (rims worn out)

Thanks in advance

 

[AlanW]

Handbuilts, just replace the rim when its knackered, cheaper in the long run - HERE

Or if you fancy a better rim - THESE

 

[I like Skol]

rims need to be able to last, I have previously had Shimano 501r which I didn't really like and just like the Aksiums they only lasted for about 5000 miles (rims worn out)

Crikey if ever there was an argument for disk brakes on commuter bikes this is it!

I have a set of disc brake wheels I hand built up for my commuter hybrid that cost me £150 in parts and these have done 12000 miles now and are as good as new and I expect them to do 2-3 times this distance before I need to think about replacements.

I would suggest you get a good set of handbuilt wheels with some Shimano 105 hubs, Swiss DT spokes and mid range Mavic rims. When the rims wear out again you just buy the same or equivalent rims and have the wheels rebuilt, the hubs should outlast 3 or 4 rims at least and you should be able to use the spokes twice, especially if you replace the nipples at each rebuild. This has got to be cheaper in the long run?

EDIT: Beaten to it by AlanW, knew I shouldn't have stopped typing to eat my pizza!

 

[DWiggy]

Never thought about hand built's before, sounds like a great idea, how much would you expect to bar to have a new rim fitted?
Do you know how they compare weight wise to the Askums?

Thanks for you advise guys

 

[AlanW]

I would guess that they are probably the same weight near enough. The only cost would be the rim and labour cost assuming that you don't do it yourself, as you should be able to reuse the OE spokes for at least one replacement rim.

 

[AlanW]

IMHO Open Pro rims are very nice, if expensive for an everyday rim. For this reason I go for the Open Sport rims, which are now called Open Elite I think? Yes they are fractionally heavier, but the advantage is that they have a wear line so that you can monitor the rim wear to good effect.

 

[13 rider]

Check out superstar components I got some Alex rims for £120 due to a sale .Several others on here have used superstar and everyone is happy with the wheels .
Can't comment on longevity as I only had them for 2 months but impressed with the wheels much better than the stock giant wheels

 

[Nibor]

I got these from rose bikes for just shy of £150 open pro and bombproof
https://www.rosebikes.com/article/x...-mavic-open-pro--free-jack-shimano/aid:401802

 

[I like Skol]

IME Alex rims are made of cheese.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

If you are going for Mavic Open Pro / Sports and 11 speeds hubs then make sure you have plenty of spokes, not less than 32 spokes. 11 speeds increase the spoke tension imbalance on dished wheels therefore one needs to crank up the tension on the drive side spokes ( 1200+ N) to prevent non drive side spokes coming loose. IIRC Mavic recommend around 900 N tension for the Open Pro / Open Sports. The spoke's bed on these rims is rather weak so having the spokes closer together does help prevent rim failure.

This is why I'm such a big fun of H Plus Archetype rims, the spoke bed on these rims is considerably thicker and stronger than most rims and can take the extra tension without any issues.

The other day I built a Mavic Open Sports / Shimano Alfine hub gear..... strong wheel and no issues with spoke tension imbalance

 

[Andrew_P]

I need to replace my wheels Mavic Aksium as rims worn out, quite liked them for the money and may get again but didn't know if I could get anything better for the money?
I use them for hilly commuting and the occasional sportive so rims need to be able to last, I have previously had Shimano 501r which I didn't really like and just like the Aksiums they only lasted for about 5000 miles (rims worn out)

Thanks in advance

The one that is £150 more than you budget, well that what I find when looking for anything cycling related.

 

[Dirk]

Shimano RS 11s maybe?

 

[bonsaibilly]

Hand built from a decent wheelwain... But otherwise, fulcrum racing 5s and never look back. Bb

 

[derrick]

Hand built from a decent wheelwain... But otherwise, fulcrum racing 5s and never look back. Bb

You must have missed a recent thread on fulcrums.

 

[Kestevan]

Fulcrum 5's are fine wheels. I've had a couple of sets with no problems.
I commuted on them every day on some shocking roads, and I'm not exactly small.