Single-speed/Fixed wheel upgrade

[potsy]

Hi all, just putting some feelers out for now but will be looking for some upgraded/better wheels for my Genesis Flyer in the near future.
Having looked around there seems a lack of off the shelf wheels of this nature, especially with flip-flop hubs.

Should I be looking at hand-builts as my only realistic option or have I just not looked hard enough?

 

[Citius]

Planet X AL30 track wheels, or the Weinmann DP18s, also from Planet X. Track wheels usually come up pretty heavy (the AL30s are relatively light), so handbuilts might be a good option..

 

[fossyant]

Miche X-Press.

Fully sealed Mich Primato hubs. Not too expensive and I got mine in one of the Halfords sales. 20% off and 10% BC.

Very happy with them. Not had to true them in 10 months

 

[fossyant]

I changed from handbuilt as the rims were expensive - CXP33 and I eat rims in 18 months

 

[fossyant]

Don't get Navigator Streets. The rims are made of cheese and the anodising bubbles up with corrosion (think they are actually painted hence the bubbling). I cracked a rim within 6 months.

I will most likely rebuild these with DP18s

 

[potsy]

Planet X AL30 track wheels, or the Weinmann DP18s, also from Planet X. Track wheels usually come up pretty heavy (the AL30s are relatively light), so handbuilts might be a good option..

I think these were one of the few I found, maybe it was @DaveR that recently bought some?

Interesting that in white they are £50 cheaper than the black ones.

Short listed

 

[potsy]

Miche X-Press.

Fully sealed Mich Primato hubs. Not too expensive and I got mine in one of the Halfords sales. 20% off and 10% BC.

Very happy with them. Not had to true them in 10 months

Like the look of those but boy they are heavy, will have to weigh my stock ones for comparison

 

[ayceejay]

Not sure of your budget but these are the best http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mavic/ellipse-wheel-set-ec025763

 

[Citius]

The issue with 'pure' track wheels is the potential lack of a structural braking surface. Not sure if those have, or not. Interestingly, the PX AL30s are cheaper and lighter than the Ellipse.

 

[potsy]

Not sure of your budget but these are the best http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mavic/ellipse-wheel-set-ec025763

Another of the ones I looked at but discounted because of the lack of freewheel option, also only recommended tyre size up to 22mm where as I'd be running either 25s or 28s.

 

[Citius]

All of these will probably take a screw-on BMX freewheel..

 

[ayceejay]

Another of the ones I looked at but discounted because of the lack of freewheel option, also only recommended tyre size up to 22mm where as I'd be running either 25s or 28s.

I didn't know about the freewheel but I run 25's with no problem

 

[potsy]

All of these will probably take a screw-on BMX freewheel..

I didn't know about the freewheel but I run 25's with no problem

Looking at them on a different site than Evans and it does say flip-flop hub (they are also £35cheaper)
Evans description wasn't very clear, nor were some of the 'expert' answers in the Q&A section.

 

[fossyant]

Like the look of those but boy they are heavy, will have to weigh my stock ones for comparison

All 30mm rims are heavy. The hubs aren't light as the axels are solid. It's the rotational weight that can be an issue. I'm running these and Duranos over CXP33 and Michelin/conti. Got to be 200g more at the rim per wheel.

I don't notice it now.

They are blooming tough wheels though.

 

[fossyant]

The Ellipse is a track wheel. No machined braking surface. It will work, but the rim might look a tad untidy until the brake track wears. It may not have a deep enough braking surface though