What should I be looking for in a new wheelset?

[gambatte]

I'm looking to replace/upgrade the wheels on my Triban5 I can't really say what they are currently. The individual components are badged 'Triban'. They're running the usual...700x23c and I suspect are very much 'budget'

I've just been looking round Wiggle, CRC, James, Planet-X etc. Bit different to Decathlon, seems every bit of spec is listed and there's plenty of choice

So my query is... what should I be looking at beyond 700 and something that'll take a 8/9 speed shimano cassette when comparing.

I'm told the wheels are the best upgrade I could do, what're the prime specs to compare, beyond £££?

 

[accountantpete]

You should decide whether you want aero (deep rim 50mm), semi-aero 30mm deep rim or non-aero.

Full aero's cut through the air a bit better but can be a pain in crosswinds.

After that, the more you pay the stiffer and lighter the wheels will get.

Please note that the normal LBS may not be equipped to deal with some wheels so you may need to service them yourself (no great problem). Also check the availability and cost of spares.

 

[HLaB]

Not a definitive list, but I looked at cost to weight ratio and some peer reviews when I was looking for new wheels.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

The Mavic XP22 on my rear has hub issues, need a new wheel really, LBS advised this as opposed to new hub, and keep the old wheel for next winter. Buddy at the store reckoned 3000km in winter is like doing at least 15000km in summer round here. So, doing my own research too, so much choice, so much info. Coming to the conclusion that a high end wheel is not worth the cost with my current abilities and the dire roads and often wet weather hereabouts, so may plumb for Mavic Askium or similar, guy can fit one for 80 squigglies here.

 

[italiafirenze]

You want something unlikely to break and cheap to replace if it does. Winner: Shimano RS10.

They are a fantastic wheelset for less than £100. Durable, smooth and will need next to no maintenance. You can abuse shimano stuff all you like and it tends to keep working anyway.

If you are of the mind to spend some £££, get some handbuilt wheels from a reputable wheelbuilder. I recommend Paul Hewitt in Leyland, Lancs. A nice set will cost you a couple of hundred quid and will probably last longer than the rest of your bike.

Make sure they don't put the pie plate back on when they change your cassette over though, whatever you get.

 

[gambatte]

Checked the dropouts. Both 130mm. Although mi digi-vernier gave me a minor heart attack. Due to a dodgy battery it reset itself with zero at -5. Meant that I initially had dropouts of 130 & 125....
There was a bit of headscratching as according to one online source 126 is/was a standard for 7 speed?
Anyway, both 130mm
I had a bit of a google after which I decided to change my route home, to visit a local dealer I've not been to before. Planet-X
Bit late now to cut a long story short, but the upshot is I am now in possession of a pair of Planet-X AL30 wheels, in white... although the website only seems to mention black or silver?
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPXAL30/planet_x_al30_wheelset
Productive evening.All wheels swapped through. 4 tyre/tubes changed. 2 cassettes swapped over. 2 pie plates dumped.

 

[fossyant]

Tart ! That's not a bad weight for 30mm alloy rimmed wheels though !