Which wheel for commuting?

[Twizit]

As above really.

Currently riding a base level Spesh Secteur with standard Alex rims, one of which gave up the ghost this morning in rather spectacular fashion on Waterloo roundabout . Whilst I think the wheel can be trued up in the short term, I think after 2,500 miles it's time to be looking for a new wheelset that's a little more rubust.

Can anyone recommend something decent that's not going to break the bank? I'd prefer something more bullet proof rather than lightweight, given they will be used mainly for commuting purposes.

Ta

 

[jefmcg]

2,500 miles? I get annoyed if a tyre doesn't last that long. Surely you can expect a little more from a set of wheels an a quality cycle?

 

[Twizit]

Agreed I would expect more life - but these are fairly base level Alex rims and having just spoken to the mechanic, the rim has buckled too sharply to be pulled back into true - I kind of half expected this given how badly / quickly it buckled, hence me asking on here!

Any suggestions on replacements?

I've had Shimano R501 suggested by the shop, but am a little concerned that these are only 24 / 20 spoke designed. Think I'd prefer 32 hole all round for a bit more strength, given the commuting use and I'm also not the lightest (around 14.5 stone).

 

[jay clock]

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+...1_1331721898_eda40df59cab4e31723cc8657b2c802c almost half price

If you want tougher you could look at Spa cycles. http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s178p0 - best to call and see what they suggest for you and your bike but I go some touring wheels off them which were rock solid

 

[Sittingduck]

I would be looking for a 36H handbuilt wheel (prob a Mavic A319 or similar - just dbl check your tyres will be a suitable width for the rim - am guessing they are 25 or 28?). Maybe a 32H, at a push. Wouldn't be confident commuting on minimal spoke road wheels. I speak with considerable expereince of rear wheel issues Alex rims are made of cheese!

 

[jay clock]

Just had a further look at Merlin and there are amazing deals. Once you register there is another 10% off at the end ( at least I get it! ). The R500 are so cheap you could just buy a pair and see how it goes

see here

• Ultegra wheels down from £400 to £215 http://tinyurl.com/7s5f9k8
• More basic Shimano RS20 down from £225 to £115 http://tinyurl.com/6nwg3ft
• The R500 lower level wheels are only £70.03 http://tinyurl.com/752tuul

 

[jay clock]

Re ALex rims, I had a pair on a Trek 1.2 that I used for two winters of hard training totalling 5500km and dead straight with no probs of any type. And I am hefty lardarse. Not commuting daily though

 

[Twizit]

Cheers all. Looks like I've got a bit of web searching to do at lunch time...

Handbuilts definitely an option but I'm a little pushed on the budget at the mo.... also in need of new wheels for the "nice" weekend bike

 

[Hicky]

I've got RS10's on my hybrid, used for over 12months bashing up and down canal paths, cobble lanes, carrying a baby seat and my 12 st frame.....both wheels still 100% straight....cheap as chips

 

[PpPete]

It's not so much the Alex rims (which are OK -ish) - it's more the build quality of what they put on base level Secteurs. IME it's pants.

Personally I build all my own wheels - but if I didnt I'd be looking at these... or the Spa handbuilts, maybe Rigida rims on Tiagra hubs - in 36 spoke front and back for utter bomb-proofness.

 

[jay clock]

The PX ones look excellent, but the Spa ones handbuilt on Tiagra hubs seem a bargain at £156

 

[jonny jeez]

2,500 miles? I get annoyed if a tyre doesn't last that long. Surely you can expect a little more from a set of wheels an a quality cycle?

Blimey I hope so, I'm about there already and I only got my nu-bike in October last year. surely these things are built to last longer than 6 months?!

 

[Twizit]

Thanks for all the help. Managed to pick up some R501's for £65 - for that price I figure they've got to be worth a try. Not sure they're in the bomb proof category, but it will be a bit make do for now. Handbuilts on the way further down the line I think.

jonny - I certainly expect more than 2,500 miles out of a set - I think I overdid the stomping on the pedals thing, perhaps when one of the spokes had worked loose (wheels were very true beforehand though). Hey ho....

 

[gambatte]

I've been in a similar frame of mind. I've got 2 roadies. Both B'Twin, ones the commuter the other my new 'sunday best'.
I've had the commuter about 5 years, but there's been extended periods when its not been used.
When I got the commuter I knew nothing about wear indicator lines etc. In the few months before I got the new one I realised the rim had this label indicating a wear line... which wasn't apparant. Made me wonder how thin the rims were? Especially as it's still on the original front tyre (3rd rear) and the original brake blocks (surely the rims last longer than the brakes??)
When I got the new bike the comments I got were "Nice bike, best upgrade will be the wheels". It was true. Carbon forks, seat post, semi carbon frame..... budget wheels.
So I started a thread on here, asking for advice.
It eventually worked out the way I'd envisaged. Rather than get new wheels for the commuter, I got new wheels for the best bike. A nice new shiny PlanetX AL30 wheelset in white. Those new budget wheels got passed down to the commuter. It required swapping the cassettes (8 & 9 speed)
I've now got the original commuter wheels on one side. When the rim gauge arrives, I'll know if I've got a spare set of 'emergency' wheels. Hopefully I'll have a rear for winter turbo training.