Advice needed: 2nd hand or new road wheelset

[urbanroyal]

Sooo, should I believe any of the typical internet reviewers who say they are breaking spokes on these wheels the whole time?

That's what I also read...also read that the holes where the nipples go through are to small and hence the spokes can't flex as much....if that makes sense....some guy said he filed the holes bigger or something like that and no more broken spokes.....hence me seaching more and eventually settling on the campi eurus....still have to find some bad reviews on those wheels...☺

[Mopkop]

@cobus how much do you weigh? Im abt 69kgs on a good day and these eastons are bullet proof!!

 

Went off the road on the 99er into 2 ruts off the side of the road and all that happened was a pinch flat on the rear tube, cut too big to fix as its about 10mm long but absolutely no damage to the rim what so ever! I train and race on mine.

 

A mate of mine weighs abt 95kgs and he says its a bit flexy for his liking.

 

Non the less, they're light and roll really really well... go for it!

[cobus3000]

@cobus how much do you weigh? Im abt 69kgs on a good day and these eastons are bullet proof!!

 

Went off the road on the 99er into 2 ruts off the side of the road and all that happened was a pinch flat on the rear tube, cut too big to fix as its about 10mm long but absolutely no damage to the rim what so ever! I train and race on mine.

 

A mate of mine weighs abt 95kgs and he says its a bit flexy for his liking.

 

Non the less, they're light and roll really really well... go for it!

Currently weigh +/- 89kg....probably would need to get the tension right on the spokes.

 

However, for a little bit more I could get brand new Mavic Ksyrium Equipe. 

[DJR]

Hi Cobus. Roughly in price range are you looking?

[J∆kk∆ls]

Replaced a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites for EA90 RT's...they are SOLID!!! 

[cobus3000]

Hi Cobus. Roughly in price range are you looking?

Max budget R6000. Primarily ride MTB...so can not justify more. However, my current front hub is busy coming apart...so will need to replace the wheelset at some point (no point in repairing a junk set of wheels).

[nazmo]

Cobus, for R6000, maybe just a touch more, have Lance at Epic Bike shop make you a set of MTB wheels, they as light as the best alu wheels out there, and strong. And new!

Good hoops and hubs.  Its what I plan to do

 

EDIT, misread "primarily mtb" as looking for MTB wheels, oops sorry

[DJR]

Hi Cobus

 

Chris Willemse has Mavic Ksyrium Equipe for R6100 and Shimano Ultegra wheels for R6800 on special at the moment. Evobikes have Mavic Cosmic Elites for R6000. If you decide to buy second hand, it has to be substantially better wheels for the same money. That should be good condition low mileage wheels that would normally be in the R10 - 12 000 price range. (Things like Easton AE 90s or Shimano Dura Ace wheels.) I agree that a good set of aluminium wheels are a safer 2nd hand deal than carbon. Hope it helps.

[Jay_B]

Was in the same boat as you end of last year and also was looking at the same budget... however I only ride road so stretched a bit extra and got a set of new Concepts from CCD. Money so well spent, awesome wheels from a real great guy.

 

If you really cant stretch closer to the R10k mark then definitely look at the American Classic 420 Aero 3 - the reviews on these are brilliant and Evobikes have them for R6495 at the moment.

[cobus3000]

Hi Cobus

 

Chris Willemse has Mavic Ksyrium Equipe for R6100 and Shimano Ultegra wheels for R6800 on special at the moment. Evobikes have Mavic Cosmic Elites for R6000. If you decide to buy second hand, it has to be substantially better wheels for the same money. That should be good condition low mileage wheels that would normally be in the R10 - 12 000 price range. (Things like Easton AE 90s or Shimano Dura Ace wheels.) I agree that a good set of aluminium wheels are a safer 2nd hand deal than carbon. Hope it helps.

I can get a set of Easton EA90 SL's with new hubs and bearings for +/- R4000...

 

The thing that puts me off the Mavic and Shimano wheels are that they use a lot of proprietary tech in the wheels. But then again...I am no expert 

[cobus3000]

Cobus, for R6000, maybe just a touch more, have Lance at Epic Bike shop make you a set of MTB wheels, they as light as the best alu wheels out there, and strong. And new!

Good hoops and hubs.  Its what I plan to do

 

EDIT, misread "primarily mtb" as looking for MTB wheels, oops sorry

 

Hahaha! Thanks for the info!!

 

Will definitely go this route when I upgrade my MTB at the end of the year....need some good wheels for my new ride. 

[David Marshall]

For that money I would go new.  You are so right to keep away from "proprietary".  Add "patented" to that as well.  Right now I am rebuilding a set for an elite rider.  American classic hubs with now what is the third set of rims.  Using the old J bend Aerolite spokes as well (2nd time).  Quick and easy repair.  I am also looking at a Mavic Ksyrium Superlight Premium.  The impact folded the carbon hub and a couple of spokes although the rim is still ok it is a nightmare to source parts and to work on.  Some of the nipples have corroded solid and I have recommended a new wheel.  Keep it simple.  Double butted spokes, simple pattern and sealed bearing hubs.  Get a rim that is readily available because a good wheel will last a long time and you are going to hit a pothole or something before you finally say "My wheel is dead"

[Mongoose!]

The question is : will you rather buy a new Huyndai or a second hand Mercedes of few years old. Guess it is all a personal thing. I have bought many top level wheels on the Hub. Thing is, you just have to have an eye for it, and it is so easy to burn your fingers.

 

Ask me to choose between a brand new Ultegra or mid level Mavic wheelset,or a used (even previous generation) Zipp's or Bora's, my choice is quite easy....but there is always a risk involved like mentioned by the previous posters.

 

For that it is always best to take the wheels to a LBS to check. Even if it comes to paying a small assessment fee for their service