Recommendations on Sub €250 Track Wheelset for Road/Commuting Use?

blobert

Hello Folks,

I'm looking to upgrade the stock wheels on my Specialized Langster (set up as a single speed).

There seems to be a lot of options available but am struggling to find any info on many of the options.

Ideally I'm looking for the lightest possible set of wheels with fixed/freewheel sealed hubs, durable enough for commuting on Dublin roads. Looks are not important, preferably plain and black.

Miche do 2 sets for about £170:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Miche_X-Press_Road~Track_Bike_Wheels/5360040681/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Miche_Pistard_Track_Bike_Wheelset/5360040682/

Both look pretty decent, can't see much of a difference between them?

There's also the fancier looking Halo Aerorage for about the same price:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28614

I suspect these may be style over substance though they seem to get some positive reviews.

Nowhere seems to have them in black though.

All of these sets would be about €200, is there anything between them and something like these Mavics:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Mavic_Ellipse_Track_Bike_Wheelset/5360046136/

They are a bit out of my price range but look like a great set of wheels.

I also found these for £215:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Pro_Lite_Rosa_Alloy_Track_Bike_Wheelset/5360043202/

Again no info on them,but the same ones are available here for far less:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRO-LITE-ROSA-ROAD-700C-TRACK-F-R-WHEELSET-WHEELS-58047_W0QQitemZ330368413437QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item4ceb7deefd#ht_4557wt_991

Might make them a bargain?

Are there any other options I should be looking at or any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Dr.Millah

blobert wrote: »

There's also the fancier looking Halo Aerorage for about the same price:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28614


Nowhere seems to have them in black though.

I have them in black.Got them a few months ago from CRC, im sure they will be back in stock. (actually one aerorage and one aerotrack, my silly mistake on ordering but it doesnt make much difference)
They look good, cheap, run true (so far). Thumbs up from me anyway

blorg

A lot of those wheels you link are track-specific and not designed to be run with brakes (they lack a braking surface.) Be careful with that one when you are making your decision. The Miche X-Press, the Pro Lite Rosa and the Halo Aeroage would be fine, not the other ones though.

blobert

Thanks for the tips guys.

Hard to decide between the The Miche X-Press, the Pro Lite Rosa and the Halo Aeroage

I guess the lack of stock in the Halo rear black rules that out so its the X-Press for £164.70 inc delivery (with their voucher this weekend) or the Pro Lite Rosa for £129 plus about €20 delivery.

Not sure which to go for, probably leaning towards Miche as I cant find anything out about the Pro Lite Rosa.

Any further advice would be much appreciated.

abcdggs

not sure if i'm looking at the right place here but it looks like the xpress is sold out too

Possibly here the budget wheels look good.

blobert

Just noticed the Miche have sold out, there were a few pairs left yesterday.

Should be back in soon enough, as long as I get them before Christmas I'll be happy.

I don't think ordering from the US will work, would rather get them from Europe

blorg

I'd also consider getting something built up- Open Pros on Miche hubs, that sort of thing. That is probably what I would go for given €250.

Greyspoke

Anyone would think I'm on commision from this guy but I'm not!...I've had two sets of fixed road wheels built up by an old guy in England -Alf Webb is his name, website:www.webbline co.uk. He uses his "own" hubs- seem very sound - cartridge bearings, hollow axles, fixed/free options and he'll build them up on a choice of rims.
One set I got were on open pro rims, the other on ambrosio rims (can't remember the model). Including p&p they cost about £170 stg and if you order straight away you might have them for Christmas

cunavalos

blorg wrote: »

I'd also consider getting something built up- Open Pros on Miche hubs, that sort of thing. That is probably what I would go for given €250.

Have a set of these myself cant really go wrong mine cost me about 180 sterling about 18 months ago.
Another option is the navigator street track wheels (the street version have a braking surface and designed for commuting)
http://www.velodromeshop.org.uk/products/Navigator_Street_Wheels-675-13.html

chakattack

I bought these handbuilt from Dave Hinde thanks to Greyspoke's recommendation.

175 Euro delivered. They are a small shop and a bit scatty with customer service (3 week order to delivery, they were out of stock of the CXP22 rims originally ordered for 110 stg) but I'm happy with the finished product. They look slick with the Mavic decals removed and the Dave Hinde handbuilt sticker left on.

nak

Have look on dublinfgss.com, Chewy from Cultured is building wheels (shop shut at the moment, but his contact details are on the site, as he is still building wheels at home). I would go for hand built myself, I have Goldtec hubs, and Open Pro rims, my husband built them for me, and use them for commuting and racing.

Goldtec hubs last for years, some of the track hubs aren't that great for long term use in wet conditions, as they are not designed for that purpose.

blobert

Thanks for the other replies guys.

Can someone recommend someone to build up Open Pros on Miche hubs, what would I be looking at price wise for this?

blobert

Hello Again Guys,

Quick question, I ordered the Miche XPress Wheelset.

They have 28mm rims, what length valve tubes do I need for these: 36, 42 or 60mm?

They dont look to be super deep v's but I'm not sure.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks