Road Wheels & Road Wheel Recommendations?

Other wise Wheelsmith seem vague about buying just rims.

I read on their site that they had stopped selling parts and now sell complete wheels only.

These guys in Germany have them really cheap. Labelled CNC rims, but I'm pretty sure they're Niobidium jobbies. there will be an extra delivery cost for bulky items, and you'll have to pay by bank transfer. But they seem a decent shop to deal with.
http://www.cnc-bike.de/

Go spendy on tubes and tyres for lower RR. Michelin latex and Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX are an amazing combo. About £72 all in = instant speed.

+1million. You're not really going to notice any difference in wheelsets in that price range.

Alternatively get those DA hubs laced up to some Ambrosio Nemesis or Chrono F20 rims with Vittoria Corsa Evo CX tubs for a pair of 'best' wheels

I want to buy some new wheels.

Anyone point me in the right direction? they need to be strong, around 1700 gm, Shimano 9sp compatible and under £300.

My current choices are between:

Shimano Ultegra 6700 £250

Fulcrum racing 5 £230

Pro-lite Bracciano (handbuilt) £290

The more I look the harder it gets...

There's also the option of getting handbuilt, but the cost is higher for a similar spec.

Open Pro rims £80
Dura Ace hubs £230 or ultegra £140
Sapim CX ray £90
Build + shipping £40

~~This is weird.

My first response was UTFS, as I know of at least two really good threads that deal with this. But I can't seem to find them.~~

Here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread41982.html

Bump it so all the info is kept in one place.

What hugo said.

Although I like the last handbuilt option best.

Merlincycles seems to have some good options. The DA's are obviously very nice, but a bit over budget, the EA70's are very solid for the weight, and the RS80's are pretty light.

Some nice DA wheels if you can push your budget some.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Road+Wheels/Factory+Road+Wheels/Dura+Ace+7850+SL+Wheels+-+Pair_1780.htm

Easton EA70's. Nice solid wheels.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Road+Wheels/Factory+Road+Wheels/Easton+EA70+Wheels+-+Pair_EA70-WHEELS.htm

Shimano RS80 Carbon. Lightweight wheelset.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Road+Wheels/Factory+Road+Wheels/Shimano+RS80+Carbon+Laminate+Wheels+-+Pair_2529.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOM9UMEg8HA&feature=player_embedded

Unfortunately the RS80's and DA's are out of my range, and I can't find a clincher set of EA70's for under £300 - My road bike is only a Cannondale CAAD job, looking for a cheap upgrade over the Gipiemme ones I've got which have worn out rims and are just not as stiff as I'd like.

Looks like I'm going to go for the Ultegras for Shimano reliability or Pro-lite's for the weight and build...

Hope Pro 3 hubs on Open Pros

http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemID=SPG92

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Hope-Hoops---Pro-3-RS-Mono---Mavic-Open-Pro-Wheels_W0QQitemZ390292813184QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=214692927367&rvr_id=214692927367&cguid=c05519c212c0a0aad4f69656ff9629c3

I'm using a rear one and will get a front when I kill the Bontrager Race Lite that I'm using, lightweight, easy to true 32h regular spokes (easily replaceable), sealed bearings that are easy to service and great pick up in the free hub.

Shimano handbuild their wheels. If you can't stretch to £325 for the RS80s:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=38244

the 6700s are good wheels:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=40568

i think that does it then £230 for the Ultegras at Merlin

I was looking for this article earlier...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/a-look-inside-shimanos-shrouded-wheel-factory

That just makes me want the Dura ace ones even more!

Haha. I love the idea of the special air-conditioned Dura-Ace room.

Got to be the RS30's for £135 from Ribble. Deal of the century

My mate has some Ultegra / silver mavic cxp33 in 32h he'll most likely be selling soon.

They've seen very, very, few miles.

If you're interested Drop me and I'll ask him. Price will most likely be sub £120.

Wow, Ribble have last year's 6600 wheels for £159.96. That is tempting.

Especially since they have

angular contact bearings designed to cradle the balls

What do you plan using them for?

Wheelies, skids, endos and bar-spins

What do you plan using them for?

What they were designed for: cradling my balls.

Unfortunately the RS80's and DA's are out of my range, and I can't find a clincher set of EA70's for under £300 - My road bike is only a Cannondale CAAD job, looking for a cheap upgrade over the Gipiemme ones I've got which have worn out rims and are just not as stiff as I'd like.

Looks like I'm going to go for the Ultegras for Shimano reliability or Pro-lite's for the weight and build...

Looks like you could get the RS80's for £325, according to Regal's link.

My merlin link had EA70's for £225, listing states clinchers.

If you want performance, get the lighter RS80's. If you want toughness, get the Eastons

If you want both, sell the dog, and buy the DA's.

(IMHO etc.)

Interesting stuff going on at Mavic.

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/mavic-links-with-uk-firm-for-high-end-surface-treatment-for-whee

There's another UK company doing coatings for carbon rims thats supposed to be similar and can do it on any wheels but it was really expensive IIRC.

Anyone got any opinions on which of these is the best buy/value/bank for buck?

Shimano RS10 Clincher Wheelset - £99.99

Shimano R500 Clincher Wheelset - £99.99

Shimano RS30 Clincher Wheelset - £139.99

Shimano Ultegra 6700 Tubeless Wheelset - £249.99

The RS30s are the best of those deals by some distance, followed by the RS10s.

cough handbuilt cough