These wheels are a melding of carbon and aluminum which supposedly> provides the best of both materials. Here is a link to the specs:>

http://www.real-des­ign.com/2005/ultraso­nic.aspx>

Is this a good deal or not? I know that most folks in this NG have a> bias against these types of wheels but I am wondering if any of you> have real world experience with these wheels.>

I weigh 160 pounds and do mostly group and distance riding. I don't> race and never will. Durability (reliability), light weight, and> repairability in the field are the important factors here. Do you> think that these wheels would live up to this challenge?

Another option I am considering is to get the bike with these wheels> and immediately resell them and then go buy a conventional set of> wheels with the proceeds. Do you think I would get enough for the> ultrasonics to come out ahead on this transaction?>

Thanks,>

Steve>

Steve Sr. wrote:> > I am considering a purchase of a new Litespeed road bike and right now> > they have a special sale going. The above wheels are free with the> > purchase of the bike.> >

At 1541 and 1770 grams for the wide and wider rim, they certainly aren't > 'light'. I wouldn't expect any shop to have small hub parts or spokes > either. I guess when they are free, you get what you pay for. get them, > ebay them, have a good wheelbuilder build you a set specifically for you > and your needs.

Your criteria are exactly the ones I would use to exclude wheels like> these. Deep-section wheels like these can actually be very strong and> true, because despite the lack of spokes, the rim itself becomes> ludicrously strong (and relatively heavy) thanks to its deep section.>

That said, it's not the way to go for distance riding. There are cheaper> wheels that will be more durable. I believe the official rbt mantra is:> "Om...Ultegra hubs...32-36 spokes...some decent rim...stress> relief...Om....">

This is not an exhaustive list. If you're not building these wheels> yourself, consult a good wheelbuilder with lots of tourists and> randonneurs in his client list. There are several in this newsgroup.>

1541g is not extremely light (1000g is about the limit for a pair of> crazy-light wheels), but it's not bad for a deep-section wheel. I have a> really boring The hokey spokes* are the most problematic item when it> comes to repair and availability; I wouldn't take these wheels along on> an unsupported tour. I did a quick comparison to Zipp's current wheels:> these wheels seem to be competitive, weight-wise, though the Zipps have> those neat dimpled surfaces. A set of Zipp 404s will set you back a tidy> $1600.

But they're basically racing wheels. High aero factor. That matters much> more than the weight in all racing circumstances but steep climbs. If> you want or need that, these are an excellent choice. If you're out> doing club rides, don't bother.>

It depends on the price difference these "free" wheels impose on the> transaction. Find out what the list price is, but I think that eBaying a> set of unused aero wheels like this is liable to work out well.>

*but not, mind you, Hokey Spokes: http://www.hokeyspo­kes.com/>

-- > Ryan Cousineau, rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcol­a.com> Verus de parvis; verus de magnis.

"Ryan Cousineau" <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote in message > news:rcousine-4B242­0.14101228032005@mor­goth.sfu.ca...> > In article <1112018346.93e6b40­879e2b2007a768971573­18e78@teranews>,> > Qui si parla Campagnolo <peter@vecchios.com­> wrote:> >

It looks like these are clinchers. The 60 mm rims are 200 gm heavier than > Zipp 404 clinchers (58 mm, 1570 gm). They may even be closer in weight if > the 1770 gm includes the skewers. If you think you might ever compete in > time trials, where the extra weight is not an issue, these wheels are > probably a bargain in comparison (hard to say w/o knowing the price you are > paying for the bike). Spare Sapim aero spokes will run about $3 each. They > have a low spoke count at 20/24, but Zipp, Reynolds, and Mavic Cosmic > Carbone all use 16/20. I wonder if high profile rims flex less and therefore > the spoke life is longer (at least for wheels of same spoke count)? I'm sure > Jobst could answer that.

If you really aren't going to do any racing then what has already been said > applies. In addition you probably don't even need a pricey titanium > Lightspeed. I now have a sub 17 pounder, but I still enjoy taking the 26 > pounder on a group ride. Then again, I live in Flatland.

No, I understood that. However, you cut the more salient part of my >post, in which I pointed out that even if you do ride fast, there's >still no real point to high-aero equipment outside of competition, at >least when it compromises other functional aspects.

Serious non-racing fans of aero equipment should put plastic covers over >their rear wheels: UCI-illegal, but lighter, cheaper, and no less aero >than any legal disc wheel.*

Well that's just common sense.>

I own a couple sets if covers myself, although it's been a looong time since> I bothered to use them. >

They can be a handful in crosswinds, so see above.>

Are covers USCF-legal? I have a tandem time trial coming up and I might take> the time to swap a cover over to my tandem if it's legal.