Tubeless road/gravel wheels..

[upsidedownmark]

Wanting a second set of lighter/road biassed wheels to run slicks on for substitute roadbike and touring use

Main options so far:
Hunt (gravel disc - not waiting that long!)
Hunt (mason x - available, but a bit of a low max weight - my fat plus panniers will exceed that).
Dt Swiss spline 1600 (PR/ER/GR, prefereably the ER) - Seem decent, but a good chunk more expensive.
Fulcrum 5 (either standard or rapid red variant) - similar spec, but 100 cheaper than the dt swiss.

Big concern with the fulcrum is the 'only use schwalbe tl-easy, everything else forbidden'. Don't know how seriously to take that?

And yes, I considered custom builds (moonglu, spokesman, etc... ) but a) pushes the budget higher than I'd like (was thinking around / not much above 300) and b) lead times are longer than I'm happy with.

Alternatively forget the whole lot and buy zipp 303's, but that's a bit silly, especially on a slightly tanky alloy/tiagra gravel bike.

Anything I've missed / experience of any of the above?
Cheers.

[gazza285]

Not the Fulcrums, their use of asymmetrical spokes makes rim replacement impossible, unless you use the very expensive Fulcrum replacements.

Hunts are just a marketing brand.

Hand built wheels are not expensive.

For the ultimate satisfaction, build your own.

[Your Dad]

upsidedownmark said:

Hunt (gravel disc - not waiting that long!)

Scribe, very similar but with a shorter lead time.

https://scribecycling.co.uk/collections/gravel-all...

[frisbee]

I went for a pair of these to mess around with gravel/tubeless:

[ur]https://www.wiggle.co.uk/prime-baroudeur-road-disc-wheelset[/url]

They were cheap and I've got a 15mm through axle at the front on my bike which they supported. They are actually a really nice pair of wheels.

Yes, I know they are out of stock.

[Your Dad]

frisbee said:

I went for a pair of these to mess around with gravel/tubeless:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/prime-baroudeur-road-disc...

They were cheap and I've got a 15mm through axle at the front on my bike which they supported. They are actually a really nice pair of wheels.

Yes, I know they are out of stock.

I've got the non-disc version when I needed some wheels next-day, they're not bad for the money.

[upsidedownmark]

gazza285 said:

Not the Fulcrums, their use of asymmetrical spokes makes rim replacement impossible, unless you use the very expensive Fulcrum replacements.

Hunts are just a marketing brand.

Hand built wheels are not expensive.

For the ultimate satisfaction, build your own.

Hmm.. you mean an irregular 16 one side 8 the other lacing pattern? Fair point, but being disc braked, I'd not envisage wearing out a rim.

No, Hunt aren't anything special, but they are a pre-canned config that in gravel disc form is somewhere near my target spec.

Handbuilt may be superior but ARE more than I want to pay, and have substantial lead times. It makes sense if you want something a bit more special, but the brief is just for some reasonable midrange stuff that is a bit better than the stock crap that comes on a 1k bike. Equally, I've built several of my own too, but these don't warrant it.

[upsidedownmark]

Thanks - the primes are very tempting, put a stock alert on.
Will also look into the scribe ones. Definitely no specific attachment to hunt.

[gazza285]

upsidedownmark said:

Hmm.. you mean an irregular 16 one side 8 the other lacing pattern? Fair point, but being disc braked, I'd not envisage wearing out a rim.

No, Hunt aren't anything special, but they are a pre-canned config that in gravel disc form is somewhere near my target spec.

Handbuilt may be superior but ARE more than I want to pay, and have substantial lead times. It makes sense if you want something a bit more special, but the brief is just for some reasonable midrange stuff that is a bit better than the stock crap that comes on a 1k bike. Equally, I've built several of my own too, but these don't warrant it.

Rims crack, and it only takes one pothole to damage one...

The Cycle Clinic and Wheelsmith build the equivalent to Hunts for less than Hunt charge.

[upsidedownmark]

I don't see disc/tubeless wheelset on either for less than 395, even before comparing specs, Hunt are 320.. what did I miss?

[loudlashadjuster]

I was in a similar situation to you last year and after considering many of the ones you mention, I eventually went for Wheelsmith Race 30s, as much for their long term serviceability as their weight or reputation. I've been stung in the past trying to get spares for 'brand name' wheels.

Over a year of use and abuse (I'm not afraid of rocky paths!) and they still ride like new and are absolutely true. I got the cheapest Wheelsmith hubs but even they are still sounding and feeling perfect, which is more than could be said for the previous Fulcrums after a couple of thousand kms.

[campionissimo]

dare i say have a chat with your lbs.......if a customer buys a bike and upgrades the wheelset, the lbs have the original wheelset to sell on.

i got a brand new Syncros rp2.0 disc wheelset for £150 recently

[ALawson]

Speak to Mark at Spokesman Wheels.
Has an eBay shop or 6% less direct.

[Sway]

Hope 20fives?

I really like mine.

[upsidedownmark]

Also some good shouts.. Hopes seem a bit heavier, but maybe that doesn't matter..

The primes are back in stock at wiggle, so I've ordered them at much cheapness - easy to send back if I don't like the look. With J bends and what look like rebranded novatec hubs they're every bit as serviceable as handbuilts. Possible TT bike upgrade in the offing, which may mean discs on that, which would provoke a re-think/purchase of something more zipp-ish anyhow.

Brief is/was basically for a second set for slick/road tyres, that were a bit lighter than the 2.2kg bricks the bike came with. I'd kinda got it into my head that 1.6kg/24 spokes (ideally 28) with a weight limit of at least 110kg and tubeless compatible. Hopefully the primes cover that at a pretty decent price.