First of all, I just bought a new pair of 07 Mavic Ksyrium ES. mainly because my previous pair of Ksyrium SSC held true with all the pot holes I've hit, and I thought the red looked good.

But now, the more I think about it, the more I regret getting them. I paid less than $700 shipped, but it seems for that price, I can get something much lighter, hand build by one of many wheel builders. (I was very impressed by Ligero's gallery, I will probably call him first) So the ES, they are neither light nor aero, they're what 22mm (front) 24mm (rear).

let's get to the good stuff. I don't know too much about wheels but I do know I want something light. aiming for low 1300. I'm 160lb and I don't think that should be a problem.
Either 19mm rims for something I can tackle some hills with, or one of those really cool looking 33mm carbon/niobium rims.

So what do you guys think? what's better? I was leaning towards the 19mm because I really wanted to work on my climbing this year. I'm afraid of descending with nasty cross wind. But damn those 33mm rims are sexy! sexy I say. Is 33mm deep enough to be provide aero benefits?

Almost forgot, hubs. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting some Hubs from Soul. the same ones used on S 2.0, 275g for front and back. I just don't think I can find anything else in that area of weight for about $200. Sean said they can drill what ever hole numbers I need.

well if you made it this far, leave some comments. I was trying to talk myself out of new wheels, but I gave up.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj28/jinws/scarlet1.jpg

Nice bike:thumbsup:

The 33mm carbon/niobium rim is no longer available. It is still made but there is no distributor in the US for it. If you are wanting low 1300's you will need to use very lightweight hubs with a taller (27 or 30mm niobium) rim or a very lightweight rims like the 19mm niobium.

Here is a guide to help figure out what a wheelset will weigh before you buy something.

Cx-rays or Dt revolution spoke with alloy nipple- 5g
19mm niobium rim- 397g
27mm niobium rim- 435g
30mm niobium rim- 460g
Alex R400- 420g
Alex R3.1- 385g
Alex R3.2- 420g

Take the weight of whatever hub you plan on using and usually the weight will be within 15g.

Nice bike:thumbsup:

The 33mm carbon/niobium rim is no longer available. It is still made but there is no distributor in the US for it. If you are wanting low 1300's you will need to use very lightweight hubs with a taller (27 or 30mm niobium) rim or a very lightweight rims like the 19mm niobium.

Here is a guide to help figure out what a wheelset will weigh before you buy something.

Cx-rays or Dt revolution spoke with alloy nipple- 5g
19mm niobium rim- 397g
27mm niobium rim- 435g
30mm niobium rim- 460g
Alex R400- 420g
Alex R3.1- 385g
Alex R3.2- 420g

Take the weight of whatever hub you plan on using and usually the weight will be within 15g.

Thanks for the info. Too bad about the 33mm rims, do you know if there are any distributors in Taiwan? My gf is heading there today.

Thanks for the info. Too bad about the 33mm rims, do you know if there are any distributors in Taiwan? My gf is heading there today.

I am sure there is but I do not remember what the name of the actual manufacture is so she could look them up. The rim it self is made by KinLin but then it is sold to another company who puts on the carbon layer.

If you are all about weight, you might want to wait a few weeks for the Kinlin 22mm rims to come in... ~390g.

rruff, how long is "a few weeks", April, May?

rruff, how long is "a few weeks", April, May?

Estimated mid April.

Estimated mid April.

Thanks. that is also the date Mike Garcia told me, around mid to end of April.

I think I will wait for these rims. At the same time, I will be on a mission to find those 33mm carbon/niobium rims.

rruff, how long is "a few weeks", April, May?
Well my builder has informed me that we will have complete wheels available wth the XR-200 availabe next week!!

XR-200 (Niobium 22mm) Black Rims
DT Swiss 240s radial 24h Front
DT Swiss 240s 28h Rear
DT Swiss Aerolite Black Spokes
DT Swiss Prolock Black Aluminum Nipples
DT Swiss QR's
Sub 1400gm

Dirt Boy,

What is the expected price on those?

Thx!

Well my builder has informed me that we will have complete wheels available wth the XR-200 availabe next week!!

XR-200 (Niobium 22mm) Black Rims
DT Swiss 240s radial 24h Front
DT Swiss 240s 28h Rear
DT Swiss Aerolite Black Spokes
DT Swiss Prolock Black Aluminum Nipples
DT Swiss QR's
Sub 1400gm

What would the consensus be on weight capacity for such a build? Obviously riding technique and roads encountered matters much, but where do the build experts start getting nervous about recommending this sort of build?

I will be on a mission to find those 33mm carbon/niobium rims.

Mekam is the name of the company that makes them. They were cool rims, they only weigh 10g more then the regular XR300 but are even stiffer.

Sounds like a nice build Dirt Boy. I'll check in with you next week.

Hmm, Extralite hubs, sub 1300gm?

Dirt Boy,

What is the expected price on those?

Thx!No prices here. They will on the website later today.

What would the consensus be on weight capacity for such a build? Obviously riding technique and roads encountered matters much, but where do the build experts start getting nervous about recommending this sort of build?I would roughly say close to 195lbs? I will ask the builder specifically. Also The other great builders here could also chime in.

I rode similar wheels and spoke counts at 180lbs with no issues.

Sounds like a nice build Dirt Boy. I'll check in with you next week.

Hmm, Extralite hubs, sub 1300gm?It should!