I'm building up a second bike and looking for best wheels under $400 to get me up these hills. I range 180-190lbs (summer-winter) and was looking at Cane Creek Volos SS or the newest Neuvation R28 SL or Aero. Boht have good reviews here and good blurbs on their sites.

I currently run Ultegra 6500 and like them so I'm also considering some slightly used Dura Ace 7701 (set up is 9spd) or even some used Ksyrium Elites.

Any ideas???

sent you a PM

r28sl.....hard to beat for the price.

I was looking at the Volos SS's and they were pretty sweet. I ended up going with Real Design Ultraspheres and I'm really happy with them. That said they're race only, so I can't attest to their day2day durability. I weight 175-185.

You could also try some IRD Cadence rims with hubs and spokes of your choice.

I'm building up a second bike and looking for best wheels under $400 to get me up these hills. I range 180-190lbs (summer-winter)

A pound on your body is the same as a pound on your wheels... it is the sad truth.

looking for best wheels under $400 to get me up these hills.
Any ideas???

I've never found a pair of wheels that could "get me up these hills".

I've always had to use my legs :-)

Check out Rol wheels. They make a good wheel set for under 400.00. The customer service is an A+.

All the reviews of Rol's Volant wheelset (<$400) here have been very positive, in addition the mention of their stellar customer service in every review.

get a pair of American Classics sprint 350's...you can get an almost new set on ebay for $350-400.... plenty stiff and very light (around 1350 grams)...

Look at Nimble..do a Google. I have some of their Spiders that are light and durable enough for me. They will build the wheels to suit you and are glad to discuss on the phone what exactly will get you what you need..Great customer service and a good product, though not widely known..I do lots of climbing and go about 165lbs at 6'1". Been using mine for about 3 seasons and finally wore one rim almost out braking...Crashed and bent one, too, but other than that, no problems at all..
Don Hanson

Soul S2.0 wheels look to be a good value for $270, 1300g sound nice for hills
http://www.bikesoul.com/s2.html

I don't have a pair but they're high on my list right now. Here are some discussions on them:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=40760&
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=45653

I have a set of Volos SS team issue. Weight was close to what was claimed: 1550 g; actual 1563. They are sharp looking, if that matters. I'm not impressed with the rear hub, and they are a bit harsh for my taste/type of riding (ie, not racing). Call me a Fred, but with the same tires/pressure I strongly prefer the ride of my Shimano WH-600.

Soul S2.0 wheels look to be a good value for $270, 1300g sound nice for hills

Pretty cheap, but then you pay shipping from Singapore, the actual weight is 1484g, and the spokes make lots of pinging noises... not a sign of a good build.

Pretty cheap, but then you pay shipping from Singapore, the actual weight is 1484g, and the spokes make lots of pinging noises... not a sign of a good build.

I agree. This brand isn't as much talked about as others so I guess I'm just optimistic about the quality and experience of people who have bough these wheels. FWIW the most recent buyer that I could find showed a weight of 1420g and the buyer thought that he may have gotten last year's batch (2006) which had a claimed weight of 1400g.
(http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showpost.php?p=875954&postcount=49)

pick up a pair of Reynolds Alta race (also sold as aero comp, as opposed to just aeros, which are heavier). You should be able to find a pair for around $200 bucks. They are about as light as you may want to go (1590g) given your weight. I've been training on a set for a few months (weigh 175) over some bad roads, and they've been great so far. They are on closeout around the web.

I keep waiting for a post from someone asking about "hill climbing" wheels for a 260 pounder. For a 180-190 pounder, you'll need watts, not wheels, to get up a hill fast. (about 350w min, for however long it takes)

I’ve had some problems with my DA 7701 rear wheel. Twice I have tweaked my rear wheel while climbing steep hills. The first time I sent the wheel back to Shimano to be trued; as my LBS wouldn’t work on the wheel. The second time I trued the wheel myself. I weight 165 lbs, so I wouldn’t recommend these wheels to a heavier rider.

I have since moved onto a set of Odds & Endos custom build that cost me about $500. My O&E wheel set is lighter than the 7701, ride great, and have been trouble free.

Best of luck with your wheel decision!

I keep waiting for a post from someone asking about "hill climbing" wheels for a 260 pounder. For a 180-190 pounder, you'll need watts, not wheels, to get up a hill fast. (about 350w min, for however long it takes)
You mean I can't buy my way to speed and fitness? Blast!

get a pair of American Classics sprint 350's...you can get an almost new set on ebay for $350-400.... plenty stiff and very light (around 1350 grams)...

I purchased a barely used set off ebay for less than $400 bucks and it came with nearly new set of Michelin Pro Race 2 tires. Great climbing wheels!

pick up a pair of Reynolds Alta race (also sold as aero comp, as opposed to just aeros, which are heavier). You should be able to find a pair for around $200 bucks. They are about as light as you may want to go (1590g) given your weight. I've been training on a set for a few months (weigh 175) over some bad roads, and they've been great so far. They are on closeout around the web.

did some of these wheels have (spoke/hub) defects?

I just ordered a set of Neuvation wheels and added the ceramic bearings for $35US (on sale). Hard to beat for wheels that can support someone my size (250#). I only paid $335 total.

I'll try to remember to let y'all know how they work out! My friend ordered a pair, also. When he sent an email asking a question, the owner replied to him within the hour. I like to support companies like that!

Thanks for all the replys, well most of them anyway. I decided on some AC 350's. I probably paid too much on e-bay, but its easy to get caught up in the battle. Look forward to pushing these up our local hills.

I keep waiting for a post from someone asking about "hill climbing" wheels for a 260 pounder. For a 180-190 pounder, you'll need watts, not wheels, to get up a hill fast. (about 350w min, for however long it takes)

Indeed. Fact is a pair of open pros is putting you in at 1650-1700 grams for the set.

If you got the lightest set here, you'd save 300-350 grams, less than a pound. My guess is you can lose a pound and have a set of bombproof wheels uphills. Then you can train your way to strength and not buy it.

Just a thought from a hungry, dieting rider.