Off Road Wheels
off road wheels question by Daniel H: Who makes (where do I buy) the fastest road bicycle wheels?
Just for fun!
This question can’t be answered with just a brand name, but rather a scenerio described, plus the name of a wheelset that matches with that scenerio. . .
Even if you choose one I don’t like, I’ll certainly vote for you if you match it up with its best possible use.
No fair mentioning mine unless you can specifically state where and when it is the most helpful. The advertisements are off-line right now, so there’s no way to look up the answer. 
I’d much rather you talk about what you use your favorite wheels for (Race, Club, Triathlon, or Tour), on what quality of roads, with hills (or not!), with what rider weight–and then mention the brand and model of your favored wheels for this.
Thank you!!
Remember: Best purpose + Wheels to answer.
Comment: Interesting! Shimano WH-7701 requires thin tubular tires to overcome design error of rim-centric weight and also overcome the overstrung front wheel’s slower reaction to chip-n-seal.
This works for its listed purpose of racing; however, wheels of lighter weight, half the price, not overstrung on the front, and exact same rim size exist–with no requirement of fragile tires.
This first answer is functional, but I’d like to hear something better.
Comments:
Second answer was to have your wheels built to fit your body. Great so far! But then. . . to use the same wheels for both Triathlon and club rides. . .is mighty unpleasant because the ideal wheel types are opposites.
Comments: Third answer was Neuvation SL28 for both race and club. This is application-specific for that purpose and a great answer. It sounds like it is the old model Reynolds 28 rim instead of the lighter 27, and the 28 does take a bit faster tire to really fly. Fly, it does! He also mentioned upgrading tires. Bravo! Serfas SECA RS plus a “Michelin Feather” tube in the front, with something entirely different (all black tread) on the back, could be a good place to start. Also, Bravo! for selecting a front wheel that’s properly built for speed (cruise easily over bumps) no matter the road condition.
But, again, lets hear about wheels that aren’t rim centric in their weight balance so you don’t have to worry so much with your tires.
Comments: Fourth answer
Velomax Tempest 2, carbon AND alloy versions come very close to perfect, but undershot in the rear wheel tension, causing flex in the drivetrain for even the lightest rider. Zipp 808 has such a high rim weight that it cannot be compensated by even the lightest tire. These have a very specific use, and are limited to that.
Velomax may be the fastest wheels listed here, but lets hear about something with less power-wasting flex in the drivetrain.
Remember, any wheel can win if you name its best use.
Right now you’re competing with the guy who named Neuvation’s round spoke model and what they do best–the only accurate answer so far.
There is a wheel way down at $ 180 for the set that could win this question if you name the one thing it does better than the others.
The year’s most popular wheelsmith also has something new, one of which could win the question (and anything else) quite easily. . .
Comments:
Fifth answer, Kyserium ES sufferers from an overstrung front wheel. Think of this common problem as a rear wheel design on both ends. Also in this foul design, are aluminum spokes to make up for excessively weighty Mavic rims, resulting in a climber set that’s still overweight where it counts. Lacking, is the description of what they do best, and I certainly can’t guess.
To win this question, name your favored wheelset and then name what it is for (what it does best).
Comments:
On the addition to question 5:
Carbon whammies are not required, only a wheelset most excellent for the job you describe for it will do.
Price has no merit. Try excellence in application instead.
Neuvation still in the lead on their outdated design? Yes. Its good. And, they are.
Better is out there, one that costs more and one that costs less. Maybe even more. Can you find them?
The two things mentioned that would be fast no matter what. . .are:
Front wheels from the VeloMax Tempest series–fastest on earth. Unfortunately, that rear wheel flexes power away on hill climbs, so. . .
Fastest wheelset mentioned here:
Neuvation R 28, which have no problem keeping up with the best (above) despite a bit more weight because this series is excellent front and back.
No other set mentioned had a fast front wheel. Just those 2 above.
Other contenders would have been Rol de-Huez with a bit less rim and a bit more spoke than Neuvation for more speed (because, less rim-centric in weight). Plus the Rol adds the strength for triathlon while still outperforming most road wheels.
And, a surprise: Performance Forte Gemini (usually $ 175) for club rides because of its hub-centric weight allowing you to use any tires and still go very fast up hills.
With faster extra bearings causing the majority of the weight, this could have won the question.
off road wheels best answer:
Answer by aussiepauls
hi. zipp. or dt. for Triathlon or road. or have a good shop make some up for you. i was working in the bike game for over 35 years. wheels that are made up for you will run better and last a lot longer then ones you buy of the rack. cheers
