[MFAFF]

Originally Posted by look 171

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/fulcrum-racing-6-c17-road-wheelset/rp-prod175099?gs=1&sku=sku664661&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic-shopping

CAn't beat this for the money. Drop bolts, brake pads and all cost money and time unless you want to tinker which sounds like you do, or get the below. Tubeless for the comfort and all other benefits. https://cambriabike.com/collections/wheels/products/shimano-rs500-700c-road-wheelset.

or

https://www.performancebike.com/ritchey-zeta-comp-wheelset-black-shimano-sram-qr-x-100-qr-x-130mm-700c-622-iso-51335337002/p1354275?v=1001537

If I were doing what you are trying to accomplish, the tubeless wheels would be my choice.

Having tubeless ready wheels is a logical choice… gives you all the options.

The shimano hubs have traditional cup and cone bearings which are possibly not as durable as sealed cartridge units in the other wheelsets. I had a previous version of these wheels, fast and smooth however the brake track was very soft and wore out very quickly, less than 10k kms which put me off replacing them like for like.

I found that wheels around the £300-400 range are significantly better than the less expensive ones in terms of hub bearing quality and build quality when delivered. You budget may not cover this range tho.

A company that I have had good experience with is Hunt wheels. i have three sets of their wheels in use, one alloy, two carbon one of which is a 48mm aero set, the other a 650b set. All told ridden some 30k kms on them in the last two years with no wheel problems.. stayed true and tight etc.

https://www.huntbikewheels.com/products/hunt-race-aero-superdura-road-wheelset-1595g-31deep-24wide

If I needed to replace my rim brakes wheels these are the ones I’d go for…

Not sure what rep Hunt have in the US tho.. here in the UK they are one of the better wheel cos… mainly because they have a good base here and reply very quickly and well to any issue that arise… and I have needed to talk to them re new adaptors for different bikes and maintenance tips, they have been very good.