But why did you invest in two sets of wheels so close together? training & racing? racing and touring? security of having second set of wheels?
I would of thought either set would have done the job?
How do the white industry hubs rate to dura-ace?
It's a long story, but I've tried to capture the 8 most pivotal moments below:
1. I wanted a set of race wheels
2. I ordered the parts (niobium rims and WI hubs, for wheels #2)
3. Niobium rims were damaged
4. I
broke the original wheels #1
5. I realised I actually had NO working wheels and experienced an existential crisis as I wandered the wheel wilderness
6. I went crazy and ordered a nice set of Mavic/DA wheels for training/racing (wheels #3)
7. Trek suddenly decided to replace my whole rear wheel, meaning I had my original wheels #1 back in order
8. Fouad and I finally got our replacement niobium rims, and Lindsay built my wheels #2.
(I don't know if the numbers help, but I now have 3 sets of wheels. In part it was accident - I didn't think Trek would replace the rear wheel, since I'd given it a good hammering over the last 3 years, so that sparked me to get the Mavic/DA wheels).
Yes, both the Mavic/DA and Niobium/WI wheels are great race wheels. Niobium/WI slightly lighter, Mavic/DA probably sturdier.
DA have traditional cup-and-cone bearings and hubs are slightly heavier (267 g) than White Industries (cartridge bearings, 252 g some of the absolute lightest in the market). Both are forged, both with Ti freehubs. WI makes a racket, DA much less noisy. DA has very fine pawl position. WI rear has larger diameter drive-side spoke flange, DA same diameter on both. Both appear to roll like buttered K-Y jelly on a hot day in Greece.