Boyd Cycling Rouleur Alloy Clincher Review

I've been riding Boyd Cycling Rouleur Alloy clinchers for a over a year now (>3,000 miles). The set replaced Neuvation wheelset which were fine but started to show signs of wear (Neuvation closed but has since re-opened as Neugent Cycling). I shopped around for replacements and eventually settled on the Boyd alloy wheels.

Aside: Why not Carbon Fiber?

I'm still not sold on Carbon Fiber for wheels. First, costs for comparable CF wheelsets are usually double alloy. Second, CF wheelsets often weigh as much (or more) than a comparable alloy wheelset. Third, CF braking is still suspect in the wet. Fourth, CF is for racing and I don't race (except against myself and the occasional Strava segment). Finally, I don't need to impress anyone (I ride a CAAD10, not exactly impressive in a world of $10k wunderbikes).

Back to Boyd Review

So alloy it will be. The reviews of Boyd wheels were nearly all positive. The wheels are built in North Carolina. From the Boyd Cycling FAQ:

"We have all of our wheels handbuilt in our own wheel building facility in Greenville, SC by very experienced wheelbuilders. Our wheel builders only work on our wheels so they know them intimately and can build the highest quality. Many wheels are built in assembly factories where wheel builders are building for dozens of brands and expected to build 40-50 wheels per day. At Boyd Cycling each builder completes the wheel from start to finish which allows much better consistency and quality. The wheels are trued and tensioned to spec utilizing a tension meter that is calibrated every second wheelset. We thoroughly stress relieve 4-6 times in the tensioning process so the wheelset is ready to ride. Every wheelset is checked over by three people before being shipped out. A wheelset is only as good as the build, so we make sure we can monitor every aspect to ensure the highest quality."

I pulled the trigger and in a few days my new wheelset was dropped off my my local UPS delivery guy (who knows I have a thing for bicycles). The wheels were packed one upon the other in a single box but with enough strategic cardboard packing material to prevent scratches.

I immediately checked the wheels for true and they were both perfectly aligned. Spoke tension sounded even (the old fashioned pluck test). The BOYD logos on the side are big -- really big. They are laser etched so don't add any weight and otherwise look fine. You're not going to easily cover these with stickers. If you try, immediately read Rule 57 and then come back.

Tire mounting was the normal hassle with way-too tight Continental GPs, 23mm. Eventually they yielded and the next morning I took the CAAD out for a ride.

My initial impressions were very good. The wheels felt smooth, stiff, and true. The only minor issue is rear hub noise. Instead of the satisfying click-click-click of an old Campy hub the Boyd read issues a rather tinny sound like coins in a can.

But that complaint exposes a lack of commitment to The Ride: Why am I coasting? Ever?

So the Boyd's remind me not to coast. After all, I am on a ride, carved out of precious moments of a busy day -- why coast through any of that? I can coast in my car, sofa, or office desk. There should be no coasting on The Ride and the Boyd rear hub is a finger wagging reminder that coasting is for "bikers," never a cyclist.

Glamour Shot of the CAAD10 Sporting Boyd Rouleur Wheels

So I have over 3000 miles on these and they still roll true, feel stiff, and look good. The weight for the set is an acceptable 1550g.

If I was racing I'd be hoping on the CF bandwagon (and tubular, too). But I'm not, so these wheels will do just fine.

---------------LONG TERM UPDATE------------------

I bought a set of Shimano WH-series wheels for commuting, but put these back on for an event this past weekend in DC (Air Force Cycling Classic). I was rolling down the backside of AF memorial hill in a group when I hit a HUGE pothole at 30 MPH. It was the hardest I've been rocked on a road bike in years. I pedaled gingerly to see what would be loose, cracked, or broken -- nothing. I finished the ride and checked the wheels -- still true.

If you're looking for fairly light, bombproof, and good value, you can't beat these wheels.