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Shimano WH-R501 Clincher Wheelset

ShimanoWH-R501 Clincher Wheelset(Return to Product Page)

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(23 customer reviews)
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User submitted reviews

Review by Karla48

Oh My, just a beautiful and comfortable wheelset.
rating
by Karla48
Cycling Enthusiast
12 of 14 customers found this review helpful.

I just mounted my new Shimano wheelset WH-R501, with Michelin Airstop tubes and Michelin Pro4 Endurance tires 700 x 23C's. Also installed a permanent Shimano 10 speed cassette on my wheelset. Now I can swap wheelsets whenever I need to for either short runs, cleaning, or maintenance. I mounted the new wheelset on my bike, and all I can say is Oh My. I just came back from a test ride and they are so comfortable, and beautiful-looking; very responsive and just a really feel good ride. What a difference from the stock wheels that came with my bike. This wheelset will definitely become my long ride wheelset, and my original wheelset for short runs. I love them. Thank you.

Reviewed 2/4/2015
WesternBikeworks.com Comments
We're thrilled to know you're so happy with your new wheelset! We hope you stay happy for many, many miles. Anna WBW
Thank you for your feedback.

Review by Anonymous

Bomber rims for the price.
rating
by Anonymous
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.

My bike racing neighbor bike commutes on these and encouraged me to get them. And now 4 months in, they are holding great!

Reviewed 6/28/2019
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Review by Anonymous

WHEELSET BETTER THAN MY STOCK SET
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
1 of 8 customers found this review helpful.

NEEDED A NICER WHEEL SET WORKS good rode with them all of ragbrai

Reviewed 8/1/2014
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Review by Anonymous

GREAT LOOKING AND RIDE WELL
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
ELMHURST,IL
0 of 8 customers found this review helpful.

LEISURE RIDING

Reviewed 5/8/2014
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Review by Rlox88

Great wheel set for the price.
rating
by Rlox88
Fairfield,Ca
3 of 5 customers found this review helpful.

A bit heavy but for the price can't beat it.

Reviewed 8/7/2014
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Review by Anonymous

exelent ride, nice price
rating
by Anonymous
2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.

Good quality nice ride good price. Excellent buy

Reviewed 11/25/2013
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Review by PDX Cyclist

Solid product for the money
rating
by PDX Cyclist
Cycling Enthusiast
Portland, OR
6 of 8 customers found this review helpful.

Bought as a replacement wheelset for my commuter, based on a friend's recommendation. They're a light, solid wheelset at a really good price. The only cons, so far, were the decals on the rims (they're not bad, they just clashed a bit with my frame and tires), but they were easy to remove. I've only had them on my bike for a few months, but so far, so good!

Reviewed 4/8/2013
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Review by Dr Dave

Hard to beat for the price
rating
by Dr Dave
Cycling Enthusiast
Bayfield, CO
8 of 8 customers found this review helpful.

I put this wheel set on a new bike build and it is just right for the job. It's not the lightest or fastest wheelset out there, but it will provide a more than adequate wheels for training and competing at a price that is hard to beat.

Reviewed 4/3/2017
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Review by Anonymous

Hub Flange Broke at maybe 5000 miles &402 years commuting&41
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
San Jose, CA
14 of 17 customers found this review helpful.

These were good wheels, and I got what I paid for.

They didn't last. At 2 years the hub flange broke on the rear wheel and it became garbage.

Reviewed 6/4/2015
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Review by michael

Most economical wheel solution
rating
by michael
Cycling Enthusiast
arlington, va
19 of 20 customers found this review helpful.

I use these on my commuter bike, which is a 30 year old steel frame road bike - I am not particularly concerned with speed but more with reasonable cost and reliability.

I have just purchased and received a set of the R501 wheels and they seem fine - other than some slight differences in the branding stickers, they look the same as the R500 wheels I had on the bike for four years. The R500s need replacing because the rims wore thin from too much braking with gritty brake pads (apparently).

My main concern with these not-very-expensive wheels was that the low spoke count combined with the low cost and my weight, including a messenger bag of stuff for work, would not be a winning combination for spoke wear, but I never had a spoke on the R500s break and I am hoping for the same from the R501s. (I realize I could address this concern by buying wheels with 32 spokes, but I like the way these look and so far so good.)

Both the R500s and the R501s came trued and ready to go out of the box. Since these are more than a $100, the shipping is free, which is somewhat amazing for such a large-ish box.

My one quibble is that I am not very fond of the plastic rim tape that comes with these (and I guess most) wheels. It is easy enough to replace that with fabric rim tape.

On the other hand, you get a set of skewers and I guess Shimano never supplies so-called exposed cam skewers but anyway, it is nice to get good Shimano enclosed cam skewers. Even if I already have enough to last the rest of my life.

The business of assigning stars is subjective. These wheels are well worth $150, but obviously they are heavier and must have some other performance issues I'm not concerned with compared to wheels that cost several times more.

Reviewed 4/26/2015
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Review by Anonymous

They were the perfect replacement rims for my bike
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
New Braunfels TX

My current rims spoke broke so I needed a replacement set of rims. Found these Shimano WH-R501 Clincher Wheelset and they were reasonably priced.

Reviewed 6/8/2020
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Review by Roger Adrian

Best Wheelset for the money
rating
by Roger Adrian
wilmington nc
5 of 7 customers found this review helpful.

This wheels are very good for training and race.

Strong Spikes hold the bike in line

Reviewed 12/4/2017
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Review by Ga biker

Good wheel set for a good price
rating
by Ga biker
Cycling Enthusiast
7 of 7 customers found this review helpful.

Bought to replace a 20 year old wheel set to make older Klien roadworthy again. And to make older rider roadworthy again. Not the lightest but smooth and fast. Great Shimano quality for the price.

Reviewed 8/11/2017
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Review by Anonymous

Decent on rough roads
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Southwest Florida

I'm not out to set any land speed records so this does fine for my country road rides. Have put on 500 mi on these so far with no issues.

Reviewed 7/28/2019
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Review by Anonymous

Great value
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
Omaha &40not flat!&41

They were received promptly and undamaged. The bearings were a little to tight, but an easy fix. This is my second set of these and I got over 10K miles out of the first set.

Reviewed 7/2/2019
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Review by dlbdata

Not the strongest wheels out there, but a great price.
rating
by dlbdata
Cycling Enthusiast
Hagerstown, MD
11 of 16 customers found this review helpful.

These wheels will dent easy if you hit a pot hole, etc. I'm only 170 lbs & have had 2 of them that eventually ended up with a dent in the rim using them for normal road riding. But they are cheap so can't really complain.

Reviewed 10/4/2013
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Review by Wocketman

I almost feel guilty
rating
by Wocketman
Competitive Racer
Woolwich, ME
16 of 16 customers found this review helpful.

I needed some inexpensive wheels for gravel grinding and training for CX. It is amazing that wheels of ANY level of quality can be put together for only $150, so it's a hard to expect much.

However these are indeed decent wheels and seem to be strong so far. No tuning needed yet after a few hundred miles...I fully expected to be tightening spokes and brought a spoke wrench on early rides. No need.

The only thing I can find that would identify these as cheap wheels are the bearings, which are a little rough-feeling. Not that you would notice while riding, however that is where I'd expect to have problems first. Should be easily serviced though.

By the time that happens, I could just buy another set....,:-)

Reviewed 9/16/2013
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Review by Anonymous

good deal!
rating
by Anonymous
Kent, WA
7 of 8 customers found this review helpful.

Got these for a great price. been riding on them for a few weeks and love them!

Reviewed 7/4/2013
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Review by Anonymous

Love these rims.
rating
by Anonymous
Cycling Enthusiast
5 of 7 customers found this review helpful.

Was really suprised by the value of these solid wheels.

Reviewed 4/26/2013
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Review by Anonymous

Good wheels for the price
rating
by Anonymous
San Jose, CA
8 of 8 customers found this review helpful.

Solid wheelset with a good road feel (won't beat you up like some of the new stiff wheelsets). Using on my daily commuter.

Reviewed 4/12/2013
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