Okay, full disclosure. I got married on March 20! To a sweet lady who, when we first started dating three years ago, discovered a love for cycling at the age of (undisclosed). She will never be into racing or gut crunching riding but would like her bike to be speedier and more efficient.
So, of course the topic of upgrading her wheels came up. Currently she has the stock version of whatever came on a Trek women's specific Domane SL5 a couple years ago.
Our local shop said they could build her a nice set with carbon rims, non-aero, good for our riding conditions in Vermont, for about $700. Another shop wants to sell her some Bontraeger carbons for about $1,200.
I get it that reducing weight on rotational parts is a good way to make a bike more efficient (this may be the only road bike she buys given her undisclosed age and riding habits) but am concerned that she may be overbuying, especially with the Bontraeger (am I spelling Trek correctly?) option. And, unfortunately, the local small shop that will do the build for less is having trouble getting parts, specifically spokes for a wheel build.
Any suggestions from you wise folks out there?
Many thanks!