Shimano WH-R550

The Shimano WH-R550 wheelset is a kind of love-it-or-hate-it thing. Those who see it as an economy training or everyday riding wheelset will be pleasantly surprised to find that it maintains the high level of quality that Shimano brings to the table. Those expecting any wheel costing less than $300 to pass for an all-out race item will be sorely disappointed, Shimano or no.

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the Shimano W-R550; it’s quite light for the price at 1850 grams, and very durable as a training wheel.  The fact that this wheelset comes stock on the fairly high-end Scattante CFR Elite, the OCR Zero Giant and many more is testament to its reliable performance and reasonable cost.  Although not classified as an aero wheel, the R550 is engineered with a certain amount of high-speed performance and definitely more than one might expect for this price point.

The Shimano WH-550 wheelset's 20 stainless steel spokes are known to bear more weight than the average wheel, making it perfect for the larger than average rider, or one who lives on less than perfect roads.  The spokes are known to be quite stiff, but still flexible enough to be used every day.

Smooth and strong, the aluminum rim is exactly what one might expect from a wheelset costing half and again as much.  However, it must be said that used aluminum rims are never a good idea, since one never knows if their previous owner abused them, or knew how to tighten a spoke. Cracks around the spoke-holes are common for abused R550’s, so be very cautious when looking at buying a used set.

Although the  Shimano R550 wheels are a fantastic buy for their price point, they aren’t perfect. Generally the bearings are a little tight from the factory, therefore the new buyer might want to consider adjusting them out a little before use.  Also, replacing plastic wheel-tape with something a little more reliable is never a bad idea.
Overall, the Shimano WH-R550 is a very well-received wheelset, and worth looking into if you’re looking for a great training wheel, or just an upgrade for your bike’s existing stock or broken wheels.

Compare The Price of WH-R550

 

Shimano WH-R550 Wheelsets on Amazon

Shimano WH-R550 Wheelsets on eBay

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