"I couldn't find actual specs on the Rol site, but the hub and the rim look identical as wheels from Neuvation:

http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels/m28aero.html

Like Rol, Neuvations are also sold more-or-less direct from the Web; their value comes from allegedly low marketing costs and transparent reliance on Chinese manufacturing; and they come with near-impeccable ratings (particularly for customer service) on roadbikereview.

Interestingly, Neuvation reviewers from 2005 and earlier noted occasional hub issues, which the company quickly repaired/replaced. I can't remember where, but there is copy somewhere on the Neuvation site claiming ""new and improved"" hubs for 2006 across the product line. The Rol wheels priced at $199 are advertised as 2005 closeouts. It may be only a circumstantial coincidence, but there also may be connection.

Some would use the ""you get what you pay for"" argument. Mavic Kysrium SLs are also 1700g, but also $800 and have ubiquitous reliability. My previous wheels were Bontrager Race that I bought for $300, beat up over 2 seasons of A-Sig riding and racing. They still spin up really well but the rims are dented beyond truing.

The Rol wheels remind me of Neuvations because I did my own research this spring, and I'm debuting a set of Neuvation R28SLs ($400) at tomorrow's Prospect Park race and Sunday's Harlem criteriums. I can think of no better crucible to find out if I got what I paid for."

"The hubs look like the hubs I have on my Velocity wheelset. Most likely they are made by Formula

I have over 20,0000+ miles on my Formula hubs over the past 3.5 years and they have been problem free. The hub flanges are very beefy (strong) - which is good for a low count spoke wheel.

They are super smooth, sealed catridge design and just as good as Shimano hubs, if not better, with its 3 pawl design vs 2. For instance, I never get that large snap sound that happens on very infrequent occasion with Shimano's pawls engaging.

If the wheels are built well, as in properly tensioned and your weight is within spec for the wheels*, they should be a fine selection.

* about 170lbs, it's likely for that (16/20) spoke count and (27) rim depth per the spec Velocity provided me for a similar speced wheelset."

Richard,

I recently bought a pair of these wheels, and have nothing but good things to say. I have only had them about a month, but I have probably already rode at least 500 miles on them.

I should say that Sean, the owner of Rol Wheels, provided excellent customer service. He shipped the wheels promptly, included a few extra spokes, and even called me a few days after the wheels arrived to make sure everything was satisfactory.

They are nice wheels, light, fast, etc... Hopefully they will be durable too, but if they aren't, I know that Sean will take them back and fix them right up.