New road wheels - which would you recommend?

[nammynake]

I have a 2011 Specialized Allez which came with Mavic CXP22 wheels. I am starting to increase my mileage significantly and also aiming to complete a number of long sportives this summer. I would like to upgrade to "better" wheels - when I say "better" I mean wheels that will make my riding easier, both in terms of rolling performance and also lightness to help in the hills.

Information on my current wheels is scarce, and really I'd like to know what sort of budget I would need to see a noticeable improvement from my new wheels.

These seems to get good reviews:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/W...

Will these wheels give a noticeable improvement, or do I need to budget for something more expensive, e.g. the Fulcrum Racing 3, or Mavic Kysyrium?

I am fairly light (65kg) so don't need super-strong wheels, although the roads around here are pretty badly pot-holed, and I do occasionally hit these at speed when my skills or traffic prevents me from riding around them!

[rhinochopig]

These http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP... for £252

They weigh 1350g and the ones you list are 1760g. I have their lightweight MTB wheels - weigh 18.5 stone - and they have proved faultless so far. Bikeradar loved them too.

As per the other thread where I recommend their kit, you should be aware of poor customer service in terms of them never answering the phone and you having to communicate via e-mail which is a PITA.

[Raoul Duke]

If you can be tempted to stretch your budget a touch then Derek at Wheelsmith comes highly recomended. Not just by me, there are plenty of others on this forum that have used his services and speak highly of him. They wont necessarily look as "bling" as some of the factory models as hand made wheels will have more traditional spoke patterns, but look beyond that and the components that matter will generally giving you much more bang for your buck.
www.wheelsmith.co.uk

[nammynake]

Hand built wheels are certainly appealing - I will look into them thanks. Although I'm assuming they are going to be way above my £200 budget ?

[Rouleur]

Ultegras are brilliant at £230 - reasonably light at 1650g, very stiff and tough

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

[anonymous-user]

cxp22 rims are good rims, the problem will be the unbranded hubs that they are laced to. i can recommend fulcrum 7s though you may get 5s for under £200 if you look hard, dont worry too much if they are 2011 models, they havent changed significantly.

if you can up the budget to £300, open pro rims with hope pro 2 hubs is the no-brainer..

[Raoul Duke]

nammynake said:

Hand built wheels are certainly appealing - I will look into them thanks. Although I'm assuming they are going to be way above my £200 budget ?

Little bit more, but if you look at builds that use the Novatech superlight hubs these aren't too bad and the hub set is very good for its ( relatively ) low price.

[TonyHetherington]

The hand built wheels...love the site, and love the idea of personal hand built items - but I don't understand anything on the site?

Looking around, these sort of things seem appealing also, would that be an upgrade worthwhile?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fulcrum/racing...

Thanks!

[Jimbo.]

I mean wheels that will make my riding easier, both in terms of rolling performance and also lightness to help in the hills.

RULE #5!

New wheels won't make it miraculously easier: nicer, potentially a tiny bit faster when you really start going for it maybe, but ultimately, you can't buy your way to fitness. Unless you can afford a good doctor, an even better lawyer and a whole lot of drugs!

[nammynake]

Jimbo. said:

I mean wheels that will make my riding easier, both in terms of rolling performance and also lightness to help in the hills.

RULE #5!

New wheels won't make it miraculously easier: nicer, potentially a tiny bit faster when you really start going for it maybe, but ultimately, you can't buy your way to fitness. Unless you can afford a good doctor, an even better lawyer and a whole lot of drugs!

A valid point. I didn't word it correctly. I am reasonably fit just looking for a little extra help, though I guess part of my reasoning for upgrading is because I want to treat myself.

[Raoul Duke]

TonyHetherington said:

The hand built wheels...love the site, and love the idea of personal hand built items - but I don't understand anything on the site?

Looking around, these sort of things seem appealing also, would that be an upgrade worthwhile?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fulcrum/racing...

Thanks!

Nothing wrong with those! They are essentially a Campag wheel badged for Fulcrum. So you get the same quality bearings and rim but with slightly different spoke patterns.
Been running a pair of Shamals ( which is essentially the Fulcrum Zero ) for a couple of seasons without having anything problems at all, no reason to suspect that the Fulcrum 3 would be any different. In fact they are now doing sterling service on my winter trainer, but only because i went to Wheelsmith for a new build - if you have any questions re his web site just call him, he's very helpful.

[TonyHetherington]

Excellent, thanks very much. Coming into the summer I feel like I want to spend money

[Raven Flyer]

nammynake said:

A valid point. I didn't word it correctly. I am reasonably fit just looking for a little extra help, though I guess part of my reasoning for upgrading is because I want to treat myself.

Stiffness is what makes the biggest difference on the climbs. Aero deep rims for high speed on the flats, stiffness for the climbs, especially the out of saddle ones.

I think my Ksyrium Elites provided the best fit for my riding and think they should be on your list of options.

[okgo]

I haven't managed (or didn't notice) any wheel rub with Elites, and I put 1400w through the up a short hill the other day, the bike felt like it was going to snap, but the wheels were fine.

[itsnotarace]

Kysrium Elites or Shimano RS80 at that sort of price tag. Merlin are offering 10% off everything again taking the RS80 to £300, unfortunately out of stock currently

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

Elites for £360ish, in stock

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

[CooperS]

itsnotarace said:

Kysrium Elites or Shimano RS80 at that sort of price tag. Merlin are offering 10% off everything again taking the RS80 to £300, unfortunately out of stock currently

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

Elites for £360ish, in stock

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

I'd go for the 80's but it really depends on your useage.


Planet X do some very light carbon wheels but for me i went for Hope because they have a great hub and are relatively strong for their weight (1500). I commute and ride in and around Edinburgh so a carbon wheel set up would be folly if you saw the roads i have to put up with.

[TonyHetherington]

Chaps, I've found some used Fulcurm 3s, but it says it's for Campag 11 speed, and I have 10 speed. I thought it only mattered if it was Campag vs Shimano? My question - can I use these or do I have to get specific 10 speed ones?

[BMWBen]

itsnotarace said:

Kysrium Elites or Shimano RS80 at that sort of price tag. Merlin are offering 10% off everything again taking the RS80 to £300, unfortunately out of stock currently

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

Elites for £360ish, in stock

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/Product+Detai...

You could also look at the Mavic Equipes if you want to keep the price below 300. If you go mavic then when you go riding in europe the mavic support van will help you out

[S10 GTA]

I have been informed, that a good set of hand built wheels will be better than any "off the shelf" wheels you can purchase (for the money)

[okgo]

Define better.

Cheaper to repair, more personal to the type of riding you do, yes.

Likely heavier and ugly though.