How deep would you go

[ChrisMCoupe]

Considering changing wheelsets and would like some opinions on how deep is sensible for an everyday set. My current riding compramises a fair amount of hilly solo rides and usually 2 club rides per week. I also like the odd sportive and potentially would like to consider racing in the not too distant future.

I currently have a Zipp 404 rear, 303 front combo and it really is a very good all round wheelset. The issue I have with the Zipp's is that they seem very flexy especially on climbs and the rear seems to need re-tensioning a lot. I'm not the lightest at 88kg and tend to generate a fair bit of power. Get them on the flat stuff though and they are very quick indeed.

I love the idea of something like the Enve 65 clincher, main reasons being they seem to get great reviews and have no rider weight limit. They also have 24 spokes rear which I feel will help over the 20 spoke rear on my current 404. Is a 65mm rim depth a bit much on the front? Should I possibly look to get a Enve 45? Do crosswind's affect a 65mm rim depth far more than my current 45mm depth up front?

Willing to consider any other options as very much floating ideas around in my head at present, I do love a fast wheelset though, so please don't talk about shallow rims in this thread

[ChrisMCoupe]

Thanks chaps, to be honest, if the wind was too strong, i'd either be in on the couch/turbo or on my training shallow rim wheelset.

Okgo, you mention you can get 28 spoke rear Enve's, any idea where you can buy these as I'm only seeing 24 online?

[ChrisMCoupe]

Do any of the larger riders on here (85kg+) have any experience of riding Enve's or alternatively Dura Ace C50's, specifically out the saddle climbing and lateral stiffness?

The more I read online the more it seems to suggest that no wheels are built for anyone heavy A lot of contradicting opinions and I'm talking any flavour of wheelset. I know I could get some hand made 32 spoke wheels, but I don't really consider myself to be that out of the norm to require them

[ChrisMCoupe]

Funny you should say that, I watched him come past in London yesterday and it was like looking in the mirror

[ChrisMCoupe]

Trtj, with all due respect, you are answering a question that I haven't asked. Your point regarding plenty stiff enough does have some bearing though...

I currently have some training/winter wheels (a set of Mavic Aksiums) and they are very good, stiff wheels, so much so that I think I'm quicker up steep hills on these than my Zipps, hence my thread really. I would like to find a stiff aero wheel that's a great all rounder.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Great link mate and some interesting points. I certainly get brake rub, which goes along with their theory of stiff rim, weaker spokes. I also think that 20 spokes is not enough on the rear for me.

Interesting that the current crop of Zipp FC wheels seem to have adopted 24 rear.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Yes, feels like a bit of a noodle when out the saddle on steep climbs, but in a straight line I really can't fault them. I think 24 would be much more sufficient, which is why I'm leaning towards the Enve's, especially as they can reportedly hold a high spoke tension. One thing on my Zipp's is that they can't hold much tension, especially as one of the spokes has slightly pulled through the carbon.

Thanks Rolls, are you built like Froome or Kittel?

[ChrisMCoupe]

I may have accidently just ordered some SES 6.7's after a call with Derek from Wheelsmith who was very knowledgable

It's going to be a long couple of weeks.


ps. Eddh - surely it's the elbow?

[ChrisMCoupe]

First ride on the SES 6.7's last night and I'm speechless to be honest. Vastly stiffer than my old wheels, very noticable both out the saddle and a lot more confidence in fast corners. Oh and they aren't exactly slow either!

Where I was most impressed is the cross wind control. I know reports you read online have raved about the new deep rim profiles on the SES Enve's for being very predictable and far less extreme than rim profiles of old, but I tended to take this with a pinch of salt. How wrong I was. Last nights club ride saw guys running much shallower profiles and they were reporting some noticable movement. A little tickle here and there for me but nothing that moved me more than a few inches across the road. Early days and no serious winds yet, but very very impressive.

Must also give a massive praise for wheelsmith, not only were they a pleasure to deal with, they predicted a 2 week build time and got them to me in under a week (thanks for the recommendation Rolls).

Will pop a picture up shortly as they are pant droppingly good looking wheels

[ChrisMCoupe]

Photo as promised, although this thread has gone very quiet

Few hundred KM's on them now and very very pleased.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Batfink said:

Whats the damage to the wallet if you dont mind me asking?

I'm sure google will give you a rough idea, but to put you in the ball park, it starts with a 2