Mavic R-Sys SLR Wheels

[Dizeee]

I have found a pair, new, from a shop, for £1040 ( Campag which seems to take £150 off their initial price ).

Is this a ridiculously good price for this wheelset - i.e should I buy them now?

[Dizeee]

Scrap that just found them even cheaper, seems there are plenty of deals online.

[Dizeee]

Neither, but a wheel upgrade on my summer bike is long overdue. I have had two years of the Quattro's and although they are fine, I want more now from a wheel set for that bike. Looking in the region of 1k for a clincher wheel set.

I initially wanted a deeper rim, 40 / 50, but I am realising now there is perhaps more to be gained from less weight. There doesn't seem to be a happy medium, aero wheel sets seem to weight more, lighter sets are a shallower rim. I have been researching this now for a few months and the Fulcrum XLR 50 seems to fit what I want, 50 mm depth yet still light, and available as a clincher. I like the R-Sys but they retail at £1600 which is a hell of a lot. That said I know people who rid them and they are supposedly awesome.

As for bling again I am not really fussed, although anything I buy will be an improvement on the quattro's as I have never really liked the way they look and although they feel fine to ride I am confident the frame / my climbing will benefit with less weight and more stiffness.

So at the moment it is looking like Fulcrum XLR 50's or Mavic R-Sys SLR. I am open to suggestions though.

[Dizeee]

Have you had a bad experience then with the R-Sys?

[Dizeee]

Had a look at the Zipps I do like them. Found a set of 2014 Firecrest 404 clinchers on Campag hubs for £1500 new which seems a good price again online...

[Dizeee]

50mm it is then.

[Dizeee]

I have narrowed down tot he following and I am quite happy with the prices I have found for each :

FFWD 58's - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fast-forward/f...

Reynolds Strike - http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/reynold...

Vision 40's - http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/vision-...

Or there are the following options :

-404 Firecrests which can be had for around £1500 online

-Wheelsmith Aero 50's for around 1k.

-My favourite option at the moment, wait until March and get hold of a set of the new Campagnolo Bora Carbon Clinchers released new for this year.

[Dizeee]

Dammit said:

Of that list, 404 FC's without a doubt.

I have always liked Zipps - I think I remember reading a post on here where they were being slated by someone or other, which made me wonder whether they were worth the price, but I am coming back round them.

[Dizeee]

Dr Imran T said:

Some great info chaps

what's the advantage of 50mm Aero rims? is it that one can sustain a higher speed for longer? provided the terrain is flat??

OP - have you read all the arguments of aero v lightweight?

Yes I have read about as much as I can on the subject mainly online, but also had numerous discussions with other riders some of them far better than I am.

I think an aero wheel is definitely for me, over a super lightweight wheel for mountains which I never climb anyway.

The Zipps are genuine yes, they are from online site Pro Bike if I remember correctly, they have one set fo Campag left the Shimano have sold out. A quick google shopping search brings up all the info.

[Dizeee]

Nah not interested in those... just want to get out and ride the way I want to now and at the same time improve my decent bike. Not really much to ask for.

Had a bike fit and coaching before... bike fit is done and little point in coaching as im not doing anything this year other than concentrating on moving house and the childcare shift work struggle.

[Dizeee]

Wow. Just wow.

[Dizeee]

okgo said:

Welcome to our world.

I think as is always the case, the thread speaks for itself. I am sure I won't have any issues with the real humans, you know, the ones you can see and touch, when I turn up for a weekend social on a pair of nice wheels. In fact, I might have very similar wheels to the majority of them

[Dizeee]

Magic919 said:

Funny enough, the bike snobs give the impression you shouldn't buy them as you won't fit in.

You know something is wrong when it is a Dizee thread and he ends up looking like one of the sensible ones.

It's a great contrast though, reading some of the gumph on here versus reality.

The forum seems to suggest that unless your a pro racer you should only own a basic wheelset and anything else is pointless, arrogant and a waste of money. ( All this from posters who don't know anything about the abilities of other posters for the most part ).

The reality, for me anyway, is that at least 50% of the people I ride with ( most of which are extremely competent, and some of which race for national teams ) 1) Ride with nice wheels and 2) Wouldn't give a st what I put on my bike. The main reason for this as that we all know each other, know how we ride and above all respect each other, which is something often lacking on here.

Most of the time spent riding together is about cracking on safely, enjoying ourselves and looking to get a good training ride in. That often involves bursts up hills or inclines as well as longer group chain's along the flat. That's nothing to fear, in fact it is something to look forward to and enjoy!

As for the comment about people on cheaper kit seeking out and looking to drop others on more expensive kit for kicks, then I feel for you deeply as that's the sort of wker mentality that get's clubs and cycling a bad name. I'm happy to stick to the kind of people I ride with, it works very well for me

[Dizeee]

Jimbo. said:

If you want to go faster, then bike fitting and/or training and/or coaching will make much more of a difference than wheels.
Only, you're seemingly not interested in the above. Which suggests either you're not interested in getting faster, or think you can simply "upgrade" you way to speed. On the latter, you're mistaken: you can't, extremes aside. And the "fastest" wheels in the world are useless if the rider isn't up to the job. If it's the former, then you're spunking £1K+ on wheels for aesthetics and/or the urge for shiny things. Which an expensive, short-term kick that'll soon wear off, around about the same time you lose the wheel of the guy in front...

Yup agree with all the above. Ive had a bike fitting so im happy in that field. Coaching I have also had but I dont want to go madly down that route at present as it doesn't interest me really. Im happy I know enough basics to achieve fitness benefits without needing to be an olympian.

It's a combo of both aesthetics and performance behind wanting an upgrade. I live riding and I want a superb summer bike so im not really fussed about winning anything other than my own enhanced enjoyment of my bike.

[Dizeee]

okgo said:

So what are you going to buy after all this?

Narrowed it down to the 404s... Campag Bora or Fulcrum XLR 50

[Dizeee]

stongle said:

Well that makes even less sense than normal. The other 2 wheelsets are a grand, the Firecrests normally double that? Eh? I though he meant the old style 404s.

If he's putting the Firecrests on the list then, I'd be comparing against Bora Ultras, SES, Reynolds Assault etc etc.

+

True, just had a look. At 1500 the Firecrests are a bit of a steal. Why are the Fulcrums and Campagnolos on the comparison list, better stickers?

You have just summed up my entire thread / choices.

I've narrowed them all down after hefty research. I settled on pretty much the same as your suggestions. My Zipp 404 option is for a current set. £1499 is the price - I have checked it out in depth.... 2014 wheelset / campag, dark label, and at a local bike store to me at an £800+ saving.

Bora Ultra - not made yet. They are coming.





Whatever I get, it's to me a major change. Wheels are the best upgrade to a bike - that's the PH default response. Whatever I get will finish the Merak off and look amazing. It's up to me to make sure I pedal enough to do the bike justice. So far so good and that's for me to worry about.

Maybe I should go 3T :

[Dizeee]

stongle said:

True, just had a look. At 1500 the Firecrests are a bit of a steal. Why are the Fulcrums and Campagnolos on the comparison list, better stickers?

Not at all. Bora's - the new 2015 clincher version - top of list!

[Dizeee]

TwistingMyMelon said:

No jokes or sarcasm, how did your insurance claim pan out in the end?

Did you manage to get anywhere?

It did pay out yes. I got a solicitor involved through work, who took on the claim and saw it through from start to finish. I got a cheque through the post early Jan after 9 months. Tempting as it is to go out and splurge on something ridiculous, I have resisted and just allocated some money to upgrades, like these wheels.