New road wheels - predictions?
New road wheels - predictions?
Author
Discussion

nammynake

Original Poster:

2,658 posts

202 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
I have just replaced the stock Mavic wheels (Cxp22?) on my 2011 Allez Sport with some Fulcrum Racing 5's. My usual training loop is a moderately hilly 47 miles around North Leeds with 3200 ft of ascent. My last 3 rides have averaged 16.0mph. 16.4mph and 16.4mph so very consistent speed. I am hoping for an increase on my maiden ride tomorrow, but let's see some predictions!

I will try to put in a similar effort to normal, hence not biasing the outcome.

I predict 16.5mph - I am not convinced that better wheels will yield an improvement. I bought them because of the terminal "must upgrade" illness.

okgo

42,127 posts

227 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
17

Quicker all round with newer, quicker bearings and placebo wink

BPC7

391 posts

266 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
Apologies for my ignorance but will a set of wheels make that much difference.

My Scott S30 came with ALEXRIMS Race 28. I have been told they are the first thing that should go due to the weight. As the bike cost a grand I wouldnt want to spend more than £500 on a set of better wheels, what do you think?

mcelliott

10,490 posts

210 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
Are you going to, a - do the ride at exactly the same time of day, b - eat exactly the same type of food, c- have your tyres set at the same pressure, and finally d - I presume the wind will be in exactly the same direction and exactly the same strength.

nammynake

Original Poster:

2,658 posts

202 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
Well I averaged 17.0mph and bagged 6 or 7 PR's on Strava segments. Hardly scientific I suppose and to be honest didn't feel any easier, although the wheels do seem to spin up to speed more easily and run smoother. They are noticeably stiffer too - I initially thought I had put too much pressure in the tyres.

I actually felt pretty rough for most of the ride - a curry and several beers last night combined with about 4 weeks of little riding and I thought I was going to be slower than normal.

More rides needed to see if they really do give any benefit.

nammynake

Original Poster:

2,658 posts

202 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
BPC7 said:
Apologies for my ignorance but will a set of wheels make that much difference.

My Scott S30 came with ALEXRIMS Race 28. I have been told they are the first thing that should go due to the weight. As the bike cost a grand I wouldnt want to spend more than £500 on a set of better wheels, what do you think?
£500 is probably overkill. My Fulcrum Racing 5's were about £170 and I've seen them fitted to 2k bikes.

The Stiglet

2,063 posts

223 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
A guy I know just paid £360 for Fulcrum 3s. Total bargain http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

nammynake

Original Poster:

2,658 posts

202 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
The Stiglet said:
A guy I know just paid £360 for Fulcrum 3s. Total bargain http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
£320 here:

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

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

256 months

Sunday 10th June 2012
quotequote all
nammynake said:
Well I averaged 17.0mph and bagged 6 or 7 PR's on Strava segments. Hardly scientific I suppose and to be honest didn't feel any easier, although the wheels do seem to spin up to speed more easily and run smoother. They are noticeably stiffer too - I initially thought I had put too much pressure in the tyres.

I actually felt pretty rough for most of the ride - a curry and several beers last night combined with about 4 weeks of little riding and I thought I was going to be slower than normal.

More rides needed to see if they really do give any benefit.
Greg LeMond said:
It doesn't get any easier you just go faster
hehe

whatleytom

1,536 posts

212 months

Monday 11th June 2012
quotequote all
I'm quite interested in this. I also have a set of cxp22 wheels on my giant defy advanced at the moment. Just pressed the button on some fulcrum racing 1's. My average speed on my usual loop is normally 18.5-19mph, so if you don't mind I'll update the thread with my findings when I get the wheels fitted, and we get some appropriate weather!

TonyHetherington

32,091 posts

279 months

Monday 11th June 2012
quotequote all
nammynake said:
The Stiglet said:
A guy I know just paid £360 for Fulcrum 3s. Total bargain http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
£320 here:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/F...
Yup, and similarly £315 at ProBikeKit.com (I bought some few weeks ago).

http://www.probikekit.com/uk/components/wheels/roa...

okgo

42,127 posts

227 months

Monday 11th June 2012
quotequote all
That will be a big difference, racing 1's are decent wheels, and the mavics are not, so you should notice that in a big way.

The Stiglet

2,063 posts

223 months

Monday 11th June 2012
quotequote all
TonyHetherington said:
nammynake said:
The Stiglet said:
A guy I know just paid £360 for Fulcrum 3s. Total bargain http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
£320 here:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/F...
Yup, and similarly £315 at ProBikeKit.com (I bought some few weeks ago).

http://www.probikekit.com/uk/components/wheels/roa...
smokin

Teebs

5,734 posts

244 months

Monday 11th June 2012
quotequote all
The Stiglet said:
smokin
5% at Quidco too.

whatleytom

1,536 posts

212 months

Tuesday 12th June 2012
quotequote all
Received my Fulcrum racing 1's today. Fitted them up, but not ridden them yet unfortunately. I've also dropped my bars and removed a spacer on the headset. Looks pretty damn great imho.


okgo

42,127 posts

227 months

Wednesday 13th June 2012
quotequote all
Your chain might be a tad too short. Looking at that mech.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

227 months

Wednesday 13th June 2012
quotequote all
okgo said:
Your chain might be a tad too short. Looking at that mech.
TBF it is in a rather daft configuration - big ring, big cog.

nammynake

Original Poster:

2,658 posts

202 months

Wednesday 13th June 2012
quotequote all
whatleytom said:
Received my Fulcrum racing 1's today. Fitted them up, but not ridden them yet unfortunately. I've also dropped my bars and removed a spacer on the headset. Looks pretty damn great imho.

Very nice looking bike!

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 13th June 2012
quotequote all
Upgrading wheels is usually the biggest bang for your buck upgrade you can do on a bike. Although there is a diminishing return once you start jumping from £600 wheelsets to £1000+, I reckon.

TonyHetherington

32,091 posts

279 months

Wednesday 13th June 2012
quotequote all
Dam you posting your new shiny wheels! I've had new Fulcrum 3 with Continental GP4000S in a box for 3 weeks now - everything raring to go but it's been such horrible weather and crappy roads that I've kept my standard wheels with Gatorskins on the bike - I'm chomping at the bit to get my new wheels on now biggrin