Which wheelset? (Road)
Discussion
Much as I like my Fulcrum Racing 7s, I could do with losing a few hundred grams off them, and can do so without spending too much money.
So, do I go for these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
Cole AC38 Lite
£250
1,600 grams
Or these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
Shimano Ultegra 6700
£270
1,650 grams
Or if you can find something even better for well under £300, let me know! Must be clincher 10-speed Shimano cassette.
So, do I go for these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
Cole AC38 Lite
£250
1,600 grams
Or these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
Shimano Ultegra 6700
£270
1,650 grams
Or if you can find something even better for well under £300, let me know! Must be clincher 10-speed Shimano cassette.
Edited by Mr Gear on Saturday 3rd August 13:14
Jimbo. said:
Oof! I wasn't going to spend that much, but....
Worth investigating, of course.A claimed 1350g for £280. No idea what reviews they get but the weight:cost ratio certainly caught my eye.
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?pr...
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?pr...
nammynake said:
A claimed 1350g for £280. No idea what reviews they get but the weight:cost ratio certainly caught my eye.
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?pr...
340 rims known for being flexy - fine if you're sub 60Kg. Unbranded hubs probably won't last long either. http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?pr...
S10GTA said:
Lighter, more robust, better quality parts.
...if done right of course 
The RS80s are just that, too:Ultegra-level hubs
Dura-ace (ish?) rims
Spokes make from sone fancy, f. expensive steel
And they're handbuilt. And they're light.
The biggest PITA with them is spares availability and prices, and the fact that they might not suit your/the OPs needs exactly.
Lighter? No, certainly not for £300. Average handbuilt weight for that price will be 1800 grams compared to 1600 for the RS80's
More robust? Difficult to say, I briefly owned a pair of Shimano RS80's and they were plenty strong enough for my 70Kg
Better quality parts? For £300 you are getting low to mid level components what ever you buy. You could spend more on hubs on a handbuild but to stay within the budget you would have to skimp on rims or spokes. Swings and roundabouts really.
More robust? Difficult to say, I briefly owned a pair of Shimano RS80's and they were plenty strong enough for my 70Kg
Better quality parts? For £300 you are getting low to mid level components what ever you buy. You could spend more on hubs on a handbuild but to stay within the budget you would have to skimp on rims or spokes. Swings and roundabouts really.
pablo said:
Campag Zondas, sub 1600gs and cope with rough surfaces well. Really happy with mine.
American classic are worth a look as are Visions. Quite a few around that price.. ..
I second this, I've just put them on my bike and I'm really happy with them. I had a bloke from my cycling club help me out and they only cost £275 brand new. You'll be needing a new shiny cassette to go with them as we'll....American classic are worth a look as are Visions. Quite a few around that price.. ..
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I got a set of these earlier this year (non-CX ones but basically identical) they roll exceptionally well IMO and despite the awful tarmac down here and my not inconsiderably weight they have stayed true and round despite much abuse.I must admit I was abit baffled by the choice of wheels, went with the Fulcrums as both LBS seemed keen to reccomend them and work on them and carry spares, I can't afford multiple sets of wheels so need to keep them going no mater what.
I should say that despite their weight (which I read some reviewers sneered at) they are so stiff and roll so smooth I find them a good climbing wheel despite their aero/speed pretentions.
The difference will be nearly all fitness, shallow wheels/deep wheels there is going to be a difference albeit smaller than you would imagine, but the difference in shallow wheels assuming they are in the same ball park weight (1450-1700) is going to be VERY minimal over the duration of a ride. Claiming a wheel rolls well because you've hit 45mph down a hill isn't a good test. My mavic wheels are not far from the bin, the backwheel barely does more than 5 revolutions if you spin it by hand before it comes to a halt yet I've gone over 50 mph on them. Clearly good bearings make a difference, but on the downs it doesn't make much odds when its got a 70kg weight on it!
Would you notice the difference between what you have and 1's? Yes. Would it transform your riding? No. Strangely the more riding I've done the more I've realised how little the bike plays a part in this once you are past the really crap level of kit (which you are) - I've spent money on good kit, and I have realised it really is a tiny part of the equation even with the very highest level stuff. Speed is about the fitness of the rider and how aero they are, the rest is just tiny marginal gains (once you are past the really crap kit as I say).
And as such unless they were broken I wouldn't upgrade Fulcrum 7's to anything this side of £500 as I just don't think it would make enough difference.
Would you notice the difference between what you have and 1's? Yes. Would it transform your riding? No. Strangely the more riding I've done the more I've realised how little the bike plays a part in this once you are past the really crap level of kit (which you are) - I've spent money on good kit, and I have realised it really is a tiny part of the equation even with the very highest level stuff. Speed is about the fitness of the rider and how aero they are, the rest is just tiny marginal gains (once you are past the really crap kit as I say).
And as such unless they were broken I wouldn't upgrade Fulcrum 7's to anything this side of £500 as I just don't think it would make enough difference.
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