How much difference do a good set of wheels make?
Discussion
I currently have a defy composite with he standard giant wheels (pr-2 possibly) and after seeing all of these extremely expensive wheels on various bikes was wondering do these expensive wheels make a difference to the average cyclist?
Would it be worth spending a few quid to upgrade my wheels?
Would it be worth spending a few quid to upgrade my wheels?
in my opinion, nope.
i spent £300 on a set of handbuilt wheels to replace some stock aksiums. i know thats not a vast sum of money, but they came in under 1.4kg and i cant tell a bean of difference. i like them, and glad i bought them, especially as the builder is local, so should i snap a spoke etc, but i think it's placebo effect. best money i ever spent was on a training programme.
i spent £300 on a set of handbuilt wheels to replace some stock aksiums. i know thats not a vast sum of money, but they came in under 1.4kg and i cant tell a bean of difference. i like them, and glad i bought them, especially as the builder is local, so should i snap a spoke etc, but i think it's placebo effect. best money i ever spent was on a training programme.
I spent the afternoon mechanicing for my 20 something mate who races properly and isnt rich
His race bike rolls on Zipp 404's with a 105 groupset
Zipp 404 = majorly spendy
105 groupset = Aldi nudging on Sainsbury, nowhere near Waitrose
Clearly the boy attaches more priority to wheels - and as an old fart Id broadly agree
Cheers
numtumfutunch said:
I spent the afternoon mechanicing for my 20 something mate who races properly and isnt rich
His race bike rolls on Zipp 404's with a 105 groupset
Zipp 404 = majorly spendy
105 groupset = Aldi nudging on Sainsbury, nowhere near Waitrose
Clearly the boy attaches more priority to wheels - and as an old fart Id broadly agree
Cheers
Lol my groups is tiagra so probably lidl.His race bike rolls on Zipp 404's with a 105 groupset
Zipp 404 = majorly spendy
105 groupset = Aldi nudging on Sainsbury, nowhere near Waitrose
Clearly the boy attaches more priority to wheels - and as an old fart Id broadly agree
Cheers
Aero wheels - look nice, but most people aren't saving many watts using them given most people are not riding quickly enough.
They are faster of course, but even on a roadbike decent riders probably rarely getting to the speeds where they begin to really help. On a time trial bike where you ride nearer 30mph (if you're any good) then obviously you're getting more benefit, but I couldn't tell the difference between Fulcrum 7's and Enve 6.7 riding at 18mph which I would imagine is what many would class as the average rider.
That all said, the wheels on that bike are probably s
t, so an upgrade of those and tyres will make the bike feel fairly different. But once you've got a £400 or so set of wheels on your bike the returns diminish quite quickly.
They are faster of course, but even on a roadbike decent riders probably rarely getting to the speeds where they begin to really help. On a time trial bike where you ride nearer 30mph (if you're any good) then obviously you're getting more benefit, but I couldn't tell the difference between Fulcrum 7's and Enve 6.7 riding at 18mph which I would imagine is what many would class as the average rider.
That all said, the wheels on that bike are probably s
t, so an upgrade of those and tyres will make the bike feel fairly different. But once you've got a £400 or so set of wheels on your bike the returns diminish quite quickly.If you go towards aero wheels then you will feel a difference. In sidewinds...
You might see an improvement in a particular loop time, segment time but I reckon wind direction etc at the time will make a bigger influence and affect the times.
As with everything, it depends on what you want. If it's looks then get some deeper wheels fitted. If you're a nervy descender as I am but getting better, I'd lay off them and stay to shallow wheels TBH.
You might see an improvement in a particular loop time, segment time but I reckon wind direction etc at the time will make a bigger influence and affect the times.
As with everything, it depends on what you want. If it's looks then get some deeper wheels fitted. If you're a nervy descender as I am but getting better, I'd lay off them and stay to shallow wheels TBH.
okgo said:
Aero wheels - look nice, but most people aren't saving many watts using them given most people are not riding quickly enough.
They are faster of course, but even on a roadbike decent riders probably rarely getting to the speeds where they begin to really help. On a time trial bike where you ride nearer 30mph (if you're any good) then obviously you're getting more benefit, but I couldn't tell the difference between Fulcrum 7's and Enve 6.7 riding at 18mph which I would imagine is what many would class as the average rider.
That all said, the wheels on that bike are probably st, so an upgrade of those and tyres will make the bike feel fairly different. But once you've got a £400 or so set of wheels on your bike the returns diminish quite quickly.
This.They are faster of course, but even on a roadbike decent riders probably rarely getting to the speeds where they begin to really help. On a time trial bike where you ride nearer 30mph (if you're any good) then obviously you're getting more benefit, but I couldn't tell the difference between Fulcrum 7's and Enve 6.7 riding at 18mph which I would imagine is what many would class as the average rider.
That all said, the wheels on that bike are probably s
t, so an upgrade of those and tyres will make the bike feel fairly different. But once you've got a £400 or so set of wheels on your bike the returns diminish quite quickly.Having said that, I do think there is something to be said for changing the wheels. I have noticed a difference between my Fulcrum 7's and my Shimano RS80 wheels. Not just in feel (they do feel far more agile and ready to turn corners, and also seemingly have a better braking surface so they sotp faster), but I also seem to average that little bit quicker on them for a given average power output.
I think, for the money, going from s
t tyres to very good tyres is worth more....although both is better 
mikecassie said:
If you go towards aero wheels then you will feel a difference. In sidewinds...
You might see an improvement in a particular loop time, segment time but I reckon wind direction etc at the time will make a bigger influence and affect the times.
As with everything, it depends on what you want. If it's looks then get some deeper wheels fitted. If you're a nervy descender as I am but getting better, I'd lay off them and stay to shallow wheels TBH.
Im the worlds worst descender! Zero bottle.You might see an improvement in a particular loop time, segment time but I reckon wind direction etc at the time will make a bigger influence and affect the times.
As with everything, it depends on what you want. If it's looks then get some deeper wheels fitted. If you're a nervy descender as I am but getting better, I'd lay off them and stay to shallow wheels TBH.
My wife is looking to do an ironman event next year and I'm also considering trying one. I am just concerned I'm not fast enough on the bike. I know training is the answer but anything else thats reasonably priced and might assist in making me a little quicker is worth a look.
I train on Zonda clinchers and race on Bora tubs. There is a world of difference between the two wheelsets. The Boras are just plain faster in any situation, even a wet descent where you might think the poorer braking of the carbon rim would give the Zondas an advantage.
Only you can answer whether a given performance difference is worth the outlay though.
Only you can answer whether a given performance difference is worth the outlay though.
The original question really depends on who you are and what you do. Aero wheels won't be a benefit unless you're riding at higher speeds ... probably 20mph +, so I guess the extra weight at lower speeds won't actually be of any benefit. A decent set of lighter wheels for the recreational rider travelling at 16 - 18 mph will probably be a better investment. 'Decent' doesn't mean spending a fortune either ... spending £2.5k on a set of Enve 6.7's if you're just pootling around is daft, although I'm sure there are plenty that do.
Our Tuesday chaingang ride averages 23/24 mph for around a lumpy 50 miles with the final 12 mile section between 28/30 mph, and in all honesty, I can only really tell the difference at those higher speeds.
Our Tuesday chaingang ride averages 23/24 mph for around a lumpy 50 miles with the final 12 mile section between 28/30 mph, and in all honesty, I can only really tell the difference at those higher speeds.
Sorry, but this 'aero isn't a benefit unless you're fast' stuff is utter bullst. If you reduce your cda by (say) a couple of percent, you go faster, end of. There is no magic speed at which aero switches on. The faster rider will see a bigger reduction in their drag number, but (over a given distance/course) the slower rider gets a smaller reduction for more time. Net result tends to be that the SLOWER rider actually has more to gain..
Decent write up here: http://alex-cycle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/aero-for-...
As to wheels, it depends what you're comparing to. Most stock wheelsets have terrible hubs with bearings that deteriorate quickly. Aero is nice, but IMHO the biggest improvement in a new set is having a half decent, nicely rolling hub.
t. If you reduce your cda by (say) a couple of percent, you go faster, end of. There is no magic speed at which aero switches on. The faster rider will see a bigger reduction in their drag number, but (over a given distance/course) the slower rider gets a smaller reduction for more time. Net result tends to be that the SLOWER rider actually has more to gain..Decent write up here: http://alex-cycle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/aero-for-...
As to wheels, it depends what you're comparing to. Most stock wheelsets have terrible hubs with bearings that deteriorate quickly. Aero is nice, but IMHO the biggest improvement in a new set is having a half decent, nicely rolling hub.
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