Upgrading the wheelset worthwhile?
Discussion
I am after some opinions basically.
I own a 2017 Orro Terra Discus bike. It’s an alloy gravel bike. Very happy with it. I use it for commuting and 2-3 hour rides in the Surrey Hills on the weekend.
I am thinking about getting into the dangerous world of upgrading some components, namely, new wheels and tubeless tyres. I know its a slippery slope…..
I was quite surprised by how much of a difference I could feel when I went from my summer tyres (Michelin Pro 4 V2) to the current winter tyres (Continental 4 seasons). I could really feel how much heavier the ride became. Before this, I didn’t really think that I could be sensitive to these sorts of differences.
So, it made me realise that I can actually notice these changes, so, it might be worth my while to upgrade for the summer.
The bike is fitted with 3T Discus Pro wheels. Like these - https://www.3tcycling.com/road/en/bike-components/...
I don’t have any complaints about them, but I am curious as to how much better the bike will feel with a lighter set of wheels with some Schwalbe Pro Ones.
I am not quick on the descents, my fear will always limit my speed. I am interested in being able to climb better though. I know my fitness if the real game changer here, and I am putting the miles in again. I weight about 75kgs, and down to 70kgs at my fittest. But my bike isn’t particualrly light, and I’d love to be able to climb with a bit more vigour to reward my training.
I just have no idea how much I would have to spend on wheels to feel a difference, and whether it is just a waste of money anyway.
I really like the look of the Hunt wheelsets, and have been eyeing up the Aero Lites in particular.
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-di...
So, would these be a worthwhile improvement over the 3T’s, or would I have to dig deeper in my pocket?
Hunt do have a 60 day ride and return policy and have been really great when enquiring but they obviously can’t really say if it will likely be a worthwhile upgrade.
I own a 2017 Orro Terra Discus bike. It’s an alloy gravel bike. Very happy with it. I use it for commuting and 2-3 hour rides in the Surrey Hills on the weekend.
I am thinking about getting into the dangerous world of upgrading some components, namely, new wheels and tubeless tyres. I know its a slippery slope…..
I was quite surprised by how much of a difference I could feel when I went from my summer tyres (Michelin Pro 4 V2) to the current winter tyres (Continental 4 seasons). I could really feel how much heavier the ride became. Before this, I didn’t really think that I could be sensitive to these sorts of differences.
So, it made me realise that I can actually notice these changes, so, it might be worth my while to upgrade for the summer.
The bike is fitted with 3T Discus Pro wheels. Like these - https://www.3tcycling.com/road/en/bike-components/...
I don’t have any complaints about them, but I am curious as to how much better the bike will feel with a lighter set of wheels with some Schwalbe Pro Ones.
I am not quick on the descents, my fear will always limit my speed. I am interested in being able to climb better though. I know my fitness if the real game changer here, and I am putting the miles in again. I weight about 75kgs, and down to 70kgs at my fittest. But my bike isn’t particualrly light, and I’d love to be able to climb with a bit more vigour to reward my training.
I just have no idea how much I would have to spend on wheels to feel a difference, and whether it is just a waste of money anyway.
I really like the look of the Hunt wheelsets, and have been eyeing up the Aero Lites in particular.
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-di...
So, would these be a worthwhile improvement over the 3T’s, or would I have to dig deeper in my pocket?
Hunt do have a 60 day ride and return policy and have been really great when enquiring but they obviously can’t really say if it will likely be a worthwhile upgrade.
The wheels you currently have don't look too bad but there is generally always a difference between stock wheels and others.
However 300g of rotating mass is pretty large. Combined with different tyres and you should feel the difference.
I have two sets of my Tarmac, Kysrium Elites (1500g) on S-works Turbo tyres and Fulcrum Quattros (1750g) with Pro4 Endurance tyres and I can definitely tell the difference in the way the bike gets up to speed, how it feels on the road and how easily it climbs.
However 300g of rotating mass is pretty large. Combined with different tyres and you should feel the difference.
I have two sets of my Tarmac, Kysrium Elites (1500g) on S-works Turbo tyres and Fulcrum Quattros (1750g) with Pro4 Endurance tyres and I can definitely tell the difference in the way the bike gets up to speed, how it feels on the road and how easily it climbs.
Upgraded wheels will definitely 'feel' better - a lighter and stiffer wheelset (such as Ksyrium Elite) will feel more sprightly and more reactive as you push on the pedals. However, don't expect to go any faster up hills - any weight saving is negligible and won't noticeably improve your climbing speed. Aero wheels would give some speed benefits but they can be quite heavy unless you spend a decent amount.
nammynake said:
Upgraded wheels will definitely 'feel' better - a lighter and stiffer wheelset (such as Ksyrium Elite) will feel more sprightly and more reactive as you push on the pedals. However, don't expect to go any faster up hills - any weight saving is negligible and won't noticeably improve your climbing speed. Aero wheels would give some speed benefits but they can be quite heavy unless you spend a decent amount.
Pretty much sums it up. I went from stock Bontrager wheels to some DT Swiss, saving 300 grams in the process. The bike feels zippier, a bit easier to carry around and copes with extra weight in the pannier better. At best it was about 30 seconds faster over a 50 minute commute.HOWEVER, it did also give me the opportunity to wider and tubeless which also improved comfort. And I can now get spare freehubs without a two month wait which is an added bonus!
Was marginal reduction in journey time worth the expense? No. Was it worth the expense to have a more pleasant riding experience all round? In my case, definitely yes.
Thanks for the replies.
I think they have served to remind me of what I have previously thought; best way to be faster is be fitter and lighter. Changes to a bike are going to give marginal games and come at significant cost.
I am already running 28’s on my current wheels so I have a fairly comfy ride. The wheel upgrades would really just be a matter of saving a few hundred grams. Not worth £££’s by the sound of it.
I think they have served to remind me of what I have previously thought; best way to be faster is be fitter and lighter. Changes to a bike are going to give marginal games and come at significant cost.
I am already running 28’s on my current wheels so I have a fairly comfy ride. The wheel upgrades would really just be a matter of saving a few hundred grams. Not worth £££’s by the sound of it.
I just bought second hand 1480g Cosine wheels for £130. This was a 700g saving over my standard Giant SR2 wheels.
They feel great, and I feel faster, but I also broke half of my personal records on my normal short Saturday morning route the first time I tried them.
Hardly scientific, but I’m happy with the improvement in my Giant Contend 2 for the money. It’s now about 9kg - ok it could be lighter but I could be much much lighter! But I don’t have to accelerate myself rotationally!
I fancied an upgrade, but although justb Sora, the gears operate smoothly, the saddle and cockpit is generally comfy, and brakes stop me well enough, so a wheel upgrade was most logical. Plus they’ll probably fit my next bike...
Just wish my gear cables were neatly routed under the bar tape now, then I’ll be very happy with my Contend 2. Until I fancy something else, anyway!
They feel great, and I feel faster, but I also broke half of my personal records on my normal short Saturday morning route the first time I tried them.
Hardly scientific, but I’m happy with the improvement in my Giant Contend 2 for the money. It’s now about 9kg - ok it could be lighter but I could be much much lighter! But I don’t have to accelerate myself rotationally!
I fancied an upgrade, but although justb Sora, the gears operate smoothly, the saddle and cockpit is generally comfy, and brakes stop me well enough, so a wheel upgrade was most logical. Plus they’ll probably fit my next bike...
Just wish my gear cables were neatly routed under the bar tape now, then I’ll be very happy with my Contend 2. Until I fancy something else, anyway!
13aines said:
I just bought second hand 1480g Cosine wheels for £130. This was a 700g saving over my standard Giant SR2 wheels.
They feel great, and I feel faster, but I also broke half of my personal records on my normal short Saturday morning route the first time I tried them.
Hardly scientific, but I’m happy with the improvement in my Giant Contend 2 for the money. It’s now about 9kg - ok it could be lighter but I could be much much lighter! But I don’t have to accelerate myself rotationally!
I fancied an upgrade, but although justb Sora, the gears operate smoothly, the saddle and cockpit is generally comfy, and brakes stop me well enough, so a wheel upgrade was most logical. Plus they’ll probably fit my next bike...
Just wish my gear cables were neatly routed under the bar tape now, then I’ll be very happy with my Contend 2. Until I fancy something else, anyway!
Get a pair of the new Sora Shifters. They have been redone so that the cables are under the bar tape.They feel great, and I feel faster, but I also broke half of my personal records on my normal short Saturday morning route the first time I tried them.
Hardly scientific, but I’m happy with the improvement in my Giant Contend 2 for the money. It’s now about 9kg - ok it could be lighter but I could be much much lighter! But I don’t have to accelerate myself rotationally!
I fancied an upgrade, but although justb Sora, the gears operate smoothly, the saddle and cockpit is generally comfy, and brakes stop me well enough, so a wheel upgrade was most logical. Plus they’ll probably fit my next bike...
Just wish my gear cables were neatly routed under the bar tape now, then I’ll be very happy with my Contend 2. Until I fancy something else, anyway!
They can be picked up pretty cheap too.
Dannbodge said:
Get a pair of the new Sora Shifters. They have been redone so that the cables are under the bar tape.
They can be picked up pretty cheap too.
Thanks! Are you talking about R3000 shifters? I've found some for a great price but the specs say they must be used with a 3000 series front derailleur, and that the rear is compatible with a standard 9-speed rear derailleur, but backwards compatible to the 3500 rear derailleur.They can be picked up pretty cheap too.
My Contend 2 has Claris 8 speed at the rear though, unfortunately.
Edited by 13aines on Tuesday 13th February 13:53
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff