Road wheel upgrade advice please, Zonda's Vs Ksyrium's
Discussion
I have £500ish to spend on some new wheels. I've done some research and 2 sets seem to be recommended quite often.
Campagnolo Zonda 2015 which are currently £243 at Chain Reaction and Mavic Ksyrium Elite Road 2016 which are £450.
My question is are the Ksyrium's much better wheels for the extra £200? Most reviews seem to say not.
The chap that fitted me for my bike (Adrian Timms) raved about the Mavics, said they should be my only upgrade choice for training/general wheels before going to expensive carbon ones for racing. But I keep finding people all over that rave about the Zondas. If I did go with the Zonda's that would leave me funds over to put towards upgrading my groupset to Ultegra in the near future.
Has anyone got either and give me your opinions please?
TIA.
Campagnolo Zonda 2015 which are currently £243 at Chain Reaction and Mavic Ksyrium Elite Road 2016 which are £450.
My question is are the Ksyrium's much better wheels for the extra £200? Most reviews seem to say not.
The chap that fitted me for my bike (Adrian Timms) raved about the Mavics, said they should be my only upgrade choice for training/general wheels before going to expensive carbon ones for racing. But I keep finding people all over that rave about the Zondas. If I did go with the Zonda's that would leave me funds over to put towards upgrading my groupset to Ultegra in the near future.
Has anyone got either and give me your opinions please?
TIA.
Edited by Nondescript on Saturday 2nd January 06:15
Had the same dilemma last week! Looked at various options including those two.
In the end I've gone for the Ksyrium Elites (which appeared to be the better wheel from what I found, just the cost being the issue.) only because i found the for £295 from 4thebike.de just waiting for them to arrive now!
In the end I've gone for the Ksyrium Elites (which appeared to be the better wheel from what I found, just the cost being the issue.) only because i found the for £295 from 4thebike.de just waiting for them to arrive now!
Ksyriums are not a great wheelset until you start paying lots of money.
For £500 I would go for Hunt wheels - http://www.huntbikewheels.com/
Lighter and better quality than cheaper Mavic, Fulcrum, Shimano or Campag wheels.
For £500 I would go for Hunt wheels - http://www.huntbikewheels.com/
Lighter and better quality than cheaper Mavic, Fulcrum, Shimano or Campag wheels.
Edited by matt-ITR on Saturday 2nd January 07:40
I'm a fully paid up member of the zonda fan club, the only issue is spoke availability but I've not snapped one in 2000kms or so and a spoke kit is about 30 pounds. Some 25mm tyres might be tight on them, I used Rubino Pros With no issue though.
Campag hubs are far better than anything else at this price range, my zondas roll forever. There is more to wheels than just a weight and spoke count. I love the fact they are cups and cones and easily maintained.
No idea what hubs or rims Hunt use for their builds but the reviews are good.
The alternative is mavic cosmic elites, they are standard fit on a fair few high end bikes and come up on eBay as new frequently as owners immediately upgrade. Not as light as zondas but you'll get a new pair for 150...
Campag hubs are far better than anything else at this price range, my zondas roll forever. There is more to wheels than just a weight and spoke count. I love the fact they are cups and cones and easily maintained.
No idea what hubs or rims Hunt use for their builds but the reviews are good.
The alternative is mavic cosmic elites, they are standard fit on a fair few high end bikes and come up on eBay as new frequently as owners immediately upgrade. Not as light as zondas but you'll get a new pair for 150...
Eh? You want to upgrade your training/general use wheelset?
Why?
Keep the £500 for posh rubber, latex tubes and a nice carbon clincher race wheelset with an aluminium brake track. Flo 60's would be my choice but the Planet X CT45 would also do the job, plus you'd get a local warranty.
I suppose it depends if you want a race wheelset that will actually increase your speed or one recommended by trade magazines and LBS numpties.
Why?
Keep the £500 for posh rubber, latex tubes and a nice carbon clincher race wheelset with an aluminium brake track. Flo 60's would be my choice but the Planet X CT45 would also do the job, plus you'd get a local warranty.
I suppose it depends if you want a race wheelset that will actually increase your speed or one recommended by trade magazines and LBS numpties.
Barchettaman said:
Eh? You want to upgrade your training/general use wheelset?
Why?
Keep the £500 for posh rubber, latex tubes and a nice carbon clincher race wheelset with an aluminium brake track. Flo 60's would be my choice but the Planet X CT45 would also do the job, plus you'd get a local warranty.
I suppose it depends if you want a race wheelset that will actually increase your speed or one recommended by trade magazines and LBS numpties.
The wheel set I have are absolute pish. I don't want a full blown race set as I don't race. I just want a better set of wheels for general use.Why?
Keep the £500 for posh rubber, latex tubes and a nice carbon clincher race wheelset with an aluminium brake track. Flo 60's would be my choice but the Planet X CT45 would also do the job, plus you'd get a local warranty.
I suppose it depends if you want a race wheelset that will actually increase your speed or one recommended by trade magazines and LBS numpties.
SixPotBelly said:
Not used either so have no opinion to give but Ribble have Zondas at £220, if that helps.
I have just bought the Zonda's, got Evans to price match Ribble, 220 is an utter bargain, I always intended to get a nice quality set of 50 mm carbons but these will do in the mean time.I have the Mavics as they came as standard on my Enigma - I had been considering the Zonda as a winter wheel but decided to stick with the Mavics. When they eventually wear out I will just replace them.
But can I also point out another possible deal which is so tempting - but for having had two car in the garage back to back - both for the major services.
I bought my replacement tyres from Acyles - in France. Seem like a very good outfit and the delivery was about as quick as some UK outfits. They have the next wheel up - the SLS - at the £470 mark - may be available from some other UK sources as well. Think its been superceeded looking at the Mavic site - hence the price ?
But can I also point out another possible deal which is so tempting - but for having had two car in the garage back to back - both for the major services.
I bought my replacement tyres from Acyles - in France. Seem like a very good outfit and the delivery was about as quick as some UK outfits. They have the next wheel up - the SLS - at the £470 mark - may be available from some other UK sources as well. Think its been superceeded looking at the Mavic site - hence the price ?
Barchettaman said:
Eh? You want to upgrade your training/general use wheelset?
Why?
Keep the £500 for posh rubber, latex tubes and a nice carbon clincher race wheelset with an aluminium brake track. Flo 60's would be my choice but the Planet X CT45 would also do the job, plus you'd get a local warranty.
I suppose it depends if you want a race wheelset that will actually increase your speed or one recommended by trade magazines and LBS numpties.
I don't get the mentality that race wheels must have deep rims, Wiggle Honda raced on Zondas and whilst I don't know what Dani King's power figures are, I think the could hold her own against most of us.Why?
Keep the £500 for posh rubber, latex tubes and a nice carbon clincher race wheelset with an aluminium brake track. Flo 60's would be my choice but the Planet X CT45 would also do the job, plus you'd get a local warranty.
I suppose it depends if you want a race wheelset that will actually increase your speed or one recommended by trade magazines and LBS numpties.
If you race crits, as most of us do, deep rims aren't that much use. You will most likely be in a bunch waiting for the Sprint, not out front and any aero advantage from the wheels are not being exploited. If you're good enough, you should be able to win crits on any half decent wheelset.
Don't forget that the Mavics also come with 60 quids worth of reasonable tyre. My front still has plenty of life left at 2500mls - the rear was ready for replacing at 2000 miles - my first puncture and arrival of a new tyre, in anticipation, made immediate replacement the only option.
Life may be extended if the rider is not a fat ....... riding near the recommended weight limit for the wheel.
Life may be extended if the rider is not a fat ....... riding near the recommended weight limit for the wheel.
I can't advise on upgrades. I've never replaced an original set of wheels. Ever.
But I've got to start thinking about it now, as the rims on my 18 year old Falcon are starting to look a bit ropey after a hard few months (and 2,100 miles) as my 'winter' road bike.
It's currently running 7-speed Shimano Exage 300 on the back (11-28t) and a no-brand 53/39 square taper chainset up front. Wheels are Rigida rims on Exage 300 hubs, and the rims have serious signs of wear (a visible 'groove' being worn into them by the pads despite fastidious cleaning with alcohol wipes after wet rides). The hubs, too are struggling with advanced age. Dust covers are loose, and some minor pitting of the bearing cup is visible, meaning more frequent grease/bearing changes.
It's looking more and more likely that I'll press my old 6700 Ultegra group into service, but I'll need a new (smaller dia. clamp) front derailleur at the least. I also have a set of Alexrims Road Aero 30mm rims on Ultegra (10-speed) hubs that will fit in the frame.
Reason for posting here? I'm very interested in the wheelset debate, as I looked at the Zondas myself with a view to putting them on the old warhorse instead of the (gaudy white-rimmed) Alexrims wheels. I'd dismissed the Mavics though. For me, it was Zondas vs Shimano's Ultegra wheelset. Or some hand built wheels in the style of the original Rigida rims, if such rims are still available.
But I've got to start thinking about it now, as the rims on my 18 year old Falcon are starting to look a bit ropey after a hard few months (and 2,100 miles) as my 'winter' road bike.
It's currently running 7-speed Shimano Exage 300 on the back (11-28t) and a no-brand 53/39 square taper chainset up front. Wheels are Rigida rims on Exage 300 hubs, and the rims have serious signs of wear (a visible 'groove' being worn into them by the pads despite fastidious cleaning with alcohol wipes after wet rides). The hubs, too are struggling with advanced age. Dust covers are loose, and some minor pitting of the bearing cup is visible, meaning more frequent grease/bearing changes.
It's looking more and more likely that I'll press my old 6700 Ultegra group into service, but I'll need a new (smaller dia. clamp) front derailleur at the least. I also have a set of Alexrims Road Aero 30mm rims on Ultegra (10-speed) hubs that will fit in the frame.
Reason for posting here? I'm very interested in the wheelset debate, as I looked at the Zondas myself with a view to putting them on the old warhorse instead of the (gaudy white-rimmed) Alexrims wheels. I'd dismissed the Mavics though. For me, it was Zondas vs Shimano's Ultegra wheelset. Or some hand built wheels in the style of the original Rigida rims, if such rims are still available.
I should also add: before you upgrade your groupset to Ultegra, consider recabling your current setup with a posh set of cables and housings.
Something like the Jagwire Pro Race set, teflon coated inners and kevlar outers. They absolutely transform the performance of even the cheapest Shimano components. I have 9-speed Sora on my Merckx Corsa, it's superb!
Something like the Jagwire Pro Race set, teflon coated inners and kevlar outers. They absolutely transform the performance of even the cheapest Shimano components. I have 9-speed Sora on my Merckx Corsa, it's superb!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff