Advice needed with wheels

[jenno]

Hi, I am looking to upgrade my wheels but am overwhelmed by the choices on offer. Can someone please help with what I should be looking for to make my choice.
My riding is done mainly around the countryside (usually around 50 miles) , including some quite steep hills. I am also looking to ride two / three sportives this year.
Many thanks in advance

 

[jenno]

Sorry, I should have added that i'm looking to spend below £500.

 

[musa]

first thing first we need some details ie what bike you got? what wheels youve seen etc etc

 

[PaulSecteur]

I have soem dure ace c24 which are excellent, but I think my 15 stones is pushing them a bit, the front is still dead true, but the reah ahs got a small wobble, maybe 1.5 to 2mm. These are about £500 from merlin and wouold be great if you are light.

I have been reading lots of positive reviews of the mavic ksyrium elites, quite light but very strong. They are £420 from CRC, but there is usually a 10 or 15 pound voucher going, and also 3% cashback if you use quidco. Worh a look...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=81832

Mine should be here Monday, but Im away Tuesday to friday so wont get them on for a week.

All this assumes you are on a road bike.

 

[derrick]

Recently fitted these mavic ksyrium elites, they feel and look great.

 

[accountantpete]

Basically you want some lightweight wheels which are also stiff and not going to go out of shape every 5 minutes.

You can go round in circles given the wide choice - Elites do the job or SL's if you are feeling rich.

 

[dudigrinfeld]

Yes defiantly Mavic has offered. I have the cosmic SL but I know the elite or SL are very good. I also had American Classic 420 the older model not he latest aero and they great if you are not heavy. I'm 165lb and had no issues. Also great set of wheels I rode was the dura ace WH7850 SL clincher tubeless wheelset which are great.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Alternatively, speak to master wheel-builder Pete matthews as an alternative to Factory built wheels.
http://www.petematthews.com/home/
or Hewittts
http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/wheels/handbuilt-wheels/

 

[simon.r]

Alternatively, speak to master wheel-builder Pete matthews as an alternative to Factory built wheels.
http://www.petematthews.com/home/
or Hewittts
http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/wheels/handbuilt-wheels/

With a budget of £500 I'd go down this route^. Do you have a good LBS whose recommendations you can trust?

 

[TheDoctor]

Mavic Open Pro, handbuilt on the best hubs you can afford, and with the best tyres you can afford.
And yes, Pete Matthews has an excellent reputation.

 

[jay clock]

I have two pairs of Easton EA70 wheels. And some EA90SL aero ones. The EA70 look like this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/easton-ea70-clincher-wheelset-2011/ although may be available cheaper. Rock solid after almost 3 yrs on one pair and I am hefty!

The shop that has stunning deals is Merlin. http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Road+Wheels/Factory+Road+Wheels/list.htm

These Ultegra look superb at £280 http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+...o+6700+Ultegra+Wheels+-+Black+-+Pair_2111.htm and as an Easton fan these at £425 look tasty http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+...eels/Easton+EA90+SL+Wheels+-+Pair_EA90-SL.htm

 

[lejogger]

These Ultegra look superb at £280 http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike Shop/Wheels/Road Wheels/Factory Road Wheels/Shimano 6700 Ultegra Wheels - Black - Pair_2111.htm

The Shimano RS80 at just £40 more than these is a very attractive option with carbon laminate Dura Ace rims and ultegra hubs.

 

[jenno]

Many Thanks for your replies.
I am certainly not light at over 16 stones!! so I will look into the options mentioned above and also contact Pete Mathews.
Thanks Again

 

[jenno]

Just one more thing,
I'm guessing that changing to a thinner tyre (say a 700 * 23 from a 700 *33) , will create a lower rolling resistance and therefore make me faster. is this correct?
And if so, will these tyres fit on my standard wheels?
Thanks

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just one more thing,
I'm guessing that changing to a thinner tyre (say a 700 * 23 from a 700 *33) , will create a lower rolling resistance and therefore make me faster. is this correct?
And if so, will these tyres fit on my standard wheels?
Thanks

Almost!
OK, a fatter tyre actualkly has a lower rolling resistance, but it's not quite that simple ....

The main point is that a thinner tyre is both lighter (accelerates quicker) and more aerodynamic (important at higher speeds) than a fatter tyre. However high pressure thin tyres work best ovesr smooth surfaces where a slightly fatter tyre works better over rougher surfaces. For high speed work 23 or 25c tyres seem to be optimal over reasonable tarmac.

A 23c tyre will not necessarily fit in place of a 33c, it depends on the rim width (well it'll fit but won't work properly).

If you're on th heavier side then The good Doctors choice of a handbuilt wheel on good hubs seems a good way to go (I'd go Open Pro/Ultegra quality with Michelin Pro-race or Conti GPs in 23 or 25c and lightweight tubes) .