Fulcrum Racing 5 Evolution Wheelset

[Graham1426]

Thinking of changing the wheels on my 2012 Cube Agree GTC from the oringinally supplied Easton EA30's, to the above.
My question/query is wil this upgrade be noticible enough to justify the £££'s, plus will i need a spacer for my 105 cassette ???

Cheers

Graham

 

[gbb]

You'll get different opinions of course, and bear in mind i'm a cynic of almost anything and everything...
IMO, you only 'feel' very subtle differences, if any.
I have the 5s, love them, don't regret buying them, excellent VFM...but, has my average speed increased since i got them...no...well maybe a tad.
Can i climb hills better (the 5s were circa 300 gms lighter than my original wheelset) ...i'm not sure, i don't romp up them, well maybe a tad better..maybe.

You (well I) don't feel anything significant, apart from the visual thing, which doesnt make any difference to performance unfortunately.

But then i work on the principle...you only live once, live like a rich man, not die like one. If i want something bad..i'll have it. Cycling's my primary pasttime...sometimes the benefits are more than (supposed) performance improvements. Its about pleasure o ownership etc etc etc.

 

[Graham1426]

Thanks for your opinion, i get what you mean about the "visual thing" which in a psychological way could add to performance by way of a mental boost.

I agree they appear excellent VFM, and have positive feedback reviews, i think i will treat myself to a pair in the not distant future.

Happy cycling.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Cant comment on the wheels, but you should have the spacer already on - it should be fitted from new if needed and comes with the cassette if it brought individually. The only sure way to tell is to take it off an have a look, although, it its not rattling you probably have one on.

 

[Graham1426]

Thanks Paul, guess i must already have the spacer fitted.

 

[Awahwah]

Graham,

I have the same bike as you and have changed the Easton's to a set of Mavic Kysrium Equipes (swapped them from my old bike).

I rode on both and I noticed the difference in stiffness and lightness. The Easton's will now be my winter wheels as they seem to be good wheels.

Hope this helps.

On a side note. Hi all, first post on this forum!.

 

[accountantpete]

Graham- you have to mentally adjust to £160 wheels as being cheap as chips

You also have to read up for a month about great wheels and change your mind constantly as to what wheels to buy.

Here's a little light reading to start with http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15441821.html

 

[Graham1426]

Totally agree in the grand scheme of things £160 is "cheap as chips" in the expensive world of road bikes, just considering if the Fulcrums are £160+ improvement on my Easton's.

Thanks for the link....i love a bit of light reading...........my head hurts lol

Awahwah

Thanks for your input, how you finding the cube....

 

[Awahwah]

The more I ride it, the more i like it! (just wish this typical British weather would sort it's self out)

I just recently changed from a Alu frame (Focus) to this. For me, I find it very difficult to explain the ride - it's soft over the bumps but as stiff as hell, when push hard - which makes not sense to me!

I've just ordered some RS80 C24's from Planet-x. I plan to sell the Easton's and use the Krysiums as a trainer/club wheel - the RS's are around 200g lighter than the Mavics and I've heard good things about the RS80's. They are exceptional value at Planet-x right now.

Edit : To give you an idea, I found the Easton front wheel (can't remember the url) for 30 notes! They are cheap and heavy!!! The RS80's are £299 at PX right now - that's 100 quid off.

 

[Graham1426]

Thanks for throwing those wheels into the mix, now my head really does hurt lol. Decisions decisions, was going to buy a Garmin 500 with cadence and HR , but I think that may have wait. Liking those wheels on PX.

Good comparison on the EA30's, which puts them into perspective.

 

[Awahwah]

The Eastons would then make a good winter set

 

[Graham1426]

trying to get on PX website but it appears to be down

 

[Awahwah]

Fixed this morning.

 

[Graham1426]

After a ton of researching, reading reviews ect ect, i have purchased these (Shimano RS80 C24 Carbon Wheelset) and at the current price of £299 @ Planet X i couldn't resist.

Awahwah, thanks for the heads up

 

[Awahwah]

I've just installed them but it's raining and can't try them out till the sportive I'm riding on Sunday.