new wheels?

[Lee_M]

Hi

I was thinking about treating myself to some new wheels as everyone says they make a major difference to your performance (ooerr Mrs), but looking around it seems that even if I pay £800 or so I'll only save about 200g in total weight - less wieght than I stick in my back pockets

So are they really worth the money ?

I currently have the stock Bontrager race wheels - total weight just over 1700g

thx

 

[Cyclist33]

Hi

Think there is more too it than weight, for example tests have shown that aerodynamic wheels, while often heavier, provide a significantly higher %age efficiency than skinny lighter wheels. Also the distribution of weight from hub through to rim has an effect on spinning up, so a once-triathlete told me. Mind you I'm looking at getting upgraded wheels myself.

Stiffness also helps power transfer which means more direct pedalling.

In terms of weight, I maintain that switching from stock or touring tyres to a lighter folding rubber (eg an Ultremo) makes as much difference and costs a tenth as much!

 

[mattobrien]

New wheels aren't just about dropping weight, although that is a big benefit. You may find that new wheels are stiffer too and transfer power better.

Not sure of which wheels the stock Bontragers are, but at 1700 grams they don't sound like they are too bad for stock wheels, so there may be a lesser advantage than if your stock wheels were worse.

That said, the first port of call for upgrades (other that fitness) is rotating mass as it should make the biggest difference. Good tyres will make a very big difference too and for a lot less cash.

Edit. Damn - must type faster.

 

[400bhp]

All valid points above, but bear in mind the greatest difference in reduced rotational weight will be going up hills.

I was very sceptical before I went and bought a set of lighter wheels. By all accounts the ones I bought were supposed to be a "harsh ride" too.

Well, now I have them on the bike I am very pleased. In my non-expert opinion they appear to roll better, mainly at speeds greater than about 18mph, appear to accelerate quicker and are a damn sight softer ride than a pair of Shimano R501's. How much of my anecdotal observations can be put into bang for buck is very difficult to quantify though.

 

[Hacienda71]

Different wheels will benefit different scenarios. A deep section carbon wheel will outperform a normal non aero wheel on a flat ride where you are above 21 to 22 mph average. So great in a time trial but not so good for climbing up a hill on a windy day. Here a less aero ultra stiff lightweight wheel will be a much better choice.

 

[Lee_M]

thx everyone, so it looks like since I already have foldable tyres I need stiffer wheels (I'm not expecting to become a TTer)

So anyone got a recommendation, and also how do I know if they're better ?

As far as I can see no one gives a stiffness measure for wheels

thx

 

[Rob3rt]

The argument that what you put in your pocket weighs more than you will save on the wheels is flawed. Without the lighter wheels, you are carrying both the wheel weight and the weight in your pocket

I recently spent £220 and saved about 300-350g on my wheels. If I had spent £800, I could have saved at least half a kg. You could save 200g for the same price (£200-300).

 

[Lee_M]

can I? cool

what would those be then - assuming say 700g front 800g rear?, cos Ive not been able to find anything that light for less than 4 figures

 

[Rob3rt]

I changed from Fulcrum 7's to Pro-Lite Bracciano's when they were on sale on CRC, these are sub-1500g wheels (claimed, I didn't weigh them, but they are very light) and cost about £220. You can get some nice Shimano wheels (RS80 C24's) for about £300-320. Mavic probably have something in that region too. Fulcrum do the Racing 3's for about £350. Plenty choices out there. Not only are wheels lighter as you go up in price, they are (hopefully/usually) better built and stiffer etc, they also tend to look a bit better, hehe. The Pro-Lite are hand built and feel pretty stiff considering the price and the weight.

You can also run lightweight inner tubes, I run lightweight Conti tubes, 50g per wheel, paired with Conti GP4000s tyres, this saves probably 150+g over cheap tyres and standard tubes. Overall, a very light wheel set up for the money! All in, about £300. IMO, money well spent.

 

[Lee_M]

thx, your google foo is better than mine

 

[Nocode]

I'd be interested to find-out what you end up doing Lee. I'm in a similar situation to you, when the weather improves I'd like to get a new wheelset + tyres for my Madone - something that will make me a bit quicker in my upcoming triathlons!

Currently running the stock Bontrager wheelset with Conti GP4 Seasons, thinking I'll go for lightweight Conti tubes and GP4000s tyres like Rob3rt, but in the market for a better wheelset. I hear good things about the American Classics (at least the guy in my local bikeshop has harped on about them being light and very good value for money) but I need to do my own research first.

 

[Lee_M]

will let you know

these have had good right ups in cycling weekly as did their other wheels

http://www.cycledivision.co.uk/product-info.php?pid138.html

 

[Apeman]

Having ridden on FSA R35 Pro which due to my weight(85kgs) I found to be too flexible,I bought a set of Planet X A57 Cross rims at the grand price of £99 (sale price!!!) weighing in at around 1700gms(I think)-put on a set of Vittoria 25s and pumped them up to 100psi and now can go a bit faster.Total cost about £130 plus my own time and labour. It pays to shop around!

 

[Lee_M]

Ooh I dream of being 85kg!

well the ones I posted up are out of stock - probably due to the good write up they got, so its back to browsing!

 

[Lee_M]

Well, for anyone interested my update is as follows:

Don't ever go in person to J E James in Rotherham. They give bike shops a bad name

They are really helpful
They have loads and loads of stock, its a positive cornucopia of cool stuff
They build up your wheels while you wait
They're cyclists
They give discount
They give discount then go and look on the website to see if there are any web only offers they can give you as well!
Did I say they're really helpful?

and you end up spending way more than you plan!

I am now the poor but proud owner of a set of Mavic Cosmic SRs

Just need to get them down from parents house in Yorkshire (they wouldn't fit in my car)