Value to be had in Carbon?

[Wobblers]

Any suggestions for a pair of wheels that would significantly enhance performance and not break the bank?

Good question. I'm not a wheel expert, and it depends on the wheels you already have. The best advice I can give is to read the "what wheel?" threads on Bike Radar. Saying that, Planet X are doing the Shimano RS80 for £300 at the moment and it gets a good write up. But it would defeat the purpose of an upgrade if you already have better wheels!

 

[Globalti]

I put some Ksyrium SLs on my Roubaix and they compliment the frame perfectly; they are super-efficient up hills.

 

[bennydorano]

My wheels are Shimano WH-R500 - I take it they are 'stock' wheels with plenty of room for improvement?

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for Ksyrium SL's, I specced them on my CAAD when I bought it and they are superb. The bike had RS80's as standard but I'd done a deal with the shop whereby they kept the RS80's as I just didn't fancy them at all and the Mavic 2 year crash replacement policy sealed the deal for me.

They are the best wheels I've ever had without a shadow of a doubt. Get some you won't regret it

 

[bennydorano]

I'm pretty sure the LBS I intend to bring it to 2 sort only deal in Fulcrum Wheels, what would be their equivalent (financially & performance wise) to the Kysriums SL's? So I can be forewarned if nothing else (about getting ripped off).

 

[VamP]

My wheels are Shimano WH-R500 - I take it they are 'stock' wheels with plenty of room for improvement?

Absolutely!

Get a lightweight wheelset built up by these guys (or someone else, there's a lot of good wheelbuilders out there). You will get a better bang for buck than buying factory wheels. Do you want ultra light for climbing, or aero for speed? Clinchers for practicality, or tubulars for speed and comfort? The world is your oyster when it comes to wheels, the choices are endless.

Or buy a used set on eBay for a cheap way of revitalizing your Bianchi. You can save 500g+ against your wheels, more if you're riding cheap (heavy) tyres.


The other place where you might save weight is your BB/chainset, depending on what you have at the moment. Don't forget titanium skewers, lightweight stem, handlebars, seatpost, saddle. Unless you have lightweight stuff already, you could find a kg or so to lose.

The actual frameset weight differences aren't usually that great, it's rare for framesets to be less than 1kg in weight, and anything over 2kg is a reall fatty.

If you're happy with the way your Bianchi frame rides, and it sounds like you are, then stick with it, and make it better

 

[smokeysmoo]

What would be their equivalent (financially & performance wise) to the Kysriums SL's?

Off the top of my head probably Fulcrum 1's. I looked at these as the shop did both brands, but I didn't like the silver spokes of the Fulcrums and the red features of the SL's matched my bike brilliantly

IIRC the F1's were about a ton more expensive too

 

[zigzag]

fulcrum zero's are all red and would match your bike nicely, but they are v.expensive. i have ksyrium sl's, they are good wheels - pretty light, easy to get the tyres on/off, easy to service freehub, no need for rim tape. they are strong as well, i have seen a tandem after pbp finish with ksyrium sl's - if they are strong enough for tandem they are stong for most riders. i wouldn't use them for racing (if i raced) as they are poor aerodynamically, but for most of us non-racers they are v.good value wheels.

 

[smokeysmoo]

fulcrum zero's are all red and would match your bike nicely, but they are v.expensive. i have ksyrium sl's, they are good wheels - pretty light, easy to get the tyres on/off, easy to service freehub, no need for rim tape. they are strong as well, i have seen a tandem after pbp finish with ksyrium sl's - if they are strong enough for tandem they are stong for most riders. i wouldn't use them for racing (if i raced) as they are poor aerodynamically, but for most of us non-racers they are v.good value wheels.

Yeah the Zero 2-Way Fit are very red, but they look cheap IMO, which was the same conclusion I had of the Racing 1's with the silver spokes. The Zero's looked good were out my price range.

Overall VERY happy I went with the Ksyrium SL's, granted they are not exactly aerodynamic, but they look and they ride freakin' awesome

 

[bennydorano]

I was having a look on Parker International Fulcrum 1 wheels for £650 a pair at a nominal weight of 1485gms, there was also Fulcrum 3 wheels at £420 at a weight of 1555gms the pair. I'm sure the Fulcrum 1's have advantages elsewhere but as a relative newbie I personally think it would be madness to go for the more expensive ones in this case??

 

[StuAff]

I was having a look on Parker International Fulcrum 1 wheels for £650 a pair at a nominal weight of 1485gms, there was also Fulcrum 3 wheels at £420 at a weight of 1555gms the pair. I'm sure the Fulcrum 1's have advantages elsewhere but as a relative newbie I personally think it would be madness to go for the more expensive ones in this case??

I've got Campagnolo Zondas (identical to the F3s except for the different spoke pattern) and they're excellent. The law of diminishing returns kicks in with a vengeance with wheels once you move past that price level!

 

[bennydorano]

Is there not compatibility issues with Campag gear & my Shimano set up?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Is there not compatibility issues with Campag gear & my Shimano set up?

You need to make sure you get a rear wheel that is Shimano compatible, otherwise you'll have to change your freewheel. The Shim and Campy freewheels have very different spline designs, (based on 10 speed).

I faced the dilemma recently when I was building my new commuter. I decided to go for a Campy groupset and never gave any thought to the freewheel on the existing wheels I planned to use, D'oh!. Got round it simply by fitting a Shimano freewheel that I already had. The 2 makes are compatible as regards chains, chainrings etc, just not freewheels.

 

[zigzag]

also few things to bear in mind regarding fulcrum wheels - they have loud freehubs, cup and cone bearings and it's not very easy to (dis-)mount the tyres as they are slightly oversize. still great wheels if you don't mind these "features".