What difference would better wheels make?

[SpokeyDokey]

For a tiny percentage of the whole cycling population ie uber-fit hard-core roadies, whether competitive or not, I imagine they probably do. When you are functioning right at the limit small changes make a difference.

For the rest of the world I'd say not much.

Like any hobby with a large number of participants everything is drilled down to the nth degree on forums etc with ever diminishing gains achieved at the expense of ever increasing expenditure. CopperCyclist has hit the nail on the head.

On one of the Stateside forums some while back I read a long discussion on the merits of changing a front mech' to save about 20 grams at some expense - the general consensus was that it was a damn good idea! Somewhere along the line I think some people lose the plot.

Truly, I have no interest in absolute times - I am 30 years past my prime and I am only interested in time to see if I am improving/maintaining my personal fitness level. Maybe if I was obsessed with Strava course and, horror of horrors, segment times I'd think differently.

Maybe I'm an old fool, but to me I bought a decent-ish bike, the wheels are round, they go around and that's all it takes to make me happy. I don't have a clue how much they weigh and never will. If they fall apart (doubtful) I'd just replace them with the same model.

Stick with what you've got.

 

[ayceejay]

The assumption, of course, is that the OP wants to upgrade to save weight although he never said that was the reason.

 

[Nebulous]

If you are churning out the miles stock wheels aren't going to last forever. Get an upgrade then. My allez came with unbranded hubs and cxp22 rims. The second winter really killed the hubs and they were very difficult to service. I bought a pair of Shimano 501s with bladed spokes and got a pair of decent tyres free for just over £100. Changing wheels/tyres certainly made a difference to me. Partly because the old ones were shot, partly the better tyres but at least some of it was the aero profile. It certainly felt as though I could hold a faster speed on the flat.

Fast forward another year, I've snappped a spoke on the 501s and the lbs has had it for about 3 weeks now with very limited progress in repairing it. I'm tempted to take another jump and go for shimano rs80s, however I'm choking on the cost! It's hard to justify £300 wheels on an £800 bike, but I console myself with the thought that if I ever manage to swing buying a tarmac I can stick the 501s back on the allez to sell it and keep the good wheels for the new bike.

 

[Peteaud]

I dont drink, and i dont smoke.

Me and the Mrs dont eat out very often.

So the money some spend on the above, i spend on my bikes.

I would love to justify £1800 for a spesh roubaix, i cant, but i can spend a few hundred on some shiney new stuff for my 3 year old Giant and keep on enjoying it. In a few years it might become the winter bike or hack but until then it gets pampered.

 

[lulubel]

It depends on how "bad" your current wheels are and how "good" your new wheels are (good and bad being relative, and everyone has a different opinion on what is good and bad).

As others have said, the performance gains from a new wheelset will be minimal for the vast majority of riders, and it would be very unlikely that you'd notice. However, if your current wheels are made out of cheese, and are flexing all over the place and going out of true every 5 minutes, you could buy wheels that will feel more substantial to ride and won't need constant maintenance without needing to spend a fortune.

I'd also recommend Vittoria Rubino tyres (although I've only ever used the folding "Pro" version, which are more expensive). They're hard wearing, have very good puncture resistance - no punctures at all in 6,000 miles for me - and, for those who care about these things, are also pretty light for a puncture resistant tyre.

 

[derrick]

If you upgrade from £80 wheels to £120 wheels you will not notice any differance, but go form £80 wheels to £400 + wheels you do notice the differance. I know i did that one of the other guys i ride with did the same and he felt the bike was so much better to ride, not necessarily faster but smoother and more agile. plus the feel good factor, if you can afford it and that's what you want do it.

 

[Psyclist]

I would recommend the next Vittorias up from the Zaffiro's. The Rubinos. Excellent long lasting tyres.

If you can splash about £100 for a pair of tyres, Vittoria Corsa CX. I'm getting some as an upgrade. I heard they're not good on puncture resistance, but you can stick latex innertubes in them and they're the closest clincher to a tub tyre out there. Light at 210'ish grams a pair and good rolling resistance too.

Worth a look.

 

[cyberknight]

I have the same wheels on my road comp and upgraded to r 500 with a lower spoke count but a heavier rim so in all honesty if i had not got them in a sale as a x mas prezzie which meant i can put the cxp 22`s on the virtuoso as those wheels are on their last legs i would have been a bit miffed.
They do look nice though ..
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7313/photo0095mi.jpg

 

[Peteaud]

I
They do look nice though ..
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7313/photo0095mi.jpg

They do, and isnt that part of the fun, to have a good looking bike.