Wheel comparison

[Tin Pot]

How does one compare wheelsets at the lower end of the market? Say, sub £400?

I have Miche Reflex which are purportedly "ok", just under 2000g, 23mm,apparently rrp £150 but you can get 'em for £95.

I'm keen on deeper rims, the scirocco 35s are about 1700g rrp £270 but sell for £145.

Zondas rrp at £370 but sell for £230, weigh 1550g.

Are sciroccos 50% better? Are zondas 130% better?

Or is this all a cheap shoot and In just as well off with the Miche Excite That go for £90?


I mean, how do you tell?

 

[Crandoggler]

I'm a big fan of the scirroco's and definitely noticed a difference over the budget £100 Khamsin. Many will say it's placebo, but whatever, they look and feel better.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

 

[cyberknight]

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/elite-24-ultra-11speed-wheelset-2024.htm

 

[bpsmith]

I have the Zonda's and found them a huge difference over the stock Giant ones on my Defy. Bought a new bike, that came with Fulcrum 7's. Swapped Zonda's to new bike and 7's tools bike. Definite difference between Zonda's and 7's too, but to a lesser degree than to the Giant's.

Tyres make a big difference too. I put GP4000S' on the Zonda's when I fitted them, so the gain was partly related to the tyres also.

What tyres are you running at present?

 

[Tin Pot]

Just switched from Vittoria zaffiras to Gatorskins - I'm commuting on it. Race tyres will come in the summer.

Like so much in retail products for hobbies, there are just no objective measures to perform a cost/benefit analysis. The industry likes it this way.

I'll probably just get the sciroccos as spares in case a wheel fails on the commute. Not sure their enough of an improvement enough to regard them as a "race wheel" over 90/180km.

 

[huwsparky]

I think people look into wheels way to much. The reason for finishing last in a 'race' would have very little to do with ones wheels I would imagine.

Having said that i did change my wheels due to a free hub failure on my standard Giant jobbies. They definitely feel different and seem to ride smoother but I'm not gonna tell you that I can 100% say that they are faster. They weigh some 300g less, so I suppose they probably are but being honest, I can't really tell any difference in terms of speed. If you want new wheels, can afford them, then go for it!

You read some people's wheel reviews and they say that they were instantly 1 to 2mpg faster on average, I mean, come on...

 

[bpsmith]

1 to 2 mpg faster?

 

[vickster]

1 to 2 mpg faster?

His bike is petrol powered?

 

[huwsparky]

His bike is petrol powered?

Secrets out...lol