FSA RD488 Wheels - any good?

rohloff-rich

The FSA RD488 are advertised on the inside cover of Cycling Weekly this week with a reduction from £830 to £550 - this seems like a great saving, but are they great wheels??

I do what is probably best described as 'sportive-type' riding - i.e. good length rides (40-80mile) with little in the way of excessive speed or sprints. I don't currently race or TT but might do in future.

Been looking to upgrade my wheels and this is about what I was planning to spend (although this is upper limit!) - what's the verdict?

domtyler

rohloff-rich wrote:

The FSA RD488 are advertised on the inside cover of Cycling Weekly this week with a reduction from ??830 to ??550 - this seems like a great saving, but are they great wheels??

I do what is probably best described as 'sportive-type' riding - i.e. good length rides (40-80mile) with little in the way of excessive speed or sprints. I don't currently race or TT but might do in future.

Been looking to upgrade my wheels and this is about what I was planning to spend (although this is upper limit!) - what's the verdict?

They look like a bargain alright, but not for you. These are designed for Fast racing and/or time trial/triathlon type riding. They are tubular for a start, what are you going to do when you are 50 miles from home and get a puncture? Get a decent pair of light weight, hand built clinchers and save the rest of your money for something worthwhile. (I can whole-heartedly recommend a Garmin Edge 350 if you are looking for inspiration, got mine for ??170 inc.)
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rohloff-rich

domtyler wrote:

rohloff-rich wrote:

The FSA RD488 are advertised on the inside cover of Cycling Weekly this week with a reduction from £830 to £550 - this seems like a great saving, but are they great wheels??

I do what is probably best described as 'sportive-type' riding - i.e. good length rides (40-80mile) with little in the way of excessive speed or sprints. I don't currently race or TT but might do in future.

Been looking to upgrade my wheels and this is about what I was planning to spend (although this is upper limit!) - what's the verdict?

They look like a bargain alright, but not for you. These are designed for Fast racing and/or time trial/triathlon type riding. They are tubular for a start, what are you going to do when you are 50 miles from home and get a puncture? Get a decent pair of light weight, hand built clinchers and save the rest of your money for something worthwhile. (I can whole-heartedly recommend a Garmin Edge 350 if you are looking for inspiration, got mine for £170 inc.)

Thanks for that - realised they were tubular so no good for me! Will stick to the original plan of American Classic 420s or Fulcrum 3s (which seem to be available on the cheap from a couple of places).

Already have a Garmin Edge 305 (and paid less than you! ), but I'm sure there's plenty of other things I can spend the spare cash on. Good advice though, the Edge is a great bit of kit.