New wheels?

Lagavulin

I'm new to road bikes and last summer bought a Allez Sport (double).

Apart from sticking some SPDs and Mondo Pros on it its as it was out of the box (a mix of 105 and Tiagra).

In less than 12 months I've had to had the rear wheel (Alexrims AT400) trued twice and so I'm thinking of shelling out on something better/stronger.

I've only got a 9-speed setup but when searching on EB Co-Op, Wiggle, CRC, Evans etc. most clinchers seem to be for 10 speed cassettes.

I have spotted some Mavic Cosmic Elites which say the Shimanos are both 9 and 10 speed compatible. Would these be any good or could anyone recommend some wheels.

Unfortunately, having just shelled out on a new hardtail last month I'm limited to a budget of about £250-£300.

Monty Dog

The Cosmics are a good reliable wheel and will perform better than your current wheels. Alternatively, you could go for something like an Open Pro on Ultegra hubs from someone like Paul Hewitt. Likewise, many wheels like Mavic are 9/10 speed compatible- same spline pattern, just 10 speed is slightly slimmer

Fat Head

hello, the wheels you get on off the peg bikes at that (and most!) price points are not very durable and you should really upgrade as and when finances allow. for that money you could get a pair of Fulcrum Racing 3s from Jedi Sports in Germany which are good all-round wheels and plenty strong for UK roads.

acorn_user

You do need to watch the speeds issue. Most Shimano ten speed wheels will happily take a 9 speed cassette, but some have higher splines for the new 10 speed cassettes (makes them less risky on alloy hub bodies). Handbuilt wheels on Ultegra hubs would work well. Have you looked at All Terrain Cycles online wheel builder?

Can't comment on their wheels though.

Lagavulin

Thanks for the rapid responses.

Like I said, I'm fairly new to road bikes. Been watching the tour for years and my dad was a keen cyclist in his youth (he offered me his Flying Scot ) but I've mainly been into mountain bikes and it wasn't until last summer that I decided to get a low-end road bike.

I hadn't really looked at anything other than factory wheels on the likes of ChainReaction and Wiggle to be honest.
I noticed a few of the entry-level Shimano wheels claim to take 8, 9 or 10 speed cassettes but I wondered if they'd be much better than the wheels I have. :?

Then I noticed the Cosmics (http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx? ... 08&N=Mavic Cosmic Elite Wheel Set) and just wondered whether 20 spokes is sufficient for a rear wheel (yes... this is how much of a "noob" I am :oops:).

Will have a look at the sites/wheel builders you've suggested.

I've been quite impressed with the Specialized Mondo Pros but was recommended to try the Conti GP4000s so I bought a set of those but haven't been bopthered enough to swap the tyres onto my existing wheels (this being my justificaton for buying a new set... ideally somethign that won't need truing twice a year )

Thanks again.

wildmoustache

what's your budget Lagavulin?

I reckon shimano, campag and mavic make the most reliable wheels. The Zondas are very good value for money but you'd need to also buy a 8 9 10 freehub body '8about £30.


unfortunately the good shimano wheels are only 10spd

Mavics all fit 8,9, 10,

Lagavulin

My budget isn't very high unfortunately.

£250ish, maybe £300 at a push but I was hoping to get an Ultegra 9 speed cassette out of that £300 as well.

Lagavulin

Just had a look at the Zondas. How cool are they... 8)

I noticed Wiggle have both Shimano and Campag versions.

Apart from a new 9-speed Ultegra cassette (going to leave current one on old wheels with the Mondo Pros) would I need anything else? :?:

gkerr4

no - zondas are cool and available with shimano hub body - you would just put the cassette onto that.

looks like you have found your wheels

one word though - some have complained of overtight tyre fitting with campag wheels and the way around it seems to be to use italian tyres (from what I have read - no experience of it and don't know reasons why this would be the case!)

wildmoustache

for the zondas to run 9 speed shimano you will need a new "freehub body" . using an allen key you take off the 10speed only freehub body and replace with 8,9,10 spd freehub boday - your LBS could do this if necessary.

Call Ribble and speak to them (I have no connection but know they are one of the few shops that stock the part).

You will notice the performance improvement with something like a pair of Zondas

Alternatively the Racing 5s are great VFM. available at discount at Wiggle and no freehub changing issues.

I have campag wheels and have no problems changing tyres - about the same as mavic and easier than shimano in my experience. think it might vary model to model, and it definitely varies tyre to tyre!

harrywolper

You can get a lovely pair of handwheels from Harry Rowlands for £200 to £300. I've just got a set with Dura ace hubs, ambroisio rims and sapim spokes for £300. Give him a ring on 01843 597 443 and see what he says.

Regards, Harry

Lagavulin

Hmm, my local bike shop(s) are poor. There are however a few of the major chains nearby. I believe Evans' is now open and theres an Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op in Byker.

I might still look into the Zondas (they'd certainly pimp my '06 Allez Sport Double somewhat ) but ever since I got a roadbike I have fancied a pair of Mavics (just as I want some DTSwiss for my MTB).

I can only see 3 wheels from Mavic that'd fit my budget;

-Aksium - seems to be entry level but no doubt better than what I'm running
-Ksyrium Equipe
-Cosmic Elite

Any opinons with regards these?

Just looking at them my real concern with the Cosmics would be the number of spokes. 20 spokes only in a rear wheel? Would they be suitable for UK roads?

I believe my current rear is 28 or 32 and it regularly needs truing... though I guess the wheels are a part manufacturers cut back on with entry levels machines.

Apologies for the basic questions etc. Like I said I'm new to the genre and I've had hit and miss experiences in bike shops.
Sometimes you seem to get a real enthusiast. Other times you get a 20 year-old who seems more concerned about what excuse he's going to tell his media studies lecturer than your custom.

Lagavulin

Hmm, contacted Ribble via email and a lad there kind of ruled the Zondas out.

Shame as I'd kind of set my heart on them but can't really afford new wheels + whatever upgrades I need to get a 9/10 speed Campy or 10 speed Shimano block/groupset.

He recommended I look down the Shimano and Mavic roads for wheels.

I'll also have a look at the Fulcrums and perhaps some Eastons.

giant_man

Lagavulin wrote:

My budget isn't very high unfortunately.

£250ish, maybe £300 at a push but I was hoping to get an Ultegra 9 speed cassette out of that £300 as well.

With that kind of budget, I would talk with a wheelbuilder such as Paul Hewitt who would build you some strong wheels for that budget.

wildmoustache

IMO good factory wheels are now more reliable than handbuilts. Handbuilts depend on the quality of the wheelbuilder, and even good wheelbuilders have bad days (II speak from bitter experience). There are literally hundreds of thosands of Mavics, Fulcrums, Campags, Shimanos going strong all over the place. Far, far more than the output of any wheelbuilder.

You also normally get a more aerodynamic wheel with factory builts and the dishing allows switching between campag and shimano.

Not to say handbuilts can't be great, they can, but they're a bit unnecessary now that factory built are so cheap and good.

Bavk to topic, Lagavulin, what abou Fulcrum Racing 5s? Wiggle have a good deal on them right now.

Don't get obssessed by Mavic - not really any better than the other main brands. Aksium are stiff but heavy. Cosmic are a bit more aero but still perhaps a bilttle on the heavy side. Ksyrium Elite are fine but I think Fulcrums are better value.

giant_man

wildmoustache wrote:

IMO good factory wheels are now more reliable than handbuilts. Handbuilts depend on the quality of the wheelbuilder, and even good wheelbuilders have bad days (II speak from bitter experience). There are literally hundreds of thosands of Mavics, Fulcrums, Campags, Shimanos going strong all over the place. Far, far more than the output of any wheelbuilder.

You also normally get a more aerodynamic wheel with factory builts and the dishing allows switching between campag and shimano.

Not to say handbuilts can't be great, they can, but they're a bit unnecessary now that factory built are so cheap and good.

Bavk to topic, Lagavulin, what abou Fulcrum Racing 5s? Wiggle have a good deal on them right now.

Don't get obssessed by Mavic - not really any better than the other main brands. Aksium are stiff but heavy. Cosmic are a bit more aero but still perhaps a bilttle on the heavy side. Ksyrium Elite are fine but I think Fulcrums are better value.

For 100 quid I agree with you totally, but not for twice that amount. You get what you pay for.

Lagavulin

Thanks for the responses. Its much appreciated.

I'm certainly considering the Fulcrum 5's, Open Pro CD's on Ultegra from Ribble but another caught my eye whilst browsing on Wiggle; Reynolds Solitude.

Anyone know anything of those?

wildmoustache

solitude very similar to alta race. in short: lovely wheels but fragile. I would avoid unless you want to build up a stable of wheels (which is fun).

on the get what you pay for issue, I think some wheels, Kys SLs and Fulcrum R1s and Zeros spring to mind, are substantially overpriced. Shimano hoops are good value IMO, as are many Campags.

Why not get the R5s on a good deal, see how you get on and if in a year or so the urge takes you to upgrade you can ebay them without much loss?

By the way, I don't really buy the story Ribble told you about Zondas. You can retrofit the campag made shimano-splined freehub body, reference number WH-KX1 or WH-KX2. But, maybe you want to keep it simple and that's fair enough.

Lagavulin

Oh well, if you think its still possible to run the Zondas on the mixed bag of 105 and Tiagra that make up my '06 Allez Sport Double (I intend to get a new 9 speed Ultegra cassette) then I'd still be interested, providing it doesn't involve massive amounts of faff.

From what I've read they're a great set of wheels and the rear is particularly strong its my rear thats been giving me bother).

Oh yes, and they look hot as hell :twisted:

custom-freak

hello you seem to be in the newcastle area, have you tried m steels in gosforth? they should be able to offer you a few different ideas, i think they do wheelbuilding as well, take your pick of rims and get them laced to ultegra hubs will last very well and stay true. failing that i wold go for harry rowland, he will produce tyhe nicest wheels for the money, should be able to do radial on the front as well although i would go for a 3 cross rear.

Cf

Lagavulin

Yes I'm in South Tyneside. Had clean forgot about M Steels. :oops:

A lad at work suggested a Cosmic Elite rear with a cheaper front wheel or even just keeping the current front (its not been bad, its the rear that's the b*gger!).

I've never ridden a bike with different wheel types. Tyres yes but not wheels. Is this advisable to to be avoided?

I think in the short-term I'll order a set of Fulcrum 5 Evos.

Whatever the case I don't think it'll be too long before I'm ordering another set of wheels.
I want more than one decent set so while I'll keep the Alex AT400s for now I'll probably bin them in a few months or too so might look down the custom-build route then.

wildmoustache

Good choice on the R5s! :P

AT400s are crap. They are easily hit out of whack by potholes etc. I'm sure you'll find the fulcrums stronger and faster.

let us know how you get on!