Will an upgrade make that much difference?

powenb
powenb Posts: 296
edited November 2007 in Workshop
I am thinking about putting my Bonty Race Lite wheels on my winter bike and buying some Mavic Ksyrium SL's (08 model).
My Race Lite's weigh 1680g and I think they are plenty stiff enough as I never have a problem with brake rub.
The new Ksyriums weigh in at 1480g, and are supposed to have an excellent
weight-stiffness-speed ratio.
The problem is, not many people have ridden with Race Lites so I suppose that makes it difficult to compare.

But do you think the difference of upgrading to the ksriums are worth the £500.

Otherwise I could just get some cheaper wheels to stick on the winter bike.

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I'm not sure of the reason for putting so called "race" wheels on anything but a
    bike used for racing unless they have been "demoted" because of a new purchase
    of new set of "racing" wheels.

    Dennis Noward
  • powenb
    powenb Posts: 296
    After buying a new set of wheels, they would be demoted!!
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    powenb wrote:
    After buying a new set of wheels, they would be demoted!!

    Sounds good to me.

    Dennis Noward
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    The Bontys are good wheels. They are probably as aero as the Ksyiums if not better. £500 to save 200gm is not a very good deal. Get the cheap wheels for the winter bike. If you can find a wheelset at around 1300gm for the £500 it is a better proposition and if racing may be worth while. It also depends on how good the rest of the bike is. Saving 200gm on a 8.5Kg bike for £500 is not a good deal.
    My Fleet.
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    John.T wrote:
    They are probably as aero as the Ksyiums if not better.
    Given higher end Ksyriums consistently test as amongst the least aero wheels out there, the Bontys are definitely better.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I'd just stick cheaper wheels on the winter bike to be honest and spend the savings on a trip to the sun with the bike. Go to the Alps in July or similar and the memories you will get will be far more than a slight advantage on speed on a winter bike.
  • powenb
    powenb Posts: 296
    cougie wrote:
    I'd just stick cheaper wheels on the winter bike to be honest and spend the savings on a trip to the sun with the bike.

    That sounds like a plan.
  • powenb
    powenb Posts: 296
    John.T wrote:
    If you can find a wheelset at around 1300gm for the £500 it is a better proposition and if racing may be worth while. It also depends on how good the rest of the bike is.

    I had also though about the new Dura-Ace carbon-alloy clinchers which weigh in at 1380g and are £515.
    The bike is an 08 Scott CR1 with full Dura-Ace and carbon.

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