Best All Round Wheels!!!???

steve23

ive been saving my pennies for some time, and i am after some new wheels!

i dont want to spend thousands, but spend enough to get a really good wheel.

i need something for road racing and time trialling, as i cant afford two sets for each!

i need a strong wheel, as im quite well built at 13stones and have good power, ive snapped a couple of mavic aksium spokes on my current wheels!

im really keen on the mavic ksyrium es, as they seem very highly rated and well used.

any other ideas?

thanks

wildmoustache

steve23 wrote:

ive been saving my pennies for some time, and i am after some new wheels!

i dont want to spend thousands, but spend enough to get a really good wheel.

i need something for road racing and time trialling, as i cant afford two sets for each!

i need a strong wheel, as im quite well built at 13stones and have good power, ive snapped a couple of mavic aksium spokes on my current wheels!

im really keen on the mavic ksyrium es, as they seem very highly rated and well used.

any other ideas?

thanks

ES are well used and rated and reliable but not very aerodynamic so not really useful for time trials.

i suggest you might as well go the whole hog and get a pair of aero wheels. I have ridden Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL and been impressed ... stiff, aerodynamic and reliable. Quite expensive is the only downside.

JWSurrey

How about a pair of handbuilts - Something like Open Pro CDs with Sapim or DT bladed spokes, and hubs from your preferred groupset manufacturer?
Something like a 32 hole 3x rear and radial laced front (if the hubs are compatible).
Handbuilts give a nice ride, and are much faster/easier to repair.
I hear Campag. Neutrons are very nice - though obviously only useful for Campag. groupsets.
(Fulcrum are Campag. for Shimano, though unfortunately their Neutron look-a-like is the full carbon rimmed version - which costs an arm and a leg).

wildmoustache

JWSurrey wrote:

How about a pair of handbuilts - Something like Open Pro CDs with Sapim or DT bladed spokes, and hubs from your preferred groupset manufacturer?
Something like a 32 hole 3x rear and radial laced front (if the hubs are compatible).
Handbuilts give a nice ride, and are much faster/easier to repair.
I hear Campag. Neutrons are very nice - though obviously only useful for Campag. groupsets.
(Fulcrum are Campag. for Shimano, though unfortunately their Neutron look-a-like is the full carbon rimmed version - which costs an arm and a leg).

they would make nice training and general riding wheels for sure, but wouldn't you be throwing away speed with a relatively non-aero wheel in TTs?

Simon Notley

There's a nice new titanium finish available for the Campag Shamal this year... they're top of my wishlist.

aracer

wildmoustache wrote:

they would make nice training and general riding wheels for sure, but wouldn't you be throwing away speed with a relatively non-aero wheel in TTs?

More aero than the Ksyriums he was thinking of though!

Handbuilts using the AC420 rim like mine are at least reasonably aero - though obviously not as good as those Cosmics.

JWSurrey

wildmoustache wrote:

...they would make nice training and general riding wheels for sure, but wouldn't you be throwing away speed with a relatively non-aero wheel in TTs?

Fair comment - More aero than Kysriums, but less than some suggestions.

I don't go fast enough, so have never seen the advantages to be gained from a heavier aero. section rim.
It's a trade-off though.
I prefer being able to get my wheels serviced and repaired quickly, and having a lightweight but stiff rim.
I recently ditched my Campag. Ventos - lovely wheels - I was advised they were uneconomic to get a replacement rim for.
Zipps are quite nice, and appear to be a happy half-way house between servicability, road and TT riding. Not sure about the availability of replacement rims though.
La Bicycletta were discounting Zipp Flash rimmed wheels to about GBP550. (Cycling Weekly).

I was most interested! Of course, something like a fully fledged Zipp 202/303 would be nice for the extra cash.

Problem for me is if they pass the "would I be prepared to crash through a pothole whilst riding in the bunch" test.

Down the Road

Get a pair of Cosmics.

Fast for both and comfortable enough to ride all day.

Andy140

Any one using, or views on DT Swiss RR1850 - thinking of these as need wheels for 90kg rider weight. Want someting long lasting and not having to ture them every 2 mins.

JWSurrey

Andy140 wrote:

Any one using, or views on DT Swiss RR1850 - thinking of these as need wheels for 90kg rider weight. Want someting long lasting and not having to ture them every 2 mins.

My Campag. Ventos eventually wore out (rims), but they supported my 85kg complete with steel bike on rough roads and a light pannier load.
Therefore I'd assume the rest of the Campag. range would probably be OK - The rear wheel had about 1mm lateral on it by the time it was worn out.
G3 spoke pattern is allegedly harder to service/repair.

With regard to DTs, I recently spec'd a pair of RR1.1 hoops, but the consensus seemed to be that Mavic hoops were better/tougher. Not sure with regard to factory DTs though.
Are they spoked straight-pull like the Mavic and Shimano factory wheels? Apparently, straight pull spokes are less prone to breakage, as they have no bend, however you'll have to weigh that up against servicability.

edeverett

If you like numbers, there's interesting reading here: http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... hp?t=17184

In this test, Shimano 105s (R560) trounce the Ksyrium ESs. The first three numbers are the power needed to keep the wheel spinning at 30/40/50km/h so the lower the number the better. The 105s are the best performing of the "affordable" wheels.

For my all round wheels I went with Ultegra wheels - the same design as the 105s but lighter - and they've held up to my 85+ kilograms perfectly for 18 months. But maybe Shimano are too boring for upgrades?

ed

pcd993

I am waiting for those new Shimano carbon/alloy clinchers, they look the business.

The Ksyrium ES is reliable but not exciting.