Campag neutron wheels question

italiaandyf

Hi - I'm considering buying a nice pair of wheels for summer riding, and the Campag neutrons have been recommended. They seem to be highly regarded by members here - but before splashing out I have a question - is the free wheel noise loud? I've not had campag wheels before, and I've heard they can be noisy.
Does anyone have any other wheel recommendations around a similar budget.
Thanks in advance

redddraggon

I've got Neutron Ultras - they are pretty quiet when freewheeling (disappointing for me really - I wanted them to be loud).

gkerr4

i think the Eurus are pretty loud - I have them - they make a bloody racket compared to any shimano stuff I have owned - I don't mind right enough - they sound quite cool.

pieinthesky

I had the same worry when I purchased a pair of Protons which look very similar to Neutrons. Compared to Shimanos virtually silent hubs they are noisy but acceptably so and I do not have a problem with them in this respect.

However, I do regret purchasing them and will replace them in the near future because changing tyres is a nightmare. Its OK in a nice warm kitchen with lights, a cup of tea and the family to give you encouragement and moral support, but I am dreading that puncture on a cold dark night miles from anywhere.

italiaandyf

hi pieinthesky - I'm nervous about campag wheels for this reason also - I currently have fulcrum racing 7's and vittoria rubino pro tyres, and while I like the set up, changing a tyre is a real pain - that last bit of the bead is so hard to get on - the plan is to make these my winter wheels/tyres and have the new set for summer riding, but would like to get a wheel/tyre set up that's easy to change the tyre on in the event of a puncture.

mrushton

Go to the shop and spin the rear hub and compare it to other models in the shop. I like that Campag. whirr Why not take a tyre/tube and lever to the shop and try to get the tyre on. I have to say I don't have a problem with Campag rims but I sometimes look at cyclists struggling and think that they haven't realised about getting the tube IN the well and not hanging out getting trapped between the rim & tyre or they have rubbish levers. I used to be awful at changing tyres but took myself off to the garage on day and just practised taking them on/off

pieinthesky

Hi andyfadden

I would recommend getting something easy to change for winter riding and keep the tight ones for summer

redddraggon

Putting tyres onto Campag rims is difficult by hand, but I've mastered replacing the tyres using levers without pinching the tubes, and if you use a crankbrother speed lever there's even less chance of pinching a tube - making even stubborn tyres a doddle to fit on campag rims.

Pirahna

If you grease the hub it quietens the freewheel down no end. As for tyres, I've got a pair of 07 Eurus and have no problems at all. Tyres go on by hand and come off with one lever.

redddraggon

Pirahna wrote:

If you grease the hub it quietens the freewheel down no end. As for tyres, I've got a pair of 07 Eurus and have no problems at all. Tyres go on by hand and come off with one lever.

It does depend on what tyres you have though.

italiaandyf

thanks for the feedback everybody - that's been a great help.

gkerr4

i have to say - I read all the "campag rims are tough to fit tyres to" threads - but actually, my eurus are pretty easy to fit to - I'm using vittoria rubino tyres and they go on using my thumbs - quite easily really.

Pirahna

redddraggon wrote:

Pirahna wrote:

If you grease the hub it quietens the freewheel down no end. As for tyres, I've got a pair of 07 Eurus and have no problems at all. Tyres go on by hand and come off with one lever.

It does depend on what tyres you have though.

I've tried Conti 3000, 4000 and Michelin Pro's with no problems at all.

andyp

redddraggon wrote:

Putting tyres onto Campag rims is difficult by hand, but I've mastered replacing the tyres using levers without pinching the tubes, and if you use a crankbrother speed lever there's even less chance of pinching a tube - making even stubborn tyres a doddle to fit on campag rims.

I'd second this recommendation - fitting Continental cross tyres to a pair of Zondas was a nightmare but I bought one of these and it made fitting them a doddle.

Kléber

I know fitting tyres can be a problem but please buy the right wheels on the basis of how they ride, not the few minutes it takes to fit a tyre.

Stretching the tyres and dusting with talc also helps fitting. Also, inflate the inner tube but only a bit.

4kicks

I carry my spare tube in a small plastic bag which has a light dusting of Talc inside, which you can tip into the wheel as well when you change the inner - I find it makes getting Pro Races onto Fulcrum/Eurus rims much easier. Not sure how well that idea woulld work in the pouring rain, mind you, but we dont see much of that here...

Coyote

I have recently bought a pair of Neutron Ultra's. Out of the box they are the quietest campag hub I've come across and I've had a number of different pairs of campag wheels. As previously stated, the grease has a lot to do with the sound so time will tell, but they are almost silent at the moment!

As for fitting tyres...I feel it's a lot to do with your technique, the leavers you use and the strength of your hands/thumbs. I have struggled badly in the past but I've now got a way of doing it which although I wouldn't say its easy, it doesn't fill me with dread should I have to do a change on the road and I don't destroy as many tubes as I used to ....don't make your decision on this factor alone.

They are fantastic wheels and I have never had a problem re build quality with any of the campag factory built wheels I've had so buy with confidence and enjoy!