£300ish wheelset

deal

looking to replace the useless wheels that came with my bike. I weigh a little less than 12 stone (and still dropping 8) ) and am mainly going to be using them for sportives. a friend recommended three wheels around this price but i seek the opinion of people more wise than him (hope he isnt reading :P )


ps the wheels recommended were:
Compagnolo Zonda
American Classic CR 420
Reynolds Solitude

are these wheels anygood ? any recommendations other than these ?

cheers

Monty Dog

I've been running some AC420s since the beginning of the year and so far, so good. They're pretty light but the low spoke count and hub profile means lateral stiffness isn't a strong point - only really noticeable when riding hard e.g race-pace. If you can stretch your budget, its also worth considering Campagnolo Neutrons or a pair a handbuilts from the likes of Paul Hewitt or Harry Roland.

wildmoustache

deal wrote:

looking to replace the useless wheels that came with my bike. I weigh a little less than 12 stone (and still dropping 8) ) and am mainly going to be using them for sportives. a friend recommended three wheels around this price but i seek the opinion of people more wise than him (hope he isnt reading :P )


ps the wheels recommended were:
Compagnolo Zonda
American Classic CR 420
Reynolds Solitude

are these wheels anygood ? any recommendations other than these ?

cheers

of the three you mention, I have experience of the Zondas and Solis and like them both.

they ride differently. The zondas are a bit harsher and feel a bit heavier and more solid. somewhat better hubs IMO, but not that reynolds are bad.

I'd probably go for the zondas of the two.

redddraggon

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... AMPWHFR425

Campag Neutrons - Job done (about £315 delivered). I've got the Ultras but I doubt there's much in it and mine are very good.

itisaboutthebike

Ritchy Protocols are nice wheels - got a 9 in recent C+ test.

£280 fromm Wiggle.

y tin

Surprised no-ones mentioned handbuilt wheels. Campag Record hubs & open pro rims (or dura-ace hubs & open pro rims). You'll get them for much less than your £300.

But if it was my money its another recommendation for the Campag Neutrons - good light strong wheels.

redddraggon

y tin wrote:

Surprised no-ones mentioned handbuilt wheels.

Monty did.

deal

thanks for the suggestions, what are the advantages/disadvantages of hand builts ?

The open pro rims dont seems to have the deep rim that some of the factory wheels mentioned do have, also some of the wheels like the zondas have bladed spokes, does the profile and bladed spokes offer any real aero effect or if it just a marketing gimmick?

System_1

deal wrote:

thanks for the suggestions, what are the advantages/disadvantages of hand builts ?

The open pro rims dont seems to have the deep rim that some of the factory wheels mentioned do have, also some of the wheels like the zondas have bladed spokes, does the profile and bladed spokes offer any real aero effect or if it just a marketing gimmick?

DISADVANTAGES: They are generally not as pretty as factory wheels. Can be heavy if not spending decent money (with a budget of £300 this won't be too much of a problem).

ADVANTAGES: Can be built to suit your weight/riding style. Tend to be more easily (or at least quickly) repaired should anything go wrong. Just try quickly popping into your LBS for a Ksyrium or Fulcrum spoke and you'll see why regular double butted DT or Sapim spokes can sometimes be a good idea. Saying that, you're only 12 stone so are unlikely to be breaking spokes on a regular basis.

Going the handbuilt route doesn't stop you from a deeper rim or bladed spokes. The Mavic CXP33 for instance (I'm sure there are others) and spokes like the Sapim CX Rays or DT Aerolites. The spokes especially are quite expensive though and some wheelbuilders aren't keen using them cause they can be a pain to build with. Would make a tasty set of wheels though.

Pirahna

If you're after Campag there is a pair on Ebay which finish today. Tune hubs on Mavic rims with Sapim spokes. Not the lightest but the Tune hubs are superb. I've got a pair and they're a notch again above Record.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tune-Mavic-Sapim- ... dZViewItem

morrisje

Easton wheels always get good write ups. In fact they got 9/10 in this months cycling plus review. The EA70's are within your budget.

Simon Notley

I have the Zondas and am very happy with them. So happy in fact I have just bought the identically shaped but Shamal Ultras as my race wheels for this season, but the Zondas will still be handling the everyday rides and be there as race day spares.

Simon