Advice please - factory wheels circa £300

rohloff-rich

Ok so I'm struggling to keep my custom build budget down and am taking the route of getting the groupset I want now at the expense of the wheels I really want (Dalkiia Six Zeros or Fulcrum 1s), the intention being to upgrade the wheels later and keep the ones I buy now for training wheels.

I tend to prefer factory wheels so I'd rather not hear about the kind of hand built wheels I can get for the money - I know that, but as a designer by trade part of my criteria is looks and factory wheels just look much better!

Currently on the list:
American Classic CR420 - current fave @ £300 from CRC
Mavic Cosmic Elite - £290 from Wiggle
Fulcrum 3s - £350 from CRC... but I'll always want the 1s! Also pushing the budget again
Reynolds Solitude - circa £320, but not keen

Anything I'm missing, and which would you go for?

Please also bear in mind that at around 14st I need something fairly strong! :oops:

Cheers 8)

James_London

I'd recommend the Racing 3s of your list, but on budget here:
http://www.jedi-sports.de/js-shop/produ ... black.html
Delivered UPS in 48 hours. I can recommend their service - £304 inc delivery

Or alternatively consider Campagnolo Neutrons - £320 from TotalCycling.com. They do come in Shimano freehub though not listed (or you can get a Shimano freehub and change easily). Neutron Ultras have carbon hubs which are a little sexier too but slightly more expensive.
Beautiful and bulletproof - survived Paris-Roubaix under Big Maggy who's 90kg from memory. Not as harsh as R1s, Shamal Ultras or Ksyriums but equally stiff and much better looking. Excellent in a side-wind too, though not a major issue at your weight.

I've not ridden American Classics but riding buddies who have have not been impressed with durability especially of the hubs.

Hugh A

I would also recommend Campag Neutrons. I've got a pair now and as well as being cool looking and pretty light they are nice and stiff and seem to accelerate more readily than the handbuilt ones (32 spoke OP/ultegra) I used previously.

Ramanujan

Campag Zondas.
£270 from Ribble .
Lighter and stronger than F3's.

Jez mon

Not sure how Campag wheels are lighter and stronger than Fulcrums...the rear spoke pattern just doesn't look that great to me.

Fulcrum wheels are renowned for being strong and stiff and they look good in black.

As for wanting the R1s just have a look at the weights...it's a very expensive way of saving weight, besides, you'd just want a pair of Racing Zeros if you got the R1s and so on.

Personally i think hand built wheels can look good, but at this price range, it's easier to get a good looking factory built wheel.

rohloff-rich

Jez mon wrote:

As for wanting the R1s just have a look at the weights...it's a very expensive way of saving weight, besides, you'd just want a pair of Racing Zeros if you got the R1s and so on.

I'm not really that interested in the weight difference between the 3s and the 1s, I just love the 1s and would rather have them! I don't need them as such at all - for that very reason I could never justify the Zeros! If I barely need the 1s then the 0s would just be stupid!

huwy

I've got the R3'S they are great ....

winkywonky

Fulcrum 3 is what I use and they've been great, as Jez says it's not worth the extra cost for the weight. Can't you get them cheaper elsewhere?

Jez mon

You might be able to get some Racing 1 stickers, Buy the R3s and put the new stickers on...hey presto a pair of Racing 1s

Ramanujan

Jez mon wrote:

Not sure how Campag wheels are lighter and stronger than Fulcrums...the rear spoke pattern just doesn't look that great to me.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... ight=zonda

blorg

You can get Fulcrum Racing 3s from those guys for around £310, free shipping to the UK. I've bought from them before (they are a relatively local shop here in Dublin.) I have read more than once that the 1s don't really justify the price premium over the 3s (I was considering the 3s myself but went for DT Swiss RR 1450s instead.)

The American Classics look like a great deal from CRC at that price.

Probably think the Fulcrums look the best of the lot though if that is a consideration. Have seen a few in the flesh and they are a great looking wheel. Quite common though!

huwy

They sound nice a purr from your rear....

Gragi

Quick question on the Fulcrum 3s (rather than starting new thread):

I'm running shimano 9 speed set up. Do the hubs require a spacer for 9 speed and if so would the spacer naturally be supplied with the wheelset?

If the answer is "yes" and then "no"... are the "spacers" for enabling 9 speed shimano to run on a 10 speed shimano hub easily and relatively cheaply (i.e. sub 10GBP) available? (I've googled but not been able to find them anywhere!)...

I'm on the verge of buying Fulcrum 3s from the German link suggested above - hence the question.

Cheers

Gragi

Potentially problem solved! Just double checked and the Zondas are available for same price and compatible with 8/9 speed Shimano... bingo!
so, zonda or fulcrum 3? :roll:

blorg

AFAIK Shimano 9 and 10 speed hubs are the same. 10 speed cassettes come with a 1mm spacer, while 9 speed do not.

Gragi

Thanks Blorg - I've just ordered the Zondas but thanks anyway.

Toonraid

Zonda's are on par with Fulcrum 3's as fulcrum is campagnolo's sister factory - I have F3's and at 220 they have been great and much better than my handmade DA + open pro combination.