wheels for racing and sportives

robbie the roadie
robbie the roadie Posts: 423
edited June 2008 in Workshop
As it says I'm looking for some new wheels that will be suitable for both racing and for riding the less then perfect roads found on sortives or indeed on my local country roads. I have a budget of approx £500 and am currently looking at the mavic Ksyrium wheelset.

Does anyone have any other recomendations? I run shimano so no campag please. Ta.
Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.

Comments

  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    DT Swiss 1450. Run them on mine and have had no issues. Very light to boot.
  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    will check those out.

    Also forgot to mention I weigh about 13 stone.
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    Everyone and his dog has Ksyriums! Try something different. If you're contemplating the 2008 Ksyrium SLs, save £100 and get Fulcrum Racing 1s. Bulletprood, very close in terms of weight, similarly stiff, better looking (IMO) and slightly more aerodynamic.

    http://www.jedi-sports.de/js-shop/index ... ilter_id=9

    DT Swiss are also a good option though they will be a little more flexy for an 82kg rider and I have heard of issues with rim durability.

    I also like Campagnolo Neutron Ultras - stiff as R1s but not as harsh a ride due to higher spoke count, but you say you don't want Campag (although they come in Shimano freehub so technically there's no obstacle).
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    500 budget? thats a nice set of wheels.. If you can get them then go for the Dura Ace 7850 - I had to go for some Easton EA90 SLX wheels because the 7850's are really hard to get hold of..
    cartoon.jpg
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    I have some Ks from 2005 and they have been good to me for racing, sportives and training. Kyseriums are stiff and strong - I weigh 13 stone too and even after getting a spoke replaced as a result of a crash they are still going strong.

    However, I'm not sure I'd spend the money on them now. Ks are not very aerodynamic, catch cross winds like crazy, and cost a lot! My handbuilt training wheels give a much more plush ride, and are less affected by cross winds. It sounds like that might be a good thing for your needs. You can get handbuilts down to a lower weight than Ks by using lightweight hubs such as Tune (my ultegra hubs roll great but are heavy). They would be more aero, nicer to ride and cheaper.


    For an all-round set of wheels I would look for a low profile aluminium rim (open pro or similar), avoid fat aluminium spokes (Ks or new Euros) and ensure they are durable at a respectable weight.

    For factory wheels the dura ace and campag neutrons look good. Some wheels have 80 kg weight limits so be aware that you are just over it.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    Doobz wrote:
    500 budget? thats a nice set of wheels.. If you can get them then go for the Dura Ace 7850 - I had to go for some Easton EA90 SLX wheels because the 7850's are really hard to get hold of..

    Agree. Dura Ace WH 7850 C24 CL look good and previous version had great reviews. Not available however as you say...
  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    alan - my LBS that I'm friendly with has some nice tune hubs in. Do you think laced to some open pro's they would be spot on?
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    have a read around on www.weightweenies.starbike.com forum about wheels - lots of good info.

    infact here is a thread that is pretty much spot on:
    http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... hp?t=43573
  • phil s
    phil s Posts: 1,128
    Forget Ksyriums and Racing 1's. They are not at all aero. Or light. Dura Ace 7850-CLs weigh in at 1380g and have already established a good reputation. Having had DT Swiss 1450s I wouldn't reccomend them too readily as the spokes started pulling through the rims on mine after a year. BTW I'm 69kg
    -- Dirk Hofman Motorhomes --
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    phil s wrote:
    Forget Ksyriums and Racing 1's. They are not at all aero. Or light. Dura Ace 7850-CLs weigh in at 1380g and have already established a good reputation. Having had DT Swiss 1450s I wouldn't reccomend them too readily as the spokes started pulling through the rims on mine after a year. BTW I'm 69kg

    Claimed is 1380g for the 7850 CL - actual weight is more like 1530g. I'd agree they're more aero than Ksyriums or R1s.

    Sounds like you've experienced the dodgy 1450 rims I mentioned earlier. Not good...
  • phil s
    phil s Posts: 1,128
    I've not seen reports of the Dura Ace wheels being that heavy, more like around 1400g as opposed to the 1380g on the stickers. Are you sure you mean the carbon/aluminium clinchers? Anyway, this fella has posted a decent review of them on his site
    http://mattmagee.blogspot.com/2008/02/tested-shimano-wh-7850-c24-cl-wheelset.html
    -- Dirk Hofman Motorhomes --
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    I've just got some Hed Ardennes that are lighter than Ksyriums and they claim good things about the handling. As has often be said on these forums. for £500, you can get a v.nice pair of high quality hand built wheels which will be repairable.
    M.Rushton
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    alan - my LBS that I'm friendly with has some nice tune hubs in. Do you think laced to some open pro's they would be spot on?

    I'm told by someone in the world of cycling that Hope or Royce or better than Tune so take a look at those as well. And of course there is Phil Wood.
    M.Rushton
  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    mrushton wrote:
    And of course there is Phil Wood.

    Could you elaborate on this a bit please?

    I am leaning towards a nice pair of hand built wheels as thery will be repairable and servicable for years to come.
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    mrushton wrote:
    And of course there is Phil Wood.

    Could you elaborate on this a bit please as I can't find anything useful on google about him.

    I am leaning towards a nice pair of hand built wheels as thery will be repairable and servicable for years to come.
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    Google is your friend.... Phil Wood makes hubs.

    http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=phil+wood&meta=

    http://www.philwood.com/
  • DavidBelcher
    DavidBelcher Posts: 2,684
    edited June 2008
    mrushton wrote:
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    alan - my LBS that I'm friendly with has some nice tune hubs in. Do you think laced to some open pro's they would be spot on?

    I'm told by someone in the world of cycling that Hope or Royce or better than Tune so take a look at those as well. And of course there is Phil Wood.

    Ambrosio Zeniths might be worth looking at too. Not the lightest around but with a good reputation quality/reliability-wise. Apparently expert wheelbuilder Harry Rowland is a big fan of them. If it was cash-no-object, I'd plump for Royce, mind (Partly because they're a reasonably local concern in this neck of the woods - always good to support a local business. Ditto Middleburn cranksets).

    David
    "It is not enough merely to win; others must lose." - Gore Vidal
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    mrushton wrote:
    And of course there is Phil Wood.

    Could you elaborate on this a bit please?

    I am leaning towards a nice pair of hand built wheels as thery will be repairable and servicable for years to come.


    www.philwood.com

    V.expensive/delicious/crafted pieces of bike kit :D
    M.Rushton
  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    Tune hubs on Open Pro. 32 hole rear with DT Comps, 28 hole front with DT Revs. Should come in around 1500 grams without skewers, strong, fast rolling and nicely understated.

    Don't get tempted with Tune skewers, they creak.
  • mekonta
    mekonta Posts: 58
    I got new handbuilt wheels this year DT 1.1 on the front, 28h with Royce lightweight hub. DT1.2 on back, 28h tied and soldered with Royce hub.

    You couldn't get better wheels for the money (little under £400). They feel much more lively than Ksyriums, and easier/cheaper to repair if they break. Though if you find yourself a really top wheel builder, that shouldn't be such an issue.

    To be honest - finding a really good builder is ultimately more important than rim/hub choice.

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