Wheel upgrade for Carrera

andy81
andy81 Posts: 118
edited July 2008 in Workshop
I bought a first road bike last November (a Carrera Valour), which I have been pretty pleased with once I set the bike up properly.

Having cycled a fair few miles since then, I've upgraded the tyres, but am now thinking of upgrading the wheels (the Bikeradar review had the wheelset at over 3.5kg!)

Just wondering if anyone had any ideas on what to go for - I don't want to spend too much (probably up to around £100), and am happy to go second hand if it'll get me a better set. Given the kit already on the bike, they'd have to be compatible with Shimano Sora 8-speed.

Thanks

Andy

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Fulcrum Racing 7s
    Handbuilts (best you can get for budget)
    Shimano RS20s
    Mavic Aksiums (if you look around you might be able to get them for around £100 if you have a good look on the net)
    I like bikes...

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  • andy81
    andy81 Posts: 118
    Had a quick look at the RS20s, Fulcrum 7s and Askiums, but also the Shimano Tiagra R500s and RS10s. How do these compare, and other than weight, what's worth considering?
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    the R500's are a bit 'below' the others in that list.

    for my money I'd go for the Aksiums - but I believe the shimano RS wheels are very good too.
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    The bikeradar review includes the tyre, cassette and quick release weights, so it's not all that bad. Why not keep the money and save it for a new frame? Otherwise, you could buy some really nice wheels that you could use as an upgrade on any future bikes, in which case I would recommend something a bit more expensive.
  • andy81
    andy81 Posts: 118
    Acorn - thanks, looks like there may not be masses of benefit in upgrading around this level. I'll probably save for a new bike, and then have the Carrera as a winter/commuter bike.

    Unfortunately, that gives me another dilemma. I've recently got a turbo trainer, and am keen to have a seperate rear wheel so that I don't have to change tyres al the time. Therefore, this gives me three options:

    1. Get a new wheelset around for a much higher budget, as Acorn suggested;
    2. Get a cheap rear wheel for the trainer such as the R500, although chances are the R500 is better than the standard Carrera wheels;
    3. Get a set of R500s, keep saving for the new bike, and use the old Carrera rear wheel on the turbo.

    Any thoughts?

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