Fulcrum Racing 7 - Any good???

robmanic1
robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
edited January 2011 in Workshop
Ribble are knocking these out at £110 a set. Looking for a decent budget wheelset for my Giant OCR2, any one know if these are any cop, or a budget alternative worth consideration?

Cheers
Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/

Comments

  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    I'm not that taken with mine. I've only had them since the end of July mind and I think I’m in the minority as they seem fairly well regarded in the cycling press for entry-level wheels.

    I got them for £100-110 from Wiggle at the time - having been initially impressed with the Racing 3s I'd spec'd with my Izoard - I needed to replace a wheelset lost to the Campag-shod Wilier I thought I’d give them a go. I've I'd paid the full RRP I think I'd be more disappointed.

    Currently back on my Askiums (the R7 rear being out of true) and can't say I'm missing 'em. I can get a bit more brake rub on the Aksium when caning it out of the saddle but I prefer the ride overall.

    I find the freewheel fairly annoying. On the plus side it certainly encourages me to keep pedalling. I don't have a problem with loud freewheels. Both my Racing 3s and DT RR1850s have loud freewheels but neither of these sound like a cheap football rattle.

    With hindsight I'd either bought another set of Aksiums or spent a few more pennies on the R5 Evolutions. I believe the latter are supposedly more Racing 3-esque than Racing 7.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • nick hanson
    nick hanson Posts: 1,655
    I've got the 7's on my Pinnacle (bought on the bike to work scheme)
    My first impression
    was that they ride as though they are quite heavy (not a problem as i use the bike as a winter/work bike)
    They are well suited for this purpose,and they do seem solid (no side deflection when out of the saddle).
    For a best/summer bike I'd look for something lighter.
    so many cols,so little time!
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    not sure how good they are but Merlincycles were advertising them for £99 in one of the mags recently - i can't find them on their website at the moment - but a quick glance shows Mavic Aksiums at £109 - i'd rather have them for that money to be honest

    (just based on recommendations and reviews on here - i've not owned either!)
  • bazbadger
    bazbadger Posts: 553
    I upgraded my alex da16's to fulcrum 7's and have been really impressed.

    A notable upgrade for me, and the wheels have stayed true - coming through the Exmoor Beast in style.

    Would recommend.

    THey look quite cool too :)
    Mens agitat molem
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I'd probably get some of the Shimano wheels for around £100, as I'm guessing you've got a Shimano groupset.

    Shimano might be boring, but all the Shimano wheels I've used have been the most reliable.
    I like bikes...

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  • TheDrunkMonk
    TheDrunkMonk Posts: 181
    I had a pair that came with my Van Nicholas. I wasn't amazingly chuffed with them. They seemed to flex when you were powering up hills, and of course the much documented clacking of the freewheel on the way down.

    After a spoke went in the first month of ownership, I bought some Ultegras and my bike feels completely different. Quicker to accelerate, better climbing and of course nearly silent.

    I know Ultegras are much more expensive than Racing 7s, but I've had mates running WH-RS10s and WH-RS20s and they seemed a LOT happier than I was with the Racing 7s.

    I'll get in before anyone else does and admit Shimano lack any kind of 'sex' factor, but I reckon they're bloody good, stiff wheels for what you pay.
  • TheDrunkMonk
    TheDrunkMonk Posts: 181
    Ha-ha. Yes. What reddraggon said.
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    How about the 105 5600's or the RS20's? The 5600's are quicker and lighter (lighter rims, also have nipples on the hubs) but cost a fraction more - the RS20's are slightly sturdier though (I ran them back to back).

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... HIMWHFR400

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... HIMWHFR375

    They're both 8,9,10 speed compatible (I've got the 5600's on 8 speed at the mo).
  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. Going to do some more research and re-group after payday.

    I am running Shim so I guess it's a question of function over form with Shim wheelset. The Fulcrums do look the biz though.

    What's a chap to do eh?
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • Clockworkali
    Clockworkali Posts: 113
    I have just change my pair of 105 hubs with alex rims for Fulcrum 5 wheels. I know there not the lightest wheel set on the market, but for £130 a pair you cant go wrong. I havent been out on a long ride yet, but they feel good quality and look great on the bike.

    http://www.southdownsbikes.com/products ... 5s118p4391
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    that is a great price for fulcrum5s - the best I had seen before this was £148 - they have a much higher RRP.

    i'd look to stretch to those!
  • zanes
    zanes Posts: 563
    are you sure they're the racing 5 evolutions? (reputed to be superior to the originals) Wiggle has them listed with an RRP of nearly £195!!
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    yep - look at the bottom of the rim - to the right of the '5' - in outline font it says "evolution"

    nice wheels for the cash!
  • zanes
    zanes Posts: 563
    *looks at website again*
    *kicks self*
    *scraps plans to buy telescope*
    :shock:
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Nice find. I'm tempted by those myself. Hmm, could kick the spokes out of my turbo wheel and hoy the the R7 - when it's trued - on turbo duty. :twisted:
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • Clockworkali
    Clockworkali Posts: 113
    Yes they are the Fulcrum 5 Evos. I got my pair online from south downs bikes just after xmas. Fast delivery and came with rim tape, skewers and all docs. Doesn't say on the site but they are for Shimano cassette hubs. Got a new pair of conti 4000s tyres on them and just waiting for better weather to put some miles on them.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    It's impossible to run grannies over if you have Fulcrum's.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Just read a review in the latest C+, they rate the Planet X Model B quite highly as a lightweight wheelset. At £150 they sound like the ones for me!

    Thanks again for all the replies.
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • edindevon
    edindevon Posts: 325
    I know this is an old thread, but Planet-X have Fulcrum Racing 7s in both Campag and Shimano for £79.99 right now. Seems like a bargain:

    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPFUR7C/fulcrum-racing-7-clincher-wheels

    Edindevon
  • Tallyho
    Tallyho Posts: 7
    I would forget the Fulcrum '7' or '5 Evolutions. Both heavy, clumpy and, having silly radial spoking on the rear offside, do flex under load or climbing unless you are lightweight.
    The '5's, because of the wider rim well it has, were the hardest rims I have ever tried to get tyres onto. So much so that I stopped using them for anything other than commutting or short club runs.
    Ribble's (Pro-lite) Lucianos would be better (Stelvios even better) or my favourite cheapo set: PLANETX Model 'B's. All lighter , stronger, faster. IMO.

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