Neutron ultra vs Shamal Ultra

juggler
juggler Posts: 262
edited April 2009 in Road buying advice
Thinking of getting some new wheels, anyone know the difference between Neutrons and Shamals, maybe riden both? I'm about 78kg, so thinking that the Neutrons may be a bit stronger...?

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Shamals use bladed aluminium spokes, have a slightly deeper rim and therefore will be considerably stiffer. Neutrons have a shallow rim and steel spokes. Both are great wheels, but depends what you plan to do with them. For fast, hard riding and racing I'd choose Shamals but for all round training and sportives, I'd choose Neutrons.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    I've got a pair of standard Neutrons. They have been bombproof, light and comfortable. The shallower rim should make them climb better than the Shamals, but the Shamals will be more aero, so better for flatter riding, time trials and racing.
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/
  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    Everywhere I've read, the low profile Neutrons seem to be well regarded as good wheels for comfort, training and long distance. Shamals, like the Zonda and Eurus have deeper rims. Campagnolo regard Neutrons as climbing wheels and Shamal as more general purpose wheels. The reality is I suspect that for most mortals, either is good as an all round wheel, the choice being the feel.

    In an ironic twist to the aero factors, in a CW test back in 2007 around a velodrome the Neutrons came out as the most efficient wheel in terms of wattage lost, Shamals I think were second (+6 watts). Though it's hardly an ideal real-world test.

    The two other things are that Shamals are only available in hideous colours ;-) whereas the Neturons are a more tasteful black. Also Shamals don't require rim tape which makes them a better tubeless clincher candidate if you decide to go that way in the future (regardless of whether you get the 2-way fit version).
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    I have the Neutron utlras and have been really impressed. Light, climb well, pick up speed really quickly.

    My only criticism would be that for sprinting out of corners in road races they flex a bit, the back wheel feels like it's snaking about a bit, but liveable with.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent

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