Decent Road wheels - R-Sys V Fulcrum V Shamal V Reynolds?

chipperleenie
chipperleenie Posts: 217
edited April 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi there

Just interested in anyones opinions or experiences with clincher versions of Shamals, Mavic R-sys, Fulcrum zeros and carbon Reynolds Attack or Assaults?

I am looking for a decent pair of wheels for my best bike that will be used for allsorts, sportives, the odd club time trial, some mountain climbs and if i get the urge again some road racing. Need to be good for all this and sprinting too, so all in all a good all rounder wheel set that also looks good too.

Look forward to your views.

Comments

  • guinea
    guinea Posts: 1,177
    I got a set of Shamals a year ago. I've done thousands of miles in them in London and the surrounding area. They've taken me up most of the major French mountains and even some spins round Flanders. They've put up with all weathers and all road conditions. They still run perfectly true.

    For the money they were an easy choice.

    Looking at the price of heavier, more expensive, more fragile carbon wheels I've often wonder why you'd choose anything else.

    One bad thing I've noticed that they're more expensive than they were a year ago.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    from that list I'd have the R-sys - but purely because i love the carbon spoke thing and they look the biz!

    I have a sat of the Eurus - which are one down from the shamals - I think they are the same bar the carbon hubs - anyway - they are awesomely (?) strong! - very stiff - not a hint of flex. they are very light (as light as campag states according to my kitchen scales) and look great on my S-Works `roubaix!

    (not sure if this is any help - I guess I am saying that the Shamals will be great strong, dependable wheels which weigh bugger all!)
  • NaB
    NaB Posts: 105
    Fulcrum zeros are my race wheels...bought for £550 nearly two years ago but I doubt you will be able to get them for that price now. Fantastic wheels IMO
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    gkerr4 wrote:
    from that list I'd have the R-sys

    facepalm.jpeg

    I reckon they are some of the worst wheels ever made.

    -Overpriced
    -Had a habit of exploding and had to be recalled
    -Act as air brakes
    -Heavy for what are supposed to be light wheels.
    I like bikes...

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  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    almost entirely countered by the fact that they look awesome!
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    gkerr4 wrote:
    almost entirely countered by the fact that they look awesome!

    If like Carbon spokes, you want Lightweight Obermayers, not R-SYS :wink:
    I like bikes...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    What about the Dura Ace carbon clinchers? I bloomin love mine...

    Otherwise the Shamals...

    I tried some R-Sys, they were very good, very stiff. Explode though. Didn't buy them and got the DAs instead.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    I have a set of the R-Sys wheels - and they are great everyday wheels. Don't believe the negative publicity - especially from people who have never actually owned or ridden them!

    Yes there was a recall - but only as a safety precaution and people should not infer from that that they are not good wheels.

    They ARE light. They ARE stiff. And they ARE as aerodynamic as barn doors. So if you want wheels for TT's - go in a different direction.


    Lastly - any problems there might have been with the spokes has been resolved with the recall - and the problem was related to the spokes breaking in certain situations only - mainly if another object hit them from the side while moving!

    I am not a light rider by any means (90KG) and did about 6,000 miles on my R-Sys last year with no problems.
  • Steelride
    Steelride Posts: 89
    Chipperleenie,

    I've got a pair of Shamals and Reynolds DV46 wheels. I weigh 14st. Both pairs have stayed true, never broken a spoke and both look great. I tend to only use the Reynolds for special days but I read reviews and posts saying that they're good for general use. Sorry, they just cost too much money for general use. The Assaults are cheaper though £800 ish from Fatbirds and you may feel ok about using them regularly.

    The Shamals are used on my carbon frame and the ride is just too harsh *for me*. Both wheels and frame are very stiff, so I'm waiting for a pair of 28/32 spoke handbuilts to be delivered. They will be almost identical in weight to the Shamals but should improve comfort and will be easy to service.

    If you climb a lot get Shamals.
    If you ride on the flat a lot and looks are a priority get Assaults
    If you want comfort and servicability get handbuilts.

    Steelride.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    NaB wrote:
    Fulcrum zeros are my race wheels...bought for £550 nearly two years ago but I doubt you will be able to get them for that price now. Fantastic wheels IMO

    +1. I love my Zeros. Quality wheels and strong as you like. Wouldn't touch R-sys with a bargepole.
  • chipperleenie
    chipperleenie Posts: 217
    Thanks for all the advice - forgot to add that I am only a lightwieght - when fit weight about 10.5 stone! So I don't need anything superstrong.

    Are there any other wheels that I should consider? Not anything Shimano though as always been on Campag!
  • jaredpace
    jaredpace Posts: 111
    Personally, I would go with the Shamals. I Have a set on my Colnago and they are just superb. No flexing that I can feel when sprinting (I weigh 12st), great for climbing, good looking. And haven't been recalled like the R-Sys, which I do think are good looking, only if they could stay in one piece!
    Jared
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    edited April 2009
    I agree with Pokerface re: R-Sys wheels.

    My set were rock solid and gave me no problems at all. The recall was due to concerns about the spokes ability to deal with foreign objects getting into the spokes and snapping them. I think there was only a couple of cases of this actually happening, but Mavic chose to do the right thing and improve the spokes ability to deal with this sort of issue.

    They are the most laterally stiff wheel I've ridden and this is really noticeable when climbing or cornering hard, they just don't deflect to any noticeable degree at all. They don't ride harshly though despite that and are a very comfortable wheel to ride, and at around 1350g for the pair, they are pretty light, and especially so when you consider how stiff they are.

    They are not aero, but they are tough, light and stiff. I have switched back to my Kysrium SL Premiums though whilst I await my R-Sys front wheels return, and have to say I do really like them too.
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • chipperleenie
    chipperleenie Posts: 217
    Ok.

    So really nobody either rides the Reynolds Attack or Assaults. These do look good but are a bit heavier.
    Anyone know of any good deals at the moment on any of the wheels, I know I can get Shamals from Ribble for under £600.

    Thanks

    Ian
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    chipperleenie wrote:
    Ok.

    So really nobody either rides the Reynolds Attack or Assaults. These do look good but are a bit heavier.
    Anyone know of any good deals at the moment on any of the wheels, I know I can get Shamals from Ribble for under £600.

    Thanks

    Ian

    ribble's 15% off deal will be about as cheap as you can get them I suspect. I got them from Ribble 2 years ago for £450 ... sorry!

    I would support those who like Shamals ... just be aware that 1) they are not the most aerodynamic wheel in the world, but are not bad either, and 2) they give a pretty stiff ride, it won't be a cushioned ride like handbuilts, 3) they are also not quite as good in cross winds as something with thinner spokes in the same quantity. but these are all relatively minor negatives comparing them to the best in class

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