Are my wheels too stiff for London to Paris Bike Ride and

Sonic382
Sonic382 Posts: 6
edited April 2009 in Road buying advice
I am a happy owner of a Scott Addict R4 with Mavic Ksyrium ES Wheels.
I am concerned the wheels maybe too stiff to give me a confortable ride? If so can you suggest a set of wheels which I could use which would also double up as a trg set to my trg bike

Im looking to spend in the region of £200- £400 ish. Obviously they need to look good too!

Regards

Allan

Comments

  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    "are my wheels too stiff" - not a question that is often asked here it has to be said!!

    I'm not 100% on this but I do know what you mean - I have a set of campag Eurus - same sort of thing - high tension, thick aluminium spokes make for a solid stiff wheel and I think it does affect comfort.

    The problem is, of course, is that your wheels are also very light and you probably don't want to put some heavy crap on there either!

    I would imagine your best bet is some handbuilts to the top of your budget - mavic open pros which are a low profile wheel rim and 32 or 36 regular stainless spokes will (or should - I am told) provide a more forgiving ride.
    I guess you could pick open pros and the best hub you can afford to get built up for your budget - ribble show open pros with Ultegra hubs for £158 the pair - so you could get Dura-ace for your budget or go exotic for something like tune hubs
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Try slightly wider tyres instead, I don't feel a wheel can be too stiff.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Nothing wrong with the ES, it's a perfectly good, everyday wheel that shouldn't give you any problems
    M.Rushton
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You ride an Addict and believe the wheels are too stiff?

    Fit 25mm tyres and don't run them at maximum pressure - 6 bars should be enough
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • zedders
    zedders Posts: 509
    I recently took a bit of air of my tyres after reading something in C+. I immediately noticed the difference, and can say the ride I got was a lot more comfortable/less harsh. A little bit of cushioning/give in the tyres will make a difference. It may be your answer without spending any dosh?
    "I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/
  • Sonic382
    Sonic382 Posts: 6
    Thank you for all your comments Ill try and drop the tyre pressures and Im not an experinced long distance rider and it seems from the commenst the wheels are not too stiff after all, and the addict is a comfy bike, as I didnt really try that many before choosing my steed.

    Regards

    Allan

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