Alternatives to Fulcrum Racing 1s

markmw

Spent the last hour or so trawling through posts to avoid starting another wheel thread, but needs must...

Have Fulcrum R5s on my Trek which I bought as winter wheels and had intended on getting some handbuilts for summer/sportive riding. However these handbuilts (DT 240s on Open Pros) are sitting happily on the new Cervelo.

So, in my mind, I'm still a wheelset short for this summer.

Looking for: clinchers, good climbers, more aero than the R5 (will be used for triathlons), £500-600 budget
Not looking for: full carbon wheels, Mavics

Currently considering:
- Fulcrum R1 (am pretty happy with my current Fulcrums so feels a natural progression)
- DA 7850CL
- Some of the HED clinchers (Ardennes, Bastogne) for something a little different
- Easton EA90 Aero, although these are outsiders at the moment

Are there any obvious choices out there to throw into the mix?

Cheers

ohlala!

Fulcrum Zeros? I Like Fulcrums although I would like to try ROL wheels, they have good reviews and customer service is excellent (according to reviews).

4kicks

Honestly noticing the difference between F0 and F1s is like a fart in a tornado.
I like the Reynolds Solitudes, just pretty well built, pretty wheels. Attacks are much more aero but carbon which you said was a nono.
Also, assuming they have stock. I woudl have thought Planet X would have to offer something cost effective.

markmw

Discounted the Fulcrum 0 maybe due to the over the top bling factor, and it's really a bit out my price range. Also now thinking about going handbuilt again.

The Solitudes are a good call for the price, though was put off a little by a post on the forum about spoke problems. I had pitched it agianst the Fulcrum R3, but I decided to try and go one level up.

James_London

Why don't you just swap the Open Pros on 240S you already have to the other bike as needed?

R1s feel stiffer and look nice but aren't really significantly better wheels (I've owned both). They're aslo irritating in a side-wind versus your handbuilts which may or may not be important depending on your upper body strength and weight. Seems like your shortlist is really just more of the same and it would be more useful to wait and have a set that does something different, particularly if triathlons are a consideration.

That said, if you insist, my shortlist would be: R1s, Shamals, 7850s or Neutron Ultras (which are stiff and stable and classic looking). :-)

markmw

James_London wrote:

Why don't you just swap the Open Pros on 240S you already have to the other bike as needed?

R1s feel stiffer and look nice but aren't really significantly better wheels (I've owned both). They're aslo irritating in a side-wind versus your handbuilts which may or may not be important depending on your upper body strength and weight. Seems like your shortlist is really just more of the same and it would be more useful to wait and have a set that does something different, particularly if triathlons are a consideration.

That said, if you insist, my shortlist would be: R1s, Shamals, 7850s or Neutron Ultras (which are stiff and stable and classic looking). :-)

Thought about that option, and I suppose I got lazy since the wheels have different gearing and I didn't want the faff of changing thing around. Rubbish excuse I agree. Guess I just fancy some new wheels ;-) You're right tho - I suppose I am looking at options similar to the handbuilts. However, I was hoping to get something more suitable for triathlons.

When you say "a set that does something different", what are you referring to? Deep section/aero wheels like the Planet X Pro Carbon 50s?

poucher

+1 for Campy Shamal's - Bulletproof and gorgeous



Poucher

James_London

Markmw wrote:

[When you say "a set that does something different", what are you referring to? Deep section/aero wheels like the Planet X Pro Carbon 50s?

I was meaning something more aerodynamic for triathlon, yes, since that's the specific us you mentioned. All the wheels you list are pretty similar in weight or performance. The 7850s are 120g or so lighter but now you have to fit rim tape and the spokes apparently break after 2000 miles I'm not sure it's 120g worth having. The R1s are great wheels but they are really no stiffer - the lower spoke count just makes them feel pingy and they're less comfortable than the Neutron Ultras IME.

I haven't ridden the Planet Xs but something deep section, yes. Cosmics are bulletproof and not too over budget and Reynolds Strike or Assault are worth considering.

Understand your reservations about cassette swapping but are different ratios essential? My two pence anyhow... Have fun deciding!