FFWD F4R-C wheels

ridieboy
ridieboy Posts: 35
edited August 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm looking for a new set of racing wheels and saw http://www.ffwdwheels.com/product.asp?idCategory=93&page=2.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to find any reviews of them, and haven't heard of FFWD before, so I guess they're a new company?

Has anyone had experience with these wheels, or had any dealings with FFWD in general? I'm concerned that the spoke count will be too low for me since I'm around 85kg, and could flex when I put the power down.

Anyone with any experience?

EDIT:- I've just seen they do the F4C-C which have a higher spoke count (24/28), but would still be very keen to get peoples opinion of these. Are these wheels comparable to the Mavic Cosmic Carbones for application? I won't neccessarily be using these for flat-out blasting all the time, and would like to go up hills too :) I don't mind sacrificing some weight for this, but I'd still want these wheels to stiff enough for sprinting up hills too.

J

Comments

  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,578
    They've been around for a couple of years now I think. They had all sorts of issues with supply last year, and it was very hard for shops to get any to sell.

    The tubular wheels use Gigantex rims so it's possible to get an identical wheelset for a bit less, if you can source the rims.

    Personally I'd not bother with carbon clinchers, there have been many, many reports of delaminating rims and, should you puncture at speed, you can pretty much write off the rim.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    There are a couple of versions - one full carbon clincher (bad idea) and carbon/alloy clincher (slightly better idea but still not a great idea). Everyone I know who's had FFWDs has been happy with them for what it's worth...

    That said, whilst DT Swiss 240S are nice hubs, £1,100 versus £765 for Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLs (just comparing the CRC prices for example) is a bit off. Many people could also build you an almost identical set with better rims at that price. You could stick better bearings in the Mavics for less and the1650g isn't exactly light for an £1100 wheelset. Also if you're 85kg consider tubulars and a deeper section like the F5R or Reynolds SDV66T (£1300 and 1350g claimed). They will be stiffer in general and a high spoke count definitely makes sense.

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