Wheel Choice, 90kg + rider

MrZ

Hi
Despite blowing far too much cash on bike stuff lately there's some good deals around and I'm missing some decent "sunday best" wheels.

I'm more rugby player build than mountain goat (6'3" and between 90 and 95kg) and will be riding hilly sportives, etape etc with the odd ironman and shorter triathlon thrown in!

Current choice is between Campag Eurus 2 way clincher and Shimano Dura Ace 7850 CL.
Apart from superficial looks (prefer the campags) has anyone views on suitability for my weight, intended use and relative merits of the two?

thanks

EKIMIKE

Am I missing something or is this not possible - to have the choice between a campag wheel and a shimano wheel? I thought the freehubs are different meaning you can only use one or the other dependent on which groupset you have?

Anyway, to actually answer your question, both the Eurus' and DA's are very good wheels. I doubt your weight would be a problem. They're both very strong wheels. Also a good choice considering the hilly sportives. However they may not be so good for triathlons, you'd want something with more aerodynamic characteristics.

So, how about some handbuilts (this is a very common suggestion on here)? You'll get to speak to a wheelbuilder and they'll build a wheel based on your weight and riding. IRD Cadence Aero's might be a good rim choice. Light but a bit aero too - for those triathlons. Although they're never going to be Zipp 808's or the like.

Someone will come along with the wheelbuilder contacts and who you should speak to e.t.c. In the meantime, you're not going to get a bad factory built wheel for the prices you're looking at.

MrZ

Hi EKIMIKE

Thanks for reply, i'm pretty sure you can get the EURUS with a Shimano freeub, will double check though.

To be honest i'll just be trying to get round the triathlons in a respectable time and most of the ones i'm doing (including the ironman) will be on fairly hilly courses. Aero is therefore a lesser requirement at this stage and i certainly wont be tucked down in a time trial position on aero bars. That said, a custom build sounds an interesting option i hadnt thought of....

what brakes

Also consider Fulcrum racing 1's

These are what i bought as the reviews i have read say they are solid wheel plus you have the benefit of them having the campag hubs! And if you read the review of them on here they say they are suitable for the heavier rider!

Just thought i would through another option to help confuse you! lol They can be had for £499 in the sales although i got 20% of this when planet x had their specials last week. Not fitted them as yet as im waiting for the drier weather!

gabriel959

I would go for the Fulcrums myself - I have the 3's and they are great for heavier riders

You can get them (FR 1s) for even less than Planet X - only £450 from Merlin Cycles

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain- ... -pair.html

The Dura Aces look great and NapD really vouches for them but I read some reviews about not being a great choice for heavier riders.

Monty Dog

For handbuilts, I'd speak to someone like Paul Hewitt, Harry Rowland or Pete Matthews.

Doc_79

I have just bought a set of Fulcrum Fulcrum Racing 1's from Absolute Cycles http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Absolute- ... QQ_armrsZ1
I have managed to get them for £400 including postage. It is better to give them a call than to buy them via their ebay shop. Hope this helps

bristolpete

I am similar weight, I run the Dura Ace wheels you mention. Superb, no issues. Cant recommend them enough....

MrZ

thanks to all, food for thought, will check out the fulcrums too

Cranks

Roadace is who I use for hand builts.

EKIMIKE

MrZ wrote:

Thanks for reply, i'm pretty sure you can get the EURUS with a Shimano freeub, will double check though.

Yep you're right. I never new that! Learn something new every day

I thought campag made Fulcrums to cater for the Shimano owners market :roll: .

EKIMIKE

Does it work the other way round too? Putting Campag cassettes on Shimano wheels? (not wanting to hijack the thread or anything)

Garry H

You can replace the free hub body. ie put a Shimano free hub on a Campag wheel

Brian B

Another suggestion is Kysrium SL wheels. Perfect wheel for sportives etc and strong enough for your weight. My experiences with wheel builders is that they will cast scorn on any factory built wheel.

TimoH

what brakes wrote:

Also consider Fulcrum racing 1's

That's what I did. After some consideration, I also bought them. Having ridden a couple of hundred miles with them, my initial impression about them is very positive. I'm also 6ft 3in tall and weigh 91 kilos.

There are still some good deals available about them. I bought mine from http://www.salden.nl for 475 Euros (10 euros for shipping).

http://www.salden.nl/default.asp?pid=53 ... catid=3180