Wheels - worth upgrading, if so what with?

Steve_F

At the moment I have a set of Alexrims DA22s on my Giant SCR 1.5 (2008 I think). I am keeping the bike but considering upgrading the wheels (and tyres).

Budget will be around £200 so the question is would I notice the difference with getting wheels like the Mavic Aksium or Fulcrum Racing 5s compared to the DA22s?

If this would be a worthwhile upgrade what whell and tyre combo would you recommend.

Other info - I am a fairly heavy rider (somewhere around 90-95 kilos I'd guess) going to be riding the Etape Cale and Bealagh Beag, those are the ones planned in so far.

Thanks for any advice given!

davidcambridge1

I really don't like Alex wheels, they are nothing special! My recommendation would be to stretch your budget by £30, and get some Ultegra 6700 wheels from Merlin cycles! They seem a to be a good wheel, and a bargain price!!

Steve_F

That's a good looking set of wheels and considerably less weight than the two I mentioned.

Merlin isn't a site I tend to use so hadn't looked on there. Can't believe how much cheaper than Wiggle their wheel prices are.

Thanks for that!

naive

I thought that price looked pretty good too, so I had I look. As far as I could see, though, they only have the tubeless compatible wheels.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/search/searchCategory/mountain-and-road-bike-wheels/searchBrand/shimano/terms/6700
Obviously, this is not a problem if you are happy running tubless, but you can't just stick clincher tyres on them!
Cheers

owenlars

Enigma knocked me up a set of Ambrosio Evolution wheels for about £200, they are excellent.

dbg

Don't buy Fulcrum Evo 5's you'll NEVER get the tyres on or off

dbg

Don't buy Fulcrum Evo 5's you'll NEVER get the tyres on or off

dbg

If you're interested, for around your budget I might be persuaded to part with my 2009 Mavic Ksyrium Elites which came with my Scott Addict and have less than 500 miles on them - this would give me the excuse to get the Dura Ace jobbies! (PM me)

HoHoHoBlueGiant

Must be something in the air. I'm upgrading the Alex DA22's on my Giant SCR2. I've gone for the Mavic Aksiums (in black) from Merlin Cycles, should arrive today :P

Bit of a birthday treat to myself, unfortunately it's not my birthday till May

skellator3

check out ribble they have the ultegra level R601 on offer for £177
thats a bargain link is below
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/triath ... HIMWHFR650

skinson

Get on e-bay! I picked up (over 2 months) a pair of ksyrium elites for £160.00. With the Ti skewers I got off e-bay as well they are a full 1 pound lighter than my fulcrum 7's.
Dave

JohnnyAllez

6700 wheels are CLINCHER or TUBELESS compatible, take your choice. I`ve just got a set from Merlin (10% off in January Freeze sale!) nice set of wheels, good price IMO, very light. Not as fancy looking as some of the really flat-bladed spoke types (my Mavic Ksyriums look more bling), but still nice wheels

Ribble were best price last week for 6700

incog24

If you want some Reynolds Solitude Clinchers then I've got some for sale at £200 + postage. PM if you're interested.

flasher

I changed from DA22's and the stock tyres on my SCR 1.5 to PX model B's and Conti GP4000S and saved about 800gms! The difference was noticable.

You're heavier than me so maybe go for the model C's, you'll still save a considerable weight, and for 200 quid you'll get wheels and tyres.


http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... s_279.html

tigerben

Damn - if only this thread had come up last week! Bought Fulcrum 3's from Evans for £360 - and they are only £300 on Merlin!

I have never seen / used Merlin before - can people vouch for the site as the pricing certainly looks very good?

skinson

Merlin have been around a while now so don't think there are any issues with them. Their warehouse is only 10 mins from me as well
Dave

paulc33

i have a set of fulcrum racing 5's and they are great....
i have no trouble getting tyres on and off and they have made a diffence when riding

i got mine last yr from lbs with gp4000 conti tyres and tubes and paind 250....

flanners1

Shameless plug:
Buy my unused new Fulcrum 3 wheels for £300 posted in black/red 2009 model. Merlin have them for £349 +postage so save a bit. Rather this way than shark bay! Shimano fitting.

JohnnyAllez

Merlin been there for ever I`ve used them for mail-order many times without ANY problems, also called into the shop when in that area a couple of times, always good. When they have something you want (they seem to be more MTB than ROAD) then it`s (almost) always at a great price

Usually comparable with Ribble on price, and their occasional special offers make your eyes water (`specially if you`ve just bought something like an expensive chainset, then you see Merlin have them on clearance for 2/3 `s the price :shock: ) 105 and Ultegra levers sets before Xmas were for nothing

Steve_F

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Searching through the internet for reviews of all the wheels mentioned now.

At least it's clear now that's it's well worth upgrading!

Cheers

Evil Laugh

Got some da wheels from merlin last week. Very pleased with price, service and above all the wheels. They were prepared to haggle on price too so bear that in mind.

thv3

Those wheels on Merlin look nice, I'd opt for them.

Then again, I could be tempted to sell you those F&%$ing so called wheels on that bloody training bike you set me up with

Training being the operative word I suppose....

Steve_F

Good luck trying to sell me those 'training wheels' I could sell you some alexrim da22s if you want!!!

Actually need to find something with snow tyres!

Mark1962a

Steve - just watch the wheels that are 10 speed only as my son has an SCR1.5 with Sora/Tiagra 9 speed and i cannot put my Ultegra 6600SL or Dura Ace 7801 wheels on it - the cassettes will not swap/fit due to taller splines - It applies to the Shimano wheels mainly although the very latest will all take 8/9/10 speed now