Which wheels for Criteriums and road racing?

DanEvs

I'm going to splash some pennies on a set of wheels to improve my Boardman pro carbon for crits and general road racing and I'm undecided as to what will be best. :?

Would you go for something like an Easton EA90 SLX which is light, stiff with good acceleration (presumably?) or the Easton EC90 aero carbon jobbies which will presumably be faster on the flat and at speed but a little slower to accelerate?

Also would you go for tubs or clinchers?

I'm not really sure what to get for the best really but the standard wheels are a touch weighty imo.

Thanks in advance.

Anonymous

Stiff and fairly aero.

Ksyrium SLs or Dura Ace C24 CLs are a good starting point.

For handbuilts something like the IRD Aero rims built up with CX Rays from http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk would be perfect...

I have tubs on my best bike but to be honest you are probably best off just sticking with clinchers...

I got a puncture yesterday on a circuit race and it is now a right pain in the ar5e to try and repair. If I can't repair it it's at least 40 notes to replace...

As opposed to a puncture repair patch...

Cranks

Cadence aeros with good quality spokes will give you a strong and aero wheelset. These are getting more popular now. They are a clincher rim which again I would recommend for ease. Steve at the wheelroom is worth chatting to, you can find him here.
As for hubs, royce if you have the money, although there are lighter rear hubs out there. Royce have lasted me for ages and I like reliability.

redddraggon

DanEvs wrote:

Would you go for something like an Easton EA90 SLX which is light, stiff with good acceleration (presumably?) or the Easton EC90 aero carbon jobbies which will presumably be faster on the flat and at speed but a little slower to accelerate?

EA90 SLX = 1490g
EC90 Aero = 1370g

(Easton website quoted weights)

Why would the EC90 Aero be slower to accelerate?

I'd go for the EC90s personally.

DanEvs

redddraggon wrote:

EA90 SLX = 1490g
EC90 Aero = 1370g

(Easton website quoted weights)

Why would the EC90 Aero be slower to accelerate?

I'd go for the EC90s personally.

Thanks for that. I'd just (wrongly) presumed that the aero's were heavier. :roll:

Cheaper option is the Planet X 50's. Has anyone used these and what do you all think? :?

Any other recommendations? I'd prefer a pre-built wheelset over something custom made (some crazy logic in there somewhere but I can't explain). :shock:

Anonymous

EA = Easton Aluminium (Aluminum?)
EC = Easton Carbon...

redddraggon

Derek's Gigantex are probably what I'd go for if I was trying to keep to a budget.

Anonymous

redddraggon wrote:

Derek's Gigantex are probably what I'd go for if I was trying to keep to a budget.

Me too.

softlad

I would stick to the wheels you already have - at least for a few races - the advantage that a new set of wheels will give you is absolutely minimal anyway...

DanEvs

softlad wrote:

I would stick to the wheels you already have - at least for a few races - the advantage that a new set of wheels will give you is absolutely minimal anyway...

I've done a few races...

I need a spare set of wheels so it makes sense to get a quality set does it not. Dura ace 7850 cl's look a good deal.

What are Derek's gigantex? :? Edit- just worked it out. :roll: Looks like a similar rim to the Planet X 50's and same deal as my 82/101's on the TT bike...

redddraggon

http://wheelsmith.co.uk/

incog24

I've got RS80s (very similar to 7850 cls) and some PX50mms. I much prefer to race on the 50s. Feel stiffer and are more aero. Rims are marginally heavier, but not that you notice on the bike.