Looking for 1st properly good wheelset for £650 or less
stevec1906
Posts: 9
I have been told that if you're looking to lighten your bike then the best place to start is the wheels. Any help I can get to reach the top of a hill a bit quicker is most welcome. I seem to be heavy enough to fly down them with little or no effort at all. I currently have a pair of Mavic CXP22 that came with my Giant Defy Advanced 3.
I'm pretty new to cycling (started about a year ago in a bid to get fitter/leaner) so any advice I can get will be gratefully received.
I'm pretty new to cycling (started about a year ago in a bid to get fitter/leaner) so any advice I can get will be gratefully received.
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You don't mention your weight, or specify a groupset... :roll:
I use, and like Easton EA 90 SLX's.
Some will opt for the Shimano DA 7850 CL's.
There's always Derek at www.wheelsmith.co.uk too.Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!0 -
Assuming you're on Shimano, the DAs mentioned above receive glowing reviews. Also, they're as aero as some deeper rims.0
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Shimano 7850 cl240
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Mavic Ksyrium Elites. £465. Plenty light enough, tough as old boots and you can stick MP3 warranty on them for £40. 2 years no questions asked bend it, they mend it repair service. Great value wheels and well under budget.....0
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Another vote for the Eastons! Get them, love them, abuse them!0
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New wheels will look nice but won't get you up the hill (noticeably) quicker.0
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I have the Easton EA90SL's, same as the SLX version but with a few more spokes for the heavier rider.
Really rate them and they transformed the handling of my bike. I think this is the only upgrade I have spent money on that I can tell there is a difference!!!0 -
My weight is currently 14 stone 5 and I have a Shimano 105 groupset at the moment. Does anyone know anything about the Mavic R-Sys 2009 wheelset? Are they as bombproof as other Mavic wheels are supposed to be?0
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stevec1906 wrote:I have been told that if you're looking to lighten your bike then the best place to start is the wheels. Any help I can get to reach the top of a hill a bit quicker is most welcome. I seem to be heavy enough to fly down them with little or no effort at all. I currently have a pair of Mavic CXP22 that came with my Giant Defy Advanced 3.
I'm pretty new to cycling (started about a year ago in a bid to get fitter/leaner) so any advice I can get will be gratefully received.
in all seriousness, lighter wheels are unlikely to get you to the top any quicker than the wheels you are currently on. It certainly isn't worth you spending up to £650 to find you have only saved a few seconds. Your heart, lungs and legs will get you up the hill far quicker than a set of posh hoops....
Buy wheels if you want, but don't expect them to carry you up hills....0 -
stevec1906 wrote:My weight is currently 14 stone 5 and I have a Shimano 105 groupset at the moment. Does anyone know anything about the Mavic R-Sys 2009 wheelset? Are they as bombproof as other Mavic wheels are supposed to be?
They have had their issues and had a recall at one point due to their spokes.
If that spoke issue wasn't at the back of my mind all the time I would have a pair as they are the best wheels I've ever tried.
Unbelievably stiff, nice ride, spin forever. Not particularly aero but on general riding, particularly hilly rides, they are just ridiculously good.
I'm sure the spoke issue is sorted now and I nearly bought a pair this week but, well, spokes.0 -
softlad wrote:stevec1906 wrote:I have been told that if you're looking to lighten your bike then the best place to start is the wheels. Any help I can get to reach the top of a hill a bit quicker is most welcome. I seem to be heavy enough to fly down them with little or no effort at all. I currently have a pair of Mavic CXP22 that came with my Giant Defy Advanced 3.
I'm pretty new to cycling (started about a year ago in a bid to get fitter/leaner) so any advice I can get will be gratefully received.
in all seriousness, lighter wheels are unlikely to get you to the top any quicker than the wheels you are currently on. It certainly isn't worth you spending up to £650 to find you have only saved a few seconds. Your heart, lungs and legs will get you up the hill far quicker than a set of posh hoops....
Buy wheels if you want, but don't expect them to carry you up hills....
That's like telling someone that due to the traffic and their driving ability a Ferrari won't get you to work any quicker than a Fiat punto...
It's nice to have nice things.....
If it gives you more pleasure then crack on!0 -
NapoleonD wrote:That's like telling someone that due to the traffic and their driving ability a Ferrari won't get you to work any quicker than a Fiat punto...
I would say that's a fair analogy. It's pretty much what the OP asked. it is 'nice to have nice things' - but on the other hand it's also a waste of money to buy something in expectation of a benefit which it won't actually deliver...0 -
stevec1906 wrote:My weight is currently 14 stone 5 and I have a Shimano 105 groupset at the moment. Does anyone know anything about the Mavic R-Sys 2009 wheelset? Are they as bombproof as other Mavic wheels are supposed to be?
I have a set of post recall R-SYS and have never had an issue with them, like Nap said they are awesome up climbs and accelerate like nothing else, not great aeroness though...my SRAM mid. deep carbons are faster at speed.0 -
Another vote for Ksyrium SL or Elites. I've got a pair of both, and they are excellent. In 4 years, over some variable roads with my 85 kg lump crushing them into the tarmac, they've performed absolutely perfectly. Unhesitatingly recommended.
Oh, and ignore the luddites here who reckon it's all about the rider, not the wheels.
EVERYBODY knows that speed costs money. The more you spend the faster you go!
Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS0 -
In all seriousness, lighter wheels are unlikely to get you to the top any quicker than the wheels you are currently on. It certainly isn't worth you spending up to £650 to find you have only saved a few seconds. Your heart, lungs and legs will get you up the hill far quicker than a set of posh hoops....
Buy wheels if you want, but don't expect them to carry you up hills....[/quote]
I do understand where you're coming from. I'm not expecting miracles but would like a pair of wheels that might make a hobby that I love even more enjoyable. I want to improve. I just want a nice set of wheels to do it on.0 -
These Pro Lite Bracciano wheels are well within budget and then some. Here is a review on them. http://road.cc/content/review/6577-pro- ... o-wheelset And have a look here. They are out of stock but will be back in soon. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Sear ... +bracciano0
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I am really tempted to go for the DA 7850 CL's or the Mavic R-Sys. Both seem to get rave reviews but which would be the most durable and hard wearing?0
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American Classic Hurricane.
Tested in CP a few issues back.
They'd happily carry you at that weight and are strong and light enough.
They look nice too.
Also, as said above. Derek at Wheelsmith can build you a nice set of custom wheels using some strong rims, spokes and hubs.
Combined with lighter tyres (dunno what you have already though) you can save a little more......and a nice new lightweight cassette (DA or Ultegra would save you quite a few grams).
Rolling mass would improve.......and you probably would notice a little extra spring in the bike when climbing. 8)
It's great to have a nice set of wheels. I love spending money on my bikes......plus 'Her Indoors' doesn't mind as she simply says to me....it's your money... :oops: 0 -
My advice, save your money. Lose some weight, work on your leg strength/power. You end up with a higher power to weight ratio. Also work on you fitness (i.e. lungs). and you'll cycle up hill faster.
Alternatively you could add more weight to the bike for each ride (two full drinks bottles instead of one on your bike for example), to train your legs, lungs, etc... Then hit the hills, remove the excess weight after a few weeks and you should then cycle up the hills faster because you're fitter.
Much cheaper than a set of pricey new wheels.2004 Trek 5500 OCLV
2014 Cervelo R3 Black/Blue
2018 Cervelo R3 Disc Navy/Red
2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc Grey
2020 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc Matte Navy0 -
When I got new, better wheels, I enjoyed cycling more.
That meant I rode more.
That meant I got fitter.
That meant I enjoyed cycling more.
Get the wheels.0 -
+1 get the wheels
anything to add motivation can only be good.
my bike was noisy recently and felt terrible. I just didnt want to ride it. i was destroying the tranquility of the countryside. awful.
bit of a clean. bit of lube. new small chainring. new bar tape and I love it. silence and i stangely feel more 'connected' to the bike coz the noise gives an impression of power loss.
result = more riding. 0 -
Clu wrote:My advice, save your money. Lose some weight, work on your leg strength/power. You end up with a higher power to weight ratio. Also work on you fitness (i.e. lungs). and you'll cycle up hill faster.
Alternatively you could add more weight to the bike for each ride (two full drinks bottles instead of one on your bike for example), to train your legs, lungs, etc... Then hit the hills, remove the excess weight after a few weeks and you should then cycle up the hills faster because you're fitter.
Much cheaper than a set of pricey new wheels.
Yes, and eat only porridge and water. Every night, beat yourself to sleep with a big stick, and soon you will no longer be tempted to worship at the temple of All Things Carbon.
Geez, lighten up.
None of what Clu says here is actually bad advice, but hell, where's the fun in it????
Just buy the freakin' wheels. Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS0 -
Wheelspinner wrote:Clu wrote:My advice, save your money. Lose some weight, work on your leg strength/power. You end up with a higher power to weight ratio. Also work on you fitness (i.e. lungs). and you'll cycle up hill faster.
Alternatively you could add more weight to the bike for each ride (two full drinks bottles instead of one on your bike for example), to train your legs, lungs, etc... Then hit the hills, remove the excess weight after a few weeks and you should then cycle up the hills faster because you're fitter.
Much cheaper than a set of pricey new wheels.
Yes, and eat only porridge and water. Every night, beat yourself to sleep with a big stick, and soon you will no longer be tempted to worship at the temple of All Things Carbon.
Geez, lighten up.
None of what Clu says here is actually bad advice, but hell, where's the fun in it????
Just buy the freakin' wheels.
got to agree with Clu on this - pimping your bike will not make you quicker - just poorer. Riding your bike will not make you poorer - just fitter...
bike fitness will get you up hills faster - not poncy wheels....0 -
Found these while surfing today. Decent wight, good looking, particularly the hubs. Probably won't see another pair unlike the Mavics.
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... o_Wheelset
I use Easton Ascent II (no longer made but still available) and have been happy with them.25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.0 -
softlad wrote:Wheelspinner wrote:Clu wrote:My advice, save your money. Lose some weight, work on your leg strength/power. You end up with a higher power to weight ratio. Also work on you fitness (i.e. lungs). and you'll cycle up hill faster.
Alternatively you could add more weight to the bike for each ride (two full drinks bottles instead of one on your bike for example), to train your legs, lungs, etc... Then hit the hills, remove the excess weight after a few weeks and you should then cycle up the hills faster because you're fitter.
Much cheaper than a set of pricey new wheels.
Yes, and eat only porridge and water. Every night, beat yourself to sleep with a big stick, and soon you will no longer be tempted to worship at the temple of All Things Carbon.
Geez, lighten up.
None of what Clu says here is actually bad advice, but hell, where's the fun in it????
Just buy the freakin' wheels.
got to agree with Clu on this - pimping your bike will not make you quicker - just poorer. Riding your bike will not make you poorer - just fitter...
bike fitness will get you up hills faster - not poncy wheels....
If it encourages you to ride your bike more...
OP, it's your money, do what you want with it!
George at Asda clothes do the job.
A 1990 Vauhall Nova does the job.
Value range food does the job.
Yet people buy still buy designer clothes even though they aren't a model, drive flash cars even though they aren't racing drivers and get good quality food even though they aren't Gordon Ramsay.0 -
Why?
I ride my bike because I enjoy it.
I enjoy it more on a nice bike.0 -
NapoleonD wrote:Why?
I ride my bike because I enjoy it.
I enjoy it more on a nice bike.
You're missing the point, quite comprehensively. The OP was asking for opinions on lightweight wheels, so he can climb hills quicker. My point was that if he's a big heavy guy who's only been riding a year, then lightweight wheels will make sod all difference to his climbing.
Telling him to shell out close to a grand on a set of Mavic R-Sys is both pointless and irrelevant.0 -
softlad wrote:NapoleonD wrote:Why?
I ride my bike because I enjoy it.
I enjoy it more on a nice bike.
You're missing the point, quite comprehensively. The OP was asking for opinions on lightweight wheels, so he can climb hills quicker. My point was that if he's a big heavy guy who's only been riding a year, then lightweight wheels will make sod all difference to his climbing.
Telling him to shell out close to a grand on a set of Mavic R-Sys is both pointless and irrelevant.
Then your point was lost amongst all the other b*ll*cks you said.0
