First wheel upgrade - any recommendations?

CarpetFitter

Hi,
I've just bought my first road bike - but it was second hand, the rims are a little worn and will need replacing later this year.
The guy in the local shop said it may be better to upgrade the wheels as a whole at that point and, as the bike (Trek 1.2) is a few years old, I'm inclined to agree.
But, as a complete beginner, I'm not sure where to start when looking what to upgrade to - any recommendations? They have to be good value but, at the same time, worth the upgrade and something that will match my ability in say 12 months time.
Cheers.

Cleat Eastwood

Hi Carpet fitter, what do you see yourself doing in 12 months time? Time trials, full on road races, cycling for fun and fitness?

CarpetFitter

Sportives, Etape du Tour,Lands End-John O Groats. Not full-on time road races but something competitive. Time trials are unlikely, at least not on a regular basis.
Cheers.

bobtbuilder

What sort of budget?

peanut1978

Bontrager Race Lite
Mavic Aksium

look on Merlin cycles

good wheel sale at mo

skyd0g

Planet X model B's as a budget choice.

thel33ter

skyd0g wrote:

Planet X model B's as a budget choice.

+1 - If they can survive being hit by a car then they are good enough for me.

Rouge Penguin

Whats the difference in Model A, B and C?

sparkins1972

B has less spokes than C, other than that they are identical. B is probably more of a race wheel and C more of a solid training wheel. Been looking at Model Cs myself but hernia op tomorrow has persuaded me to waita few weeks!

MattC59

I've got Bonty Race X wheels on my Trek, they look noce enough, but I've found them a little flexy.
Having upgraded from some awful FSA wheels on my mtb (can't comment on their road wheels) I upgraded to Fulcrum Red Metal 1 wheels. If the Fulcrum road wheels are anywhere near as good as their mtb wheels, I'll be buying a pair of the Fulcrum Racing 3 wheels.

Twilheimer

Pro-Lite Como's, under 100 quid from Shiny bikes, they havent flexed climbing once, are a bit heavier than model B's, and alot more reliable than the lower end Shimano wheels, I reccomend them!

blackhands

Mavic Cosmics.

CarpetFitter

thel33ter wrote:

skyd0g wrote:

Planet X model B's as a budget choice.

+1 - If they can survive being hit by a car then they are good enough for me.

I think I may go with these. Good value, light and suitable for training with a little racing thrown in.

Second question. When I took the bike to the LBS for a quick safety check, they said it was in good nick and the spec (tiagra, carbon form/seatpost), despite being a few years old, is something more like an £800 now. However, the wheels and chain/cassette need replacing soon (October, possibly) so, with the cost involved in that, would I be better off saving for a new bike? LBS said with the above work done it'd be like having a new bike, even if the frame/shifters are a quite worn aesthetically.

Cheers.

cougie

You can transfer wheels from bike to bike. New chain and cassette should be under £50 anyway. Keep the bike, save for a new one and the old one can be your winter bike ! Sorted !

macondo01

As an alternative to Model B's http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/buyandsell/2/bargainsoftheweek.html#ambrosio

These seem a good value, strong wheel, 1800g. I haven't used them myself but other folk here and elsewhere write good things about them.

Mettan

Model B's
RS20's
Aksiums
check out some of the ProLite stuff aswell

all adequate basic wheels.