Campag Neutron - still good?

giant_man
giant_man Posts: 6,878
edited August 2010 in Road buying advice
HI - contemplating getting some Neutron or Neutron Ultras and wondered if they are still a good choice for climbing and general riding?

How do they stack up against the Shamals and Eurus 2-way wheels too?

Comments

  • galatzo
    galatzo Posts: 1,295
    Got a pair to replace my Easton Ascent II as I thought they were on the way out, broken spokes, bearings going , cracked and replaced rear rim and cracked freehub.
    They're good reliable wheels, bit weighty compared to the Eastons and not overly bling if thats what you want.
    I've had them a couple of months and have still been using the Eastons most of the time as unsure if I'll keep the Neutrons in the long run so keeping the miles down on them.
    Used them on the Dragon and they were fine and I'll be using them on the Otzal Radmarathon as I don't want to go all the way to Austria and break a spoke which I think the Eastons are more prone to now I've broken a few.
    £375 for Neutrons is a pretty good price - what else would you get for that money.
    Still some Shamal Titanium on Ebay for £500 ish that are a good deal.
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Just got some Neutrons. Only had one ride on them so far but they seem pretty good and more comfortable than the Centaur hubs/Open Pro combination that they replaced. I got them from Ribble for just under £350.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    CW did a wheel test a couple of years ago where Michael Hutchinson did some tests of wheels in the Velodrome to give similar conditions and therefore comparative test results. The Shamals came out top and the Neutrons only slightly behind and ahead of things like Ksyriums, Zipps and Eastons - you can probably find the test online. Big Maggy also rode an earlier version of Neutron to victory on P-Rx in 2005, so plenty strong enough too.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Knowing that they are older wheels compared to the Eurus and Shamals, but at that weight and the low prices they go for, could be worth a try. Not sure the £200 difference for the Ultras is worth it though, thanks ...
  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    Great wheels with super hubs. Comfortable and laterally stiff. Also nicely understated in this age of garish graphics. Ultras probably no real advanyage over the original version and maybe not so durable.
    350 - 400 buys a decent pair of handbuilts mind.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    I've got Neutron Ultras and Shamal Ultras and definitely prefer the ride of the Neutron Ultras. They are less sensitive to sidewinds, more aerodynamic and slightly stiffer. I find the higher spoke count gives a smoother ride than the Shamals. Never had any issues with spokes (or anything at all in fact).
  • tyskie
    tyskie Posts: 252
    I've had a pair for 15 months and love them. I'm 87kg and find them plenty stiff enough and comfortable with it. Only downside is that I just had a spoke break on the rear by the rim and the fix is taking a little time as the spokes are not exactly off the shelf in your LBS. Hopefully this will not be a regular occurence - anyone else had any broken spokes?
    Switched to my Open Pro's on Veloce hubs for the time being which do not seem to have half the zip of the Neutrons.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    There have been some broken spoke issues reported but prevalence hard to tell - worth having a few spares if you don't have backup!
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    I have 2 pairs. 1 x Neutrons,1 x Neutron Carbon. Had both pairs a few years and they've never been any problem. However, I'd be tempted to go to Wheelsmith or Hewitt and see what they can build on eg C.King or Royce hubs
    M.Rushton

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