What do-eveything wheels for £800

plankton_brain

I think I am going to treat myself to some new wheels. I have Trek Madone 5.2 completely standard.

The Bontrager race lite wheels seem to flex quite a bit to me and hubs do not seem especially smooth, so seems to make sense to dedicate them to Turbo and winter work.

My focus is going to be split between TT, sportives and racing. All in equal measures, all performed equally badly.

Do I try to get some deep section carbon, or lightweight shallow rims. Tubs or clinchers?

I know these questions have been asked before, but maybe someone knows some good offers on the moment and can point me in a good direction.

Im 73kg, hopefully heading for 69 (but dont tell the missus)

cheers

izza

I have been using DT Swiss 1850's for the last few years for sportives, training, do-it all. Found them to be great, with minimal flex and would thoroughly recommend.

Via ebay I have just bought some Mavic SLR's (price £720 for the pair) for lighter option on hills and longer events next year. Too early to say if I will recommend these for being as good and lighter.

I have a Spesh Tarmac frame and weigh 90kg.

wildmoustache

What fighting weight does the missus want you at? Ill take on board your request not to tell the missus about the planned weight reduction - but let me apologise in advance if I let slip.

So, the big decision here is tub or clincher. Once you've resolved that it becomes easier. If clincher then Dura Ace are nice, if tub then maybe some Reynolds MV32s or Easton EC90SLXs / Aeros?

Zachariah

Just in case you haven't seen, HED are doing a 15% discount atm (I'm not associated with them in any way, I just covet a pair of Jet 6's).

Gazzaputt

Primera were doing R-Sys premium at £550 a pair that's 50% off.

plankton_brain

wildmoustache wrote:

So, the big decision here is tub or clincher.

Clincher I spose. I'd really like some tubs just for the sound, realistically they should be my next+1 wheel purchase.

plankton_brain

Gazzaputt wrote:

Primera were doing R-Sys premium at £550 a pair that's 50% off.

That looks pretty tempting. Might give um a call.

Chip \'oyler

What about a pair of Cadence AERO 30mm rims handbuilt on Tune hubs with CX Ray spokes - seriously light and bling wheels for £700!

http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/wheelprices.htm

Great thing is that the spokes can be easily found if you have any problems. Although I've got wheels built by wheelsmith and I've had no problems

billysan

These just scrape into your budget at the moment

Dura Ace 7850 C50 clinchers

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... r_1937.htm

With merlins extra 10% off at the moment. I almost pulled the trigger, but have other higher priority expenditure looming unfortunately.

markos1963

Chip \'oyler wrote:

What about a pair of Cadence AERO 30mm rims handbuilt on Tune hubs with CX Ray spokes - seriously light and bling wheels for £700!

http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/wheelprices.htm

Great thing is that the spokes can be easily found if you have any problems. Although I've got wheels built by wheelsmith and I've had no problems

+1

Paul RS

Without a doubt Reynolds Assaults. Perfect for your needs, strong, aero, light, and they will hold good value, unlike some wheelsets. Check out roadbikereview if you havent already, you'll also see why the R-sys are half price..

plankton_brain

Good to get some others opinions. I wish everyone had the same opinion and produced a clear winner :?

markos1963

plankton_brain wrote:

Good to get some others opinions. I wish everyone had the same opinion and produced a clear winner :?

I was thinking about your needs and with your budget why not buy 2 sets. One aero and the other climbing. That way you don't need to compromise on performance.

plankton_brain

markos1963 wrote:

plankton_brain wrote:

Good to get some others opinions. I wish everyone had the same opinion and produced a clear winner :?

I was thinking about your needs and with your budget why not buy 2 sets. One aero and the other climbing. That way you don't need to compromise on performance.

I like that idea, do you think you could pop around and explain the logic to my missus :roll:

Berk Bonebonce

Bontranger Race Lite.

plankton_brain

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

Bontranger Race Lite.

I'll sell you some for half my budget

neeb

If they're really going to be "do everything", i.e. training as well as racing etc, then Campag shamals / Fulcrum zeros, or Dura Ace.

gazeds

purchased a set of zero's a couple of week's ago which are just brill, well worth it

fleshtuxedo

I'd go for Mavic Cosmic Carbones

Scrumple

I have some almost new cosmic carbone clinchers, and some new Easton EA90SLX clinchers. Fast wheels, and superb clmbers.

They cost £700 total.

You need to look for a deal, be prepared to buy "nearly new", and drive a hard bargain.

And be patient.

neeb

Fast wheels, and superb clmbers.

You mean the cosmics are fast, and the Eastons are superb climbers? Or the Eastons are both, or both are both?

Scrumple

Maybe I should put "respectively" at the end.

Both great wheels, but the Eastons are sub 1400g and climb well. The cosmics are heavier, so they are the summer speed wheels.

I think the pair will cover all my needs, although neither would be bad as an all rounder. It was buying 2nd hand that got me them cheaper. The Easton's were never used, and were under 50% retail.

neeb

Quite interesting to know how these 2 compare, if you are using both regularly. I imagine the cosmics aren't as responsive for quick accelerations as the Eastons, but how much do you notice the aero benefit on the flat?

If you were forced to choose one pair as an all rounder....?

rocksteadyeddie

Scrumple wrote:

I have some almost new cosmic carbone clinchers, and some new Easton EA90SLX clinchers. Fast wheels, and superb clmbers.

They cost £700 total.

You need to look for a deal, be prepared to buy "nearly new", and drive a hard bargain.

And be patient.

Wise words them 'uns up there ^^

Scrumple

I can't even comment on which is best, as the cosmics are stuck in the snow affected post and wont see use until (possibly) Majorca in April.

Karl2010

Im looking for some Zipp 808's or Mavic Ultimate's.

Been trawling ebay for a couple of months and missed out on a few bargins.

A set of Mavic Ultimates went for £930.00 (2nd hand of course)

You can currently get a Mavic Ultimate Rear from USA for £550.00 Brand New 2008 from ebay. The only thing is you'll get hit for import tax and vat when they land. Unless you state the value as $1.00 when its shipped. But then you want be able to have insured postage.

northpole

If they pop up on flea bay used, 2010 Zipp 303's would be a dream all rounder.

A slightly more adventurous call would be the R-Sys - they don't hold their value and can be picked up for bargain price, there have been scare stories written about them (I think this applies only to the first iteration of them, all ills having been cured - someone please shout if this is not the case!). I have a pair and have to say I prefer them to my dura-ace wheels (the predecessors to the 7850s).

Aero rims can be a pain on a breezy day but an advantage if you are racing - I wouldn't recommend them if you are only going to be running one set of wheels. Different story if you will have a second set available for grotty training days.

Peter