Wheel upgrade, Fulcrum Racing 7 (2011) or Shimano RS20

DRL.1975
DRL.1975 Posts: 24
edited April 2011 in Road beginners
Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade the wheels on my 2010 Allez sport, at the moment a popular online retailer are doing both wheels for the same price, but which ones do i buy?

Does anyone have any experience of either of these wheels? And if so, which do you recommend and why?

Comments

  • plife
    plife Posts: 97
    I was in the same dilema a few months ago and after some research went for the Shimano's. I did not like the noise from the Fulcrum 7's - but I know a lot of people that can ignore it.....I just couldn't!
    Boardman FS Pro 2010
    Felt F5 2011
  • twotyred
    twotyred Posts: 822
    What have you got on your Allez at the moment and what do you expect new wheels to bring you? Both the wheels you are considering are pretty heavy so if you're expecting to save weight you may well be disappointed.

    I have the Fulcrum 7 on one of my bikes. They are a good solid well built wheel that haven't needed any adjustment over the two and a half years I've had them. They've survived two winters with no problems and are still running smoothly. Would I buy them again? Probably not I'd save up a bit and get something lighter like Pro-lite Braccianos or Planet X Model B
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    Of those two I'd buy the Fulcrum 7's (good, durable wheel set).

    I wouldn't call them an upgrade though, they're a good set of basic wheels but until you buy some wheels that are either very stiff or 400g+ lighter (or preferably both) they won't change the feel of the bike much.

    Do you need to replace worn out wheels (if so, these are great) or are you looking for a new set as an upgrade (in which case Fulcrum 3's or Shimano RS80's are great and can be had for around £300).
  • DRL.1975
    DRL.1975 Posts: 24
    twotyred wrote:
    What have you got on your Allez at the moment and what do you expect new wheels to bring you? Both the wheels you are considering are pretty heavy so if you're expecting to save weight you may well be disappointed.

    At the moment I still have the stock wheels that came with my bike, Alex Rims I think, I bought my bike in the summer of 2009.

    I was looking at new wheels as upgrade to what I have at the moment, but don't want to have to spend a fortune, I was also looking at upgrading the tires from the Mondo Sports on my bike, to maybe some Pro 3's.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    I was looking at new wheels as upgrade to what I have at the moment, but don't want to have to spend a fortune, I was also looking at upgrading the tires from the Mondo Sports on my bike, to maybe some Pro 3's.

    I would go for some nice tyres (like Kryllions or GP4000s) and save up for some wheels that will make a difference, but you will need to be looking at options similar to the two excellent ones suggested (FR3 and RS80).
  • jamespiggot
    jamespiggot Posts: 69
    I got some Fulcrum racing 7s in 2009 and both wheels have required new bearings after two winters. They are fairly heavy and not that much different to the Alex Rims your bike already has, so unless the old wheels are worn out I would follow the advice of the people in this thread and wait to get some lighter wheels that you can use in the summer. Nice light wheels are pretty much the best value for money upgrade you can get as they really make a huge difference.
    http://oxfordsportive.com
  • superkenners
    superkenners Posts: 169
    I have just replaced the Mavic's CXP-22's from my Allez Sport (which were totally knackered after 4,000 miles of commuting) with some Fulcrum 7's and think they are a great set of wheels. I've done about 700 miles or so on them so far and they are a vast improvement, in particular they roll very well and seem to be a little lighter but also very sturdy.

    I also splashed out on some Fulcrum 3's in the sales for weekend rides and they are also great.

    Not sure what people have with noise issue with Fulcrum's, both my sets are silent - or is this the problem?
    Allez
    Brompton
    Krypton
    T-130

    Never tell her how much it costs ......
  • McBoom
    McBoom Posts: 78
    I have the 2010 Sport also. I found the stock s500 wheels so uncomfortable over bumpy/coarse road surfaces(unavoidable where I live) that it sucked most of the enjoyment out of riding the bike. They're also very heavy at 2.1+kg so even entry-level factory wheels such as these will offer a noticeable weight saving. Whilst I haven't used the 7's/RS20's I'm inclined to suggest any upgrade will be worthwhile.

    I got a bargain on some unused 1650g wheels(4za cirrus) for £120 on ebay which made the world of difference and the bike is now a joy to ride.
  • Uchiga
    Uchiga Posts: 230
    Alternatively dont bother with either squeeze out £180 or maybe even less and get yourself a set of Mavic Aksiums :)
    Scott Aspect 45 (2008)
    Carrera Subway 1 Singlespeed
    2011 CR1 Comp
  • MrBibble
    MrBibble Posts: 79
    DRL.1975 wrote:
    Hi all,

    I'm looking to upgrade the wheels on my 2010 Allez sport, at the moment a popular online retailer are doing both wheels for the same price, but which ones do i buy?

    Does anyone have any experience of either of these wheels? And if so, which do you recommend and why?

    Im going to see Kinetic One next week to look at their K1 alloy wheel set, ive got the same bike as you too! Ill take some pics and post feedback here if you like?
  • monkeysm8
    monkeysm8 Posts: 191
    Planet X Model bs! I stuck them on my Defy 3 and WOW!!! They are ace for the cash. I have bombed down crappy roads on them and have had no issues at all.
  • monkeysm8
    monkeysm8 Posts: 191
    Planet X Model bs! I stuck them on my Defy 3 and WOW!!! They are ace for the cash. I have bombed down crappy roads on them and have had no issues at all.
  • ratsbeyfus
    ratsbeyfus Posts: 2,841
    Uchiga wrote:
    Alternatively dont bother with either squeeze out £180 or maybe even less and get yourself a set of Mavic Aksiums :)

    I got a pair of aksiums this week for about £130 from Merlin with the VIP code.

    I had one of them red bikes but I don't any more. Sad face.

    @ratsbey
  • Uchiga
    Uchiga Posts: 230
    ratsbeyfus wrote:
    Uchiga wrote:
    Alternatively dont bother with either squeeze out £180 or maybe even less and get yourself a set of Mavic Aksiums :)

    I got a pair of aksiums this week for about £130 from Merlin with the VIP code.

    Exactly! They're good wheels and fairly cheap!
    Scott Aspect 45 (2008)
    Carrera Subway 1 Singlespeed
    2011 CR1 Comp
  • DRL.1975
    DRL.1975 Posts: 24
    monkeysm8 wrote:
    Planet X Model bs! I stuck them on my Defy 3 and WOW!!! They are ace for the cash. I have bombed down crappy roads on them and have had no issues at all.

    Yes, I have heard some quite good things about these wheels, and the weight seems to be around the 1800g to 1850g mark, which would appear to be the entry level starting point.

    I have ruled out the RS20's and think it will be one of either the Fulcrum 7's, Planet X "B's" or maybe the entry level Mavic's.

    Although some have said I should wait and invest in some Fulcrum 3's or the like, it comes down to money, as i'm not really prepared to spend £300+ and what they will be used for, I'll be doing some commuting, training and 50 mile+ weekend rides, so I think entry level maybe more suitable for me and my needs, and have heard that I will notice a difference from the Alex rims currently on my bike, as there is quite alot of flex in them and as someone has pointed out, they do weight in at 2100g+.

    Thanks for all your views and please keep them coming in. :)

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