Wheelset suggestions for around £300-350

user321

Hi,

I'm thinking about upgrading the wheelset on my 2009 Boardman Team Carbon. At the moment it has the default Ritchey Pro rims. I've read around that people have had problems with them - I haven't other than a couple of lose spokes and requiring two people to get tyres on/off - but I think they're starting to feel a bit ... less stiff? Is it my imagination or is this what happens? They've done around 3500 all weather miles.

Anyway, so I *guess* I have a budget of around £300 (I wouldn't really like to spend more than £400 absolute tops). I don't race, but do some fast chaingang riding and do the odd hilly TT and hill climb every now and again. I weigh between 59-61KG. What are your suggestions? I was considering a pair of 2011 Mavic Ksyrium Equipe in white:
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/images ... eWhite.jpg

These can be had for just under 300 (black pair for as little as 265) but the old man seems to think that I wouldn't really notice much difference (or rather, they wouldn't be worth the money spent). What are your thoughts? Any alternatives?

Many thanks for any advice

micken

RS80's, bought my wife a pair almost two years ago and she loves them.

ShutUpLegs

You'd probably see improvement in some shimano rs10's for about £100.

Bobbinogs

RS80s. Lovely, lovely hubs. Wheels are very stiff (no flex when stomping up steep hills, although at 60Kg I guess this isn't too much of a worry for you) but this may make a slightly harsher ride for some. They also are very light (~1.5Kg per set so I shaved over 600g off my previous wheelset) so good for climbing and accelerating. Best of all, they look good and match the colour scheme of my bike 8)

RRP is £450 but Ribble and Merlin do them for not much more than £300, depending on which one of them is doing a special.

Don't get me wrong, upgrading to a decent set of wheels won't change your life or help you leap up to the next performance level but wheels at this grade are lovely to ride and do make a number of marginal improvements which will put a smile on your face (or stop you moaning, one of the two).

amaferanga

What about some carbon wheels from Yishun? Latest prices below....

1) YS-CP CHOSEN PILLAR (white, red or black hub) (black Pillar spokes) (red or black nipples)
http://www.yishunstefano.com/cp.html

Price for 24mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 509.00$. Weight 1110 more or less
Price for 38mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 509.00$. Weight 1230 more or less
Price for 44mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 529.00$. Weight 1270 more or less
Price for 50mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 529.00$. Weight 1315 more or less
Price for 60mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 539.00$. Weight 1425 more or less
Price for 88mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 579.00$. Weight 1555 more or less
Price for 38mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 599.00$. Weight 1375 more or less
Price for 50mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 609.00$. Weight 1435 more or less
Price for 60mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 629.00$. Weight 1580 more or less
Price for 88mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 649.00$. Weight 1780 more or less

2) YS-NP NOVATEC PILLAR STRAIGHT PULL (carbon color hub) (black Pillar spokes) (red or black nipples)
http://www.yishunstefano.com/np.html

Price for 24mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 589.00$. Weight 1099 more or less
Price for 38mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 599.00$. Weight 1210 more or less
Price for 44mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 609.00$. Weight 1262 more or less
Price for 50mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 609.00$. Weight 1310 more or less
Price for 60mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 619.00$. Weight 1457 more or less
Price for 88mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 659.00$. Weight 1577 more or less

3) YS-CC CHOSEN CNspoke (white, red or black hub) (white CNspokes) (red or black nipples)

Price for 24mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 459.00$. Weight is about 1237 g.
Price for 38mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 459.00$. Weight is about 1340 g.
Price for 44mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 479.00$. Weight is about 1459 g.
Price for 50mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 479.00$. Weight is about 1459 g.
Price for 60mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 499.00$. Weight is about 1510 g.
Price for 88mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 529.00$. Weight is about 1650 g.
Price for 38mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 549.00$. Weight is about 1495 g.
Price for 50mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 559.00$. Weight is about 1559 g.
Price for 60mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 579.00$. Weight is about 1660 g.
Price for 88mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 599.00$. Weight is about 1860 g.

You can have our new Titan Skewers (43,4g pair) that are black, silver or red for free with carbon wheelset!

4) YS-AL27C Alloy Wheels
http://www.yishunstefano.com/ruote-alluminio.html

Price for 27mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 269.00$. Weight 1470 g.


The cost of shipping by ems is 75.00usd/carton, one pair in one carton. For ems, it need one week

Slack

Check out:

- ProLite Braccias (something like that)
- Mavic Kysrium Elites 2011 (think you can get them within budget)

user321

micken wrote:

RS80's, bought my wife a pair almost two years ago and she loves them.

Bobbinogs wrote:

RS80s. Lovely, lovely hubs. Wheels are very stiff (no flex when stomping up steep hills, although at 60Kg I guess this isn't too much of a worry for you) but this may make a slightly harsher ride for some. They also are very light (~1.5Kg per set so I shaved over 600g off my previous wheelset) so good for climbing and accelerating.

Thanks guys - wasn't even aware of these but reading around they do seem to have pretty a awesome rating. I was in love with the white bling of the Mavic Equipe but it seems I can get a better wheel for the budget.. besides these RS80s look good. £312 at the moment from Ribble (they seem to be cheaper than Merlin at the moment, probably because of the 20% off sale they're doing).

@Bobbinogs: Not moaning just yet but it would be nice to feel a bit more sprightly on the climbs again - new wheels and a bit more riding perhaps hopefully = as you say!

Slack wrote:

Check out:

- ProLite Braccias (something like that)
- Mavic Kysrium Elites 2011 (think you can get them within budget)

I can't seem to find Mavic Kysrium Elites 2011 for less than £420.
The Pro-Lite Braccianos are only 255.99 on Ribble at the moment (out of stock). £290 at Chainreaction (due stock 6th June for Shimano!). They seem very light! 1482g, but I don't know if that is without skewers.

---

What do people think to the Fulcrum Racing 3? A bit more expensive, at £360, but one option that no-one has mentioned yet...

user321

Slack wrote:

Check out:

- ProLite Braccias (something like that)

Looking at reviews of the very cheap Pro-Lite Braccianos, I just found this quote which is applicable (same bike):

The review has a rating of 5/5
Dave R from United Kingdom Owner 18 May 2010 22:44
Bought these to upgrade the wheels on my Boardman Team Carbon. The difference is incredible - Feels so much more nimble when throwing it through a fast set of bends. Really stiff. Hubs are excellent quality - the front is really pared down. Heartily Recommended (If you can get them in stock - I had a wee wait but glad I did). High quality wheelset for budget price.

from: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Reviews.aspx?ModelID=29086

Tempting... given the price... :?

instantdiver

I went from the ritchey's to RS80's & love them. Definitely give them a consideration. Look good on my White TC As well.

user321

instantdiver wrote:

I went from the ritchey's to RS80's & love them. Definitely give them a consideration. Look good on my White TC As well.

I wanted white rims for my black TC, just as you have black rims for your white TC! Nevermind.

296.36 on Ribble with their extra Shimano 5% code (plus 9.50 delivery). Given the Pro-Lite are out of stock I think I'm gonna go for these...

The Fulcrum Racing 3 seem to be stiffer for heavier riders.

appletrees

Prob the same wheels as the yishun, but I've just received my pair of Carbonzone 20mm tubulars - 20mm carbon rims 20/24 bladed spokes (CN spoke), Novatec Lite hubs - 1240 grammes on my scales for the pair - stiff (I'm a smidge over 85kg) and in fact would say V.Stiff, v.light, £269 including postage from China, delivered in 9 working days.

Check out carbonzone on e-bay. Communication and service both faultess.

micken

user321 wrote:

instantdiver wrote:

I went from the ritchey's to RS80's & love them. Definitely give them a consideration. Look good on my White TC As well.

I wanted white rims for my black TC, just as you have black rims for your white TC! Nevermind.

296.36 on Ribble with their extra Shimano 5% code (plus 9.50 delivery). Given the Pro-Lite are out of stock I think I'm gonna go for these...

The Fulcrum Racing 3 seem to be stiffer for heavier riders.

That's a great price and they'll look really good on your BTC. Saw a guy riding one in Kettlewell last year and he loved his. Hope you enjoy your new wheels.

FSR_XC

I've been looking at the RS80's. I was initially thinking about the XL50 carbon clinchers from Ribble, but these look lighter and better as a 'do everything' wheel.

Reckon they'll support a 90kg bloater?

micken

FSR_XC wrote:

I've been looking at the RS80's. I was initially thinking about the XL50 carbon clinchers from Ribble, but these look lighter and better as a 'do everything' wheel.

Reckon they'll support a 90kg bloater?

I tried my wife's RS80's on my Six13 when I had it and did a few routes round the Dales and in the Ardenne. They were great for me and at the time I was a shade under 90kg. I would have bought some for myself but I've gone for Mavic Ksyriums instead.

FSR_XC

Typical, Ribble have stopped the extra 5% off!!!!!

Atomtigger

Don't know how much this helps (as I only seem to be agreeing with the posts above), but here's my wheel upgrade experience to date:

RS10 - Slower heavier wheel, but easily maintained and quite stiff.
RS20 - Slightly lighter and even stiffer than RS10's. Span up quickly as well.

Hope hubs with DT spokes and Mavic Open Pro rims (285 from LBS) - I think they're listed as Hope Pro 2 road wheels. These are now on my Planet X, and have been excellent. Very stiff and impervious to bumps, and have been true throughout five months of sportive and winter riding.

RS80 - Lighter, and still very stiff. Easy up the hills, and have been excellent once I started using Vittorio EVO Corsa CX tyres (instead of my older Conti Grand Prix). Now duty as race day wheel set.

American Classic 420 Aero wheel set. These are my 'go to' wheels for TT use. They have the stiffness of RS 80 (which I use for the hillier sportive and TT days) but a slightly deeper aero rim that has a pleasing inertia that helps on the steadier high power runs. They're almost as immaculate as the day I bought them (when they first came to the UK), despite a heavy season of riding.

Just for comparison, I'm 78 Kg, and used to be frightened of hills.

Looking at your needs, if I had to go for one set of wheels it would be the American Classics by a nose from the RS 80. If you value hill performance over TT times then reverse this and get the RS 80 (Planet X gave me a good deal when I stopped off at the Bristol display 'booth', although I did have a frame 'thrown in' as well...

Good luck!

Monza

Check out Stonehenge Cycles; Ksyrium Elites £380.

Slack

Hey Atigger, I'm interested about your wheel set up...

I notice the American Classic Aero 3 wheelset weigh in at circa 1477gms (probably newer version than yours?), the RS80's at 1521gms. Even though the Classic's are lighter, do you think the RS80's would climb better due to the rim being lighter?

Sorry for the interruption OP.

Merlin are selling RS80's at £349 btw.

Atomtigger

I think that's about the size of it, Slack.

The AC wheels seem to hold the power more, which indicates a heavier or aero rim. I'm sure an aerodynamicist could take over here...

The ease of climbing is, for me, a function of the lighter feel to the wheel, the ease with which it accepts the wheel flick as I crank out of the saddle without sapping some of that energy applied, and the lack of inertia as I reach a flatter section and want to push up my cadence again.

In all honesty, with a posted difference in weight of only 44g, it seems to be about the profile and weight distribution (which was the point you made).

As an aside, the AC hub internals are relatively new in design, and I don't yet know how hard it would be to refurbish them after a few seasons of racing. I've had plenty of time with the old cup and cone (RS 80), and it's old school but a known technology for home mechanics.

Don't worry about jumping in; it's good to chat. Good spot on the Merlin offer, should help the post starter.

iPete

I picked up some RS80's about 2 weeks ago from CRC, who price matched Ribble who were out of stock.

Still need to ride em though

user321

Well in the end I went for the RS80s from Ribble. 20% off, plus a further 5% code for £296 + del. Bargain. Cheers for the advice all.

FSR_XC wrote:

Typical, Ribble have stopped the extra 5% off!!!!!

Unlucky

micken wrote:

That's a great price and they'll look really good on your BTC. Saw a guy riding one in Kettlewell last year and he loved his. Hope you enjoy your new wheels.

Thanks I will!

Monza wrote:

Check out Stonehenge Cycles; Ksyrium Elites £380.

That's a very good price. A lot cheaper than I found. With every extra £ spent though I feel a little more guilty lol.

Slack wrote:

Sorry for the interruption OP.

Not a problem - what you asked was interesting! Thread hijack away

appletrees wrote:

Prob the same wheels as the yishun, but I've just received my pair of Carbonzone 20mm tubulars - 20mm carbon rims 20/24 bladed spokes (CN spoke), Novatec Lite hubs - 1240 grammes on my scales for the pair - stiff (I'm a smidge over 85kg) and in fact would say V.Stiff, v.light, £269 including postage from China, delivered in 9 working days.

Check out carbonzone on e-bay. Communication and service both faultess.

Definitely curious about this kit... will probably check that out just out of interest! Maybe even recommend them to some other people. That's a crazy weight. Hope you don't have any problems!

FSR_XC

Struggling to find the American Classic 420 Aero's for a good price.

The white one's look amazing, but really got a max of £400 (particularly as the RS80's are only £311)

unixnerd

- ProLite Braccias (something like that)
- Mavic Kysrium Elites 2011 (think you can get them within budget)

I have Braccianos on my Cannondale, got them for about 190 from Ribble and they're the best thing I've ever done to the bike. Any power I put in translates to forward motion much more effieciently than the old 2kg set they replaced. Climbing is transformed. Great wheels, there's a reason they seem to sell out so quickly.

I've also seen Mavic Ksyrium Elites. About double the price but the build quality IS better, not that the Pro-Lites are poor but you can see the difference. If money were no object I'd have these. Also looked into RS80s but I've not seen any in the flesh.

Personally I'd avoid a set with old cup and cones bearings, they're a pain to service. Cartridge bearings can be fairly cheap (2.20 a pair for my mtb) and take no time to replace.

Bar Shaker

I've looked at new wheels but am not convinced that £300 wheels will create a worthwhile improvement. The Ritcheys are reasonably aero and are very stiff, if you keep the spoke tension right.

They are let down by round spokes but are an acceptable OE wheel weight at 1830g a pair.

RS80 are a significant 300g of rotational mass lighter and have bladed spokes but have less aero rims.

I think I need to try some different wheels before making my mind up. The Chinese carbons are very hard to ignore, at those prices. Feedback from owners is excellent too so some 40mm Chipps may be the answer.

petemadoc

user321 wrote:

Well in the end I went for the RS80s from Ribble. 20% off, plus a further 5% code for £296 + del. Bargain. Cheers for the advice all.

You'll have to give us a ride report, it would be great to hear how much different they make compared to your old wheels.

BTW this is the best "what wheels" thread in history!

user321

Bar Shaker wrote:

I've looked at new wheels but am not convinced that £300 wheels will create a worthwhile improvement. The Ritcheys are reasonably aero and are very stiff, if you keep the spoke tension right.

They are let down by round spokes but are an acceptable OE wheel weight at 1830g a pair.

RS80 are a significant 300g of rotational mass lighter and have bladed spokes but have less aero rims.

Interesting! If a little disconcerting having just purchased - still, I've read many who have said they can feel the difference so I'm not worried my money is completely wasted *just yet*

PeteMadoc wrote:

You'll have to give us a ride report, it would be great to hear how much different they make compared to your old wheels.

BTW this is the best "what wheels" thread in history!

I'll definitely post back with what kind of difference I notice. I will be sure to give the original Ritcheys a quick tighten all round before I do so aswell.

iPete

I can't compare like for like at the moment but wow, blown away by my RS80s

Whilst part of me wants American 420's now (damn you bike radar) the RS80s do look pretty damn good with the white Michelin 3s & are still significantly cheaper:


I can't compare because the bike looks like this 99.9% of the time, I felt like I was floating after stripping her down:

forcutty

I have just ordered Some RS80's hope there good

user321

Well, despite feeling physically drained and empty every time I've been on the bike in the last two weeks I had to get out today and test the new wheels out!

I didn't notice any of the reported problems with hub smoothness. No need to repack with "proper" grease as some have said!

First impression on the bike was that they seemed to "roll" better than the Ritcheys. This is probably due to them seeming quite a lot stiffer. It's perhaps worth mentioning though that I haven't tightened up the Ritcheys since I got them (3500 miles on them I think). I'll use them as a pair of winter wheels hence I'm not that bothered about doing so before splashing out on this set. As such I can't really say whether the lack of "spring" in the bike was due to the wheels getting looser over time, or whether I had just gotten used to them. When I first got the bike it felt amazing, having stepped up from something significantly less stellar.

The RS80s have definitely made the bike feel stiffer as a whole - once again it feels more like "one unit" and I don't feel like I'm losing power when pushing. This was the main objective of the purchase for me. They're slightly more responsive on hills, obviously as they weight slightly less! (saw someone quote 300g diff).

There is a tiny hum to the rims when riding (the carbon element?). Quite a nice sound

Have they made me faster? Probably not. Very very minor if so.
Have they made the ride more enjoyable? Yes!
Have they made *me* feel better on the bike? Yes!

Worth the £300 outlay? I think so. Probably not in terms of pure performance, but when you include the subjective element I reckon so. Never underestimate the importance of psychological well being on your machine! The way I see it, as I get stronger and faster through training I'll reap more reward from them as well.

Looks? Well, with red anodized nipples they aren't exactly in keeping with the black/white/yellow of the boardman but they still look nice. Will up some pics later on.