Shimano RS30 wheels, any good?

BigLee1

I`m a 95kg bloke who rides a `06 Trek Pilot 1.2 and the cheapy wheels I have are censored , I was looking at the RS30`s as an upgrade, are they a decent wheelset?

Cheers

Lee

BigLee1

at the mo my bike is fitted with Mavic cxp22 rims and shimano fh2200 hubs, smart eh?

pastey_boy

you would be fine on a pair of mavic askiums, can be had for the same price as the rs 30's from merlin cycles yet they are much lighter. the rs30's do have nice deep and strong rims but unless you need an aero wheel you are carrying around more metal than you need. ive tried askiums when weighing in excess of 18 stones with no problems. lots of other models from fulcrum, pro-lite and xero worth a look too around the £100-£150.

FransJacques

Try some RS20s (shallower rim) or Fulcrum 5 Evos. Both have a decent # of spokes, no rider weight limit, and aero spokes which are a nice feature, which I believe, all things being equal, do make a bike feel faster.

In_the_big_ring

I'm in the exact same position as you. My bike came with some fairly rubbish standard wheels and I'm looking to upgrade. From what I've researched, better aerodynamics gives more performance benefits than low-profile light wheels so I'm looking at wheels with a deeper aero section over the lightest I can find in my price range (also looking for something fairly robust as don't want to spend loads on wheels and be too scared to ride them).

As to your question, I can't actually input as I haven't ridden the RS30's. This is the front runner so far in my quest, comparable weight with the Aksiums and RS30s, but deeper rim so better aero profile: http://www.shop.kinetic-one.co.uk/2011- ... -443-p.asp

Chris James

I'm not sure you could really put RS30s as aero wheels as I don't know that 30mm is deep enough to have a big effect.

Having said that, I have a pair of RS30s and like them. Lots.

Their only down side is their extra weight, but I can't say I notice it compared to a fairly light pair of box section handbuilts I have. And I live somewhere very hilly.

Only the flat, and up to speed, they run very well.

They are fairly stiff, fairly comfortable, easy to maintain with no worries about spare spoke availability etc. And the deep rim should mean they are pretty much bomb proof. RS20s had a rep for breaking spokes when I was looking.

drkawaszelong

i love my planet x model b LOADS.

i was 92 kg and did go off some sizeable kerbs last summer, wheels are still absolutely fine. lighter than all others mentioned (i think, don't hold me to this), and probably cheaper!

or model c's if you're worried about spoke breakage.

BigLee1

Thanks for the replies lads I`m not so much bothered about aerodynamics cos to be fair we`re not exactly as streamlined as a Ferrari with my great big hairy legs pumping up and down and a rucksack with my lunch in it on my back lol!!
I would`ve though the RS30`s are better value than the Mavics as the price reduction is greater :?:

Chris James

pastey_boy wrote:

you would be fine on a pair of mavic askiums, can be had for the same price as the rs 30's from merlin cycles yet they are much lighter. .

Incidentally, according to road cc the Aksiums and RS30s are the same weight (2050g for RS30, 1964g plus 124g = 2088g for skewers for Aksium). Bike radar has the RS30s as 1943g inc skewers, which presumably came from a press release rather than road cc's scales!).

The model Bs are much lighter at a 'claimed' 1758g inc skewers. Although how accurate the cliam is I have no idea, manufacturers can be a bit optimistic in some cases!

There have been lots of discussions on the forum about the effect of wheel weight e.g.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... rim+weight

Lighter tyres definitely seem faster, but isn't only because they are lighter but because they have highter threads per inch lowering, less puncture resistance, allow higher pressures to be used and have stickier (but less long lasting) rubber. All of whihc lower rolling resistnace.

ianlash

The RS30s look great in white. Not sure the colour adds to the speed though!

Anonymous

pastey_boy wrote:

you would be fine on a pair of mavic askiums, can be had for the same price as the rs 30's from merlin cycles yet they are much lighter. the rs30's do have nice deep and strong rims but unless you need an aero wheel you are carrying around more metal than you need. ive tried askiums when weighing in excess of 18 stones with no problems. lots of other models from fulcrum, pro-lite and xero worth a look too around the £100-£150.

I got Askiums with my Scott. Have to say I don't really like them. Seemed too flexy from the start knocked the front wheel out of true by hitting a speed bump to fast the other day.

Can't wait till I have the money to replace them with some Kyrsium Elite.

BigLee1

Bought some RS30`s in black, just waiting for them to be delivered now!

BigLee1

Well the delivery was very quick, next day!
i`ve had a couple of days riding to work on the RS30`s a round trip of 26miles and tbh not noticed any difference from my previous wheels. They are lighter by about 50grms per pair altho look far more bling! I had trouble with my previous wheels with spokes loosening altho hopefully thats been sorted and i`ll probably keep them as my winter wheels :?

A bit disappointed? yeah but at least they look good if not feel any better 8)

seoige

I just received my RS30's in white from planet x. It is unreal how quick their delivery is.....how on earth they get it from one country to the next in one day is beyond me. Price was real cool but I have noticed that they are starting to be real competitive to attract clientele.

So you ask how good they are. I matched mine with swalbe ultremo dd tyres....only a idiot does a run without kevlar tyres. 5 punctures from dublin to connemara on some censored kenda oem tyres, I learned my lesson.

How do the rs30 look..Oooh! my !God!......my bike all of a sudden has taken an Italian look to it. Not the fulcrum Italian where you can hear a train coming.........the shimano hubs are smooth running. Should I have gone for a lighter wheelset? At 95kg, as a rider, you would not want lighter, anything less would simply seem foolish. They feel very strong and up for the job. These are good quality...there is not really a comparison at this price point and with bladed spokes, look the biz.

I really can not believe that look that good.......best money I ever spent. Total bling factor but in a high end sort of discreet way. Just for you weight boffins on rotational mass. I went from Bontys Hardcase Racelites to swalbes Ultremos DD folding tyres saving a further100g on each wheel. Michelin race lite tubes save a further 50 g, an sram cassette saved 100g over the shimano counterpart but weight saving close to the centre, makes little difference to the rotational mass. Compared to the original Oem set up, the new wheel set up saves 800g overall. However, the biggest difference is the look of the bike. That in addition to the weight saving, smoother rolling and refined hubs make this upgrade worthwhile. Well pleased!

BigLee1

Glad you like them! Mine have been great so far, still true and running lovely. The biggest thing I`ve noticed is that the wind can catch them side on with them being an aero rim. Mine are black so don`t look as bling as yours, post pics!!!

seoige

Shimano RS30's in white to my Dawes Giro 300...The bling factor!!

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/beginn ... 05-26.html

seoige

I thought I would post the before pic before the upgrade for comparison. The standard wheels are in fact quite good and weigh about 400g more then the Shimano set. However, they pale in comparison to the RS30/s. Hey! Judge for yourself..hehe

Update 1/4/2012
I hit a pot hole that would shake your fillings whilst out on a run with Orwell Wheelers cycling club(newbie)also came off in a sterling fashion when I was juggling my GPS in my right hand with an earthquake back road. Checked the wheels square and true and not a scratch on them. Apart from getting a sledge hammer to these beauties they are close on bullit proof. The hubs are as smooth as silk. Compared to the tractor hub noise of the fulcrum 7/5's on You tube, you wonder why you even considered them in the first place. I picked a 4mm shard of glass out of the DD ultremos, only noticed per chance. Shocked me! I guess these kevlar tyres really do work! Bring on the bling!!

Update 8/5/2012

As I am cycling down the canal in Dublin waiting for the other half to catch up I decide to stretch my legs. A car closes in on my lane at 35 mph and I kick into gear and match the speed. I am pondering whether to take him on the inside. So I keep pace at 40 mph. When you step it up a gear these wheels perform. There is no flex except that which you allow via your handlebars. Apart from falling into a crater one would be hard pushed to missalign the geometry. The paint finish keep well and there are no obvious signs of wear. I am so going to love this summer cycling. If I were to ask myself the question if one were to upgrade then to what. From blogs the obvious choice would be Kysirium Elites. I really do not see the advantage at three times the cost given that rs30's look better. Horses for courses! Suffice to say motoring on and no complaints
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showth ... ost3743721

Update 19/07/2012

Several months on I found these wheels to be totally reliable. They have never needed to be trued and tackled the Wicklow 200 with aplomb. I did get one puncture on the Schwalbe DD's but I can live with that given it is the only one since I put them on. The CO2 cartridges are a god send. Push the button and instant 115 psi. This also avoids pinch flats. I had a query with regards the rim wear indicators and Planet x after sales service are excellent. From an enginneering perspective it makes a lot of sense not to put the rim wear indicators on the rim as this would reduce the contact braking surface area. When the bikes looks good you tend to take it out more and keeps me fit. All I have to do now is fit my new campy carbon levers courtesy of ribble and see whether Shimergo works and test it out on the Sean Kelly Tour.

seoige

BigLee1 wrote:

Glad you like them! Mine have been great so far, still true and running lovely. The biggest thing I`ve noticed is that the wind can catch them side on with them being an aero rim. Mine are black so don`t look as bling as yours, post pics!!!

The black ones also look like nice. It depends really on the colour of your frame.

fivethirtyonepm

i've just received my RS30's (bought from Planet X for £119.95)... in hindsight, i perhaps should have bought the new Planet X A30's as they are allegedly so much lighter, but I was drawn to the white RS30's with black hubs etc... they look awesome, especially with white Vittoria Rubino Pros.... i'll post a pic up when the bike is finished (white colnago with white deda finishing kit and black planet x superlight brakes etc)

TheDrunkMonk

I know this is a mega old thread, but I'm reading it because I've just bought some RS30s file my winter bike. (note winter bike used permanently since April.... What's going on?)

There is no wear indicator on the rims, so don't be put off by previous post.

Regards.

seoige

I beg to differ. The specification from Shimano website reads as follows:

8,9,10-speed* compatible freehub
New mid-level price point, stylish road wheels
Black and Silver alloy rims with double butted aero spokes
Smooth high polish finish hub shells
Straight spokes and 2-cross lace for increased torsional rgidity and spoke life
Wider flange hub and offset rim for rigidity and increased power transmission
16-spoke front, 20-spoke rear butted bladed spokes
Rim wear indicator allows safe detection of worm rim
Weight: 1,952g pair
*10-speed : Use with a 1mm spacer

Maybe your set has worn out quickly as well...Looooooool

biscuit959

So a long time afterwards - how are the wheels now? I'm looking at getting a pair and just wondering how everyone feels about their set now?

BigLee1

Well tbh they`re great wheels, I`m 95kgs and ride some rough roads and they`ve never needed trued and ride really good. worth the cash imo

keef66

The wear indicators are little dimples in the braking track diametrically opposite the valve hole. Hard to see on a dirty rim but they show up nicely if you give the braking surfaces a clean.

seoige

Yes! I found the little holes and they are a long way off from being anywhere near worn in relation to the brake rims so according to this information, the wheels are in perfect order. On the original OEM rims, there was a grove built into the rim where the brakes make contact. I assumed there was one there to start with this set but to be honest can not recall. I have put out the question to the suppliers to be 100% sure and awaiting a response. If you are in fact right this will be a big relief as I am so happy with this wheel set and have no wish to get any other. Thanks for the assist!

keef66

I can confirm that Shimano don't use a continuous groove, just the single dimple as a wear indicator.

Thought I'd worn mine out till I washed the wheels properly and found them again!