Wheel question - hopefully slightly different!

Steve_F

I had a quick look to see if this had been asked and couldn't see anything so I'm going to ask another wheel question.....

I'm looking to move my Ksyrium Equipes to my winter bike (doesn't seem any point buying cheap new wheels for that as it's wheels are falling apart).

Plan at the moment is to get something like the Ksyrium Elite SLs or was looking at the SRAM S30 AL Race, so up to the £650 mark.

Other part of the plan is to go up to £1k for two wheelsets and get a deep section wheel for TTs. Would be happy to look at 2nd hand wheel at this price, although the Planet X ones at £400 look very tempting.

So, the question is, would a aero wheelset at around £350 - £400 actually give quicker TT times than getting one good set?

Or, should I go the opposite way and get a good set of 50mm deep sections for general riding, keep the Equipes for climbing days and get a cheap set for the winter bike?

I do like the idea of having a different cassette on the two wheels for the different riding styles but don't want to end up never using one of the sets.....

dboden

Personally, I would defo down grade my equipes..
The planet x will defo be faster for TTs..
But I would spend a bit more on the deep sections.. ie Mavic carbones, you can then use these for tts and fast club stylee riding..
If you have cash left, get some Ksyrium elites or RS80s as a backup wheel, and alternative for climbing or windy weather.

Hey thats a bit like my setup!
But it works a treat.

Steve_F

I was speaking to a guy who just got Carbones and he's pretty much left them on right enough. I'll have a chat to him tonight.

Do most people end up leaving them on most of the time?

Not in a rush for the deep sections as there's only a few TTS left this year so might see what comes up for sale when the season finishes.

Heading off to the Alps in 5 weeks so thinking a lighter 'backup' set will be bought soon, presuming that those kind of climbs on deep sections will be torture!?!

Cheers for the info.

dboden

It will be torture full stop... There will be a minimal difference.
If you can climb, you can climb. I went to Majorca earlier in the season, some guys I was with had some quite heavy deep sections on... I couldn't keep up with em, with my Rs80s on..
Its more physcological tbh..

The bike looks mint with the carbones on.. but I like the idea of a lighter backup set.. Can keep the carbones for best then.. Will last for ever i reckon

racingcondor

I'd avoid the SRAM AL30's. They're flexy and the spokes break (yes, unfortunately I do own some). Not bad for TT's as they do roll well at speed but crap for climbing which will bug you for normal riding. I've spent the whole time since wishing I'd saved 50% on the price and just bought some more Fulcrum 3's or RS80's.

If you can stretch to 2 wheelsets then I'd go with Planet X carbon tubs (currently there is a no logo version of the 82/101 wheelset which would be great for flat TT's £400) and some RS80's for day to day riding.

Steve_F

Hmm, RS80s look interesting, only worry is I'm a bit too heavy (between 15 and 15.5 stone) and fairly powerful, the reviews of being flexy worry me. Can't believe how good my Ksyriums have been (remained true after an 'incident' that broke my frame) which is why I was still looking in their range. Would be happy to try another brand though. Will see if anyone in the club rides RS80s that I could have a quick spin on.

Thanks for the user review on the SRAMs though, was impressed how close they are to the ZIPPs so was very interested in them.

Will see if I can sort a ride on deep sections too.

Cheers guys!

Tri harder

I would keep the Ksyriums for your winter bike & switch to your summer bike when you want a little less weight, particularly when you know you are going to do big climbs on that day.

Which means you've got a £1k to spend on the deep section wheels, I ride Shimano Dura ace WH7850 50mm clinchers and use them on my summer bike and never change them over. I find when riding in a group they free wheel really easily allowing me to conserve energy, the only draw back is cross winds and passing trucks / buses, you end getting buffeted about a bit!

Clubmates have the deep section Mavic Cosmics carbone and they really rate them plus they are a little lighter than the Shimanos.

Steve_F

Cheers for the advice, not sure how I managed to get this out of it but I've just ordered a set of Dura Ace C24s from Merlin. Saw on another thread that they were selling them at £550 and jumped at it.

Will see what comes up on eBay and the Classifieds for a deep section over the next few months or get the Planet X ones. Not too worried about them for this season but fancy the Dura Ace ones on for the Alpes

Tri harder

Sounds like a good choice, i've heard lots of good things about the C24 wheels and will be spot on for use in the alps, besides for the money you can't fault them!

You can always get a deeper section set of planet X tubs for time trialling at a later date.

Enjoy.