Wheel recomendations

Dan Ingram

I recently bought myself a Specialized Secteur Sport with the intention of upgrading a few bits once I'd got it. The wheels being the first thing on the list as pretty much every review I read of the bike said that those and the brake blocks could be better. I could probably make do with the wheels that are on the bike (Mavic CXP22) but they aren't holding up well to my 17+ stone and I like new things

Any suggestions? I'd much prefer something that will take my weight and some abuse over something lightweight. Also would I be better buying a set or is it better to spend more on just a back wheel as I never seem to have any problems with front wheels. Budget up to £300-400

Thanks In advance

Dan Ingram

And not carbon as they appear to have a weight limit

centimani

A little on the side, but alloy wheels sometimes state weight limits, but dont make it easy for you to find it out. Fulcrums for instance do specify limits, but you have to delve deep to find them. Is it true of most / all wheels i wonder ?

crumbschief

Pro-Lite Como

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ROLWHFR200

Dan Ingram

I looked at those but isn't 24 quite a low spoke count? Though most wheels seem to be like that now.

gkerr4

those pro-lite como - they would possibly be a downgrade to the ones on the bike surely? £100 wheels are junk not an upgrade - and they weigh 2.3kg !!!

I'd suggest something like fulcrum 3's if you can get them in budget - or the appropriate (affordable) mavic model - can't go wrong with them really.

If you are worried about weight limits (you're not that heavy by the way - the wheel weight limit won't really apply - plenty people on here heavier with fulcrum 3s) then handbuilts might be a good option - more spokes if you want them and you'll get a decent spec for your budget.

crumbschief

Unless you are going to the local skatepark i believe you will be fine on those for road riding.

gkerr4

i'm sure you are right - but i thought that the OP was looking to upgrade his wheels - they haven't worn out and he's looking for a cost effective replacement.

to my mind / money - they aren't an upgrade!

crumbschief

gkerr4 wrote:

i'm sure you are right - but i thought that the OP was looking to upgrade his wheels - they haven't worn out and he's looking for a cost effective replacement.

to my mind / money - they aren't an upgrade!

True,sorry i missed the upgrade weight bit.

Dan Ingram

Thanks for the advice. Would I notice the difference between the Fulcrum 3s and 5s as there is a £240 difference in price and the only difference I can see in the wheels is about 200g and possibly better bearings?

Steve_F

I've been riding on Ksyrium Equipes up to the same weight as you and they've been great. Never needed true'd even in a crash that broke my frame when I landed they spun perfectly. Never touch the brake blocks either when out the saddle and sprinting.

Would definitely recommend them for the slightly heavier rider.

gkerr4

re. the fulcrim 3 vs 5 thing - in my opinion, Fulcrum 3's and similar are the point at which "diminishing returns" really kicks in - for example - see how much it costs to save another 200g from the fulcrum 3s!!

200g saving is actually qiute a lot - plus they have better bearings and will be a bit stiffer. - if you can live with fulcrum 5's then you can get these for around the £150 mark from a handful of places - Merlin cycles being one that comes to mind.

The Ksyrium range would be worth a look also, as noted above.

JRooke

don't buy Fulcrums if your a heavy rider, massive mistake, where they are a tremendous wheel they are not something that is easily serviceable due to simple things like spokes not being easy to get hold of and very expensive.

gkerr4

I know what you are saying - but the "non-servicable" bit applies to a whole load of factory wheels - my own campag Eurus included!

but the thing is, there are numerous reports of heavy riders using F3's and not needing to service them ever as they are a well designed and constructed wheel!

Donie75

I have a Secteur Elite that I bought last year and I'm heavier than you. I wrecked the rear CXP22 wheel in a sportive earlier this year so I bought a new set of wheels. I got a set of handbuilt wheels made with Ultegra Hubs, Mavic Open Pro Rims and DT Swiss spokes. They are 36 spoke wheels and I'm very impressed. They are really stiff and strong and they roll really well.
And they can be adjusted and retensioned to suite your type of riding.
I would highly recommend them above factory wheels.

Dan Ingram

Thanks I'll have a look at the Ksyriums. What sort of money am I looking at for hand built wheels and do you have any recommendations for a good wheels builder?

wilkij1975

What about Hope hoops? If they are anything like the MTB versions they will be pretty bomb proof.