Better bike or better wheels

prawny

Me again!

After looking closer at the PX & Ribble builds that I could afford I've noticed that the wheels are a bit cack. I've been thinkning would it really be worth buying a new bike with crappy wheels or should I just keep my Boardman and get some decent wheels for it?

I'm looking at spending about a grand, it'll be used for the odd sportive and nice rides around staffs, quick though like, no pootling.

Edit-
If I just get wheels I won't be spending a grand that would be mental! Probably looking fulcrum 5/planet x model B/basic ksyrium sort of level. Currently on some heavy rigida handbuilts I got for commuting.

Slow Downcp

I wouldn't upgrade to Basic kysrium, but Elites would be a good starting point or Fulcrum 3's

prawny

HOW MUCH!! Cough Cough :shock:

Hmm, Not sure I'd feel comfortable having wheels that cost more than the rest of the bike...

Maybe bike first wheels next year :?

Oh I dunno.

EarlyGo

prawny,

Is your bike the Boardman Road Comp that is currently £799? Humour me, there is a reason why I ask!

Regards, EarlyGo

estampida

take the hit for the wheels and wait you time for a nice frame

frames come on discount more than wheels (good one's)

but once you have bought them you will wonder why you waited, good wheels change the way you ride more than a similar but lighter / stronger frame

rubertoe

Buy the new Bike with rubbish wheels - sell boardman - use boardman money to buy better wheels.

dombo6

Many new bikes come with rubbish wheels to hit a price point. Typically a 2k bike could have wheels that only cost 150 a pair. I changed my Bontrager Race wheels on a 1600 quid Lemond (reduced to 999 in Evans Sale) to Easton EA90 SLX and it was a great upgrade. Sold the Bontys for 100 quid on ebay.
Agree with others re wheels changing the ride much more than an equivalent price frame upgrade.

prawny

EarlyGo wrote:

prawny,

Is your bike the Boardman Road Comp that is currently £799? Humour me, there is a reason why I ask!

Regards, EarlyGo

Nah, it's a 2009 one. Whayy?

prawny

rubertoe wrote:

Buy the new Bike with rubbish wheels - sell boardman - use boardman money to buy better wheels.

I'd need to sell the boardman to buy the new bike with rubbish wheels. Nightmare!

I don't know if the frame is really worth upgrading to be honest, I've never ridden anything else, that's the problem. If I had something to conpare it too and I liked it it probably would be wheels and a new groupset but as it is I'm unsure.

markos1963

The frame is pretty good for the price, certainly worth spending some money on better wheels.Everything else on it could be left though as it's not cost effective. A set of Fulcrum 3s or Shimano RS80s would transform your bike(but don't forget to put decent tyres on as well or it's all for nothing)

danlikesbikes

Its a pretty good bike you've got there for the money & guess it depends on how much you want to spend.

Even if you sell the bike to fund a new one you will find that wheels are quite often the place where manufacturers save money on new bikes by cutting costs. So you might be better off getting some new wheels, my mate has the same bike and uses it for racing and has no problems with it.


But if you do want a nicer bike then think about what your going to spend and what your going to get on the a new bike for your money.

unixnerd

I'd do the wheels. I bought 1500g Pro-Lite Braccianos for 190 from Ribble and it transformed the bike (old ones were 1900g), check the tyre weight while you're at it. If I had the money I'd get Mavic Ksyrium Elites, same weight but look nicer and better bearings.

prawny

Just been looking at the Braccianos, might be a bit above budget if I keep the boardman (was going to CTW the rest of a new bike) Are the luciano's Any good? Or Meranos? Really cheap for the weight aren't they!

Tyre wise I'd be going Lition or Rubino Pro I think. Can't afford to go too fancy.

unixnerd

If the Braccianos are a bit dear then spend 125 on the very similar Planet-X model B's. I've heard they're made in the same factory but I've no idea if that's true. Weight difference is <100g.

markos1963

prawny wrote:

Just been looking at the Braccianos, might be a bit above budget if I keep the boardman (was going to CTW the rest of a new bike) Are the luciano's Any good? Or Meranos? Really cheap for the weight aren't they!

Tyre wise I'd be going Lition or Rubino Pro I think. Can't afford to go too fancy.

For tyres look at Planet X atm got some bargains.

How about these in yellow, match up with your Boardman no problem
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYS ... lding-tyre

FSR_XC

markos1963 wrote:

prawny wrote:

Just been looking at the Braccianos, might be a bit above budget if I keep the boardman (was going to CTW the rest of a new bike) Are the luciano's Any good? Or Meranos? Really cheap for the weight aren't they!

Tyre wise I'd be going Lition or Rubino Pro I think. Can't afford to go too fancy.

For tyres look at Planet X atm got some bargains.

How about these in yellow, match up with your Boardman no problem
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYS ... lding-tyre

+1 - Planet X for Ultremo's

Gizmodo

prawny wrote:

it'll be used for the odd sportive and nice rides around staffs, quick though like, no pootling.

Except for when you're waiting for me to catch up!

New wheels n tires this year, save up for that carbon bike you want and then you won't have to worry if it comes with cheap wheels as you can move your good ones over.

herusix

Have you looked at some of the bikes available from 'Moda' ,British design and get pretty good reviews.
Main reason for suggesting them though is they come specced with American Classic wheels which are pretty good.
They have 2 models which are under a grand ,one which comes pretty much specced for sportives with mudguards.
http://www.eurobike.uk.com/details.aspx?p=326