Better bike or better wheels

prawny
prawny Posts: 5,440
edited September 2011 in Road buying advice
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.
Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017

Comments

  • I wouldn't upgrade to Basic kysrium, but Elites would be a good starting point or Fulcrum 3's
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    HOW MUCH!! Cough Cough :shock: :o

    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.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • EarlyGo
    EarlyGo Posts: 281
    prawny,

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

    Regards, EarlyGo
  • estampida
    estampida Posts: 1,008
    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
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Buy the new Bike with rubbish wheels - sell boardman - use boardman money to buy better wheels.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    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
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    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?
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    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.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    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)
  • 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.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    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.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    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.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    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.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    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
    FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
    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
    Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

    http://www.visiontrack.com
  • Gizmodo
    Gizmodo Posts: 1,928
    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.
  • 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
    Dialled Bikes Prince Albert MTB

    Giant Bowery Inc lots of Upgrades

    Project Concorde Road Bike