Wheelset upgrade > £500 budget

Zane81

Hey guys,

Some advice required on upgrading wheels.
I’ve just bought a new Cannondale Supersix Rival, which came with Mavic Ksyrium Equipes and Schwalbe Ultremo R1s. The frame is a different beast to my old Allez, and is hella fast! I feel I want an upgrade on the wheelset though, and looking at around £500 +/- the usual 10% if the deal is right

I’m looking for a good balance between something fast to match the frameset and also good for climbing, without blowing me around on the crosswinds (big ask, I know!)
I mainly ride with a mate, 30-70 miles 2 or 3 times a week, taking in a fair few hilly routes. Occasionally also go out on club rides which we’ll be looking to do more often this year. I’m quite A powerful rider for my size, but am only 70kgs at 5’9” so I haven’t had any real issues so far with wheel flex.

On my old Spesh Allez Elite I have a set of Fulcrum R3s with Kryllion Carbons – which have been a cracking setup. So I’m looking for some advice on what would be a good upgrade from these within my budget.
The Fulcrums are a 2010 set and weigh 1659gms (w/o skewers).

The sets I have seen that fall within the budget so far are;

Mavic Ksyrium Elite - 1550gm £428
SRAM S30 AL Race - 1430gm £450
American Classic 420 Aero 3 - 1530gm £500
Shimano Dura Ace WH-7850 SL - 1470gm(?) £450
Shimano RS80 carbon - 1521gm £300
Shimano RS80 50mm carbon - 1785gm £500
Fulcrum Racing 1 clinchers - 1485gm £544

Has anyone any experience in owning/riding any of the above? Plus, any suggestions for others would be helpful too

Thanks in advance 8)

dru

Personally I would keep the original wheels on the bike and save yourself a heap of money.

That - or borrow a friends wheels to see if you can tell the difference.

Cornish-J

there's a set of second hand dura ace cl-7850s on the for sale section - i had those for a while, good wheels!

nochekmate

I've got some secondhand SRAM S30 AL Race (in excellent condition) if you are interested.

Zane81

thanks for the responses guys.
the post was rather long-winded, basically i want something thats an upgrade from my old Fulcrum R3s.
do any of the listed wheels qualify as a significant upgrade do you think?

im riding the Ksyrium Equipes at the moment and although there is minimal weight penalty compared to the R3s they definitely do not spin and climb as well as my Fulcrums.
In a nutshell, Im looking for something that spins fast and climbs well that i would noticeably appreciate over the Fulcrum R3s.

cornish-J : I may take a look at those, what other wheelsets have you ridden before/currently?


Nochekmate : what year are the wheels? and why are you selling them?
i've read forums sharing stories of spoke issues on the rear wheel - due to all radial laced spokes?


Thanks again for the input

nochekmate

The SRAM wheels came on a bike purchase so not certain about year - absolutely minimal wear on brake rims and I've had them on a best bike, so barely used by me in the last 6 months. Reason for selling them? - I've got a pair of Kysrium SL tubulars that I may be happy to go to (if they don't sell at the asking price - currently on eBay) and a pair of Campag Shamals that I may also consider swapping over to Shimano freehub.

Cornish-J

I've used the dura ace 7850s, sold those for mavic cosmic carbone SL's which i now use as a daily ride.

the only other set that i've ridden are the ones that came with my boardman, ritchey ones ... so much heavier than the dura ace wheels!

napoleond

I would just stick with the Equipes tbh.

Zane81

NapoleonD, ive seen your postings heaps on the forums - recognize the photo, lol

why do you say stick with the equipes? do you not think any of the above would be a worthwhile upgrade?
surely i can get some faster, better climbing wheels than them within my budget?
like i said earlier, my old Fulcrum R3s spin and climb better and are closely matched in weight.

what wheels could you suggest that would be a noticeable improvement?

napoleond

The wheels you have listed would be an improvement but only very subtle. The slight weight decrease may make them *feel* a little quicker but they won't really be so. They won't be any stiffer than the Equipes.
If anything I'd get something aero for those sunny still days.
I think you'd have to spend a lot more to get a really noticeable improvement over the Equipes.

Zane81

i can get a set of Dura Ace 7900 CL C24s for £515.00 - slightly over budget but come in at sub-1400gm, a good 290gm less than the Equipes.
would these be a good option? i hear what you're saying about stiffness and wheel flex but im 70kg and have yet to experience any on the Fulcrum R3s (and maybe wouldnt on a lesser set)

i wouldnt mind something a little more aero, but would there be too much of a compromise when it comes to climbing?
Do you know anything about the Reynolds Solitude wheels? they seem reasonable weight, and supposedly revised for 2012(?)

Appreciate your input

napoleond

The only improvements the DAs will bring is ride quality.
The aero wheels wouldn't compromise you on climbing but would make you a little bit quicker on the flat.
Again, all subtle.
I'd keep the Equipes until they die and then get something special...

nferrar

I have 2010 Elites on my summer bike and quite like them, I doubt they'd be a worthwhile upgrade over R3's though. Personally I'd only replace the R3's if the rims were worn out or if you wanted a second set for racing but then you'd probably be looking at £750-1000

Zane81

Cornish-J, how do you find the Carbones as everyday rides? The 7850s you changed from, were they 24mm section?
do you find the Carbones compromise your ride in any way? (up hills or sprints, for instance)
what type of riding do you tend to do, mileages?

Thanks

uphillstruggle

I find myself in exactly the same position- thinking of updating my equipes to possibly(?) some Dura ace but am now confused over whether there would be any benefit or not?

Opinion seems to vary between no difference or significant increases in speed/feel. :?:

Mr Dog

Only have experience of the RS80's. Nice light wheelset. Hubs are ok.. I expected better. I get no flex at all whilst climbing, but at 63kg I'm not the heaviest dude. At £320 they are a bargain. After snapping a spoke on my RS10's I'm considering a set of Elites to compare with the 80's as the rim just won't stay true.

nunowoolmez

I bought a pair of American Classic 420 Aero 3's for my PX Nanolight & am well chuffed with em. Good all round wheel, ie good for training, sportive riding, or race day. Not huge rims but deeper than regular size, nice flat spokes, & nice graphics. Was gonna go for these or the Campag Zondas. Not much between em, just found better deal for the Classics. Very light weight too. IMHO, very good wheels. Worth checking the Zonda's too. Both get excellent reviews across the web.

Zane81

thanks for all the responses here guys.

At the moment i'm now considering 2 options:

1. whether to go for a deep section (alloy braking surface, clincher) as a 2nd wheelset for less windy days, and flatter rolling rides - keeping my Fulcrum R3s as the other set to change to.
e.g.
Mavic cosmic carbone sl - £680 (52mm, 1740gms)
shimano rs80 c50 - £500 (50mm, 1783gm)
shimano dura ace c50 - £800 (50mm, 1662gm)

2. splashing on a good do-it-all lightweight wheelset that i can leave on for all types of riding;
e.g.
Shimano dura ace 7900 c24 - £515 (24mm, 1391gm)
Easton EA90 SLX - £600 (21mm f, 25mm r, 1398gm)
American Classic 420 Aero 3 - £500 (34mm, 1540gm)
Reynolds Solitude - £310 (31mm, 1633gm)

Anyone with any advice on any of these, or any others i may have missed?

A mentioned in the original posting, i ride a Cannondale supersix, full SRAM Rival group.
usually ride 30-40 miles twice a week and 60-80 once on weekends, all mixed routes with hills and flat sprints round south wales region.

Thanks again all

DavidJB

If you want light consider Soul Wheels...Sean has an excellent rep and they are 1360 for around £360 (not including import tax) everyone I know has rode them loves them.

Benjamin Hall

The American classics ( I think it is the same wheels) are cheap at Tredz

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.American-Classi ... _27346.htm

RDB66

Just to throw a spanner in the works !!

Ive got the DA 7900s on my Canyon and i must say find them to be fantastic. They roll very well, climb like a goat and are a very comfy ride on our crap roads. The lack of road buzz from them is unbelievable, very smooth ride indeed.

Id recommend them to anyone.

RichB.

simon t

where are the c24's £515?