Wheelset advice
nealandrews
Posts: 7
Hi there
I ride a 2011 Kona Jake with the original Alex AT450 rims and Shimano hubs, with the cross tyres swapped for Specialized Armadillo 28mm slicks.
I bought the bike as an all-rounder for commuting (10 miles on good flat roads into Manchester) and weekend long-rides, plus the odd bit of light touring. I've only been riding for a year, but I'd say I'm a relatively aggressive rider that's doing about 100-150 miles per week and building in speed and confidence, and I easily keep up with friends on 'fast and light' road bikes.
Touring-wise, last year I rode the coast-to-coast and this year I'm doing Land's End to Jon O' Groats in August.
The bike has been perfect so far, but I know it could do with going on a diet, so the wheelset is obviously a good place to start.
I'm considering the Pro-Lite Braccianos (http://road.cc/content/review/6577-pro- ... o-wheelset) and Shimano RS80 C24s http://road.cc/content/review/1216-shim ... 0-wheelset.
They cost and weigh roughly the same as I've found a very good deal on the Shimano's (only £300 all in) and both have 24/20 spokes, compared to 32 on the Alex rims.
I'm buying these wheels predominantly be for the benefit of my weekend long-rides, but in your opinion are they also appropriate for being 'all-rounders'? Specifically, will they be OK for commuting and especially light touring when I've got a rack and two panniers on the back?
If not, should I perhaps keep the AT450s with 28mm tyres for the touring, which have 32 spokes, but buy alternative wheels, cassette and 23mm tyres for commuting/weekend use?
Questions, questions... cheers in advance for any help and advice!
I ride a 2011 Kona Jake with the original Alex AT450 rims and Shimano hubs, with the cross tyres swapped for Specialized Armadillo 28mm slicks.
I bought the bike as an all-rounder for commuting (10 miles on good flat roads into Manchester) and weekend long-rides, plus the odd bit of light touring. I've only been riding for a year, but I'd say I'm a relatively aggressive rider that's doing about 100-150 miles per week and building in speed and confidence, and I easily keep up with friends on 'fast and light' road bikes.
Touring-wise, last year I rode the coast-to-coast and this year I'm doing Land's End to Jon O' Groats in August.
The bike has been perfect so far, but I know it could do with going on a diet, so the wheelset is obviously a good place to start.
I'm considering the Pro-Lite Braccianos (http://road.cc/content/review/6577-pro- ... o-wheelset) and Shimano RS80 C24s http://road.cc/content/review/1216-shim ... 0-wheelset.
They cost and weigh roughly the same as I've found a very good deal on the Shimano's (only £300 all in) and both have 24/20 spokes, compared to 32 on the Alex rims.
I'm buying these wheels predominantly be for the benefit of my weekend long-rides, but in your opinion are they also appropriate for being 'all-rounders'? Specifically, will they be OK for commuting and especially light touring when I've got a rack and two panniers on the back?
If not, should I perhaps keep the AT450s with 28mm tyres for the touring, which have 32 spokes, but buy alternative wheels, cassette and 23mm tyres for commuting/weekend use?
Questions, questions... cheers in advance for any help and advice!
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Comments
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have you considered hand built wheels rather than factory , they would be easier to true up / mend if the worst happens while touring, will be just as light & prob stronger , i wiegh 100kg & tour on open pros, never had an issue ever . i can recommend harry rowland he specializes in this sort of thing.0
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As above mate, id go for some hand builts! mavic open pros with good spokes and if your budget can stretch a set of hope hubs in an ideal world but have a chat with your LBS as they will be able to build up wheels for you! so all rounders that will last longer than you with the odd service here and there has got to be open pros with good hubs!0
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+1 as above mavic open pro with 32 spokes if your touring!0
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Many thanks, guys.
So, am I right in thinking that 20/24-spoke wheels are not appropriate for carrying a bit of weight at the back?
I'm only 73kg and would be carrying about 15kg in the rear panniers on LEJOG, including the rack.
As I say, touring is more occasional, but commuting and weekend fast rides with friends is the norm and what I was wanting to optimise.0 -
i thought the RS80s were 16/20 spokes?
I have Harrys handbuilts (Excellights on Ultegra Hub 32/32) and they are now "broken in". They ride lovely and with the silver spokes add a bit of bling though not as nice to look at as say the RS80/Ksyriums etc.0 -
solboy10 wrote:i thought the RS80s were 16/20 spokes?
You're right! Just testing :-)0 -
I've also got some excellights built up 32 / 32 on Royce hubs, nice and light, and a lovely ride yesterday. Stiff when the power put down, and I agree with the understated looks, my Fulcrum 5's look more flash, but the handbuilts perform better, especially up hills which is what they were specced for.0
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Really great advice. Am going to give Harry Rowland a call tomorrow. Many thanks.0
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nealandrews wrote:Really great advice. Am going to give Harry Rowland a call tomorrow. Many thanks.
Make sure you ask for wheels not a wheelset
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