Fulcrum racing 1 comp vs dura ace 7900 c24 ?

Rsd07

Hi - i am finding it hard to choose between these 2 wheels and would really appreciate any advice or guidance. I have a specialized roubaix elite 2012 with fulcrum 6 at the moment and ride the Surrey Hills where 60% of each ride is hills. I am 12st 10, 5ft 10.

I want to obviously climb hills more easily but I also want a confident downhill/cornering plus minimise my effort on the flats... Ie everything ;-)

I am planning to try an Alpine Tour late this year and started cycling about 10 weeks since which I have done 2 century rides including stage 1 of L2P and am loving it.

Any help or advice most welcome and appreciated please..;-)

Thanks

ugo.santalucia

For optimum cornering, I advise a wider rim, 23 mm one... you can go factory built with the HED ardennes or hand built with a Velocity A 23 rim on a set of decent hubs. Given your budget, I would go for UK made Royce hubs and Velocity rims with some decent spokes like DT comp. I have a few of these rims to build...
Nothing wrong with the Dura ACE, except for very expensive spares, while the Fulcrum have some arguable solutions to cut weight, which I am a bit skeptical about... I would avoid the latter

Rsd07

Thanks ugo - the whole world of hand built is probably going to be my next foray in a year or so ;-)

For this purchase I am sticking to factory and am interested in your comment about the fulcrums - are they just not that good in practice ?

Will look at the HED - thanks for the tip :-)

If you had only these 2 to choose from in the world, it looks like dura ace ..?

ugo.santalucia

Rsd07 wrote:

Thanks ugo - the whole world of hand built is probably going to be my next foray in a year or so ;-)

For this purchase I am sticking to factory and am interested in your comment about the fulcrums - are they just not that good in practice ?

Will look at the HED - thanks for the tip :-)

If you had only these 2 to choose from in the world, it looks like dura ace ..?

Yes, but it would be very narrow minded to limit yourself to these two. Is that due to an offer?
For many reasons I am not a big fan of expensive factory builds... you pay a lot of money for a set of quality hubs, which you are forced to bin after 2-5 years because the rims wear and you can't find a replacement... or it's not practical to replace the rim as it costs more than the all wheel set on offer.
It makes more sense to save money and get a set of cheap hubs if the wheels are meant to be disposable. Bear in mind a good set of Dura Ace hubs can easily live 20-30 years and you have to bin them after 2-5... isn't it a shame?
If you plan to spend big money, get decent hubs, but get them built with "conventional" materials. They can be as light and just as stiff as wheels built with straight pull spokes and rims with unconventional drillings or other weirdnesses

You asked... :twisted:

Rsd07

Hmmm. You make some very good points. I am going to speak to a wheel builder today.

Yes both those wheels are going for £500 the pair right now which is a very good saving of nearly £200+

Cheers

rpd_steve

I'd PM ugo if I was you... I know a few have had him build up wheels on here and are very happy. Derek from wheelsmith.co.uk is also a good bet. Your money simply gets you more with hand builds.

Rsd07

Thanks

. Speaking to some riders and mechanics today, they all said dura ace had problems with lots of downhill breaking can sometimes cause the carbon laminate to flake or come away. Also, the thinness of the rims to keep the weight so low means they can wear out quicker. fulcrums also seem to have the advantage of sealed hubs...

ugo.santalucia

Rsd07 wrote:

Thanks

. Speaking to some riders and mechanics today, they all said dura ace had problems with lots of downhill breaking can sometimes cause the carbon laminate to flake or come away. Also, the thinness of the rims to keep the weight so low means they can wear out quicker. fulcrums also seem to have the advantage of sealed hubs...

In 2012 I would stop claiming sealed bearing as a prodigious advance in technology. They have advantages and disadvantages... Mavic was making sealed bearing hubs 30 years ago. Shimano never went that route... Choices...

SlinkyJ

RPD Steve wrote:

I'd PM ugo if I was you... I know a few have had him build up wheels on here and are very happy. Derek from wheelsmith.co.uk is also a good bet. Your money simply gets you more with hand builds.

I would second that having recently received a set from him. Not the same sort of price level you are talking about but very happy with the wheels and the service, a pleasure to deal with. I just need the weather to get the best use out of them :roll:

Rsd07

Thanks all - much appreciated. There was a lot to consider but I think I wanted to play it safe on my 1st set and have plumped for the fulcrums.

I will however be looking at hand made for my next set when i can afford it so will keep the contact details.

Good riding to all ! ;-)

ugo.santalucia

Rsd07 wrote:

Thanks all - much appreciated. There was a lot to consider but I think I wanted to play it safe on my 1st set and have plumped for the fulcrums.

I will however be looking at hand made for my next set when i can afford it so will keep the contact details.

Good riding to all ! ;-)

Well, you have been warned... I am very skeptical about these alloy spokes and nipples... :?

rpd_steve

I'd do some research on the fatigue life of aluminum compared to stainless steel, then also do the same for the damping performance of aluminum alloys vs stainless steels.

Aluminum spokes are just silly, and for show. IMO its extra money for flash looking fat spokes that reduce ride quality and reliability. If they really wanted the best spokes then they would be along the lines of the CX-Rays...

ugo.santalucia

RPD Steve wrote:

I'd do some research on the fatigue life of aluminum compared to stainless steel, then also do the same for the damping performance of aluminum alloys vs stainless steels.

Aluminum spokes are just silly, and for show. IMO its extra money for flash looking fat spokes that reduce ride quality and reliability. If they really wanted the best spokes then they would be along the lines of the CX-Rays...

One would hope they have done extensive testing before going into production, but stupid choices seem to show the contrary. I doubt their R&D department goes beyond a couple of blokes making CAD drawings and computer stress simulations. For instance... who was the idiot who thought that alloy chainring bolts were a good idea? Every time you try to undo one which has been there for over one year, it crumbles into pieces.
Every student of mechanical engineering knows that an aluminium alloy thread is not the best idea... but they keep doing them, so they can claim a 2 grams weight saving... a major technological advance

shinsplint

FWIW, in a similar dilemma I recently chose the Fulcrum Racing Zero, and am very happy with my choice. Hubs feel great, they're very light and stiff (virtually no flex when sprinting), and they look great. Enjoy them !