Which Wheels?

designman

Doing some racing next year and looking for some wheels, can anyone give me any insight to which wheels would be best from my choice or any good recommendations.

Here is what wheels I've been thinking about:-
Dura Ace 7900 50mm Clincher.
Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR.
Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3 Clincher.

Cheers.

sharky1029

Personally I would say have a look at some of the enve smart wheelsets which have different depths front and rear s they are better in crosswinds and are also uber light so provide very quick acceleration especially if combined with a CK hub.
I would recommend you get what ever is available from your LBS as you are likely to get some sort of discount plus better after buy service if you do (e.g if the wheels go out of true early on they are likely to re true for free)

estampida

have a look at hope hoops

very good customer service, and lifetime warranty, uk made........

designman

I've seen ENVE wheels, very nice - but way out of my price range.
Looking for something in between £1000-£1500.

ugo.santalucia

designman wrote:

I've seen ENVE wheels, very nice - but way out of my price range.
Looking for something in between £1000-£1500.

What makes you think deep carbon rims are the way to go? Personally I think they make very little sense in recreational riding at all levels, including amateur racing... They are very expensive to purchase, very high maintenance, low durability, awful braking... All for some decimal of a mph aero advantage under some conditions.
Think again...

Monty Dog

^ gave up on this argument years ago because the real reason why folks want deep rim wheels is 'cos they look fast. The days of telling a beginner that for 99% of 4th cat racing all you need is something strong and reliable when all they do is ride around in a pack where (aero wheels count for nothing) chase down every break and the strongest sprinter wins.

gwillis

Open pros and a nice pair of hubs

on-yer-bike

Ive got a pair of Boras but I agree with Ugo and Monty. In nearly all 4-3 cat races these days there are crashes so the best bike to use is your winter bike. Buy the deep sections for posing purposes only. I bought the Boras because they look nice and have raced with them and they have survived. I had to drop off the back in one race because it started raining and I couldnt slow down quickly enough to be safe in a nervous Peloton. Over half of the starters were involved in crashes that day. I guess alloy braking surfaces would have helped but they are very heavy.

racingcondor

I got very tired of wheels falling apart on me and honestly don't get deep clincher wheels (if you're racing then tubular, if not I don't see the point).

With a grand(ish) for wheels I'd suggest some great hubs (Chris King R45's are lovely and have a 5 year warrenty) built up to some quality, light rims (mine are on Ambrosio Excellights). It won't stop me drooling over Enve/King handbuilt tubs but I can't afford them...

When I started racing though I was using Fulcrum 3's and occasionally Fulcrum 7's. Seem to remember the race I got my 3rd Cat licence in I was on the cheap bike and the 7's...