New Wheels - opinions needed!

DeltaOneSeven

After months of constant upgrades - I've come around to replace my wheels again...

I currently have Fulcrum 5's which were a massive improvement on the Shimano's I used to run, but am now looking to get something a little better. I use my bike for club rides, sportives and pleasure. I generally ride between 75 and 150 miles a week.

I'm considering a set of Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL's - which look to be a great set of Wheels at a good price (I also love the way they sound - if that counts for anything!)

On the flip side - is this just another unnecessary extravagance and should I put my money in something like the Mavic ksyrium SR's or Fulcrum Racing 1's

Budget is £800 - £1,000 (absolute max)

Any thoughts?

Crispyapp

Should this not be road buying advice?

DeltaOneSeven

Yep - could be!

Mods - can you move to the correct forum please

Captainlip

ksyrium sls at £800ish is the way to go, im seriously considering some for my madone and come in a few grams under 1400g impressive for alu rim and spokes.

carbones are excellent but I wouldnt be interested unless it was the SLE cabones

Guanajuato

I'll get slaughtered for suggesting this, because its outside the usual suggestion to stick with overpriced brands. Not one for the brand snobs.
Have you considered Swissside wheels? I've got a set of their cheapest wheels (St Bernard), but the spec seemed very similar to Shimano & Mavics at double the price. They've since gone up by about £50. Still running true after hitting plenty of potholes on steep downhill descents, but not done serious mileage yet. For less than £100 I got a wheelset lighter than just the front wheel I was replacing.

I realise you're looking further up the food chain, but its worth considering, surely.

ugo.santalucia

It's a lot of money to spend on a pair of wheels, if you think about it.
My advice is that above the 4-500 pounds mark, you just buy a lot of so called upgrades you don't need... carbon spokes, ceramic bearings and other bolxxcks that don't really do much for you other than costing you a fortune to replace

Ipse dixit

racingcondor

If you're happy to spend that much then I'd recommend my race wheels. Chris Kings R45 hubs paired to Ambrosio Excellights, reasonable weight, wonderful feel and hubs that should last forever.

If you want to save a few quid then exactly the same but with Dura Ace hubs would also last forever or if you wanted to go lighter then hubs from Carbon-Ti or Extralite would be good too (if not as durable as the Kings or DA).

The problem I have with factory wheels is that apart from being hard to repair you're essentially buying a disposable item. At 10,000 miles in when the rims are worn you can't just replace the rims and keep riding.

MarksMintness

Guanajuato wrote:

I'll get slaughtered for suggesting this, because its outside the usual suggestion to stick with overpriced brands. Not one for the brand snobs.
Have you considered Swissside wheels? I've got a set of their cheapest wheels (St Bernard), but the spec seemed very similar to Shimano & Mavics at double the price. They've since gone up by about £50. Still running true after hitting plenty of potholes on steep downhill descents, but not done serious mileage yet. For less than £100 I got a wheelset lighter than just the front wheel I was replacing.

I realise you're looking further up the food chain, but its worth considering, surely.

they look alright!

jonomc4

racingcondor wrote:

If you're happy to spend that much then I'd recommend my race wheels. Chris Kings R45 hubs paired to Ambrosio Excellights, reasonable weight, wonderful feel and hubs that should last forever.

If you want to save a few quid then exactly the same but with Dura Ace hubs would also last forever or if you wanted to go lighter then hubs from Carbon-Ti or Extralite would be good too (if not as durable as the Kings or DA).

The problem I have with factory wheels is that apart from being hard to repair you're essentially buying a disposable item. At 10,000 miles in when the rims are worn you can't just replace the rims and keep riding.

Agreed re chris king hubs (about £500) some Sapim CXray spokes (£100) and some H Plus Son 23mm rims £100 (just read up on them)

I think that that would make some of the best road wheels going! I am getting the above built up - but sadly due to crap fianances I can't afford such good hube.

99thmonkey

Dura Ace CL24's or SRAM S30 AL's

I have both and they are 1400g ish and rock solid

DeltaOneSeven

Thanks for all the suggestions

Decided to go for the Mavic Cosmic Carbone's - I can't wait!

racingcondor

99thmonkey wrote:

Dura Ace CL24's or SRAM S30 AL's

I have both and they are 1400g ish and rock solid

I'll agree with you on the DA wheels but if you don't get brake rub on those SRAM's then you must have legs as skinny as my arms! Have a look at my posting history if you want to know my experience with them.