£100 wheels

armoureddrummer

I am trying to decide between these options:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... snawhhr150
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/showPart. ... R362&bike=

I am 16 stone and really do fairly light riding (30 miles twice a week) although hoping to increase this summer.

What do you think?

The mach 1 are handbuilt which I have heard generally means better from a strength point of view. Is this true or just nonsense?

night_porter

The Miche ones look nice and yes handbuilts can be stronger but it really depends how good the builder is.

I use the RS10's for commuting and they are totally bombproof, because I commute in the dark all year around I sometimes hit pot holes quite hard and the RS10's have never gone out of true even though I have killed tyres. I weigh about the same as you too so I am not a lightweight. I would recommend the RS10's any day!

By the way I commute about 120 miles a week in all weathers and have used these wheels for at least 2 years.

Valy

Yeah the RS10 should prove good. I've had a rear 501 which seems to be a bit cheaper and it's been without faults for a pretty long time.

GGBiker

Fulcrum racing 7 are pretty bombproof, fast, great looking, low maintenance with sealed bearings and £110 online.

smidsy

I would say for your weight something with 32 or even 36 spokes would be the way to go.

At £100 you are talking basic stuff so do not expect marvels from either.

armoureddrummer

Cheers guys
@ Night Porter - That seems a fairly confident review. I am bouncing around Edinburgh's potholed streets and occasionally hit a few to avoid the usual taxi drivers caring in very little except their fare. Strong sounds good.

@GGBiker - Hmmm. I had considered Fulcrums but last time I looked they were just outside my budget. Lets add them into the mix. I know everyone has preferences / tastes when it comes to wheels but interested to hear what everyone thinks of the Fulcrums vs the ones above too. Going by the RRP I guess they are in the same ball park as the Shimanos?

@ Smidsy - Unfortunately budget is limited at this time of year and if I don't get back on my bike in the new year it wont be 16 stone I need to cater for! lol. Not expecting wonders but will be investing in a new set up (probably complete bike) later in the year and pushing this one back to winter duties so as long as they can handle day to day running about, I will be happy enough. Unfortunately road conditions are an issue round here but I have very handy access to a great wheel builder at mates rates should the worst happen!

smidsy

armoureddrummer wrote:

Unfortunately road conditions are an issue round here but I have very handy access to a great wheel builder at mates rates should the worst happen!

So why not get him to build you something more suited to the conditions?

Neale1978

Ive had some fulcrum 7's for months now and for the price i cant fault them at all

ugo.santalucia

smidsy wrote:

armoureddrummer wrote:

Unfortunately road conditions are an issue round here but I have very handy access to a great wheel builder at mates rates should the worst happen!

So why not get him to build you something more suited to the conditions?

Because even a mate cannot build much for 100 pounds. I figured out that the cheapest decent components (tiagra hubs, rigida rims and ACI spokes) add up to 110... Then add the "mate rate" and you are out of budget

smidsy

ugo.santalucia wrote:

smidsy wrote:

armoureddrummer wrote:

Unfortunately road conditions are an issue round here but I have very handy access to a great wheel builder at mates rates should the worst happen!

So why not get him to build you something more suited to the conditions?

Because even a mate cannot build much for 100 pounds. I figured out that the cheapest decent components (tiagra hubs, rigida rims and ACI spokes) add up to 110... Then add the "mate rate" and you are out of budget

Some mate

I did not state my point well, I realise the cost will be more than £100 but I am such a convert that I hate seeing people spend out on the 'other stuff' .

armoureddrummer

Yeah, budget kills the customs just now.

Been offered some 6 month old aksiums including tyres and tubes for 100 too. Seems OK but new Mavics floating around for 120/130 at the moment (no tyres obviously). Very unsure now. LOL.

wishitwasallflat

My experience of RS10s was bad - I am heavier than you but mine lasted about 1200 miles then the spokes started breaking. Once they do the wheel goes so untrue it is unridable, also replacement spokes can be tricky to get hold of. Do a web search for RS10s durability and you will see this timeline is not that unsual - yes Shimano make a lot of wheels and sell a lot of RS10s - so there will inevitably be some go wrong and reports on the web - but FWIW I would think twice about them. I reckon if you mate can build you a set for £110 go for that option and 32 or 36 spokes.

armoureddrummer

Hmm. Some interesting reviews (particularly for us rounder bellied riders! lol :shock: ).

Ok so, rules out the RS10s for me then.

Remaining ones for consideration:
CSN Miche/Mach 1 Handbuilts
Fulcrum 7
Mavic Askium (Second Hand - 6 months old incl tyres)

Your comments are really helpful, keep them coming.

ugo.santalucia

armoureddrummer wrote:

Hmm. Some interesting reviews (particularly for us rounder bellied riders! lol :shock: ).

Ok so, rules out the RS10s for me then.

Remaining ones for consideration:
CSN Miche/Mach 1 Handbuilts
Fulcrum 7
Mavic Askium (Second Hand - 6 months old incl tyres)

Your comments are really helpful, keep them coming.

Take the plunge and ask you friend to build you a set of Rigida Chrina on Shimano 105... you might have to fork out an extra 50 pounds... surely you can find 50 pounds somewhere... trying to scrimp the penny is often false economy. Wheels are important, unlike stems and seat posts...

tim_wand

Pro Lite Comos if still available. Think Quest do something which is the same just re branded

night_porter

wishitwasallflat wrote:

My experience of RS10s was bad - I am heavier than you but mine lasted about 1200 miles then the spokes started breaking.

Well I must be the luckiest cyclist in the world if mine have already lasted 12,000 and show no signs of problems. I really would not be surprised if they lasted another 2 years. But hey we all have our opinions and experiences and we can only tell you what we know.

I didn't mention that I did have a pair of 32 spoke handbuilts with Mach 1 rims on before I got the RS10's and they were always going out of true and the spokes started to stress the rims around the holes. Admittedly one spoke breaking did not stop me from riding home but as I said not one problem with the RS10's.

Incidentally I have another bike with Aksiums on and they don't seem any better or different to the RS10's apart from the wider bladed spokes which make them prettier.

armoureddrummer

This appears to be the problem with wheels. So many different factors that can make a good or bad wheel - standard of build quality, rider size/weight, type of riding, condition of roads, standard of parts. It is the very much the same issues I talk to people about with drum materials vs drum skins. So many variants / tastes. Some have luck some don't. It appears the message is the same too - keep trying till you find something you like.

I might have a play around with some costs for handbuilt options.

wishitwasallflat

night_porter wrote:

wishitwasallflat wrote:

My experience of RS10s was bad - I am heavier than you but mine lasted about 1200 miles then the spokes started breaking.

Well I must be the luckiest cyclist in the world if mine have already lasted 12,000 and show no signs of problems. I really would not be surprised if they lasted another 2 years. But hey we all have our opinions and experiences and we can only tell you what we know.

I didn't mention that I did have a pair of 32 spoke handbuilts with Mach 1 rims on before I got the RS10's and they were always going out of true and the spokes started to stress the rims around the holes. Admittedly one spoke breaking did not stop me from riding home but as I said not one problem with the RS10's.

Incidentally I have another bike with Aksiums on and they don't seem any better or different to the RS10's apart from the wider bladed spokes which make them prettier.

Not at all surprised to read this (aprat from hearing you coudl ride home on RS10s with a busted spoke when mine went the wheels were too warped and I called the missus for rescue) - my impression of RS10s is that if you are normal to slightly overweight and you get a normal set then they are very good - reading a lot around them and my own experience is that if you are either 16 stone + and/or don't get a normal set then quite often (not always of course) spokes start to go after about 1-1.5k miles. As I said though there are loads and loads of these wheel around and they come as OEM on a lot of bikes so people who didn't choose them ride them so that will undoubtedly skew the impression from web reviews.

I would very much +1 ugo comments - if you possibly can find the extra money together get your friend to build you a set with Rigida Chrina and 32 or 36 spokes - they will outlast you!!!

ugo.santalucia

wishitwasallflat wrote:

I would very much +1 ugo comments - if you possibly can find the extra money together get your friend to build you a set with Rigida Chrina and 32 or 36 spokes - they will outlast you!!!

Ehm... One would hope to outlast the wheels, if possible... :?

wishitwasallflat

ugo.santalucia wrote:

wishitwasallflat wrote:

I would very much +1 ugo comments - if you possibly can find the extra money together get your friend to build you a set with Rigida Chrina and 32 or 36 spokes - they will outlast you!!!

Ehm... One would hope to outlast the wheels, if possible... :?

Mmmm yes that is true but a bit of poetic licsence/hyperbole never goes amiss

passout

Fulcrum 7s are great but planet x A57s look good too.

cycleclinic

I would also go with the Shimano 105 hubs, Novactec or Miche hubs + Rigida chrina rims. A very relaible wheelset. The Mihe hubs are very durable and being cartridge bearing hubs the hub will never wear out unless bearing installation is bothed somehow. When the bearings do go (they will eventually, it does take ~10000 miles though) they just need to be replaced. The Shimano hubs being cup and cone will need servicing from time to time which is fine if you are able to do it your self. More expensive if you let a shop do it. Nowt wrong with shimano hubs they are very good.

Fulrum 7's, shimano RS10's will also work well for a while. When the rim wear out though you will have to get new wheels but with the chrina build all you need to do is fork out for new rims and spokes which will be cheaper than new wheels. The hubs if serviced for time to time will last.

night_porter

thecycleclinic wrote:

Fulrum 7's, shimano RS10's will also work well for a while. When the rim wear out though you will have to get new wheels but with the chrina build all you need to do is fork out for new rims and spokes which will be cheaper than new wheels. The hubs if serviced for time to time will last.

So what you are really saying is that the bearings won't last as long as my RS10's and assuming the rims would last as long as mine then I would need new rims, new spokes and the cost of a wheel build which unless I am mistaken would more than likely add up to more than a replacement set of RS10's. I think I get it?

Valy

Night porter - hard to say due to the number of variables.

symo

Save up an extra £50 and get Planet X model C's. Heavyweight built 32/32. I use mine for training runs as the roads I ride are heavily pot holed. Bomb proof.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... c_wheelset

armoureddrummer

Thanks all.

Costed up Chrinas on 105 and hitting £170 once built.

Planet X C's seem to be getting really consistent reviews. £150 pushing it a bit but will have to live tight a while. No shimano stock showing so might give them a call - assume they could swap out free hub easy enough.

Strith

You can usually get shimano m part wheels (tiagra hub, open sport rim) for close to £110ish for a pair. They're 32h and pretty tough. Bit heavy though, and you might need to search around quite a bit for best prices.