carbon wheels...

kamil1891
kamil1891 Posts: 658
edited January 2013 in Road buying advice
I want to buy a new set of wheels. I've spotted two very good deals one for FSA K-Force for stupid discount of £1000, so these would cost me £699 and another deal is for Dura Ace C35 wheels for almost the same price.

I have difficulty with answering the question which would be better for my needs. Racing and occasional training + trips overseas. I mean if I haven't lived in rainy UK I wouldn't have a doubt....

The FSA are full carbon 50mm tubulars (I'm not worried so much with changing them etc if I puncture) and Dura ace 35mm carbon with alu brake track. Dura ace are 250g heavier than the FSA and will be likely less aero and stiff. However, they will have alu brake track meaning I would not have to worry if there is a rain. I also consider dura aces to have better hubs and overall be quality since FSA components are of unknown (at least to me) source. From reviews I've also heard that dura aces are boombproof, which would not necessarily be the case with full carbon FSAs. And whilst I'm not so much worried about using tubulars it's obvious that clinchers are far less trouble when you puncture and it's easier to carry tubes rather than entire tyre/sealant etc. Also todays clinchers offer as good rolling resistance as tubulars...

What would you choose and why? :)

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Read some opinions on my blog

    http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/
    left the forum March 2023
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    I will :)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    kamil1891 wrote:
    I will :)

    With respects to the clinchers vs tubulars issue, it is a can of worms that has been done to death... Just pick any thread or go for clinchers if tubulars scare you... At the end of the day if you have to ride in fear, it is best to stick to what you know already
    left the forum March 2023
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    With regard to your blog I don't think I would choose any of the two. However, many people ride on such wheels and recommend them. However, I haven't ridden carbon (except for the track where I ride 88mm tubulars and I really like them) and I would like to try carbon on roads for racing and occasional training.

    There is nothing but positive reviews of the dura ace wheels and I haven't found any for the FSA but somehow I want them more and for me FSAs look better. Confused isn't the word...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    kamil1891 wrote:
    With regard to your blog I don't think I would choose any of the two. However, many people ride on such wheels and recommend them. However, I haven't ridden carbon (except for the track where I ride 88mm tubulars and I really like them) and I would like to try carbon on roads for racing and occasional training.

    There is nothing but positive reviews of the dura ace wheels and I haven't found any for the FSA but somehow I want them more and for me FSAs look better. Confused isn't the word...

    Decisions decisions..... :roll:
    left the forum March 2023
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    I lost faith in correlation between rational thinking and "carbon" anyway, so probably FSA is the choice... They will (at least) look so good on the bike :D
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    kamil1891 wrote:
    I lost faith in correlation between rational thinking and "carbon" anyway, so probably FSA is the choice... They will (at least) look so good on the bike :D

    Of course if you then realise they are not for you, the brand Dura Ace is much easier to sell than FSA
    left the forum March 2023
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    You enjoy even more confusing already very confused people, don't you ? :D But to be honest, I think FSA's top of the range K-Force shouldn't be that much harder to sell than dura ace. And don't forget in case I buy them I will pay ''just'' £700 not twice as much which is the price at most places. For that money you get gigantex/novatec combo at wheelsmith.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    kamil1891 wrote:
    You enjoy even more confusing already very confused people, don't you ? :D But to be honest, I think FSA's top of the range K-Force shouldn't be that much harder to sell than dura ace. And don't forget in case I buy them I will pay ''just'' £700 not twice as much which is the price at most places. For that money you get gigantex/novatec combo at wheelsmith.
    If they were easy to sell, they wouldn't take 1 k off the RRP... :mrgreen:
    left the forum March 2023
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    well, only planet-x does that :D and they used to have some crazy discounts before so it may not necessarily mean the wheels are sh*te :) shimanos also have huge discount but does it mean they are bad?

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