Wheel Choice for Ronde Van Vlaanderen

buckmulligan

I'm taking part in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen sportive in a couple of months and am a bit concerned about which wheels to use. Currently I use Ksyrium Elites all year round, they're less than a year old and I'm a bit concerned that they're going to come back from Belgium completely knackered after 140 km on the cobbles. I've got a pair of rubbish CXP22s just lying around, should I put these back on or stick with the Ksyriums?

Also, any recommendations for tyre choice (both wheelsets are clinchers)?

Garry H

is there 140km of cobbles in the Ronde?

schweiz

I'm going to go for a set of 32 spoke CXP33/Ultegra handbuilts with Vittoria Open Pave tyres.

I should be back down to 80 kg by the end of March

How heavy are you?

Also, why do you say the CXP22 rimmed wheels you've got are rubbish? What's rubbish about them? The hubs? The build? Worn rim?

ugo.santalucia

The cxp22 will do the trick, just ge them retensioned ahead of the event

Monty Dog

Your wheels will be fine, you on the other hand may be the one who is more likely to be 'wrecked' - the important thing is that the wheels are well maintained i.e. spokes tensioned correctly and you fit suitable tyres run at appropriate pressure i.e. 5-6 bar max.

Tom Dean

RvV cobbles are not really that rough. Stick with Ksyriums, maybe use a 25mm tyre. I wouldn't use a lower pressure than normal unless it's wet.

jordan_217

I usually use Elites but have recently fitted some (previously surplus to requirement) Ksyrium Equipes for Winter, fitted with 25mm Conti 4 Seasons. I'll just take these with me. A few blokes I ride with have said they'll be more than fine. One bloke doesn't actually change wheels or tyres and him/his bike has survived three times.

From what I hear, losing bottles and numb hands are more of a worry than anything else.

I can't afford to replace the Elites at the mo, so will err on the thrifty side of caution.

greasedscotsman

Last time I rode the Flanders sportive, I used this...



Wheels were Ksyrium ES and I used 23mm Michelin Pro Race 2s. As others have mentioned, the cobbles in Flanders are quite smooth compared to the ones in Roubaix. You could change to 25mm tyres if your worried, maybe let a bit of air out of them.

Bottle cages might be worth looking at though. You'll see it on the first section of cobbles you ride, the place will be littered with bottles that have ejected themselves from people bikes. If your using lightweight cages, might be worth swapping out for something that will hold the bottle properly.

buckmulligan

Thanks for the advice, maybe I'll stick with the Ksyriums then. When I said the CXP22 were rubbish, I meant weight wise more than anything else, weighing in nearly a kilo heavier for the pair! I've no idea how durable either set is, but they've both done a few thousand kms and still run true. I'm a fairly light rider (~65kgs) so shouldn't be too hard on them.

I've got Specialized Rib Cage bottle holders, which I hope would be fine, they're too secure if anything!

I had been thinking about taking a wider tyre, currently running 23mm Ultremo ZXs, any advice on what make/model I should go for if I do get some wider ones?

ugo.santalucia

BuckMulligan wrote:

Thanks for the advice, maybe I'll stick with the Ksyriums then. When I said the CXP22 were rubbish, I meant weight wise more than anything else, weighing in nearly a kilo heavier for the pair! I've no idea how durable either set is, but they've both done a few thousand kms and still run true. I'm a fairly light rider (~65kgs) so shouldn't be too hard on them.

I've got Specialized Rib Cage bottle holders, which I hope would be fine, they're too secure if anything!

I had been thinking about taking a wider tyre, currently running 23mm Ultremo ZXs, any advice on what make/model I should go for if I do get some wider ones?

The Ksirium are very harsh and on the pave' you will feel them... that said, the Ronde pave' is not too bad. I would still take the others, as in case a spoke pops, with 31 you can make it to the finish, while with the Ksyrium your day is spoiled.
Tyres... 25 better, but i would not buy a set of tyres just for the Ronde, if you do, get something with a hard carcass that takes lower pressure. Conti Gatorskins will do just fine

greasedscotsman

I would go for Gatorskins as well. I have a pair of 28mm tyres I use for Roubaix. But then I do go every year, as Ugo says, not sure I would buy a pair of tyres just for one ride.