budget wheel set question

Sprool

I've got an offer on 3 wheelsets at the moment, I'm tempted to try upgrade my slightly dented alex aero race rims that came stock with my Scott S30, but am on a tight budget. The choices are:
1) Shimano S30
2) Mavic Askiums
3) Fulcrum 5
All at around the same price point, give or take £30.
Any advice?

turnerjohn

Mavic take it for me....very very strong and reliable if a little weighty, Fulcrium 5's very similar if a little lighter (I think)

Philly8mt

Hope you don't mind me tagging along .. I was just about to ask something very similar.

Was also looking at Aksiums plus also the Planet X AL30's (both a similar price).

Just one additional question though, seeing as everyone suggests wheels are a great first upgrade ..

Will I notice a difference from the standard wheels on an Allez?

ugo.santalucia

Philly8mt wrote:

Hope you don't mind me tagging along .. I was just about to ask something very similar.

Was also looking at Aksiums plus also the Planet X AL30's (both a similar price).

Just one additional question though, seeing as everyone suggests wheels are a great first upgrade ..

Will I notice a difference from the standard wheels on an Allez?

Possibly... but the "will I notice the difference?" question is done to death and per se doesn't mean anything... it is personal and placebo plays a huge effect... we don't even know what wheels come as standard on your Allez... in other words if you want a sensible answer, you need to ask a more specific question, otherwise you are likely to attract answers like
"yeah they are lighter"
"They look bad ass"
"they do it for me"

And so on...

Philly8mt

On my Allez .. Axis classics with espoir tyres ... If that means anything to anyone.
I'm not a mountain goat and carry my 6'2, 15 stone self on them.

And yes, I think Aksiums would look "nice" but, back in the real world I appreciate that's possibly not the greatest reason to buy.
I can appreciate there maybe a "placebo" effect but, you could probably get that splashing the cash on a new outfit! So I'm more interested in tangible benefits of changing .. If any?
Another consideration is if it's worth spending much more money on wheels for the Allez? Or do I persevere with what I have til I buy something better, whenever that will be???

Sprool

in an earlier thread I asked what you had to pay to get a tangible benefit above a bikes entry level stock wheels. Some said the lower end fulcrums and mavics would maybe be better hubs but you'd need upwards of £250 - £300 to get a real benefit. Ride what you have till they fail, save up more and get better ones. Well mine have failed but I'm not finding it easy to justify £300 wheel upgrade, so I think I'll be quite happy with the new Mavic 2013 entry-level ones at under £200. I was intersted in how they compared to the Shimano S30's which I see on ebay for £150 and the Fulcrum 5's.

Philly8mt

Mavic Aksiums are down at around £149.00 at Decathlon I believe?

Sprool

blimey thats good, thanks for the heads-up.

Philly8mt

Let me know ya feelings on them if ya take the plunge ..

daniel_b

Philly8mt wrote:

Mavic Aksiums are down at around £149.00 at Decathlon I believe?

Absolute cycles seem to have the same wheels with tubes and tyres for an additional £20 on ebay.
Personally I think I am leaning towards the Fulcrum 5 wheels, can get them from Wiggle of all places for just under £160 if you include quidco cashback etc.

fcukwit

This is for Philly8mt.
First thing you should consider is what you need an upgrade for I should think. If you are riding only on a social club ride (not saying you are, just an example) then in all honesty, any wheels that are sturdy will do fine.
If you are racing, then you would probably want a set that were strong enough to sprint on and accelerate on, or maybe some deep rims if you are a breakaway demon.
In the races I have entered, there are guys with wheels worth more than my car. Do they need them? Course not.
I wouldn't think anything will give you an absolute tangible benefit at en try level (if indeed you are). Best to ride what you have if you are on a budget. If you have money to spend, buy the best hand-mades you can afford!

Philly8mt

Thanks for that. Can't really argue with ya comments tbf. I may give the std wheels a little longer and then see if I'm in a position to / or feel inclined to change the bike at some point.

slowbike

Philly8mt wrote:

On my Allez .. Axis classics with espoir tyres ... If that means anything to anyone.
<snip>Another consideration is if it's worth spending much more money on wheels for the Allez? Or do I persevere with what I have til I buy something better, whenever that will be???

You can always save the money and wait to get something better ... but ...

I changed my Allez stock wheels (Mavic CXP22) for Fulcrum Racing 5s - it may be placebo effect, but I don't think so - there is a marked increase in speed over effort. Ok - it won't get you KOM just by changing the wheels, but you do feel it rolls more easily.
Unless you're really strapped for cash - IMHO for the £150 or so, the FR5s are a good first upgrade - couple that with some GP4Seasons and you're all set up for some good training rides.

Philly8mt

Decisions decisions! :x

They come in at £164.00 delivered from bike discount.com