Wheels...Fulcrm 5's for £160 or Aksiums for £127?

mrcw34
mrcw34 Posts: 10
edited June 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi I am looking at a new set of wheels for my Colnago 3.0 clx it currently has the stock Shimano R500's that I have been impressed with given you can get a set for £75.... anyway a pothole has damaged the rim on the rear and although my local bike shop says they are safe, I see it as time to upgrade.... unfortunately my budget is limited, I know this bike really deserves some top end wheels but that's just not going to happen any time soon.


So I have been doing my research and have narrowed the choice to either a set of Fulcrum racing 5's (wiggle have them for £160) or Fulcrum Quatro's for £220 or Mavic aksiums at £127, or do I just buy another set of R500's ?

Your knowledge and opinions would be greatly appreciated :)
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Comments

  • pastey_boy
    pastey_boy Posts: 2,083
    If you are willing to go up to £220 for the Quattro's, you can get the Shimano 6700 Ultegra wheels for £233 from Ribble. They weigh bang on 1650grams ,will take tubeless tyres and have long lived serviceable hubs, plus there is a choice of colours to suit your bike.
    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... himwhfr615
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  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I went for the Fulcrum 5s - Merlin had them at a discount ...
    I'd read too many stories of Askiums needing retruing too frequently ...
  • mrcw34
    mrcw34 Posts: 10
    pastey_boy wrote:
    If you are willing to go up to £220 for the Quattro's, you can get the Shimano 6700 Ultegra wheels for £233 from Ribble. They weigh bang on 1650grams ,will take tubeless tyres and have long lived serviceable hubs, plus there is a choice of colours to suit your bike.
    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... himwhfr615[/quote

    yes been looking at those too.. decisions
  • mrcw34
    mrcw34 Posts: 10
    Slowbike wrote:
    I went for the Fulcrum 5s - Merlin had them at a discount ...
    I'd read too many stories of Askiums needing retruing too frequently ...[/quote

    how do you find the 5s ?
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    excellent - but then i am comparing to stock wheels
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    £127 for aksiums is a good deal. Where did you come across that?
  • IrishMac
    IrishMac Posts: 328
    Slowbike wrote:
    I went for the Fulcrum 5s - Merlin had them at a discount ...
    I'd read too many stories of Askiums needing retruing too frequently ...

    Huh? Can't say that I concur, My Dad has a set for a year, nothing but perfect spinning, he's hit an odd pothole too :D
    Member of Cuchulainn C.C. @badcyclist

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  • mrcw34
    mrcw34 Posts: 10
    Sprool wrote:
    £127 for aksiums is a good deal. Where did you come across that?


    http://www.acycles.co.uk/mavic-aksium-r ... tAodYx0A6g
  • ManOfKent
    ManOfKent Posts: 392
    Slowbike wrote:
    I went for the Fulcrum 5s - Merlin had them at a discount ...
    I'd read too many stories of Askiums needing retruing too frequently ...

    My Aksiums needed retruing after about 500 miles. Since then I've done a couple of thousand more and as far as I can tell they're millimetre perfect. I think they probably come out of the factory slightly loose and a decent wheelbuilder should be able to tighten them up so they stay true.
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    Shimano wheels dont tend to get much love on this forum, is there a reason for this? The 6700 Ultegras via Ribble seem a very good deal with excellent hubs and reasonably light weight. Is it a fashion thing with Mavic and Fulcrum?
  • mrcw34
    mrcw34 Posts: 10
    I rode a set of the ultegra's and they seemed (to me anyway...maybe im just too lardy at 74kg) a bit flexible when cornering, lovely on the flat and climbing though....just get the feeling I might break them, I am heading towards the Fulcrum Quatro's (£220 on the same site is a steal) as I think they may hold up better for the winter and then next season plan to go for some visions, had a look at a pair today in the shop....bleeding lovely and like the fact the spokes connect into the carbon so think they would be smooth as silk....£750 looks decent value to me too for what you get.
  • ck101
    ck101 Posts: 222
    My mate has a set of Askiums with 12000 Kms on them and they're perfect. What more can you ask for at 127...
  • goonz
    goonz Posts: 3,106
    Sorry to hijack but I am looking to upgrade my stock wheels on my Scott, Alex Race 28. Would these be better than my wheels?

    Are Mavic wheels really the best option available or what else would be better than what I have?
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  • mrcw34
    mrcw34 Posts: 10
    goonz wrote:
    Sorry to hijack but I am looking to upgrade my stock wheels on my Scott, Alex Race 28. Would these be better than my wheels?

    Are Mavic wheels really the best option available or what else would be better than what I have?


    Hey bud no problem at all.... I would imagine that any of the wheels we have been posting on will be an noticeable upgrade, its a case of what you got to spend..... spending serious money will completely transform the bike, its the best upgrade you can make..... I am "balling on a budget" as it where, just trying to nail down the best value I can get for my money..... don't think you would be disappointed with any of the options discussed on the thread. I am going for some fulcrum quarto's (£220 on A cycles, everywhere else they are £300) as I intend to ride them on through the winter and they are fairly hardy wheels
  • acidstrato
    acidstrato Posts: 945
    aksiums virtually bomb proof. and a bargain at that price I was so impressed with mine... I've used Fulcrum racing 1s, dura ace 50mm, dura race 1350s. but the mavics are the best value for money hands down
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  • vortice
    vortice Posts: 244
    mrcw34 wrote:
    Hi I am looking at a new set of wheels for my Colnago 3.0 clx it currently has the stock Shimano R500's that I have been impressed with given you can get a set for £75.... anyway a pothole has damaged the rim on the rear and although my local bike shop says they are safe, I see it as time to upgrade.... unfortunately my budget is limited, I know this bike really deserves some top end wheels but that's just not going to happen any time soon.


    So I have been doing my research and have narrowed the choice to either a set of Fulcrum racing 5's (wiggle have them for £160) or Fulcrum Quatro's for £220 or Mavic aksiums at £127, or do I just buy another set of R500's ?

    Your knowledge and opinions would be greatly appreciated :)

    My new bike should arrive on Tuesday and comes with Aksium WTS (shimano) inc tubes and tyres. I'm not even going to mount them on my bike as I have my own wheels, so im willing to sell them if you decide to go Mavic.
  • Barrzy257
    Barrzy257 Posts: 411
    The mavic aksiums are a cracking price, anyone no of they come with the tire and tube package at that price? Pretty sure I'm going to pull the pin on these!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Ck101 wrote:
    My mate has a set of Askiums with 12000 Kms on them and they're perfect. What more can you ask for at 127...

    Are you sure they are the same Aksium?
    Every year they do change something and I recall very well that 8 years ago they used to cost 175 pounds for the set... they can't be and they are not the same wheels they were 8 years ago.
    Ksyrium Equipe used to be mid range relatively light wheels, considered an Upgrade, now the latest I have seen are frankly badly assembled heavy boots.. they are not the same wheels, although they do carry the same name
    left the forum March 2023
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    My winter / cross bike has Aksiums. They've done thousands of miles in bad weather and been done some cross races too. Hardly needed truing at all. In my experience they are, cliche alert, bomb proof. I'm only a light rider but that's my anecdote.

    The normal retail price is nearer £200 these days and they push them with mavic tyres and tubes so I'd guess the above deal is for a 2011 set. Good value IMO.
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    ^^I think that's right. £127 is decent but you aren't getting any tyres or tubes. The 2012/13 sets comes with 'Aksion' tyres which appear to be ok, but not amazing. The current model is also called the Aksium S, although I'm not sure if anything has really changed this year.
  • Barrzy257
    Barrzy257 Posts: 411
    Ck101 wrote:
    My mate has a set of Askiums with 12000 Kms on them and they're perfect. What more can you ask for at 127...

    Are you sure they are the same Aksium?
    Every year they do change something and I recall very well that 8 years ago they used to cost 175 pounds for the set... they can't be and they are not the same wheels they were 8 years ago.
    Ksyrium Equipe used to be mid range relatively light wheels, considered an Upgrade, now the latest I have seen are frankly badly assembled heavy boots.. they are not the same wheels, although they do carry the same name

    So what would you recommend for around this price point and to do a similar job, training wheel?
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    I love fulcrums but at that price i'd get the aksiums
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Barrzy257 wrote:
    Ck101 wrote:
    My mate has a set of Askiums with 12000 Kms on them and they're perfect. What more can you ask for at 127...

    Are you sure they are the same Aksium?
    Every year they do change something and I recall very well that 8 years ago they used to cost 175 pounds for the set... they can't be and they are not the same wheels they were 8 years ago.
    Ksyrium Equipe used to be mid range relatively light wheels, considered an Upgrade, now the latest I have seen are frankly badly assembled heavy boots.. they are not the same wheels, although they do carry the same name

    So what would you recommend for around this price point and to do a similar job, training wheel?

    105 hubs, Alpina spokes, Ambrosio excursion rims... 160 pounds including the build... bit like buying a bespoke suit made in Saville Row for 199...
    left the forum March 2023
  • mrcw34
    mrcw34 Posts: 10
    Barrzy257 wrote:
    The mavic aksiums are a cracking price, anyone no of they come with the tire and tube package at that price? Pretty sure I'm going to pull the pin on these!


    I am pretty thorough (geek) at looking for the best deal on stuff, don't think will find the Mavic's for less..... had my head turned the weekend though, got to demo a set of Vision Team 30's....may be an odd ball choice (typical me) but wow.... like a new bike, exactly what I am after.... roll on payday (tues) going to have a set of these, great price too at £239.99

    http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... tAodgh8AnA
  • elderone
    elderone Posts: 1,410
    Well I orderd some qauttros last night.mainly for the look.I like the 35mm rim and low spoke count.Hopefully be here tuesday.
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  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    mrcw34 wrote:
    going to have a set of these, great price too at £239.99
    http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... tAodgh8AnA
    Nice looks, very good weight, not sure about ABS plastic nipples though, surely brass would be a wiser choice for durability?
  • overlord2
    overlord2 Posts: 339
    I dont understand why people rate Aksiums so much.

    6 years ago they were a top-notch wheel. The recent ones feel like they were made in a chinese garage. Dreadful. My rear freehub squeeled like a pig after a 1000 miles and they feel sluggish.

    My rear hub fractured on the spoke eyelet on the old aksiums.

    And I agree for a training wheel get handbuilt imo. .
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Sprool wrote:
    mrcw34 wrote:
    going to have a set of these, great price too at £239.99
    http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... tAodgh8AnA
    Nice looks, very good weight, not sure about ABS plastic nipples though, surely brass would be a wiser choice for durability?

    Inside the nipple there is a layer of ABS which acts as a threadlock... the actual nipple is metal. It's nothing new, these nipples have been around for ages
    left the forum March 2023
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    ah, ok thx for clarifying. Re your recommendation on 105 hubs, ambrosio rims and alpina spokes, do the hubs always tend to be 32/36 spoke F/R?