New shimano wheels - Ultegra or RS80 24mm?

3b4bikes
3b4bikes Posts: 40
edited July 2013 in Road buying advice
Looking to replace the Easton EA50 aero wheels that came with my bike. The Ultegra get good reviews and look good value at around £235 for a set. Just wondering if its worth spending another £100 to get the RS80? Are there any other differences to consider other than the price and a few grammes?
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Comments

  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    It slightly worries me in the description that to reduce weight the wall thickness on the rim [RS80] has been reduced to 0.7mm. this surely will mean they will wear out quickly if an abrasive pad is used or if they are riden in the wet. Personally I wouldn't buy either as that not enough spokes for me and mileage I cover.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    I have used them for a couple of years, including the winter, and the rims are showing no sign of wear.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    This has been asked so many times.

    The quick answer is No!.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Bad description then. Maybe they mean someting else other than the brake track.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • 3b4bikes
    3b4bikes Posts: 40
    smidsy wrote:
    This has been asked so many times.

    The quick answer is No!.

    To which question?
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    It's exactly the question I've been looking for the answer to.
    smidsy wrote:
    This has been asked so many times.

    The quick answer is No!.

    And why is the answer no? What makes the RS80 not worth the extra money over the Ultegra?
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    It's exactly the question I've been looking for the answer to.
    smidsy wrote:
    This has been asked so many times.

    The quick answer is No!.

    And why is the answer no? What makes the RS80 not worth the extra money over the Ultegra?

    Independant review states "Shimano's RS80 wheelset is bringing Carbon wheels to the masses – at least wheels that look like they're made of Carbon, anyway. Lurking underneath is an alloy rim"
    So IMO they have the same hubs and same basic rim (with a bit of carbon stuck on) but cost £100 more. So I do not consider them worth the money.

    Regarding the thinner rim bit it states "Shimano use a thinner Aluminium extrusion (0.6mm instead of the more usual 1–1.3mm) for the basic structure of the rim, and then bond on a Carbon outer layer".
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Thanks! I'm pretty set on getting a new set of wheels but at the moment I still have no idea.

    I originally thought Ultegra, then looks at the Dura Ace C24s but eventually dismissed them as too expensive. I'm confused by the Mavic's making you buy tyres with them.. Then wondering if it's worth waiting for the 6800 11 speed Ultegra wheel (even if I won't be using 11 speed, yet), or going RS80. Or just getting an Ultegra 10 speed wheel...
  • 3b4bikes
    3b4bikes Posts: 40
    smidsy wrote:
    It's exactly the question I've been looking for the answer to.
    smidsy wrote:
    This has been asked so many times.

    The quick answer is No!.

    And why is the answer no? What makes the RS80 not worth the extra money over the Ultegra?

    Independant review states "Shimano's RS80 wheelset is bringing Carbon wheels to the masses – at least wheels that look like they're made of Carbon, anyway. Lurking underneath is an alloy rim"
    So IMO they have the same hubs and same basic rim (with a bit of carbon stuck on) but cost £100 more. So I do not consider them worth the money.

    Regarding the thinner rim bit it states "Shimano use a thinner Aluminium extrusion (0.6mm instead of the more usual 1–1.3mm) for the basic structure of the rim, and then bond on a Carbon outer layer".

    Thanks for the info smidsy.

    Do you have a link for the review?
  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    keep the ea50s - in my opinion neither of the ultegra sets is a significant upgrade
  • 3b4bikes
    3b4bikes Posts: 40
    Thanks! I'm pretty set on getting a new set of wheels but at the moment I still have no idea.

    I originally thought Ultegra, then looks at the Dura Ace C24s but eventually dismissed them as too expensive. I'm confused by the Mavic's making you buy tyres with them.. Then wondering if it's worth waiting for the 6800 11 speed Ultegra wheel (even if I won't be using 11 speed, yet), or going RS80. Or just getting an Ultegra 10 speed wheel...


    Sounds very familiar!

    I thought I had decided on Ultegra over comparable Mavic or Fulcrum as they seemed to offer better value for money. But then met a bloke on sportive on Sunday raving about his new dura-ace C24s. Decided they were a bit too expensive which then led me to the RS80 and onto here...
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    edited June 2013
    I can't comment on your Eastons but the RS80s are great wheels to ride, the carbon section isn't just for show, it really makes a difference to the ride, their extra comfort is really surprising. Having a normal breaking surface is a good thing as far as I am concerned.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    BTW does anyone know when the 6800 11-speed wheels are due to be available? And is a RS80 11-speed going to be available soon?

    I don't run 11-speed but I would like to have the option of upgrading to it without having to buy new wheels again!
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    edited June 2013
    To slightly answer my own question, the RS80s are due to be replaced by the RS81 range, so I think I'll wait.
    I think from googling available around September time. Sigma Sport has them listed as £485, on 'pre order'.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    3b4bikes wrote:
    Thanks for the info smidsy.

    Do you have a link for the review?

    http://road.cc/content/review/1216-shim ... 0-wheelset

    But one of many so google away.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    That's not quite the crap review that you were implying. 4 out of 5 stars.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    I've spent alot of time researching replacements for my Easton EA50's and have now put the idea on the back burner. Got some decent quotes for handbuilts (£325 with Ultegra Hubs) and also some Planet X (currently on offer at £365) but having ridden alot in groups lately I have come to the opinion that the Eastons will do me me just fine. They might need truing up but I'm really not sure, apart from cosmetically what a £350 wheel set will offer in terms of performance gains. I mean, lets be honest, its not going to be massive is it.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    I mean, lets be honest, its not going to be massive is it.

    No bike upgrade will give you a big advantage when compared to fitness or rider weight. But every bit together can add up to a real advantage.
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    I mean, lets be honest, its not going to be massive is it.

    No bike upgrade will give you a big advantage when compared to fitness or rider weight. But every bit together can add up to a real advantage.

    Agreed, but I am always surprised people quibble over the odd gram or 2, when losing 3 lbs off themelves might make a bigger difference for less money.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    antfly wrote:
    That's not quite the crap review that you were implying. 4 out of 5 stars.

    I never said it was, merely stated that I do not believe they are worth the extra - which was the OP's question.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    smidsy wrote:
    antfly wrote:
    That's not quite the crap review that you were implying. 4 out of 5 stars.

    I never said it was, merely stated that I do not believe they are worth the extra - which was the OP's question.

    To be fair, you said
    smidsy wrote:
    "This has been asked so many times.

    The quick answer is No!."

    Which implies that the forum had come to some collective conclusion when in fact it was just your opinion.

    Unless we know for sure that Shimano bond carbon onto a wheel just for cosmetics.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    dodgy wrote:
    Which implies that the forum had come to some collective conclusion when in fact it was just your opinion.

    When does that ever happen.

    Ofcourse it is just my opinion. I wrote it.

    The OP asked for opinions, I gave mine.

    Sorry to anyone who may of actually thought that it was a unanimous verdict :mrgreen:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • pitchshifter
    pitchshifter Posts: 1,476
    I have a set. Not had any problems with them so far (touch wood).

    Spin up quickly.
    Hold speed well.
    Light.

    I wouldn't use if you are over 75kg though.. May start flexing too much.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    I wouldn't use if you are over 75kg though.. May start flexing too much.

    Brings palm of hand to forehead abruptly. And that is exactly my point :roll:

    Not the greatest investment for normally built folk.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    smidsy wrote:
    I wouldn't use if you are over 75kg though.. May start flexing too much.

    Brings palm of hand to forehead abruptly. And that is exactly my point :roll:

    Not the greatest investment for normally built folk.

    Yeah, but Pitchshifter is built like Andy Schleck... :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • 3b4bikes
    3b4bikes Posts: 40
    I have a set. Not had any problems with them so far (touch wood).

    Spin up quickly.
    Hold speed well.
    Light.

    I wouldn't use if you are over 75kg though.. May start flexing too much.

    Not weighed myself for a while, but I reckon I'm about 75-76kg.

    One of the initial reasons for changing EA50's was flexing rear wheel causing a pinging noise. Other than that, although they roll well on a nice flat straight road in good conditions, I've never felt totally confident with them. In a crosswind they can make for a nervy ride, handling downhill and cornering doesn't feel the sharpest and on long uphill stretches I can't help myself thinking about lighter rims :)

    Just dropped bike into shop for them to have a look at the pinging noise. They reckon the spokes just need tightening a bit so I will have to wait and see. When I mentioned my thoughts about changing wheels the guy in the shop reckoned the Ultegras would be a downgrade on the basis they dont have sealed hubs.

    Hmmm...I wasn't quite sure, now I haven't got a clue :?
  • pitchshifter
    pitchshifter Posts: 1,476
    smidsy wrote:
    I wouldn't use if you are over 75kg though.. May start flexing too much.

    Brings palm of hand to forehead abruptly. And that is exactly my point :roll:

    Not the greatest investment for normally built folk.

    Yeah, but Pitchshifter is built like Andy Schleck... :wink:


    :lol:
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    They are a stiff wheel anyway, not flexy.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    antfly wrote:
    They are a stiff wheel anyway, not flexy.

    Debateable. There are certainly stiffer for similar money. Even an owner of them has already advised they flex.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,923
    RS80s consist of an Ultegra hub and a Dura Ace rim. The Dura Ace C24 have Dura Ace hubs and the same Dura Ace rim as the RS80.
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