How much to spend on wheels compared to bike?
pipipi
Posts: 332
IHi everyone. I'm just in the process of trying to decide how much I should spend/save on a new wheelset for my bike. After mechanical issues 
I need to buy new rather than try and repair and I am just trying to ascertain what would be a reasonable amount to spend. Obviously the more I spend the better the wheels get, but there must be a sensible limit on how much to spend. (like you wouldn't spend £2000 on wheels for a £500 bike :shock: )
Is there a rule of thumb for how much you should spend on wheels compared to the bike?
So to keep it simple. If the brand new bike was £100. How much would you spend on new wheels? £25? £50?
I need to buy new rather than try and repair and I am just trying to ascertain what would be a reasonable amount to spend. Obviously the more I spend the better the wheels get, but there must be a sensible limit on how much to spend. (like you wouldn't spend £2000 on wheels for a £500 bike :shock: )Is there a rule of thumb for how much you should spend on wheels compared to the bike?
So to keep it simple. If the brand new bike was £100. How much would you spend on new wheels? £25? £50?
Giant TCR2 and lovin it!
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
0
Posts
On a cheaper bike say £1k I can image wheels might be £200-£300 so up to 30%.
Find me on Strava
For me it would be 33% of the overall bike cost. i.e £1500 bike I would accept £500 on wheels.
Thinking about it I suppose it depends on the bike value. That still gives me £875 for wheels on the Basso which is more than enough.
However if I use that formula for the CAAD 5 I can only spend £87.50.
Thanks for the swift replies!
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
Just get the wheels you like and can afford. Would have thought 66% would be a max though.
A Triban 3 would need at least 50-66% at list price.
There is no point in upgrading wheels just a little bit if you can afford a big jump and they suit the bike.
Wheels/tyres make a bike IMO.
Dont forget you may upgrade your bike and still put your 'best' wheels on it. Most bikes come with pants wheels (compared to spec of bike they are on) and often its to keep costs down when buyers have their own to put on.
Mad? :shock:
Perhaps.
But bikes are a collection of interchangeable components. Wheels are not permanently mated to one frame are they, and on the basis that I can transfer them to a much better frame at some point in the future when I can afford it, I don't see it as a complete waste of money. I view them as a long term upgrade and separate to the bike I'm initially buying them for. Further, I only intend to use them during the summer months, so barring any bad luck and providing I look after them, they should stay pristine for years.
If you buy factory wheels they are a disposable commodity... depending on riding conditions the rims will last 6-12 K miles. Pretty much no chance of rebuilding them, hence hardly an investment... for that money you should secure a set of Royce hubs, which are an investment you can pass on to your son, in theory... spokes and rims will change according to moods and seasons of your life
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... 51269d4075
This is an interesting point and I think explains a lot of the differences in opinions on this board, arguing in favour or against buying certain equipment. Your attitude is a very understandable one, no doubt shared by many people but I don't see that it is a universal one, nor that everyone, in your words, "should" follow this policy.
For many people, cycling is a hobby that they're happy to spend the disposable part of their income on for immediate gratification, not necessarily thinking of it as in "investment" or considering resale value or replacement cost in five years time. For example, if I'm buying an expensive designer dress, I know it will probably last me only two or three seasons before I'll want something else or something in a different style, but if I can afford it and it's worth it to me to have it now and over the next couple of years, of course it's a purchase I'd be willing to make. Similarly, I think there are many people who look at the cost of a bike or components and amortise the cost over a shorter time period of 3-5 years when making a value judgement on whether something is worth buying. Others may feel differently and agree with you that whatever they buy should be serviceable in 10 or even 20 years time.
Prescribing what people "should" do, based on what "I" would do, knowing that different people have different priorities, isn't, in my opinion, very helfpul.
Mood 1.I want the bike to be as fast as possible. I like the investment for future line. I want the best I can afford. Let's go Fulcrum 3.
Mood 2. Well, the roads round here aren't great. That's a lot money on F3. Perhaps go something heavier and stronger, and a bit cheaper. Quattro.
Mood 3. Will I really notice any weight difference? I could lose some weight instead. Fulcrum 5.
A few days later, back to mood 1
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
My moneys on the should being a typo for could as Ugo is not one to preach or tell people what to do. He gives loads of fantastic free advice on here and his style is reasoned argument and illustrations to back up his points - check his Blog and web page.
Jane, I was answering the post above mine, you probably missed it, which clearly mentioned buying wheels as a long term investment...
You are of course right about how one can spend his money and I normally try to give advice where advice is asked for
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
Given the price point and use I have described, I find this quite frankly shocking. You have to wonder why anyone would buy factory wheels at all. But being a wheel builder you're bound to say that
It's just as well I'm going the hand built route
This is a joke right?..... Harry Rowland.
http://www.harryrowland.co.uk/
Thanks for the link.
Mood 4?
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
But how do you mean "the bike" since a full bike includes the wheels in the first place. Perhaps it should be considered as a percentage of the cost (or RRP) of the frame?
In a way it would be interesting to compare some stock bikes with how much their standard wheels cost...that would give us an idea of what manufacturers think.
And the RRP may well change the percentage, as someone has already said, a really expensive bike £5000, might only need 10% to spend on wheels. Whereas a £500 bike might need 20%.
A few knowledgable people have said 25-30% maximums and that seems to fit in with my gut instinct/wallet
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
Quite often it's difficult to determine what wheels a bike actually comes with "Alloy hubs w/Bontrager Approved alloy rims" which means nothing so it's difficult to compare with others, but I can be safe in the assumption they are bottom of the range.
+1 for Harry.
Find me on Strava
http://www.trainerroad.com/career/pipipi
You Sir are 1 of a kind around here :-)
I've bought a set of factory wheels for my wifes bike - they look very nice and ride very well ... I don't expect to replace them for a good few years, but they're not an "investment" as they're not worth anything other than to us - they're as common as muck and relatively inexpensive. If/when she gets a new road bike I'll probably transfer the wheels over (assuming she hasn't knackered them in the meantime!).
He then also said in response to mine