Reynolds Assault

Pashley 24Mhz

Bought a new bike a couple of weeks ago, but now I'm in the market for a new clincher wheelset (lighter).

My choice is between Reynaulds Assault (46mm) and some 50 mm Chinese wheels. Are the Assaults worth paying almost double, or will there be no difference in ride feel/ braking...
I'm not a racer, but someone who enjoyes riding. Most of my rides are 40 to 70km, 25-27km/h, but in any weathertype (stock wheels can still be used when the wind is too strong).

Any experience/ opinions?

Current status:

napoleond

The assaults are reputedly good wheels with an excellent braking surface for a carbon clincher. I've had a pair of Chinese wheels, they were good but it's nice to have some piece of mind.

Have a look at these, they use a Reynolds carbon clincher rim, my mate has a pair and really rates them-

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/index.ph ... iv5i7f8n45

ugo.santalucia

Just playing the devil's advocate and not meaning to be patronising, but looking at your gearing and riding position, I don't think deep section carbon wheels suit your riding style. They are aimed to sustain high speeds for a long time in an aerodynamic riding position (saddle high, bars low)... that's where they give you an advantage.
However, if you get them for the look, then get the Reynolds, they do look expensive, while cheap Chinese carbon clinchers look exactly what they are

napoleond

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Just playing the devil's advocate and not meaning to be patronising, but looking at your gearing and riding position, I don't think deep section carbon wheels suit your riding style. They are aimed to sustain high speeds for a long time in an aerodynamic riding position (saddle high, bars low)... that's where they give you an advantage.
However, if you get them for the look, then get the Reynolds, they do look expensive, while cheap Chinese carbon clinchers look exactly what they are

I didn't want to mention that, I assumed it'd be for bling purposes.

sloppyschleckonds

Tubulars

Pashley 24Mhz

I must admit, that It's not so much about the aero aspect I want to buy a set of high wheels, more the fact that I like the look.

I only can have a 2.5cm drop between saddle and bars according to the measuring I've let done, to save my back.
I've chosen a triple to replace my compact as it gives me the ability to have more souplesse in the area I live in.
Regarding the long way I've come (healthwise) I'm already happy riding those distaces again , and working to get the distances/speed up, but enjoying myself is still the main thing (plus the fact I like nice parts )

ugo.santalucia

Pashley 24Mhz wrote:

I must admit, that It's not so much about the aero aspect I want to buy a set of high wheels, more the fact that I like the look.

I only can have a 2.5cm drop between saddle and bars according to the measuring I've let done, to save my back.
I've chosen a triple to replace my compact as it gives me the ability to have more souplesse in the area I live in.
Regarding the long way I've come (healthwise) I'm already happy riding those distaces again

Have you considered the Cosmic Carbone SL or SLR? For everyday use an aluminium brake track give you a bit more piece of mind, doesn't need stupid brake pads and the Stickers are probably still the best looking... with Mavic you can even buy into their "whatever happens" crash replacement scheme, which is a bonus given the developing country road network we have

mallorcajeff

With a triple i cant see you getting the benefit, but if you feel you want to get the rey olds, they are great wheels. I was on a group ride with a guy that had some cheap chinese 50mm on and my god they were shocking.

rolf_f

ugo.santalucia wrote:

However, if you get them for the look, then get the Reynolds, they do look expensive, while cheap Chinese carbon clinchers look exactly what they are

On the other hand, if the OP likes the look of the Chinese wheels he might as well get those. If you are paying good money to make your bike go more slowly, you might as well at least minimise the cost of the performance loss!

kleinstroker

The Reynolds make a nice wooshing sound as well.

noiseboyfeetman

kleinstroker wrote:

The Reynolds make a nice wooshing sound as well.

And sound like laser guns under braking.

Camcycle1974

PX carbon clinchers with alu braking track. £499 for a limited time. 45mm profile and backed up by PX warranty. Cheaper than Reynolds, better than generic Chinese ones. ARC do some beautiful, light carbon wheels but they are tubs which might be worth considering. Cost is about £1 per gram of wheel though! Good job they are light.

mikenetic

Pashley 24Mhz wrote:

I must admit, that It's not so much about the aero aspect I want to buy a set of high wheels, more the fact that I like the look.

I only can have a 2.5cm drop between saddle and bars according to the measuring I've let done, to save my back.
I've chosen a triple to replace my compact as it gives me the ability to have more souplesse in the area I live in.
Regarding the long way I've come (healthwise) I'm already happy riding those distaces again , and working to get the distances/speed up, but enjoying myself is still the main thing (plus the fact I like nice parts )

If it's about the look, just buy cheap ones, unless you're after brand bragging rights. Deep section rims are more aero, but at the speeds you mention that will have minimal impact.

ugo.santalucia

mikenetic wrote:

Pashley 24Mhz wrote:

I must admit, that It's not so much about the aero aspect I want to buy a set of high wheels, more the fact that I like the look.

I only can have a 2.5cm drop between saddle and bars according to the measuring I've let done, to save my back.
I've chosen a triple to replace my compact as it gives me the ability to have more souplesse in the area I live in.
Regarding the long way I've come (healthwise) I'm already happy riding those distaces again , and working to get the distances/speed up, but enjoying myself is still the main thing (plus the fact I like nice parts )

If it's about the look, just buy cheap ones, unless you're after brand bragging rights. Deep section rims are more aero, but at the speeds you mention that will have minimal impact.

I would argue that if it is about the look, he should buy the ones that look best, not the cheapest... the cheap chinese wheels do look extremely cheap to the trained eye.
Don't discard the "look" argument... the vast majority of people buying so called upgrades do so because of the look... bike fashion is a massive market

noodleman

Ive got two pairs. They are fantastic wheels. Very little flex compared to cheaper offerings, plus the braking is superb regardless of the fact its a carbon rim not alluminium. Must admit mine are used for faster riding averaging over 20mph where they do make sense. just make sure you remove the cack decals.
i guess what the other guys are saying still stands. if your not going to get any aero benefit out of them, maybe look at some shallower carbon wheels. Plenty of bling wheels out there for similar cash that might suit your needs better.
Up to you at the end of the day though

rolf_f

ugo.santalucia wrote:

I would argue that if it is about the look, he should buy the ones that look best, not the cheapest... the cheap chinese wheels do look extremely cheap to the trained eye.

Maybe - but the trained eye is probably laughing at you for running deep section wheels in the first place. Most people aren't going to look at your wheels any further than to note "Ahh, he has deep rim carbon wheels" - if they are a bit more savvy they will think "Ahh, he has deep rim carbon rims that aren't Zipps because there are no stickers on them". Probably not much else.

smidsy

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Have you considered the Cosmic Carbone SL or SLR?

I have clearly been transported to a parallel universe where everything I know is opposite

asprilla

noodleman wrote:

Ive got two pairs. They are fantastic wheels. Very little flex compared to cheaper offerings, plus the braking is superb regardless of the fact its a carbon rim not alluminium. Must admit mine are used for faster riding averaging over 20mph where they do make sense. just make sure you remove the cack decals.

I sold mine because they were too stiff. Riding the Surrey hills was like riding a bucking bronco.

Look lovely though.

noodleman

Better decals on the earlier models than the recent ones. Personally find big white stickers plastered all over the wheels spoils the lines of the frame though. Each to their own.

smidsy

Yeah but they pay you more for advertising big.....oh hang on, no, they don't.

noodleman

smidsy wrote:

Yeah but they pay you more for advertising big.....oh hang on, no, they don't.

Very good point

stueys

noodleman wrote:

Better decals on the earlier models than the recent ones. Personally find big white stickers plastered all over the wheels spoils the lines of the frame though. Each to their own.

Agree, first thing inwouldndo is have those stickers off, looks well OTT

ugo.santalucia

Stueys wrote:

noodleman wrote:

Better decals on the earlier models than the recent ones. Personally find big white stickers plastered all over the wheels spoils the lines of the frame though. Each to their own.

Agree, first thing inwouldndo is have those stickers off, looks well OTT

Oh gosh yes... best to leave all matt black, so that the bailiffs think I am riding a worthless Chinese bike and not a Dogma with 2 K of wheels

noiseboyfeetman

Stueys wrote:

noodleman wrote:

Better decals on the earlier models than the recent ones. Personally find big white stickers plastered all over the wheels spoils the lines of the frame though. Each to their own.

Agree, first thing inwouldndo is have those stickers off, looks well OTT

I originally thought the same, but after recently testing some out I was surprised how good they looked once fitted.

noodleman

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Stueys wrote:

noodleman wrote:

Better decals on the earlier models than the recent ones. Personally find big white stickers plastered all over the wheels spoils the lines of the frame though. Each to their own.

Agree, first thing inwouldndo is have those stickers off, looks well OTT

Oh gosh yes... best to leave all matt black, so that the bailiffs think I am riding a worthless Chinese bike and not a Dogma with 2 K of wheels

Team sky do it!

Grill

noodleman wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Stueys wrote:

noodleman wrote:

Better decals on the earlier models than the recent ones. Personally find big white stickers plastered all over the wheels spoils the lines of the frame though. Each to their own.

Agree, first thing inwouldndo is have those stickers off, looks well OTT

Oh gosh yes... best to leave all matt black, so that the bailiffs think I am riding a worthless Chinese bike and not a Dogma with 2 K of wheels

Team sky do it!

Shimano wouldn't appreciate it if people knew that their TT's were won by HED and the climbing performance was due to AX-Lightness. :P

Pashley 24Mhz

Made my decision and ordered some Assaults . Got them last week, but send them back because there was a chip of carbon missing on the edge of the rim.

white91

Did you get these in the end?

Pashley 24Mhz

Yup, bought them and immediately got a new pair from Reynolds in warranty as the original had a chip in the carbon.

Absolutely love them. They are the good weather wheels, so if it rains, I mount my original alu wheels. The Assaults ride so much smoother, softer... Glad I made the decission to buy them, definately would do it again with what I know.

ollie51

mikenetic wrote:

Deep section rims are more aero, but at the speeds you mention that will have minimal impact.

http://alex-cycle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/0 ... iders.html

'The largest absolute time savings from a given aerodynamic improvement are made by the least powerful/slowest riders.'