What difference do Wheels make?

NITR8s
NITR8s Posts: 688
edited August 2013 in Road general
I am thinking of upgrading my Shimano R500s that came with my bike with a set of Campagnolo Scirocco 35s.

This wheelset is gonna set me back roughly £200, however I dont know whether at this price range there will be much of a difference than the R500s I already have.

Should I wait and save more.

Comments

  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Don't 'upgrade' at all until your R500s are knackered, then you'll save loads!
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  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Wait and save more. Loads more.
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  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    What tyres are you using? Probably more benefit gained from using better tyres (Vittoria Paves are excellent)
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  • NITR8s
    NITR8s Posts: 688
    edited August 2013
    I have a Vittoria Zaffiro Pro on the rear and a Most Enwiro (no idea what it actually is) that came with the bike on the front.

    The idea with a new set of wheels was to use the new set while the weather is good and the R500s as a winter wheelset and on the turbo trainer which it is currently used as well.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    There's a method in the madness to having a spare wheelset though ...
    You can put a dud tyre & cheap cassette on the R500 rear wheel and use it as a turbo wheel ...
  • blu3cat
    blu3cat Posts: 1,016
    Initially I went the other way due after popping spokes regularly (I'm a bit chunky) on my RS20s to R500s.

    I didn't notice a huge difference, slightly slower acceleration.

    However I agree with saving a bit more, the step up from R500 to my current RS80s was far more noticable in terms of acceleration and feeling faster (although how much of that was pyschosomatic is questionable :) )
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  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    It's not in your head it's real, not so much on the flat but you really notice the difference on rolling terrain where it's much easier to maintain momentum on the uphill bits and cycling is a lot more pleasurable IMHO. It's impossible to go back to crappy wheels after you've had good ones on undulating rides, even for winter.
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  • Gaz180
    Gaz180 Posts: 4
    I spent a little more and replaced my r500's with the campagnolo zonda wheelset. Apart from looking and sounding great they also perform great! :D I kept the original cassette on the r500 and put an old tyre on so i can do straight wheel swap when using turbo.
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    Been looking at RS80s myself - head says C24 heart says C50. but then there is always the RS81 in a C35.
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  • jpj84
    jpj84 Posts: 51
    Replacing Shimano wheels with Campags? Are you replacing the groupset too?
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    antfly wrote:
    It's not in your head it's real, not so much on the flat but you really notice the difference on rolling terrain where it's much easier to maintain momentum on the uphill bits and cycling is a lot more pleasurable IMHO. It's impossible to go back to crappy wheels after you've had good ones on undulating rides, even for winter.

    Hmm, interesting you'd say even for winter. I had a plan that I would only use my RS80s for summer and go back to my Bontrager SuperHeavy™ wheels for the winter, with winter tyres such as GP 4 Seasons.
  • trailflow
    trailflow Posts: 1,311
    Replacing Shimano wheels with Campags? Are you replacing the groupset too?

    Some campagnolo wheels now have a shimano freehub option.
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    trailflow wrote:
    Replacing Shimano wheels with Campags? Are you replacing the groupset too?

    Some campagnolo wheels now have a shimano freehub option.

    That doesn't make it right.
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  • NITR8s
    NITR8s Posts: 688
    So I am suppose to pay an extra £69 for the Fulcrum Quattros (which are the same wheels) just cos I cant mix Shimano with Campag and doing so I am comitting a mortal sin.

    I will sum it up for you "I DONT CARE"
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    NITR8s wrote:
    So I am suppose to pay an extra £69 for the Fulcrum Quattros (which are the same wheels) just cos I cant mix Shimano with Campag and doing so I am comitting a mortal sin.

    I will sum it up for you "I DONT CARE"

    You should care. Its wrong on every level. Just don't bother 'upgrading'... Unless you are going for deep carbon tubs. Try sticking some decent tyres on your current wheels.
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  • Gizmodo
    Gizmodo Posts: 1,928
    New wheels do make a difference, I wrote this in July last year: "I fitted new wheels to my bike. My brother just bought a brand new Pinarello. On descents he would have to pedal to keep up with me coasting. He has bought new wheels and now he can keep up with me! I can pretty much guarantee that a wheel upgrade to stock wheels will make a big difference."

    But as others have said, your budget is too low. Put new rubber on your existing wheels until you have at least £400, then upgrade. Speak to ugo.santalucia on this forum who has built great wheels for 2 people that I know that are really happy with them.
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  • Armyofangels
    Armyofangels Posts: 20
    Not a great deal at that price
  • NITR8s
    NITR8s Posts: 688
    Thanks I will wait and spend more.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    NITR8s wrote:
    So I am suppose to pay an extra £69 for the Fulcrum Quattros (which are the same wheels) just cos I cant mix Shimano with Campag and doing so I am comitting a mortal sin.

    I will sum it up for you "I DONT CARE"

    Campag Wheels with Shimano groupset! Burn the heretic! ;)
  • jpj84
    jpj84 Posts: 51
    trailflow wrote:
    Replacing Shimano wheels with Campags? Are you replacing the groupset too?

    Some campagnolo wheels now have a shimano freehub option.
    Whaaaaat? Never thought I'd live to see this...
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Wheels definitely make a big difference to your cycling ...
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Mikey23 wrote:
    Wheels definitely make a big difference to your cycling ...

    Exactly. Without them, you wouldn't get very far...
  • TheHound
    TheHound Posts: 284
    +1 for Shimano groupset with campag wheels :).

    Anyone that complains about that crap needs to get a life.
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  • michael_roadie
    michael_roadie Posts: 84
    Yeah I have Zondas with Shimano freehub... IDGAF. Mostly cause it's my first bike and I'm upgrading bits here and there but have no intention of shelling out for a new groupset just cause I've changed my wheels, and I won't not buy the wheels I want just cause they're from a different brand. Fulcrum = Campag anyway, and I assume Racing 3 = Zonda, but there's a 100 quid price difference. Probably wrong with some of those assumptions... who cares.

    Anyhoo OP, yeah wheels really do make a difference. I have to say after I replaced my stock wheelset my initial impression was that I didn't really feel any difference. But after a while of using my new wheelset, then occasionally going back to the stock set for rainy weather, I have to say I now notice a big difference. It's just a lot lighter, easier to get up to speed, climb, and probably roll better. I can still go probably just as fast on my stock wheelset for regular commuting but there's definitely a different (better) feel overall with upgraded wheels. Whether the specific ones you are looking to upgrade to are significantly better from your current wheelset is another matter. I'd think Zondas are a good mid range wheelset which you can get for sub £300.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    TheHound wrote:
    +1 for Shimano groupset with campag wheels :).

    Anyone that complains about that crap needs to get a life.

    There are no complaints that a say see. ;)

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