RS 80 24, 81 35c or Fulcrum racing 3?

diy

Been looking at upgrading my Ritchey DS pros for a while. I have been flirting with the idea of hand builts and already know what I would go for. Ideally I'd like something a little lighter than the ritcheys which come in at 1715 gram a pair, but I like the semi aero design (28mm). So its a choice of:

Shimano RS80 C24 at around £299 around 1,521g - hang the aero go light.
Shimano RS81 C35 £476 and 1640g - best of both worlds but I'm paying for 11sp compatibility and there are probably better choices in this price range.

Fulcrum Racing 3 at £352 and 1,555g
Quatros at £231 but similar weight to my ritcheys - would they be much of an upgrade

Riding is mostly hills and TT style sprints for short (<40 mile training rides) and the occasional 100k + sportive. I weigh around 73kg

Suggestions/thoughts?

ugo.santalucia

Look... I might be partisan here but now even Genesis is going to sell their uber-popular Equilibrium with Archetype rims... it must mean something...

Get them as 20/24 and they'll be the best wheel set you have ever owned.
Mr Cycleclinic has been so kind to part from a few specimen of his collection of super rare Miche Primato with 20/24 drillings and Shimano 11 free hub...

The Shimano you mention are dealt by Madison... do you really want to deal with Madison? They take no prisoners and they stock no spares...

smoggysteve

I just got a set of these for when I go climbing.

http://www.radsport-smit.de/epages/RSSmit.sf//de_DE/%C3%83%C2%83%C3%86%C2%92%C3%83%C2%82%C3%82%C2%A2%C3%83%C2%83%C3%82%C2%A2%C3%83%C2%A2%C3%A2%C2%82%C2%AC%C3%85%C2%A1%C3%83%C2%82%C3%82%C2%AC%C3%83%C2%83%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%A6%C3%83%C2%A2%C3%A2%C2%82%C2%AC%C3%85%C2%93http:/www.radsport-smit.de/epages/RSSmit.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/RSSmit/Products/00041132/SubProducts/00041132_44506&ChangedVariationValues=0

Not sure where you can get them outside Germany but they are amazingly light and quick off the mark. 1480g for a set of handbuilt clinchers. You would do well to find a better wheel for the price (€250)

daniel_b

Zondas?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-zonda-clincher-wheelset/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360518140

diy

An Archetype build is coming in at 1710 ~ 1730g - they seem a bit heavy for 25mm deep rims?

As a consumer - any problems with a factory wheel will be dealt with by the retailer - Why do I really care who the distributor is?

sloppyschleckonds

Wheels shouldn't be consumable items, which is what Shimano appear to be.

ugo.santalucia

diy wrote:

An Archetype build is coming in at 1710 ~ 1730g - they seem a bit heavy for 25mm deep rims?

Not necessarily... if you want they can be 1400 grams

http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/med ... tail/16/91

Not that I advocate the use of CX ray spokes, but the point is they can be as light or as heavy as you need

rickeverett

Campagnolo Zondas are 1550g and are available for around £280. They are virtually Fulcrum Racing 3 with a different spoke structure.

http://www.shinybikes.com/campagnolo-zo ... -2013.html

simon_e

diy wrote:

An Archetype build is coming in at 1710 ~ 1730g - they seem a bit heavy for 25mm deep rims?

Pffft, a few grammes here or there are irrelevant. Put the weightweenie scales away, it's about quality.

If you're not actually racing - i.e. paying up and putting a number on your back - then deep rims are just a fashion item. Even when racing the benefits are very small. I switched from Grammo 50mm all-carbon to heavier RS80s (1580g, more than the spec!), but they are much nicer to ride. And I'm faster than last year.