Am I mad using my c24's on my winter bike?

#david2012
#david2012 Posts: 275
edited November 2013 in Road buying advice
I asked a question the other evening as to an alternative / but also a possible upgrade to my dura ace c 24's.
I know this wheel question has been done to dust but, I've switched to my winter bike recently and it's ok but feels heavy and lifeless compared to my focus cayo which I've rapidly put 500 miles on.

My defy 1 is transformed with the dura aces though and I forgot how good this bike can feel once I'd put them back on today for a quick run out. So anyone asking do lighter wheels make a difference.... Oh yes 100%

So I really want to just leave these on the defy and bin the giant wheels (literally) which means I'd like some nice ones for the focus ready for the spring, ( the stock fulcrum 6.5's are as bad as the giants, and never touched the road ) I'm not in a rush but would like to do some searching around now , or pick some up if they are on offer or become available.
Hoping some of you experienced guys would advise on something to look for :wink:
Budget 600+

Thanks in advance
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Comments

  • primalcarl
    primalcarl Posts: 579
    If you've got money to throw away, why not. Personally I would rather have a pair of Shimano R501's which can be found for under £70. No reason for anything else at that price
    www.csimages.info
  • nunowoolmez
    nunowoolmez Posts: 867
    I've taken mine off & am using my Bonty RL's. C24's can handle winter perfectly of course, but I prefer to keep them in as good as nick as possible. My Bontys are still very nice wheels, just not as nice as my C24's!
  • How Far is too Far
    How Far is too Far Posts: 534
    run RS80,s on mine.
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Use what you want. Keep the Giant rear wheel for a turbo trainer wheel.

    As for new ones, plenty of time to look, anyone can work out the Shimano, Mavic, Fulcrum and Campag contenders... then there's the other not so massively selling factory builts, or hand builts. Or do what so many other people do and buy some heavier carbon 50mm clinchers and then say they've added 3-4 mph to your average speed when they haven't :)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    jeez and i was worried that my first ride on my ultegra's was in a torrential downpour :?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    How Far is too Far wrote:
    run RS80,s on mine.

    You'll only get one winter out of them.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • #david2012
    #david2012 Posts: 275
    Thanks for all the replies....
    Yes I'm thinking put the fulcrum 6.5 on the turbo mfin
    Itboffin, to be honest I know what you mean... Hence the 'am I mad' title lol
    But climbing hills are just a pleasure on these wheels... I think I'd rather use them and enjoy them than look at them siting there!
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    #david2012 wrote:
    Thanks for all the replies....
    Yes I'm thinking put the fulcrum 6.5 on the turbo mfin
    Itboffin, to be honest I know what you mean... Hence the 'am I mad' title lol
    But climbing hills are just a pleasure on these wheels... I think I'd rather use them and enjoy them than look at them siting there!

    I agree, if replacing them when they have 'had it' is no problem financially then it makes more sense to ride them and enjoy them than to wrap them in cotton wool to make them last. In the end wheels are a consumable :)

    (Careful you don't continually spray degreaser based cleaners like muc-off at the hubs or aim high pressure hoses at the hubs and you will avoid washing the grease out of everything... past that, it's only crap on the rims wearing the braking surfaces that really shorten the life anyway, bearings can be replaced can't they).
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    I use RS80s too, on the winter bike. This is their second winter. I wasn't intending to use them all winter either but it's difficult to go back to lifeless wheels.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    antfly wrote:
    I use RS80s too, on the winter bike. This is their second winter. I wasn't intending to use them all winter either but it's difficult to go back to lifeless wheels.

    You'll only get one winter out of them :roll: ...you must be a liar :)
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Am I mad using my c24's on my winter bike?

    Nope, it just means that you have enough disposable cash to effectively burn it. My last few rides have been in inclement weather (strong blustery wind and the occasional torrential downpour) and I can honestly say that I didn't think once about the difference between the wheels I now have on my bike (RS30s, £100 from Ribble) compared to the RS80s I took off a few weeks ago. Strava says that I wasn't any slower either (particularly when the wind was behind me :wink: ).

    Your nice DA hubs can be sorted by good maintenance but your rims will not last very long and most folks would struggle to source rims/spoke and rebuild c24s. So, as usual, it is your choice. Some folks ride fantastic and uber expensive deep section carbon wheels throughout the British winter even though they struggle to make 15mph avg even in the summer, but that doesn't make it wrong.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Same issue myself, R80's are my "good" wheels and I think this weekend I'm going to take them off and put back on the stock wheels I got with my Trek 2.1. Which will be a shame because they are heavy and slow but don't want to kill my RS80's as they are a good wheelset.

    Although I must admit just *not* doing that and sticking with the RS80's all winter - possibly just changing the tyres, is very very tempting.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    The answer is of course get a bike with disc brakes, have a set of wheels built with your favourite carbon rims ad ride them all year round just changing the tyres
    left the forum March 2023
  • Moonbiker
    Moonbiker Posts: 1,706
    Ugo what helmet is that one you are wearing in the profile picture?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Moonbiker wrote:
    Ugo what helmet is that one you are wearing in the profile picture?

    Ha ha... that's a Cinelli hairnet I got from Mario at the fietsmaker, fitted on top of a cycling cap... not my everyday one, but came in handy for the period bike Crit in Oudenaarde last May. I think Monty Dog has one just like that
    left the forum March 2023
  • mitchgixer6
    mitchgixer6 Posts: 729
    Is the whole point of having a winter bike not so as it DOES feel dull and lifeless? Surely that way you get the biggest benefit when you jump back on your good wheels/bike in the spring.

    Put some cheap wheels on and save the dura ace. You'll not remember the difference after a few rides.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    mitchgixer6 wrote:
    You'll not remember the difference after a few rides.
    Oh I have to disagree ...

    They still feel lifeless and heavy right the way though to spring - but it's a joy getting back on the good wheels(/bike) when the weather is good.
    You're only going to wear the surfaces if you're braking - so just don't brake! Or make sure you've got soft brake pads ...

    I'm riding to get to work - so the pain and suffering of winter tyres along with mudguards is quite apparent, but sufferable - the "joy" comes in riding in the dark - especially on clear nights. I've always got the option of taking the best bike/wheels if the weather looks like it'll hold up
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Slowbike wrote:
    I'm riding to get to work - so the pain and suffering of winter tyres along with mudguards is quite apparent, but sufferable - the "joy" comes in riding in the dark - especially on clear nights. I've always got the option of taking the best bike/wheels if the weather looks like it'll hold up

    You enjoy riding in the dark? I've tried it, including this morning, just don't like it really. This morning everything was so much nicer once it got light in the second half of my ride.
  • simonj
    simonj Posts: 346
    If you don't mind wearing them down then why not. If you want to help save them a little ensure you have less harsh pads like swissstop. I put major wear on a set of C24 in only 4 days / 300 miles (Lands End to Midlands) - riding in terrible rain with grit getting into the pads. The rims went from no significant wear to seriously concave in 4 days, I think from the downhill braking in the rain with grit being picked up in the pads! Lesson learnt, I changed to swissstop and now check my pads regularly. I have reluntantly bought a newer 11 speed set and love them, but agree with Ugo and can't wait for good hydraulic brakes to become more mainstream as that way hopefully the disc becomes with consumables rather than the rim.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    simonj wrote:
    I have reluntantly bought a newer set and love them, but agree with Ugo and can't wait for good hydraulic brakes to become more mainstream as that way hopefully the disc becomes with consumables rather than the rim.

    Everyone is waiting for hydraulics, but I think cable operated systems are more than adequate. In fact hydraulics might be too good for the road and maybe only to be paired with big grippy tyres and lower pressures. I do struggle to keep my rear tyre on the tarmac at times with a MTB strength cable disc on my cross bike.

    If strong hydraulic brakes make it to the market, I expect the tyre manufacturers to come up with much improved road tyres and wider rims/bigger tyres might become mainstream

    once again I pioneer the field... :mrgreen: 8)
    left the forum March 2023
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    I'm riding to get to work - so the pain and suffering of winter tyres along with mudguards is quite apparent, but sufferable - the "joy" comes in riding in the dark - especially on clear nights. I've always got the option of taking the best bike/wheels if the weather looks like it'll hold up

    You enjoy riding in the dark? I've tried it, including this morning, just don't like it really. This morning everything was so much nicer once it got light in the second half of my ride.
    yup - mostly where there isn't much/any traffic though - I have lights bright enough to see where I'm going without obliterating night vision - I don't worry about speed or strava segments - I do look up at the stars.... :)
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    Unless you are facing exceptional conditions (when presumably you can decide not to go out on your bike) I don't really see the point in changing your wheels around.

    I weigh over 13 stone and have been riding older gen dura ace wheels virtually every day on my commute into central London since 2007. I only have 3 miles each way most days (2 days a week I throw in the hills of Highgate) but there is a lot of stopping and starting for the plague that is traffic lights in all weather conditions. Up until late 2010 they were also being used for all my longer weekend rides.

    The rims are just about shot now and will be retired this year but my point is that using green Sissstop pads (not sure if that made much difference) these wheels have lasted ages and I would have no hesitation to say stick with yours if you enjoy them. Just be sure to regularly clean the rim and brake pad surfaces especially after being out in wet weather.

    Peter
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    ugo.santalucia wrote:

    Everyone is waiting for hydraulics..

    I'm not :)
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    I have mine on order, my wife will be testing them. I have some widish 28H drilling carbon tubular rims that have just arrived in antisipation. Yes she getting tubs and doesn't even know it yet.

    Disc brakes will offer so many oppertunities for playing I can't wait to play. the probem is ugo with wider rims and tyres is disc brake frames are being made with clearance for 25mm tyres which is crap. Clearance for 30mm tyres is needed so my disc brake frame will have to be a steel afair maybe 953 or XCR oh that would be special bike porn. I best get saving.

    Also using C24's in winter keeps bike shops in business so go ahead (that should tell you all you need to know).
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    thecycleclinic wrote:
    Also using C24's in winter keeps bike shops in business so go ahead (that should tell you all you need to know).

    As my previous post - this is not my experience at all. I have never required hub bearing replacements nor spoke replacements; and whilst the rims are now worn out, they still run perfectly true. The only bit replaced on my wheels has been the cassette from time to time. Unless Shimano made their rims significantly thinner/ less hard wearing between generations of their wheelsets (of which I am unaware), then I don't follow the basis of your comment.

    Peter
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    northpole wrote:
    thecycleclinic wrote:
    Also using C24's in winter keeps bike shops in business so go ahead (that should tell you all you need to know).

    As my previous post - this is not my experience at all. I have never required hub bearing replacements nor spoke replacements; and whilst the rims are now worn out, they still run perfectly true. The only bit replaced on my wheels has been the cassette from time to time. Unless Shimano made their rims significantly thinner/ less hard wearing between generations of their wheelsets (of which I am unaware), then I don't follow the basis of your comment.

    Peter

    What wears the rims in winter is the grit you pick up, it sticks on the pads and grinds the rims, regardless of the pad material. Now, if you only use your bike in the concrete jungle, there is no grit on the roads, summer or winter, which means in London rims last a lot longer than saying around the lanes in Kent
    left the forum March 2023
  • simonj
    simonj Posts: 346
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Everyone is waiting for hydraulics, but I think cable operated systems are more than adequate.
    The cable discs that are on my CX I hate, I had some previously on another CX and had the same issue in that they never seem to stop making a noise I think as they don't auto centre so tend to rub. I never had an issue with Mountain Bike hydraulic brakes. Not sure if it's a cable vs hydraulic thing or maybe just the cable brakes that have been on my CX - Avid BB5 aren't great. I've been toying with replace them with hybrid TRP HY/RD, but also wonder if TRP Spyre (cable) ones may fix it?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    simonj wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Everyone is waiting for hydraulics, but I think cable operated systems are more than adequate.
    The cable discs that are on my CX I hate, I had some previously on another CX and had the same issue in that they never seem to stop making a noise I think as they don't auto centre so tend to rub. I never had an issue with Mountain Bike hydraulic brakes. Not sure if it's a cable vs hydraulic thing or maybe just the cable brakes that have been on my CX - Avid BB5 aren't great. I've been toying with replace them with hybrid TRP HY/RD, but also wonder if TRP Spyre (cable) ones may fix it?

    BB5 can be adjusted both sides, you just have to find the right adjustment. If the disc is warped, then there is no adjustment that works...
    I have to admit adjusting the calipers is a watchmaker job, but once you master it, they work a treat (until you warp the discs that is)
    left the forum March 2023
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    ugo.santalucia wrote:

    What wears the rims in winter is the grit you pick up, it sticks on the pads and grinds the rims, regardless of the pad material. Now, if you only use your bike in the concrete jungle, there is no grit on the roads, summer or winter, which means in London rims last a lot longer than saying around the lanes in Kent

    Ugo

    The wheels were used on many Surrrey Hills and Hertfordshire rides between 2007 & 2010 - plenty of grit and hard braking required on down hill sections. Around London, the amount of abrasive materials picked up of the roads in bad weather is pretty darned abrasive - not as bad as the flinty rascals in the country but it is not good. Hence my comment about regularly cleaning rims and pads after riding in the wet weather.

    The wheels are now 6 years old - what more could people ask from a wheelset? I just do not get the concerns about using Dura ace wheels that have been expressed on this thread.

    Peter
  • simonj
    simonj Posts: 346
    How much do you weight? Maybe that's a factor? Mine wore to I'd say 50% wear in 4 days of riding in crud weather, with lots of hills, I'm 90kg.

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