Ok another one sorry - 'WHEELS'

gotwood25

Wasn't going to post this as I realise there are lots of wheel posts currently doing the rounds and there is tons of advice in the searches. However if anything the amount of posts on the subject have if anything confused me even more.

I either read one of two things...
1. Upgrade your wheels for the biggest improvement for your buck
2. Upgrading your wheels won't make you faster

Now I know there are different wheels for different types of riding and different types of rider but do wheels make that much difference?

So I am looking for some specific advice for me. I have a Scott Foil 15 with the stock Syncross RR 2.0 wheels, these are pretty heavy coming in at just over 1.7kg but semi aero. I have been a casual rider up until say the last six months where I have been averaging around 150 miles a week (combination of commuting and 40-60 mile rides at the weekend or turbo session). I also (shame to say it) enjoy targeting the odd Strava segment and like the occasional sprint. I am also looking to join a club in the new year and possibly get into racing should I see enough improvement over the winter as well as partaking in a number of 100 mile+ sportives.

I have a cruising speed of between 20-22mph and weigh around 67kg.

So after all that, the question... What wheels??

I was thinking about getting two wheelsets, one a nice lightweight all-rounder for commuting/sportives and possibly a cheap planet x style carbon deeper rimmed aero tub for the Strava segment hunting (I know, I'm a dick!) and fine weather TT style rides and selling on the Syncross' that I currently have.

Do you think this is a wise move? Does anyone have any thoughts on the Syncross wheels that I currently have? Does anyone have a decent wheelset they can recommend for my everyday/sportive riding? Planet X tubs, good as a first tub/aero deep rimmed carbon bad lad?

I know a lot of questions and most of them done to death, for that I apologise but after reading all the posts I am still clueless. Any feedback much appreciated.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

supermurph09

Aero wheels are not going to help when you're going up steep hills (ie targeting strava segments), the benefits are largely felt when you're doing 20mph+ on the flat. Nothing wrong with targeting strava segments btw.

markhewitt1978

Have to say that I have a set of RS80 C24 wheels which aren't aero at all, and yet the biggest difference I notice compared to stock wheels is at 20mph+ on the flat.

1.7kg for a wheelset isn't bad anyway, you have to pay quite a bit to get something significantly lighter.

StorckSpeed

markhewitt1978 wrote:

1.7kg for a wheelset isn't bad anyway, you have to pay quite a bit to get something significantly lighter.

^ I agree with this.
My good wheels weigh around 1.4Kg and I notice a huge difference when climbing with my winter wheels @ 1.9Kg. but there was around a £600 price difference about 4 years ago.
Most £500 wheels seem to be around the 1.5-1.6Kg.
Only exception I've seen are these, but have no experience of them.....
http://www.cycledivision.co.uk/product- ... id133.html

keef66

"these are pretty heavy coming in at just over 1.7kg " Really? You think that's heavy?

You could spend a lot of money just to save a couple of hundred grams which you may or may not notice. Better tyres / latex tubes might make a more perceptible difference to the ride.
If you are genuinely 'cruising' at 20 mph then a pair of deeper carbon wheels might give you an aero advantage in TTs. They also have the added advantage of looking PRO.

ugo.santalucia

keef66 wrote:

They also have the added advantage of looking PRO.

... which in many cases result in the look of a MAMIL who has nicked a bike when the Tour of Britain passed through his town...

gotwood25

Cheers for the feedback thus far.

In response to some comments, yes I thought 1.7kg if not 'heavy' certainly bordering it and definitely not light. Seen someone mention Spada Stilettos on here and think they rocked in at something like 1.2kg which are a fairly inexpensive wheelset.

'Cruising' may have been the wrong word choice as that implies very little effort. I would say my average speed is between 20-22 on a day with little wind and a flat surface for around 20-30 miles. Up the distance to 50-60 and some Northumbrian hills and I drop to around 18-19mph.

So back to the original question, would I see a worthwhile benefit ditching the Syncros for a lighter set for the sportives and a cheap tub set for the nicer flat stuff? Or are they not bad wheels and its pointless spending the extra money?

gotwood25

ugo.santalucia wrote:

keef66 wrote:

They also have the added advantage of looking PRO.

... which in many cases result in the look of a MAMIL who has nicked a bike when the Tour of Britain passed through his town...

Too late, that look is already being worn. I embrace it to be honest. A chubby Geordie in lycra with hairy legs (don't want to start the shaving debate but I aint doing it) is not a good look so adding deep rims isn't going to add much more harm.

markhewitt1978

1.2kg? Doubtful. Dura Ace C24 are pretty light but are about 1.4kg and they are like £650.

markhewitt1978

gotwood25 wrote:

A chubby Geordie in lycra with hairy legs

Quit talking about me

gotwood25

markhewitt1978 wrote:

1.2kg? Doubtful. Dura Ace C24 are pretty light but are about 1.4kg and they are like £650.

1260g according to http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/spada-stiletto-wheelset-review.html.

napoleond

There's nowt wrong with what you've got. You'll get faster by getting fitter. When they break or the rims are worn then get some new wheels.

kingofthetailwind

gotwood25 wrote:

Cheers for the feedback thus far.
'Cruising' may have been the wrong word choice as that implies very little effort. I would say my average speed is between 20-22 on a day with little wind and a flat surface for around 20-30 miles. Up the distance to 50-60 and some Northumbrian hills and I drop to around 18-19mph.

Strava link or it didn't happen. :P

keef66

Hang on, you said you weigh in at 67kg. So if you are genuinely chubby that must mean you're only five feet tall?

Anyway, at 67kg you may be able to get away with a very light wheelset. Don't expect the hubs to be very durable though...

trek_dan

Get a set of PX CT45 Tubs with proper sticky racing tyres for racing, the Syncross wheels perfectly good as training/sportive wheels. Unless you like wasting money for the sake of it of course.

littledove44

ugo.santalucia wrote:

keef66 wrote:

They also have the added advantage of looking PRO.

... which in many cases result in the look of a MAMIL who has nicked a bike when the Tour of Britain passed through his town...

Thats the exact look I have been aiming for.

gotwood25

KingOfTheTailwind wrote:

gotwood25 wrote:

Cheers for the feedback thus far.
'Cruising' may have been the wrong word choice as that implies very little effort. I would say my average speed is between 20-22 on a day with little wind and a flat surface for around 20-30 miles. Up the distance to 50-60 and some Northumbrian hills and I drop to around 18-19mph.

Strava link or it didn't happen. :P

There you go fella, there are plenty of slower ones in there but mostly commutes, I can say though that the Wooler wheel was definitely more than just coasting

http://www.strava.com/activities/86988412
http://www.strava.com/activities/90167821
http://www.strava.com/activities/84062815

Also to add, no I'm not really fat (well not any more) but I am small, 5' 7'' and hovering around 10.5 st (14st at my peak!) but can't seem to shift my love handles so will always have that rotund look that goes so well with tight lycra.

Anyway again, I appreciate your feedback. So the general consensus is, don't buy any till required?

rolf_f

gotwood25 wrote:

There you go fella, there are plenty of slower ones in there but mostly commutes, I can say though that the Wooler wheel was definitely more than just coasting

So, do you mean "Our average speed" is 20-22 mph etc or "My average speed" as stated? It means a lot to our fragile egos and also has some relevance to the question I suspect

gotwood25

Haha, I didn't really want this to turn into an examination of my riding :-)
I would say my average as I say over 20-30 miles is just over 20mph. As a group I think we could add a bit on that but we won't know till the spring. Will keep you posted.

Anyway wheels... ;-)

mjbennett

Dunno what your price range is but campag zondas are pretty cheap, durable and fairly light. They will make a difference, especially in hilly areas.
If there's a good bikeshop/wheelbuilder nearby you may want to have a chat and explain what you are after. I'd be tempted for something like Hope rs hubs with dt rr415 rims. They can be made very light, especially 28 hole rims.
Good luck, and don't feel bad about your style/riding, it's your money, do what you want with it.

xcMuttley

Give Anthony Clarkson a message at rideargyle wheels! http://www.rideargylewheels.com/
I got a 50mm front rim and 60mm rear for racing and time trials (Superlight version) And never looked back Broke 4 sets of planet x wheels this year, All were refunded after many phone calls emails etc.

cycleclinic

Lighter wheels are always nice. I have a 1360g pair but I have put some aero 50mm carbon clincher wheels on instead. These weigh 1650g given the Miche hubs I used but I am not any slower the reverse probably by a small amount.

The RR415 rim is one I can recommend to you. I have build many wheels with them and use them myself. You are light enough for them. I ride a set of 28H RR415 rims on Miche hubs with Sapim Lasers all round with alloy nipples = they weight 1560g to give you an idea. Lighter hubs can have builds down to the 1500g or less. The builder however must not exceed the max tension limit of the rim of 1100N. Bad things happen if you do.

If you are going the handbuilt route then consider builds with the Velocity Aerohead in 24F/28R or the Kinlin XR-200 in the same spoke count. Builds down in 1350-1500g range are possible depending on the hubs used.
Other wheels options are possible though.

If you want a wide rim then builds using the Velocity A23 can be be done at 1500g mark this light enough ans you may like the wide rim more than saving another 100g or so.

While these wheels are very light I am not sure if they really make you alot faster, they feel different though. So yes talk to a wheel builder and you would not have to spend £800 to get light it can be done for alot less. Otherwise there are many factory wheels in a 1500g range and given your weight they stand a good chance of being reliable.

gotwood25

Great stuff lads, cheers

LegendLust

gotwood25 wrote:

KingOfTheTailwind wrote:

gotwood25 wrote:

Cheers for the feedback thus far.
'Cruising' may have been the wrong word choice as that implies very little effort. I would say my average speed is between 20-22 on a day with little wind and a flat surface for around 20-30 miles. Up the distance to 50-60 and some Northumbrian hills and I drop to around 18-19mph.

Strava link or it didn't happen. :P

There you go fella, there are plenty of slower ones in there but mostly commutes, I can say though that the Wooler wheel was definitely more than just coasting

http://www.strava.com/activities/86988412
http://www.strava.com/activities/90167821
http://www.strava.com/activities/84062815

Also to add, no I'm not really fat (well not any more) but I am small, 5' 7'' and hovering around 10.5 st (14st at my peak!) but can't seem to shift my love handles so will always have that rotund look that goes so well with tight lycra.

Anyway again, I appreciate your feedback. So the general consensus is, don't buy any till required?

Having ridden in that area with my bro a few times - hats off to you for them average speeds. Northumbrian roads aint easy

buckles

Haven't read the thread but if you haven't upgraded your tyres yet I'd do that first

They'll need replacing sooner than your wheels anyway...

Camcycle1974

gotwood25 wrote:

KingOfTheTailwind wrote:

gotwood25 wrote:

Cheers for the feedback thus far.
'Cruising' may have been the wrong word choice as that implies very little effort. I would say my average speed is between 20-22 on a day with little wind and a flat surface for around 20-30 miles. Up the distance to 50-60 and some Northumbrian hills and I drop to around 18-19mph.

Strava link or it didn't happen. :P

There you go fella, there are plenty of slower ones in there but mostly commutes, I can say though that the Wooler wheel was definitely more than just coasting

http://www.strava.com/activities/86988412
http://www.strava.com/activities/90167821[/irk]
http://www.strava.com/activities/84062815

Also to add, no I'm not really fat (well not any more) but I am small, 5' 7'' and hovering around 10.5 st (14st at my peak!) but can't seem to shift my love handles so will always have that rotund look that goes so well with tight lycra.

Anyway again, I appreciate your feedback. So the general consensus is, don't buy any till required?

Anonymous

Buckles wrote:

Haven't read the thread but if you haven't upgraded your tyres yet I'd do that first

They'll need replacing sooner than your wheels anyway...

Tyres and brake blocks should be replaced from new (selling originals on ebay as new), then save up for some decent wheels and keep originals for winter use ;-)

gotwood25

Camcycle - sorry that particular link bothered you, I try to inject an element of wit and self depreciation in my titles so please don't let it /irk you too much. I don't think its anywhere near as annoying though as quoting loads of text just to make a small point... it was nearly lost!

Yes tyres have been upgraded, GP4000's which I find suit most conditions round my way as well as being a nice ride.

Camcycle1974

Note to self.... Don't try and post on a mobile! I think I was trying to post something constructive but hit the submit button on my miniscule screen. Doh! The GP4000s is a nice tyre but cuts up quite quickly (yes, I know it's designed as a race tyre) for winter miles I am considering going back to the old faithful Schwalbe Durano.

gotwood25

Haha happens all the time to me as well. Although in future I think I am going to use the /irk tag to highlight my annoyance at something. Think you have inadvertently invented something.

Camcycle1974

Lol, a form of silent protest. Very cryptic.