Advice on new wheelset/casette options

athevroy

Hi Forumers,

I recently bought a Cannondale Supersix Evo 105. I am super happy with the bike, but would like to upgrade the wheels at some stage.

The bike came with Shimano RS11 wheels and Schwalbe Lugano tires. I have been looking at Shimano Dura-Ace wheels with Ultremo tires. The question is, should I go for Dura-Ace C24 Clinchers or Dura-Ace C35? I really think C50 would be too wide for me. Or is there another brand that anyone would recommend?

Also, the bike I bought currently has a 12-27 10 gear cassette. I usually have no problem with the uphills and rarely use the first gear, but would like to get a little more power output on the downhill sections without spinning out so quickly. What would you recommend here? Is it easy to switch to an 11 gear set-up with the 105 groupset if I wanted to do so?

Thank you,
Arjan

slowbike

Gears - you could change to a 25-11 if you don't need the 27 ring ...
if you wanted to go 11 speed then that's at least new shifters, chain, cassette - possibly new mech & cranks too ...

passout

Re gearing - it willbe 10 speed. 11 speed wouldn't make much difference to this anyway. If you are on compact, then you could move to a double chainset (i.e. one with more teeth). Not cheap but I guess you could treat it as an upgrade - also people like me are often selling doubles because we like the low gears of compacts (eg I have a sram rival one I'm going to sell). Check e bay. Or just go for a smaller set of cogs on thhe back but you'd only be moving from a 12 to an 11 (cheaper though).

Re wheels - loads of options out there - American classic, Campag, Fulcrum Racing and cheap Chinese carbon jobs off E-bay. Merlin cycles often have good deals on wheels. You could get a top notch hand built set of hoops on your budget and still have change. I went for hanbuilts (Hope hubs on Mavic Open Pro) on my best bike & love them. Campag wheels look the business too - was tempted with those.

athevroy

Ok thanks for the tips! So 11 Speed is out of the question

When you say double chainset, you mean 2 chainrings on the crank? Because that is what I have already, not the triple... The 11-25 cassette seems like it may be an ideal solution for me instead of a 12-27.. Much less to upgrade also.

Thank you for the advice on the wheels too. Will have to look into that. When it comes to tyres I get a lot of positive feedback from people on the Shcwalbe Ultremos. I also hear people raving about the Vittorias but I ride in Norway and our roads are pretty rough, so I need something that is a little durable. Anyone have experience with these tyres and how much of a beating they can take?

cheers,

norvernrob

athevroy wrote:

Ok thanks for the tips! So 11 Speed is out of the question

When you say double chainset, you mean 2 chainrings on the crank? Because that is what I have already, not the triple... The 11-25 cassette seems like it may be an ideal solution for me instead of a 12-27.. Much less to upgrade also.

Thank you for the advice on the wheels too. Will have to look into that. When it comes to tyres I get a lot of positive feedback from people on the Shcwalbe Ultremos. I also hear people raving about the Vittorias but I ride in Norway and our roads are pretty rough, so I need something that is a little durable. Anyone have experience with these tyres and how much of a beating they can take?

cheers,

No, he means if you currently have a compact double (50/34) on the front, you could change it to a 53/39 to give you higher gears.

However, I would say that if you're spinning out a 50/12 downhill then you'd probably be better off in a aero tuck and not pedalling anyway. I have 50/12 top gear and can still pedal through 40mph, but again it's easier at that speed to tuck in and watch the speed continue to climb.

If you don't need the 27 on the rear then changing to an 11/25 would give you slightly closer ratios.

athevroy

NorvernRob wrote:

athevroy wrote:

Ok thanks for the tips! So 11 Speed is out of the question

When you say double chainset, you mean 2 chainrings on the crank? Because that is what I have already, not the triple... The 11-25 cassette seems like it may be an ideal solution for me instead of a 12-27.. Much less to upgrade also.

Thank you for the advice on the wheels too. Will have to look into that. When it comes to tyres I get a lot of positive feedback from people on the Shcwalbe Ultremos. I also hear people raving about the Vittorias but I ride in Norway and our roads are pretty rough, so I need something that is a little durable. Anyone have experience with these tyres and how much of a beating they can take?

cheers,

No, he means if you currently have a compact double (50/34) on the front, you could change it to a 53/39 to give you higher gears.

However, I would say that if you're spinning out a 50/12 downhill then you'd probably be better off in a aero tuck and not pedalling anyway. I have 50/12 top gear and can still pedal through 40mph, but again it's easier at that speed to tuck in and watch the speed continue to climb.

If you don't need the 27 on the rear then changing to an 11/25 would give you slightly closer ratios.

Ah of course, I see what you mean now. Not sure If I am pro enough for a 53/39 set-up just yet

Thanks for the info!

markhewitt1978

C24 is a good all round wheel and it's the lighest too, any deeper is going to be a heavier wheel, but will be more aero but you will be affected by side winds etc. Personally I would get the C24, but then outright top speed on the flat isn't something I'm too concerned about.

athevroy

markhewitt1978 wrote:

C24 is a good all round wheel and it's the lighest too, any deeper is going to be a heavier wheel, but will be more aero but you will be affected by side winds etc. Personally I would get the C24, but then outright top speed on the flat isn't something I'm too concerned about.

Thanks for the input,

Seems the C24's may be the right choice for me also. Where I ride, it gets pretty hilly and I dont have many straight flat sections. I also do a lot of climbing so I guess the C24's would be ideal for me.

passout

NorvernRob wrote:

athevroy wrote:

Ok thanks for the tips! So 11 Speed is out of the question

When you say double chainset, you mean 2 chainrings on the crank? Because that is what I have already, not the triple... The 11-25 cassette seems like it may be an ideal solution for me instead of a 12-27.. Much less to upgrade also.

Thank you for the advice on the wheels too. Will have to look into that. When it comes to tyres I get a lot of positive feedback from people on the Shcwalbe Ultremos. I also hear people raving about the Vittorias but I ride in Norway and our roads are pretty rough, so I need something that is a little durable. Anyone have experience with these tyres and how much of a beating they can take?

cheers,

No, he means if you currently have a compact double (50/34) on the front, you could change it to a 53/39 to give you higher gears.

However, I would say that if you're spinning out a 50/12 downhill then you'd probably be better off in a aero tuck and not pedalling anyway. I have 50/12 top gear and can still pedal through 40mph, but again it's easier at that speed to tuck in and watch the speed continue to climb.

If you don't need the 27 on the rear then changing to an 11/25 would give you slightly closer ratios.

Yes, thats what I meant. Agree about aereo tuck or just more spinning!