Help! Wheelset advice wanted
gussyboy81
Posts: 25
I was knocked off my bike today by a motorist who decided to just drive off. Having pulled myself together I realised that my rear wheel is now a total right off. I ride a Cube Agree GTC Pro (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-agree-gtc-pro-compact-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111918) which came with Mavic Aksion wheels (not the best I know).
So I've thought no time like the present to treat myself to a new set of wheels. My budget will be £500 max but ideally i'd only like to spend around £350 ish.
Due to my lack of knowledge around recommended wheelsets I started off having a few chats with some mates, to see what they recommended me. Firstly a friend told me rides on a set of 'Mavic Cosmic Elite S Road Wheelset 2014' - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-cosmic-elite-s-road-wheelset-2014/rp-prod111096, which he's told me are very good if only a bit too heavy.
I've also been recommended two sets of Shimano's wheelsets; 'Shimano WH-RS81 C24 Carbon Laminate Clincher Wheelset' - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-wh-rs81-c35-carbon-laminate-clincher-wheelset/ or the 'Shimano WH-RS81 C35 Carbon Laminate Clincher Wheelset' - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-wh-rs81-c24-carbon-laminate-clincher-wheelset/. I really like the look of both the Shimano wheels, but they both seem a bit pricely. Also one thing that confuses me about the Shimano wheels, are they're widths. I currently ride on some 700x23 schwalbe one tyres, will those fit these wheels?
So any advice is welcome, and recommendations on wheels and the best website to buy them from too.
Finally I thought as im going to have to replace the cassette it could be a good time to upgrade. Again my knowledge with chains isn't amazing but i get the idea. I currently have a Tigra 4600 10 speed 12-30 cassette 'http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-tiagra-4600-10-speed-cassette/', with a Tigra CN 4601 chain. I'd like to upgrade the cassette to a Ultegra 6700 10 speed cassette - 'http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-6700-10-speed-cassette/'. I the new cassette will just swap in easily?
Sorry for the long list of questions.
Ta
Adam
So I've thought no time like the present to treat myself to a new set of wheels. My budget will be £500 max but ideally i'd only like to spend around £350 ish.
Due to my lack of knowledge around recommended wheelsets I started off having a few chats with some mates, to see what they recommended me. Firstly a friend told me rides on a set of 'Mavic Cosmic Elite S Road Wheelset 2014' - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-cosmic-elite-s-road-wheelset-2014/rp-prod111096, which he's told me are very good if only a bit too heavy.
I've also been recommended two sets of Shimano's wheelsets; 'Shimano WH-RS81 C24 Carbon Laminate Clincher Wheelset' - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-wh-rs81-c35-carbon-laminate-clincher-wheelset/ or the 'Shimano WH-RS81 C35 Carbon Laminate Clincher Wheelset' - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-wh-rs81-c24-carbon-laminate-clincher-wheelset/. I really like the look of both the Shimano wheels, but they both seem a bit pricely. Also one thing that confuses me about the Shimano wheels, are they're widths. I currently ride on some 700x23 schwalbe one tyres, will those fit these wheels?
So any advice is welcome, and recommendations on wheels and the best website to buy them from too.
Finally I thought as im going to have to replace the cassette it could be a good time to upgrade. Again my knowledge with chains isn't amazing but i get the idea. I currently have a Tigra 4600 10 speed 12-30 cassette 'http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-tiagra-4600-10-speed-cassette/', with a Tigra CN 4601 chain. I'd like to upgrade the cassette to a Ultegra 6700 10 speed cassette - 'http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-6700-10-speed-cassette/'. I the new cassette will just swap in easily?
Sorry for the long list of questions.
Ta
Adam
0
Comments
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Upgrading the cassette will save a small bit of weight and it will look slightly smarter. But you are unlikely to notice any improvement in gear changing. As far as I know, all 10 speed Shimano or SRAM cassettes will fit.
Of the wheels you mention, I would go for the C24. They are light and have high quality Shimano cup and cone bearings which will, however, need a bit of maintenance and adjustment from time to time to keep them running smoothly. They are more of a climbing wheel than the others you mention which are more for flat or rolling terrain. The C35 and Cosmic wheels are heavier but give a bit of aero benefit for holding speeds over 20 mph. Your 23mm tyres will fit fine on all the wheels you mention. Wiggle are a good internet company to buy the wheels from. Merlin are also good and will often have very cheap prices.
The disadvantage with these factory wheels is that when the rims wear out you will have to buy a new set of wheels. Repairing broken spokes or replacing worn out rims on factory wheels is really expensive or impossible.
For the same budget you could get some good handbuilt wheels designed specially for you from builders such as ugo or cycleclinic on this forum. These can be repaired relatively cheaply if you have an accident while the rims can be replaced when they wear out. If you are a big chap, handbuilt wheels designed for you will definitely last longer than the factory ones.0 -
Hand built wheels are the way to go.0
