Which wheels?

fish on a bicycle

Sorry to bore you to death with something that has been discussed to death a million times but was hoping for some advice on wheel selection.

I have a giant defy carbon bike with 10 cogs on the rear hub, shimano ultegra, giant psl1 wheels and tires which I don't have a problem with but I fancy chucking some money in the fire and splashing out on something a bit more fancy.

I weigh approx 75kg
I cycle one day a week usually between 35 to 55 miles
At an average speed of 18mph (aiming for 19 to 20 by next summer)
My routes are a mixture of fastish flats where I can handle about 25mph and hills which I struggle up at whatever I can manage.

I am currently torn between the Fulcrum Zeros, shimano DA c24 or c35.

I don't compete but want to go as fast as I can!

Dippydog2

Vision Metron.

imposter2.0

If it's 'fancy wheels' you want, then just get the set you like the look of at the upper end of whatever amount you want to spend...really...

fish on a bicycle

The Metrons look too specialized for me, I didn't really want to go with tubulars. I am thinking about tubeless though, that one thing I like about the DAs and the Fulcrum zeros, both have a tubeless option.

Imposter, if only it was that easy! It's taken me a week to get down to those three!

trickyplayer

Get some wheels built up for you - I recently purchased a wheel set from Spokesman Wheels - H Plus Son rims with 105 hubs. £275. Really pleased with them and quick turnaround. As the wheels use Sapim spokes they are easy to replace and wheels look great.

http://www.spokesmanwheels.co.uk/

BTW I don't work for them

Pokerface

The DA C24 wheels are my everyday wheels and are fantastic. But for the amount you ride, maybe go with the suggestion of something custom built.

Crozza

trickyplayer wrote:

Get some wheels built up for you - I recently purchased a wheel set from Spokesman Wheels - H Plus Son rims with 105 hubs. £275. Really pleased with them and quick turnaround. As the wheels use Sapim spokes they are easy to replace and wheels look great.

http://www.spokesmanwheels.co.uk/

BTW I don't work for them

nice wheels, but not sure they are going to be that different to what he has on there already (maybe in terms of adjustability/repairability, but OP says he wants "fancy")

if you are not coming down alpine cols I'd be tempted by a set of farsports carbon clinchers for the sort of money you are looking to spend. or some wheelsmith race 50s

drlodge

If you want some "fancy" wheels, like "summer" wheels for around the £1k mark, suggest you get either good quality clinchers like Reynolds Assualt SLGs, or carbon tubular wheels. Look on http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/ to see what your money will get you...then use your existing wheels for the winter/wet months.

Can you confirm you budget, and what you are intending using the wheels for...

fish on a bicycle

Hello again,

Thanks for the replies, my budget is between £500 to £800 and yes I would keep my current wheels for winter. Both the shimano DA c24 and fulcrum zero's fall into that budget on wiggle. I have looked at the made to order sites but as you might of gathered I don't really know that much about wheels and I just found it easier to google various factory made models to more easily see what I'd actually end up with and see what others had to say about them.
I'm not averse to buying from the likes of wheelsmith, just not sure what I should ask for!

I was pretty much set on buying some two way wheels since I fancied trying tubeless with the option of sticking a tube in if I found it too much hassle.
I don't really feel full aero wheels would be for me at my level but I do fancy the DA c35's which look pretty light and still fairly robust but not really sure if i'd really gain anything in terms of speed at my current level so my sensible head is telling me to go for the C24's which I think are about £600 on wiggle ansd everyone seems to love. Comfort is also a consideration which again is something that the C24's are supposed to have.

fish on a bicycle

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/wheels/?ea=4294789652

Not entirely sure what the differance is between the Fulcrum Racing Zero Alloy Clincher Wheelset and the Fulcrum Racing Zero Clincher Wheelset 2014?

fish on a bicycle

Giant p-slr1 look pretty good too. Only 1390g and tubeless ready.

fish on a bicycle

http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/race30 or these? With the dt swiss hubs.

letap73

fish on a bicycle wrote:

http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/race30 or these? With the dt swiss hubs.

I would say no - far too expensive for what it is + not a very high rider mass limit (80kg).

Contact either cycle clinic or ugo as I am certain they can spec you a wheel which would best suit your needs.

For perspective I had a set of Mavic SLS wheels which cost £700 and Cero AR30 which cost £300, I kept the better wheelset and sold the Mavics.

wishitwasallflat

fish on a bicycle wrote:

Sorry to bore you to death with something that has been discussed to death a million times but was hoping for some advice on wheel selection.

I have a giant defy carbon bike with 10 cogs on the rear hub, shimano ultegra, giant psl1 wheels and tires which I don't have a problem with but I fancy chucking some money in the fire and splashing out on something a bit more fancy.

I weigh approx 75kg
I cycle one day a week usually between 35 to 55 miles
At an average speed of 18mph (aiming for 19 to 20 by next summer)
My routes are a mixture of fastish flats where I can handle about 25mph and hills which I struggle up at whatever I can manage.

I am currently torn between the Fulcrum Zeros, shimano DA c24 or c35.

I don't compete but want to go as fast as I can![/quote]

Surely some mistake here??

Spending that much money on wheels to be used once a week for a couple of hours - are you VTech in disguise?

lostboysaint

Handbuilts, preferably on a 23mm width rim such as the Arcehtype, A23 etc. Speak to Ugo of this parish, Cycleclinic, Spokesman or one of the other recommendeds. (I didn't put Wheelsmith on there simply because he'll tell you "the answers Mavic Open Pro, now what's the question")

intheknowcycling.com

Fish,

After looking at performance and budget for a lot of wheels similar to what you describe, I too like the Reynolds Assault SLGs (make sure they are 2014 version SLGs not just Assaults). The C35s are good and a bit less expensive but the kind of riding you do suggests no need for the carbon alloy C35s. And the C24s are best for climbing not for flats. But if you spend that kind of money any wheel, do some more riding!

fish on a bicycle

"Surely some mistake here??

Spending that much money on wheels to be used once a week for a couple of hours - are you VTech in disguise?"

I'm planning to start going twice a week but not easy to find the time! I wish I had a job that allowed me to cycle to work every morning but alas that's not the case. But hey, the one or maybe two days I do get to go, I really want to make the most of!

The Reynolds Assault SLGs that I can find are over my budget.

I will phone a few wheel builders and see what they recommend.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

wishitwasallflat

fish on a bicycle wrote:

But hey, the one or maybe two days I do get to go, I really want to make the most .

Good for you enjoy I was just a bit baffled but if you want an upgrade for better feel than the stock wheels be sure to tell the builder that so they know what your after. I thought from your post that you wanted to buy some wheels with added speed - it's a tall order buying speed better to get it from training. Was it Merx who said don't buy upgrades ride upgrades?

fish on a bicycle

Well f@@k it!

I went for a brand new set of DA 7900 C35 clinchers, the money (£566) was just burning a whole in my pockets. I'll report back when i've tried them out.

Thanks for the good advice, even though I probably ignored lots of it. Still no better way to learn than by making your own mistakes!!!

imposter2.0

fish on a bicycle wrote:

Well f@@k it!

I went for a brand new set of DA 7900 C35 clinchers, the money (£566) was just burning a whole in my pockets. I'll report back when i've tried them out.

Thanks for the good advice, even though I probably ignored lots of it. Still no better way to learn than by making your own mistakes!!!

Just wondering where you managed to find DA C35s for £566. Got a link..??

eddiefiola

Wonder if he means RS81s?

These stuck in my mind as it's not often you see the 7900s anymore, but are 715 quid http://shop.edelrad.de/en/151-shimano

fish on a bicycle

No according to the advert they are DA 7900 35s, from ebay.

fish on a bicycle

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Dura- ... RTM1851812

fish on a bicycle

Was hoping to have them for the weekend but havn't turned up yet. The 9000's do look nicer but the cheapest I could find them for was £900. A nice saving of £350 for the older model.

fish on a bicycle

well, had my new wheels for a few weeks now so thought I would post to let you know how I got on.

They are certainly a much more comfortable ride. With my old wheels I would really grit my teeth when going over rough surfaces but not anymore!

I have increased my average speeds I would say by about 6% which I know isn't earth shattering but within realistic expectations of what I was expecting. I can't say I have noticed any side wind issues whats so ever with the 35mm deep rims. No added speed going up the hills but I do feel like i'm flying along the flats.


Overall, very pleased and they look great too.