Is it worth buying a new set of wheels just before winter?

Moominman2

Hi everyone,

I really like the look of the campy zondas, but is it worth buying them just before winter approaches?

I may just buy the Fulcrum 5s instead as they are £100+ cheaper.

Any opinions?

Thanks in advance,
Luke

DKay

For winter I use Shimano RS11s, which cost me the princely sum of £90. At this price, they're almost disposable.

northpole

Assuming that you already have a set of wheels which you can continue to use on bad weather days and assuming that you are able to bag a bargain, I can't think of any reason not to buy now. Just don't be going out on them in bad weather on a regular basis or the rims will be destroyed. The weather isn't always bad autumn/ winter/ spring.

Peter

Moominman2

Thanks both for the reply.

I just want to replace my current wheels which came with my trek 2.1 2010 model as they never stay true! I want a nice wheelset and be able to notice the difference, but don't want to wreck them in the bad weather.

Decent point about using my current ones for the bad weather, but I'm thinking if I do that, it could put me off going out if my current ones are that bad compared to a new set?!

I'll have a look into those shimano rs11s and perhaps have them as my all weather ones until the weather picks up next year. How do you think they'd compare to my stock bont ones?

Thanks again

passout

I'd try and get a winter out of the current ones then bin them. Put the new ones on in spring, assuming the old ones last the winter of course. Rather than buying 2 new pairs I'd put all your money into 1 decent pair. Fulcrums are good by the way.

ilm_zero7

take a look at some Miche Race for winter wheels - robust and cheap(er)

carrock

Moominman2 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I really like the look of the campy zondas, but is it worth buying them just before winter approaches?

I may just buy the Fulcrum 5s instead as they are £100+ cheaper.

Any opinions?

Thanks in advance,
Luke

Fulcrum 3s down from £449 to £300 at wiggle.......

ugo.santalucia

There is nothing wrong with buying wheels before winter, but you have to buy wheels which are suitable for winter... the criteria are

1) Hubs that don't give up the first time it rains

2) Nipples that don't seize the second time you ride them

3) Rims that are heavy enough to have a bit of brake track to wear out

Not sure the Zonda fit the brief to be honest

fleshtuxedo

I'd trash the old ones or some shimano r500 over winter if I were you, then nice wheels in spring

Moominman2

Cheers all for the advice...I'll purchase some new ones in spring instead then. Saving me some money at least

carrock

if you spot a great deal, go for it. Just store the wheels indoors until spring.

I have just bought fulcrum 3s from wiggle at a £150 saving as it was too good to miss, but then we use our cross bikes over winter. Disc brakes so dont suffer exagerrated rim wear

Moominman2

I may just do that...But it'll be difficult not to give them a spin for 6 months though! Ha ha.

meanredspider

I'm happy running my disc brakes through the nasty weather - the brass nipples (at least I assume they are - 3 years on and they're still good), cartridge hub bearings and no rim wear: it would be silly not to.

cycleclinic

Of course the best winter rim brake rim is not a nice one, the rigida chrina. The brake track on that takes forever to wear out shame as you have to put up with a heavy really narrow rim. Something cheap for winter is not a bad idea or a set of handbuilts which can be re-rimmed time and time again. Also with handbuilts you can have wider rim and the extra grip is not a bad thing.

Disc brakes though are the obvious way to go but that requires a whole new bike.

Bobbinogs

If your current wheels are a PITA then bin them and get some cheapo wheels for the winter (RS11, etc.) and then get some Zondas, RS81's or Archtype/Ultegras in the springtime.

The cheap wheels will then do for the turbo, etc., and next winter, with a bit of tlc.

meanredspider

thecycleclinic wrote:

Disc brakes though are the obvious way to go but that requires a whole new bike.

My Volagi actually comes equipped to accept rim or disc brakes - I can't imagine why I'd want to but I could run discs in the winter and rims in the summer

Dippydog3

Our seasons are not really predictable enough to be able to differ IMHO. Yes, you do not want to ride your nice new wheels on a wet, gritty day, but we often get periods of dry and sunny in winter. on those days I like to get good wheels out.

My longest event of this year was Ride London. I used my winter wheels for that. I seem to recall it was in "summer".

Get the new ones. Be selective all year round which you use.

iPete

Yes buy a good set of wet weather wheels, as Dippydog3 has suggested, switch around.

I tend to ride my 'winter' wheels all year and switch to the best wheels for races/events or the occasions where its sunny for a while.

Hope hubs on OpenPro rims are solid and the hubs are great in bad weather.