wheel upgrade

pete.b

hi i am looking to up grade my stock bontrager race, any suggestions would be helpful, i`m looking at fulcrum 1 or compagnolo zonda or eurus, these would be my summer wheels as well as doing some more TT. around £500.

simon_masterson

How fast do you ride? (Eg. how long do you do a 10 in?) What's the terrain like where you ride? Clinchers or tubs? What bike are they going on? There are many variables.

In general, it's pretty simple. Wheels with better hubs and rims built better with superior spokes are better, and are a good upgrade, but you might want deep section or very light low profile, based on the aforementioned criteria, handbuilt or factory built, etc.

blackpoolkev

I bought a pair of Campagnolo Shamal Ultra's two months ago and I like them. They are a bit over your stated budget but if you're going to get lots of use from them then treat yourself.
1425 grammes, ceramic bearings, carbon fibre hubs for under £600.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-shamal-ultra-mega-g3-clincher-wheelset/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=Campagnolo%20Shamal%20Ultra%20Mega%20G3%20Clincher%20Wheelset%20-%20Shimano%20Freehub&kpid=5360446999&sku=5360446999&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360446999uk

Fulcrum zeros are the equivalent to Shamal Ultras.

pete.b

Simon Masterson wrote:

How fast do you ride? (Eg. how long do you do a 10 in?) What's the terrain like where you ride? Clinchers or tubs? What bike are they going on? There are many variables.

In general, it's pretty simple. Wheels with better hubs and rims built better with superior spokes are better, and are a good upgrade, but you might want deep section or very light low profile, based on the aforementioned criteria, handbuilt or factory built, etc.

hi Simon, well i average 18.5 over a 50 miler, 20 over a 30 miler. over a 10, 23.5mph i was hoping they would improve my time over this distance a little. i have upgraded tyres to continental 4000. bike is madone 4.5.
the road well!! a mixture of good, pitted and pot holed.was thinking of clinchers as ive had no experience with tubs

thanks

simon_masterson

None too shabby, then! I'd caution you against expecting massive speed increases from your wheels, but I'd identify two obvious choices: you could get some light (for clinchers) handbuilts with good quality hubs and rims, or you could get some Chinese carbon (e.g. Planet X) if you're looking to get more serious about time trialling - although they may not be clinchers. I think in general, most people benefit from/enjoy riding light, well built wheels, but once you're holding higher speeds (and measuring seconds), deep sections start to become beneficial.