Fulcrum Racing 7 or Mavic Aksium One

admreece

I'm looking a buying some new, good value wheels to use during the winter months and need advice on a choice between Fulcrum Racing 7's or Mavic Aksium One's.

Opinions please.

ugo.santalucia

Aksium One are for disc brakes

admreece

Thanks for the heads up Ugo! What about the Mavic Aksium S's?

How Far is too Far

Askium One come in Disk or none disk. They are new for 2015

How Far is too Far

admreece wrote:

Thanks for the heads up Ugo! What about the Mavic Aksium S's?

The Askium S is a lighter Askium

cycleclinic

If I had to make a choice it would be a Fulcrum racing 7. the 2015 model uses a 23mm wide rim, has steel spokes and is stiffer than the Askium wheel. Overall it will last longer before spoke start to go and maybe they won't break at all.

admreece

thecycleclinic wrote:

If I had to make a choice it would be a Fulcrum racing 7. the 2015 model uses a 23mm wide rim, has steel spokes and is stiffer than the Askium wheel. Overall it will last longer before spoke start to go and maybe they won't break at all.

Great thanks.

What is the rear hub like on the Fulcrum 7's? In that, are they pretty maintenance free or easy to maintain?

The main problem I have with the stock wheels currently on the bike (Maddux RS3.0's) is that the rear hub isn't at all well sealed and constantly needs taking apart and cleaning/greasing. The bearings are all loose so it's a real pain!

ugo.santalucia

thecycleclinic wrote:

If I had to make a choice it would be a Fulcrum racing 7. the 2015 model uses a 23mm wide rim, has steel spokes and is stiffer than the Askium wheel. Overall it will last longer before spoke start to go and maybe they won't break at all.

Aksium have stainless steel spokes too.. they are Alpina

hammond1975

Aksium would be my choice, they are sealed bearings, Racing 7's are cup and cone, Racing 5 (older spec) are another choice.

admreece

hammond1975 wrote:

Aksium would be my choice, they are sealed bearings, Racing 7's are cup and cone, Racing 5 (older spec) are another choice.

Thanks. Do the Racing 5's have sealed bearings, or are they cup and cone too?

hammond1975

admreece wrote:

hammond1975 wrote:

Aksium would be my choice, they are sealed bearings, Racing 7's are cup and cone, Racing 5 (older spec) are another choice.

Thanks. Do the Racing 5's have sealed bearings, or are they cup and cone too?

Racing 5's are sealed bearing but the older ones are a lot better, I have heard mixed reviews on the newer spec.

Another option to consider is these: http://www.merlincycles.com/fulcrum-rac ... 69865.html I have a pair in the winter bike and they seem really good value for money.

cycleclinic

Oh sorry I forgot about the steel spokes in the askium got confused with other mavic wheels

Racing 7 wheels use cartridge bearings so do the racing 5's and quatro's.

hammond1975

thecycleclinic wrote:

Racing 7 wheels use cartridge bearings so do the racing 5's and quatro's.

I think only the older Racing 7's are sealed bearings, the newer ones are I am sure switched to cup and cone, they do not seem so smooth or last as long plus they are very heavy.

The original all red ones were bomb proof to be honest but were heavy.

admreece

Thanks for all the advice. I've decided to go for a pair of Fulcrum Racing 5's as I found a good price on these.

cycleclinic

No they are still sealed bearings see this document just like the racing 5's have. http://www.fulcrumwheels.com/system/doc ... e_ROAD.pdf Page 15. I do know something you know occasionally.

The fulcrum 7 are no heavier than the askium both are c. 1800g. Also the askium flop when you push out some actual watts fulcrums don't. If I rode a bike with askium wheel I would end up with broken spokes quite quickly (I am not even heavy)

hammond1975

thecycleclinic wrote:

No they are still sealed bearings see this document just like the racing 5's have. http://www.fulcrumwheels.com/system/doc ... e_ROAD.pdf Page 15. I do know something you know occasionally

I full respect your in the trade and know more than me, but I am confused.

Taken from here: http://www.fulcrumwheels.com/en/collect ... acing-7-LG

HIGH GRADE, TOP QUALITY STEEL BEARINGS WITH CUP AND CONE CONSTRUCTION

As I said the early ones were 100% sealed and it looks like they are now also sealed but I think some were not, I know the pair I had (2012's) were 100% not sealed bearings.

cycleclinic

Racing 7's have never had the cup and cone hub that is used on the Campagnolo zonda's and above and the R3's and above. They have always been cartridge bearings. That is the proper term not sealed bearing as even the cup and cone hub that Campagnolo make have seals. I go buy not what the manufacturer says but what I see when I take one apart. That is the best way to know what is inside. Even the 2012 models had cartridge bearings.

Sealed bearings as a term should be banned it is misleading and tells you little. No bearing is fully sealed water will get in. They have seals, they are not sealed.

ugo.santalucia

I think Malcolm is a bit harsh re. the Aksium

I did own a pair back in 2006... oddly they did cost more then than now... never broken a spoke and managed to get to the end of the rim. A replacement rear didn't last as long as the flange cracked, a common problem, which apparently has been improved. The ride was harsh and dead, but at that price point is there anything plush and responsive?
Never had to replace the bearings or the free hub, which at that price point is unusual.

As much as I am a fan of hand built wheels, it is impossible to build something decent at that price point and if that's the budget, I think they are very decent wheels

How Far is too Far

use Mavic Askiums as winter wheels and have done many 1000,s miles with out a problem on them. When I put my summer wheels back on (Fulcrum Zero and Fulcrum Redwind XLR Cult 50mm) there is very little difference that I notice apart from my bike feels lighter when I lift off its perch in my garage. It does make you think why not buy £150 wheelsets and just use them. Diminishing returns is definitely the case IMHO.

cycleclinic

Depends on the rider. I know many who put askiums out of true. Given I know how stiff (latterally) they are not they would be hitting brake pads all the climb on climb for me. So Askiums may work for some but not all. You right about the weight though that is a dimishing return but then why do people buy high end hi-fi when you could listen on a £100 system from Alsi (probably cheaper as well). Some people think the beneift is worth it.

If those fulcrum wheels are not making a difference for you it is beacuse you are not racing. They are race wheels nothing more nothing less. If you do social rides at 15 mph average then they would not help you one little bit, you may not though I don't know.

holiver

admreece wrote:

Thanks for all the advice. I've decided to go for a pair of Fulcrum Racing 5's as I found a good price on these.

Please let us know how they are, as they look interesting.

Does this mean Campag will be going wide for some rims this year?

cycleclinic

Fulcrum LG wheels are wide. Campagnolo Bora wheels are wide but that's it in the Campagnolo range as far as I know.