Wheels - Ultegra 6700 v Fulcrum Racing 3

shooter999
shooter999 Posts: 143
edited March 2016 in Road buying advice
Hi Everyone

Following on from my previous thread, I went ahead and bought the Trek Madone 5.9. The bike comes with Ultegra WH-6700 wheels, which are tubeless ready.

I had already previously bought a pair of Fulcrum Racing 3 wheels, which are sat in a box in the garage, waiting for the weather to improve!

Is there a noticeable difference between these two wheelsets and in particualr when climbing? If there isnt, then I may as well sell the Fulcrum 3's to help offset the cost of the bike!

All opinions welcomed.

Comments

  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    There are pretty similar, IMO. Both have slightly old tech narrow (ish) rims but are fairly light (the 3's are about 100g less than the Ultegra's but that doesn't mean the Ultegras are heavy at less than 1650g). The difference boils down to bearing type, cartridge or cup/cone. Shimano cup/cone are easily serviced but generally need servicing more often whereas cartridge bearings generally need little maintenance but when they do it is a replacement job. Still they can be pulled/replaced as and when required. The Ultegra hubs are pretty good though, IME.

    Oh, the Fulcrums will be slightly louder when freewheeling :-)
  • shooter999
    shooter999 Posts: 143
    Thanks for the reply.

    Any other opinions?
  • Tiesetrotter
    Tiesetrotter Posts: 432
    You'll never notice the difference. You'd notice lot more if you change tyre/inner tubes.

    Sell them or keep them for when the rims wear out.
  • shooter999
    shooter999 Posts: 143
    Tiesetrotter wrote:
    You'll never notice the difference. You'd notice lot more if you change tyre/inner tubes.
    .

    Any recommendations on what tyre tube combinations to see the best improvements?

    As I said, I'm not a racer, weekend warrior and have entered quite a few sportives.

    Thanks
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    What tyres do you have?

    The Ultegra wheels are fine. R3 may be better, but you'd be very very hard pushed to notice.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Schwalbe One, Clinchers in 25mm. Fantastic tyres but a little expensive.
  • shooter999
    shooter999 Posts: 143
    bendertherobot wrote:
    What tyres do you have?

    The Ultegra wheels are fine. R3 may be better, but you'd be very very hard pushed to notice.

    The ultegras have GP4000 (not the II version).

    Going to stick the R3 on the classifieds.

    Thanks
  • JesseD
    JesseD Posts: 1,961
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    Schwalbe One, Clinchers in 25mm. Fantastic tyres but a little expensive.

    This, I just bought some of these and the grip in the corners is outstanding and they feel fast as well!
    Obsessed is a word used by the lazy to describe the dedicated!
  • Ste_S
    Ste_S Posts: 1,173
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    Schwalbe One, Clinchers in 25mm. Fantastic tyres but a little expensive.

    They're not expensive at all (for tyres). Available for £25ish at most online retailers. £46.50 for two at Ribble
    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/schwalbe-one-folding-tyre-twinpack/
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Ste_S wrote:
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    Schwalbe One, Clinchers in 25mm. Fantastic tyres but a little expensive.

    They're not expensive at all (for tyres). Available for £25ish at most online retailers. £46.50 for two at Ribble
    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/schwalbe-one-folding-tyre-twinpack/

    That's a bargain, the RRP for one tyre alone is nearly £45! I wonder if Schwalbe are about to change it from their top of line product for the new Pro One, which looks pretty good. Hence, the One will be quietly withdrawn now that they have improved it...
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,499
    If you're thinking of new tyres and the wheels are tubelsss ready - then why not go for some Schwalbe Pro one tubeless?
  • Ste_S
    Ste_S Posts: 1,173
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    Ste_S wrote:
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    Schwalbe One, Clinchers in 25mm. Fantastic tyres but a little expensive.

    They're not expensive at all (for tyres). Available for £25ish at most online retailers. £46.50 for two at Ribble
    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/schwalbe-one-folding-tyre-twinpack/

    That's a bargain, the RRP for one tyre alone is nearly £45! I wonder if Schwalbe are about to change it from their top of line product for the new Pro One, which looks pretty good. Hence, the One will be quietly withdrawn now that they have improved it...

    Quite a few tyres are heavily discounted vs RRP. Picked up a pair of Veloflex Corsa from Ribble for £52 vs RRP of £88
    Never pay full RRP for tyres.

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