Upgrade from Fulcrum Racing 3

shooter999

Hi everyone,

I'm currently using the above wheels on my bike with conti gp 4000, and was just pondering whether or not to replace them. My bike has 10 speed Di2 with rim brakes.

Can you recommend the next tier of wheels up, where I would see a noticeable difference? I can then see how much the "upgrade" will cost me.

Thanks for all replies.

whyamihere

What do you want the new wheels to do? More aero, stiffer, lower weight?

shooter999

whyamihere wrote:

What do you want the new wheels to do? More aero, stiffer, lower weight?

Don't really know!!

I'm assuming more aero will provide greater speed on flattish roads, but will that mean that they won't be as good for climbing? What does added stiffness provide?

mrb123

Stick with what you've got. They're good wheels.

dstev55

IF you really want to upgrade then I would recommend some handbuilts from Wheelsmith. I've just purchased a set of his Aero Dimpled on Dura Ace hubs. They are superb.

They climb as well as my Cero AR30's but where they really come in to their own on is on the flat. They have helped me hold a more intense speed and also feel faster when descending. Braking is as good as alloy in the dry (not ridden wet yet). One surprising improvement I have noticed is the much smoother ride I now get on these. They seem to help eliminate some of the road buzz that you get and I certainly feel fresher after long rides than I used to.

They cost me £1,100, but it has been a worthy upgrade so far in my opinion.

Bobbinogs

I would say that all of that extra smoothness experienced was due to rim width. The Ceros are probably the narrowest wheelsets on the market and manage to make Mavic Open Pros look cutting edge. Going from 13.5mm internal to 17mm will give a much improved ride in terms of handling, comfort and (perhaps) a very little boost in aero.

shooter999

Thanks for all replies.

keep the recommendations coming.

trivial_poursuivant

Aren't Fulcrum 3 the same wheels as Campagnolo Zonda's? I always was told they are some of the best all round wheels you can buy. Never owned either but I have heard plenty rave about them.

dstev55

Bobbinogs wrote:

I would say that all of that extra smoothness experienced was due to rim width. The Ceros are probably the narrowest wheelsets on the market and manage to make Mavic Open Pros look cutting edge. Going from 13.5mm internal to 17mm will give a much improved ride in terms of handling, comfort and (perhaps) a very little boost in aero.

Maybe but I've had other alloy wheels on that particular bike that were wider than the Cero's and there was no differance in ride quality.

mugensi

I went from Zondas (effectively the same wheel as the Fulcrum 3) to the Fulcrum Quattro Carbon. Theyre faster, smoother, about the same stiffness according to my stiffometer but look 100 times better. Braking in the dry and wet is comparable to the alloy Zondas too.

shooter999

Hi All,

I got in touch with Wheelsmith and was recommended the Race 30.

Does anyone have any views on these wheels and also how they compare to the Fulcrum 3's?

Thanks

Vslowpace

I'd imagine unless you were riding them back to back you wouldn't notice any difference. If you did it would be very small.

I would be running my Zondas into the ground before looking at new wheels

matt_n-2

dstev55 wrote:

Bobbinogs wrote:

I would say that all of that extra smoothness experienced was due to rim width. The Ceros are probably the narrowest wheelsets on the market and manage to make Mavic Open Pros look cutting edge. Going from 13.5mm internal to 17mm will give a much improved ride in terms of handling, comfort and (perhaps) a very little boost in aero.

Maybe but I've had other alloy wheels on that particular bike that were wider than the Cero's and there was no differance in ride quality.

Carbon fibre has intrinsic properties that dampen noise, vibration and harshness, so yes the material does help to eliminate some of the road buzz.

dstev55

Shooter999 wrote:

Hi All,

I got in touch with Wheelsmith and was recommended the Race 30.

Does anyone have any views on these wheels and also how they compare to the Fulcrum 3's?

Thanks

Can't see them being THAT much better. Seriously, if you want a whole different feel then go carbon and go deeper.