Upgrading from maddux rd3.0 wheels . CAAD 8. Options?

denispearl

Hello all.

Havent been here for a while.

Got my new CAAD 8 with Tiagra group set now, soooo got some questions)

Obviously upgrade springs to mind and obviously wheels are the first to be looked at.

Hence my questions

- what do you know about those standard from CANNONDALE, seem like, maddux rd3.0 wheels?
- Are they any good ?
- Should ( must) upgrade? IS it worth it?
- Currently looking and MAVIC KSYRIUM range . I want ELITE (Elite S) or Equipe. Are those a good choice? Would there be a difference clearly visible after upgrade? What exactly? Is it worth it? IS ELITE much BETTER than EQUIPE for my CAAD8?
- any other wheels update options you could recommend?
- what esle need to be updated on this CAAD frame?

Sorry for too many questions, hope it will make it easier for you to structure your replies.

Many thanks for all info in advance.

BR

ayjaycee

I would doubt that there is anything fundamentally wrong with the bike as it stands and would also question the wisdom of spending a lot of money on it so soon after buying. Starting with £400+ wheels and a couple of other bits will soon take you close to the current (discounted ) cost of a new CAAD8 and bring up the question of why you didn't just spend twice as much in the first place. My personal opinion would be to get at least this summer / autumn / winter out of the way and get to know the bike after which you will be in a better position to decide. Yes, the Maddux wheels are probably budget and probably heavy but they should also be round and make you roll along when you pedal and therefore do what wheels are supposed to do (otherwise they should be returned as not fit for purpose). Of course, that's the common sense approach but when did common sense ever come into it when buying bikes and bike stuff?

denispearl

Thanks. I have got the bike second hand, so it had seen its 1or possibly 2 seasons, I suppose. Nevermind all of that would it be a significant upgrade ? Thanks

imposter2.0

Can't see the pics..

timbo_tim

Quick search suggests the equipes aren't much better than fairly basic wheels (like khamsin etc) so if you want to feel the benefit of an upgrade sounds like you should opt for the elites. However, i may be biased but have you thought about the campy zonda c17s which with cashback should be available for sub £300. Not much weight difference to the mavics but c25% cheaper. I know there will be much debate over the two, but that's where I would put my money IF you need to upgrade (and I did when getting rid of the stock wheels on my emonda).

denispearl

timbo_tim wrote:

Quick search suggests the equipes aren't much better than fairly basic wheels (like khamsin etc) so if you want to feel the benefit of an upgrade sounds like you should opt for the elites. However, i may be biased but have you thought about the campy zonda c17s which with cashback should be available for sub £300. Not much weight difference to the mavics but c25% cheaper. I know there will be much debate over the two, but that's where I would put my money IF you need to upgrade (and I did when getting rid of the stock wheels on my emonda).

Thanks I'll have a look. Regarding Equips I have heard similar opinions. Thanks for confirming that. I can snap a pair of elite in old design , probably from 2012. They are in set with cassette tyres and tubes. I dont want to buy new ones really. Not much stingy just don't see the point hence the bike in second hand condition and I would never get the investment back. Thanks for the input!!

denispearl

Imposter wrote:

Can't see the pics..

Don't see an option to atach pics here. Strange

bendertherobot

Fulcrum Racing 7 LG are 1750g and about £130. A very cheap and good upgrade. Wider rims than the stock ones too. That saves you around 500g or so which should be noticeable. Should be an all round better wheel at a decent cost.

denispearl

Sweet guys. Thanks for the input. I will be hunting for the wheels for sure one or another set. I guess autumn is the best time to buy. Do you agree?

denispearl

What else would you suggest to upgrade on this bike! Thanks

denispearl

And one more thing. What you think about hand build wheels? I've seen some offers for £220 wheelset. For some reason I gravitate more toward that option. I think quality will be way better then stock ones. What you think? Thanks

boblo

denispearl wrote:

What else would you suggest to upgrade on this bike! Thanks

Install Rider v2.0. Should instantly improve bike performance ;-)

bendertherobot

denispearl wrote:

And one more thing. What you think about hand build wheels? I've seen some offers for £220 wheelset. For some reason I gravitate more toward that option. I think quality will be way better then stock ones. What you think? Thanks

All wheels are hand built. Some wheels will be better built by hand depending on who's building them. For hand built read 'to my specification' or 'with better parts.' A good pair of handbuilts may or may not be easier to repair depending on the part choice.

denispearl

Hello everybody and thank you for the input so far.
Came across [url=thathttp://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/pave-28-ultra-11speed-wheelset-2024.htm]thathttp://www.superstarcomponents.com/ ... t-2024.htm[/url]

Pave 28. What would you say about them? Thanks

imposter2.0

denispearl wrote:

Imposter wrote:

Can't see the pics..

Don't see an option to atach pics here. Strange

This is the forum for uploading/displaying your bike pics. Buying advice goes in the 'buying advice' forum. I was probably being too vague.

Apologies for sounding like a moderator, but I'm just stating the obvious.

denispearl

It is Indeed. Sorry, wrong branch

denispearl

denispearl wrote:

Hello all.

Havent been here for a while.

Got my new CAAD 8 with Tiagra group set now, soooo got some questions)

Here it is:
https://flic.kr/p/Y5Jqew

Obviously upgrade springs to mind and obviously wheels are the first to be looked at.

Hence my questions

- what do you know about those standard from CANNONDALE, seem like, maddux rd3.0 wheels?
- Are they any good ?
- Should ( must) upgrade? IS it worth it?
- Currently looking and MAVIC KSYRIUM range . I want ELITE (Elite S) or Equipe. Are those a good choice? Would there be a difference clearly visible after upgrade? What exactly? Is it worth it? IS ELITE much BETTER than EQUIPE for my CAAD8?
- any other wheels update options you could recommend?
- what esle need to be updated on this CAAD frame?

Sorry for too many questions, hope it will make it easier for you to structure your replies.

Many thanks for all info in advance.

BR

denispearl

Imposter wrote:

Can't see the pics..

https://flic.kr/p/Y5Jqew