How many sets of wheels & Group set
andyh01
Posts: 599
Hi
So looking to get more into cycling, mixed terrine and looking at a new adventure/gravel type bike. The one I'm looking at will take both 700c and 650b wheels and comes either 1x Sram force or 2x Shimano Ultegra. I can't decide what I want/need! I think 80% of riding be on road (commute, club training/social rides/solo) and 20% off road including cycle paths, country parks, solo and with family (I have two young ones) so nothing too technically challenging, although this may change and cycle-cross does look fun!
I'm leaning more towards 700c 2x Ultegra as this is what I know and current bike has compact 50/34 with 11-25 (or 28 can't remember) which works fine for current riding style. I have on occasion needed a slightly lower gear on steeper climbs when I have ventured out further as well as lost traction. On the commute I have felt Iike I have span out albeit for a very short period of time on the downhill, but at about 29mph whereas I should be at least at 39mph before spinning out on a 50/12 gear at 120 rpm - I do prefer a higher gear and lower cadence though. I sometimes also struggle to notice the difference when changing gear on the flat with the tight rear cluster I currently have. So on the new bike I'd probably stay with compact and 11-32 cassette. This should give me the wider range that I need for the mixed riding I'm aiming to do.
Is there anyway I could have a set up with a 2x compact on the 700c and then change only the wheels to the 650b with a wider sram 10-42 cassette on the rear. The Ultegra rear derailleur is only able to go to 32t isn't it? What about a clutched RD?
I'd be using Hunt gravel wheels that come with the bike but I can choose which ones. Do I go for two sets of wheels in different sizes (700c and 650b) but be restricted to the size of rear cogs to 32t if that's biggest 2x can run, or upgrade the 700c wheels to the carbon rims and just have the one set of wheels tubeless and only change tires when planning more off road or ice spikes tires when snow hits? Or have two sets of 700c wheels one for "summer" with summer tires and other set for winter/off road setup?
Thanks again
Andy
So looking to get more into cycling, mixed terrine and looking at a new adventure/gravel type bike. The one I'm looking at will take both 700c and 650b wheels and comes either 1x Sram force or 2x Shimano Ultegra. I can't decide what I want/need! I think 80% of riding be on road (commute, club training/social rides/solo) and 20% off road including cycle paths, country parks, solo and with family (I have two young ones) so nothing too technically challenging, although this may change and cycle-cross does look fun!
I'm leaning more towards 700c 2x Ultegra as this is what I know and current bike has compact 50/34 with 11-25 (or 28 can't remember) which works fine for current riding style. I have on occasion needed a slightly lower gear on steeper climbs when I have ventured out further as well as lost traction. On the commute I have felt Iike I have span out albeit for a very short period of time on the downhill, but at about 29mph whereas I should be at least at 39mph before spinning out on a 50/12 gear at 120 rpm - I do prefer a higher gear and lower cadence though. I sometimes also struggle to notice the difference when changing gear on the flat with the tight rear cluster I currently have. So on the new bike I'd probably stay with compact and 11-32 cassette. This should give me the wider range that I need for the mixed riding I'm aiming to do.
Is there anyway I could have a set up with a 2x compact on the 700c and then change only the wheels to the 650b with a wider sram 10-42 cassette on the rear. The Ultegra rear derailleur is only able to go to 32t isn't it? What about a clutched RD?
I'd be using Hunt gravel wheels that come with the bike but I can choose which ones. Do I go for two sets of wheels in different sizes (700c and 650b) but be restricted to the size of rear cogs to 32t if that's biggest 2x can run, or upgrade the 700c wheels to the carbon rims and just have the one set of wheels tubeless and only change tires when planning more off road or ice spikes tires when snow hits? Or have two sets of 700c wheels one for "summer" with summer tires and other set for winter/off road setup?
Thanks again
Andy
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Comments
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buy a cx bike and two sets of tyres. Pop the cx tyres on when going off road, only takes a minute to change a tyre and will give you valuable practice!0
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Lot of words.
I'd go for a double chainring as you say mostly road riding.
Change the tyres for something grippier/wider if you're riding off road. A new set of wheels may be easier but is more expensive for limited amounts of use.0 -
The obvious answer is surely that you need two bikes?The only disability in life is a poor attitude.0
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I'd rather have one really good bike than two average bikes. Also it could be that I need the mixed terrine ability on the same ride so can't always swap eg commute on road into work and go off road coming home as I won't have time /motivation to go home change and then go back out.
I was planning to run either 28mm or 32mm tires most of the time on the 700c for both on and off road which hopefully be all I need and just change tires as needed for ice. Then I guess if needed at a later date I could get a 650b if I wanted just worried about the gear ratios when changing sizes.0 -
two wheelsets is useful if you're going to be frequently changing use and don't have 2 bikes - useful, but not essential.
I did run 2 wheelsets on my CX - one with road tyres & a tighter cassette range and the other with the 32-11 and original wide tyres - then when winter came I swapped out the wide tyres for spikes - alhough I only really get a handful of uses out of them over winter - the roads here are rarely icey.
2up front does give you the largest range available - just pair that with a suitable long rear mech - and you're sorted.0 -
I guess it would depend on how wide the rims are to be able to run say 28s or 32s most of time and switch to wider/spiked 35mm
How easy are tubeless to change as I've read they can be hard to seat and seal? As hunt gravels are £350 I could get the two sets if/when needed or I could upgrade to the carbon gravel (about £1k) and just have one set and change tires as needed.0 -
mixed terrine...
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You're seriously thinking of spending a grand on a set of wheels ? Why ?0
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Fenix wrote:You're seriously thinking of spending a grand on a set of wheels ? Why ?
If he can afford all that terrine....0 -
that's making me hungry!!
Why spend so much on wheels? I thought this is where it's spending upgrade money? Never had carbon rims before and as disc brake the rimes won't wear out. I thought as help reduce weight and look cool...?
Also though more practically, the rims on the carbon upgrade ones are wider thus allowing a bigger tyre choice? Whereas the standard alloy gravel rims are narrower so I wouldn't be able to fit wider tyres or ice spikes. So rather than having two sets of cheaper wheels I could have one nice set all year?0 -
I've got bog standard alloy rims with 35mm tyres on - they also take my 30mm studded tyres and my 23mm road tyres.
Carbon rims - would be nice bit of bling, but a) I wouldn't put them on my CX bike for mucking about and b) I doubt I'd notice any difference on my best road bike over any other quality rim/wheelset.0 -
Aren't you the guy that doesnt want carbon cos he gets his bikes knocked about ? So why carbon wheels ? You're not racing.
Changing tyres is a faff - this is why lots of people have summer and winter bikes.
I'd not pay a grand for my racing wheels - let alone wheels to not race on....0 -
Can you come round to mine and change my CX tyres?! I went from 35mm Schwalbe Rapid Robs to 28mm Duranos on my CX bike and it literally too me an hour to get those bastard slicks onto the wheels! I had blisters on both thumbs when I'd finished!darkhairedlord wrote:buy a cx bike and two sets of tyres. Pop the cx tyres on when going off road, only takes a minute to change a tyre and will give you valuable practice!0 -
darkhairedlord wrote:mixed terrine...
Now that looks delish. I'm off to Edwyn's to see if he has any in stock.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Matthewfalle wrote:darkhairedlord wrote:mixed terrine...
Now that looks delish. I'm off to Edwyn's to see if he has any in stock.
He's a star!0 -
A finger of spit on the rim helps it glide straight in. :oops:nickbotfield wrote:
Can you come round to mine and change my CX tyres?! I went from 35mm Schwalbe Rapid Robs to 28mm Duranos on my CX bike and it literally too me an hour to get those bastard slicks onto the wheels! I had blisters on both thumbs when I'd finished!darkhairedlord wrote:buy a cx bike and two sets of tyres. Pop the cx tyres on when going off road, only takes a minute to change a tyre and will give you valuable practice!0 -
Yes I am the guy that I don't want cf frame as types of knocks (like dropping it or heavy things falling on it) may shatter the internal structure. Wheels get the strength from spoke tension and as designed for off road cf wheels seemed stronger and more durable than alloy? I also wouldn't normally spend so much on wheels but as best bang for buck upgrades it's the wheels right? Standard stock wheels with an option to upgrade so instead of spending £350 on stock then upgrading at a later date, put the £350 towards the £1k wheels so costs an extra £650 for £1k wheels. Having said that, as you say, as I'm not racing I'b be better off getting 2 sets of wheels after a period of time if/when changing tyres becomes a pita..0
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If you're looking at £1k wheelsets then you can afford two good bikes instead of fiddling about with wheelsets.
Changing tyres is a dirty PITA and never a five minute job, always losing the correct sized inner tube or taking the wrong size spare tube or the valve is wrong length or something.
Even changing wheels with tyres already on can be a pain, rims are too wide or the pads are a mm out or you'll want mudguards or a cross bike will just look weird with skinny tyres. Then you'll want to take a pannier for a tour but realise that you took the rack off last week because.....zzzzz
Unless you have a mechanic I promise that most weeks you'll want to go for a ride, hop on the bike and then realise that one/all the above need fixed at the same time. Then you will need a beer.
Highly recommended you save all the pain and go n+1. It's brilliant.
But buy £1k wheels anyway!0 -
Here's a disc with rimes, that won't wear out.AndyH01 wrote:that's making me hungry!!
Why spend so much on wheels? I thought this is where it's spending upgrade money? Never had carbon rims before and as disc brake the rimes won't wear out. I thought as help reduce weight and look cool...?
Also though more practically, the rims on the carbon upgrade ones are wider thus allowing a bigger tyre choice? Whereas the standard alloy gravel rims are narrower so I wouldn't be able to fit wider tyres or ice spikes. So rather than having two sets of cheaper wheels I could have one nice set all year?
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