Another New Wheels Thread - Sorry

photonic69

I've just bought a 105 groupset in the Wiggle Black Friday sale to update my Giant Defy Aluxx bike from and aging Sora.

Need a new set of wheels to fit the 11 speed cassette.

Looking at these:

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-rs ... 15968.html

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-wh ... 44693.html

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-rs ... 13877.html

https://www.merlincycles.com/fulcrum-ra ... 74068.html

Liking the look of the Shimano RS300 105 but not many reviews available.

My riding is mostly club rides and sportives. I don't race. This bike will only be a fair weather bike as I have a winter/commuter for bad days.

Any preferences /advice / other considerations etc

Many thanks

craigus89

None of those wheels can really be considered an upgrade from whatever is on your bike at the moment (Giant PR2's?).

If you need the wheel for cassette speed compatibility reasons only then just re-use your existing front wheel and get a new rear one like this and save yourself £75

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rs11-cl ... ear-wheel/

If you could increase budget to £250+ then you can start getting better wheels, at the price point you're looking at they are basically the same as whatever comes with cheaper bikes (though people who have bought them as upgrades will argue that point!)

photonic69

Craigus89 wrote:

None of those wheels can really be considered an upgrade from whatever is on your bike at the moment (Giant PR2's?).


If you could increase budget to £250+ then you can start getting better wheels, at the price point you're looking at they are basically the same as whatever comes with cheaper bikes (though people who have bought them as upgrades will argue that point!)

Thanks Craigus89 - I hear what you are saying. Do need new wheels due to the fact that both front and rear brake tracks are well worn and fit for the recycling centre scrap bins!

I'm quite keen to get wheels where the hubs are serviceable (cup and cone with ball bearings - I like to service hubs!) and that take a recognised freehub. I've had too many cheap wheels where the freehub has failed but even the LBS has been unable to identify the make/model to order replacements. I was thinking a Shimano branded wheelset would probably use Shimano freehubs and be readily available?

Never had an issue with the PR2's - they went around smoothly and truly for the last 4 years. What would I get that would be better at the £250+ price bracket? Less weight/more bling?

supermurph09

Cero AR24s from cycledivision. £189, 1499g. Tubeless ready

photonic69

Supermurph09 wrote:

Cero AR24s from cycledivision. £189, 1499g. Tubeless ready

Any good reason for this recommendation apart from the nearly 1/2kg saving!!!

bobones

duplicate

bobones

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

Cero AR24s from cycledivision. £189, 1499g. Tubeless ready

Any good reason for this recommendation apart from the nearly 1/2kg saving!!!

I have a set, but I wouldn't recommend them unless you're a fan of constant maintenance. They do feel light and nice to ride, but the build quality is dubious (2 broken spokes in few months of use when I've never broken a spoke in any other wheel) and the hubs will run rough after a couple of wet rides. Granted, most cheap cartridge bearing hubs from Taiwan are poor in this respect.

Shimano cup and cone hubs are easy to maintain (and they need it regularly!), but their low end factory wheels are generally heavy, narrow and not tubeless compatible. Hand built on Shimano hubs is an option but they won't be all that light and, except Dura Ace, 32 holes is the lowest they go.

Another option is hand built on Miche Primato hubs, which use cartridge bearings, but cope well in wet conditions. 24F/28R with Sapim D-Lights or Laser/Race and a nice wide rim could be in the 1500-1600 g range and should last and be easily maintainable and repairable.

Oh, and Zondas!

shortfall

bobones wrote:

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

Cero AR24s from cycledivision. £189, 1499g. Tubeless ready

Another option is hand built on Miche Primato hubs, which use cartridge bearings, but cope well in wet conditions. 24F/28R with Sapim D-Lights or Laser/Race and a nice wide rim could be in the 1500-1600 g range and should last and be easily maintainable and repairable.

Oh, and Zondas!

+1
Both an excellent choice. The handbuilts are cheaper and easier to repair if anything goes wrong, but saying that the Zonda's are very robust inspite of the low spoke count.