Bike Upgrade / Wheel Quandry
Bike Upgrade / Wheel Quandry
Author
Discussion

S6PNJ

Original Poster:

5,838 posts

311 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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The bike I'm looking to buy comes with some 'basic' wheels which will probably be good enough for my level of expertise and experience but man maths and upgrade-itis says I could upgrade to better wheels at a lower cost than buying the wheels outright. I have the option to upgrade them to some deep dish carbon wheels for about £350 (clinchers), but I've now seen that I can get deep dish carbon wheels (outside of any upgrade) for about £370 but they are tubular tyres only.

My quandary is do I get the bike with the standard wheels and buy the tub wheels separately, hence have a second set of wheels (training or winter wheels) or do I go for the upgraded wheels (clinchers) and not have the spare set of wheels.

I've never used tubs before and I want to use the bike/wheels for the forthcoming Ride London 100 so will need to be conversant with changing tubs on the roadside as well as carrying sufficient spares. After the Ride London event, if I bought the tub wheels, I'd use them for Club rides and other sportives whilst using the basic clinchers for my commute and other training rides.

The difference in price is only £20 for the wheels but I'd then have to factor in 4 tubs (2 in use and at least 2 spares) so the cost would rise to about £100 I guess, but I'd have the basic clinchers as a 'spare' set as a result. The £100 could be used to buy a second hand set of clinchers from the bay of E so I'd be in an even position overall.

Any advice either way would be appreciated.

S10GTA

13,791 posts

197 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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Can't see why you would wish to use tubs for anything bar racing imho

S6PNJ

Original Poster:

5,838 posts

311 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
quotequote all
As I currently have no intention of racing, I should basically discount the idea of tubs then? I have no experience/knowledge other than what I've (quickly) googled so can only base my (limited) knowledge on that.

Simond S

4,519 posts

307 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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I wouldn't consider using tubs for normal use.

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

257 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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They're lovely. Problem is a puncture is much more of a big deal than clinchers, and more expensive. You are likely to puncture less though as pinch punctures are a thing of the past. If you have the money, and are proficient enough to change a tub at the side of the road then knock yourself out.

IroningMan

10,598 posts

276 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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If they're going to be the wheels you use most, then go for the set with the aluminium braking surface - carbon brake tracks are not great.


Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

257 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
quotequote all
IroningMan said:
If they're going to be the wheels you use most, then go for the set with the aluminium braking surface - carbon brake tracks are not great.
They're worse than that! They're ok in the dry, but in the wet....

Birdthom

790 posts

255 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
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Deep section carbon tubs don't sound like the right wheels for your intended use. If you are racing or consistently holding over 25mph on the flat then fine, but I'd guess you'd be much better off with some more conventional aluminium wheels.

castex

5,172 posts

303 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
quotequote all
Simond S said:
I wouldn't consider using tubs for normal use.
I have tubs for normal use and it's costing me £££ in regular tyre replacement. Lovely silky-slinky ride, though.

S6PNJ

Original Poster:

5,838 posts

311 months

Wednesday 17th July 2013
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Just to close this off, I ended up buying Shimano RS80 C24s in the end!