low end wheel upgrade recommendation?
Discussion
I've got an entry level Felt bike and do one triathlon a year... plus training on the road. I don't do any other kind of bike racing.
Just bought a turbo trainer and was going to get a spare rear wheel.
Then I thought - what's the point of buying a second hand wheel for £30 on ebay when I can get a set of something like Shimano R501s from Ribble for about £100.
I can't see the point of spending say £300 (or £500 or £1000) on new wheels for a 4 year old £600 bike as I doubt I'd feel the difference - or see much difference in a 40km bike leg.
So two questions:
- Have I got this totally wrong? Is a more expensive wheelset suddenly going to shave 5mins off my 40km?
- Any other wheels to consider at £100-200
thanks in advance
Just bought a turbo trainer and was going to get a spare rear wheel.
Then I thought - what's the point of buying a second hand wheel for £30 on ebay when I can get a set of something like Shimano R501s from Ribble for about £100.
I can't see the point of spending say £300 (or £500 or £1000) on new wheels for a 4 year old £600 bike as I doubt I'd feel the difference - or see much difference in a 40km bike leg.
So two questions:
- Have I got this totally wrong? Is a more expensive wheelset suddenly going to shave 5mins off my 40km?
- Any other wheels to consider at £100-200
thanks in advance
To be honest, given your usage, a set of Fulcrum Racing 5s for £150 would be perfect. They wont save you much time off your bike leg but they will be a bit lighter and have better bearings compared to the standard wheels so they will roll better. They are tough wheels and reliable so will be fine for training and racing.
Were you racing more or doing longer events etc then there would be a fair argument to say that spending more money on a superior wheelset would be beneficial but I dont think thats the case in this instance and the whole marginal gains debate would come in to play, ie there is no point spending £xxx on aero wheels if you dont have aero bars, are not fit enough to maintain a higher average speed, have a pointy helmet etc etc
Were you racing more or doing longer events etc then there would be a fair argument to say that spending more money on a superior wheelset would be beneficial but I dont think thats the case in this instance and the whole marginal gains debate would come in to play, ie there is no point spending £xxx on aero wheels if you dont have aero bars, are not fit enough to maintain a higher average speed, have a pointy helmet etc etc
pablo said:
To be honest, given your usage, a set of Fulcrum Racing 5s for £150 would be perfect. They wont save you much time off your bike leg but they will be a bit lighter and have better bearings compared to the standard wheels so they will roll better. They are tough wheels and reliable so will be fine for training and racing.
Were you racing more or doing longer events etc then there would be a fair argument to say that spending more money on a superior wheelset would be beneficial but I dont think thats the case in this instance and the whole marginal gains debate would come in to play, ie there is no point spending £xxx on aero wheels if you dont have aero bars, are not fit enough to maintain a higher average speed, have a pointy helmet etc etc
I have fulcrum 5s and was about to recommend them.Were you racing more or doing longer events etc then there would be a fair argument to say that spending more money on a superior wheelset would be beneficial but I dont think thats the case in this instance and the whole marginal gains debate would come in to play, ie there is no point spending £xxx on aero wheels if you dont have aero bars, are not fit enough to maintain a higher average speed, have a pointy helmet etc etc
£160 on wiggle.
Or go for the old budget creep approach and get some Ultegra wheels off Ribble for £220.
Bobley said:
Except when you compare them to Fulcrums. My mate just got 7s, loves em. I just got some 3s and I love them, therefore I would support the suggestion of Fulcrum 5s above.
Helpful, thanks.Interestingly a lot of wheels on eBay seem to be going for almost as much as you can get them new.
I have just fitted a pair of Campag Zondas to my bike. Got them from Wiggle a few weeks ago when they were offering good discounts on their wheel range. I have a B'Twin Triban 5 and the difference over the standard wheels is night and day. The bike accelerates quicker, climbs better and is generally much smoother running now.
I paid £280 or so for the pair and had to get a Campag cassette, but all in including new tyres I was £350, but it was the best money I have spent on bikes so far
I paid £280 or so for the pair and had to get a Campag cassette, but all in including new tyres I was £350, but it was the best money I have spent on bikes so far
NDT said:
I've got an entry level Felt bike and do one triathlon a year... plus training on the road. I don't do any other kind of bike racing.
Just bought a turbo trainer and was going to get a spare rear wheel.
Then I thought - what's the point of buying a second hand wheel for £30 on ebay when I can get a set of something like Shimano R501s from Ribble for about £100.
I can't see the point of spending say £300 (or £500 or £1000) on new wheels for a 4 year old £600 bike as I doubt I'd feel the difference - or see much difference in a 40km bike leg.
So two questions:
- Have I got this totally wrong? Is a more expensive wheelset suddenly going to shave 5mins off my 40km?
- Any other wheels to consider at £100-200
thanks in advance
You can buy a brand new rear wheel from Decathlon for £35 and that includes skewer. Forget looking for wheels for a turbo on ebay. Buyers/bidders seem to forget what you can buy through normal shops. Just bought a turbo trainer and was going to get a spare rear wheel.
Then I thought - what's the point of buying a second hand wheel for £30 on ebay when I can get a set of something like Shimano R501s from Ribble for about £100.
I can't see the point of spending say £300 (or £500 or £1000) on new wheels for a 4 year old £600 bike as I doubt I'd feel the difference - or see much difference in a 40km bike leg.
So two questions:
- Have I got this totally wrong? Is a more expensive wheelset suddenly going to shave 5mins off my 40km?
- Any other wheels to consider at £100-200
thanks in advance
I spent £330 on a set of wheels for a bike that cos £625 three years ago. I certainly noticed the difference.
Usget said:
I was thinking about getting a set of Fulcrum Racing Quattros as they're on offer for £230 at the moment - has anyone tried them and are they worth the extra over the 5s?
Are they the Cyclocross wheels everyone has been raving about recently? I'm sure I remember some chap on here recently saying they were even faster than his road wheels...Mr Will said:
Usget said:
I was thinking about getting a set of Fulcrum Racing Quattros as they're on offer for £230 at the moment - has anyone tried them and are they worth the extra over the 5s?
Are they the Cyclocross wheels everyone has been raving about recently? I'm sure I remember some chap on here recently saying they were even faster than his road wheels...Another vote for Racing 5s here. I put them on my Trek 1.1. Didn't make much difference to average speed but acceleration is better and they just feel stronger. Plus they have flat aero spokes which may a cool swooping sounds at speed.
As pable says the freewheeling is excellent you can fly down hills without even pedaling. I had my bike on the workstand earlier and was adjusting the front brake. I span the wheel to check they weren't rubbing. Cleaned and put all my tools away and packed up, about 10 mins later the wheel was still merrily spinning.
£160 is very good VFM.
As pable says the freewheeling is excellent you can fly down hills without even pedaling. I had my bike on the workstand earlier and was adjusting the front brake. I span the wheel to check they weren't rubbing. Cleaned and put all my tools away and packed up, about 10 mins later the wheel was still merrily spinning.
£160 is very good VFM.
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