Wheels - They're all the same aren't they? Mmmm carbon

[TheFungle]

Had written a long post but reading it back it made no sense so here is the shorter version!

I'm after a new set of wheels, they have to be good looking, reliable and 'quick', is it possible?

I've seen Zuus at £400 and Zipps at £1400 and I'm struggling to determine the good value from bad.

Currently running Fulcrum R3s which are coming to the end of their life.

I like fast road riding, the occasional Cat 3/4 race and big days out.

[matt-ITR]

Zipp will have had lots more R&D into them and better materials than the low end wheels.

I'm not saying they are 3x as good, but they will be a better wheel.
Braking surfaces is a big area where expensive wheels differ.

Hub quality will be far superior on branded wheels as well.

[TheFungle]

matt-ITR said:

Zipp will have had lots more R&D into them and better materials than the low end wheels.

I'm not saying they are 3x as good, but they will be a better wheel.
Braking surfaces is a big area where expensive wheels differ.

Hub quality will be far superior on branded wheels as well.

I both agree and disagree with you.

Zip's issues with their build quality are well documented.

A lot of the cheap Chinese wheels use proven, if unspectacular, Novatec hubs.

Being brutally honest, my head says Zipp (or similar) and my bank account is saying Zuus!

Wheelsmith's Gigantex rims on Novatec hubs look promising but are they massively different from Zuus other than they are hand built by a wee man in Scotland?

[anonymous-user]

If you run shimano gears, the thread ends here for you

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rolf-Prima-2014-Ares4-Cl...

[matt-ITR]

I bought a set of Rolfs and they were disappointing. Way heavier than they claimed and the hubs bearings didn't last that long.

Personally I'd be more tempted by Reynolds wheels over Zipp, but what I would really like is a set of Lightweights.

[lukefreeman]

I have two sets of unbranded zuus wheels. They're fine.

[TheFungle]

lukefreeman said:

I have two sets of unbranded zuus wheels. They're fine.

Interesting to hear.

What have you compared them against?

I'm equating them to paying Aldo money and expecting Assos - fair comment?

[anonymous-user]

matt-ITR said:

I bought a set of Rolfs and they were disappointing. Way heavier than they claimed and the hubs bearings didn't last that long.

Personally I'd be more tempted by Reynolds wheels over Zipp, but what I would really like is a set of Lightweights.

I have the ares4 and they weigh in exactly as quoted 1365g with the campag freehub. Can't yet comment on longevity of hubs, but with about 4k miles on them they are still smooth and with no play

[lukefreeman]

TheFungle said:

lukefreeman said:

I have two sets of unbranded zuus wheels. They're fine.

Interesting to hear.

What have you compared them against?

I'm equating them to paying Aldo money and expecting Assos - fair comment?

Fulcrum racing 7's, 3's, Quattros and some basic shimanomthings. Got no hard data from a watts point of view, but they feel the same as low rims until around 22, then it feels a lot easier to hold speed (directly comparing commuter bike against missus's bike and my summer bike that all have different wheels on. At the minute I'm on 60's, she's on 38's and commuter is on 35 quattros)

Kinda. Imagine it akin to paying for dhb stuff instead of castelli...same tech, looks nice, but it hasn't got that extra little bit castelli has.

[paulmon]

Have you considered Reynolds. I have the Assault SLG and they are superb. The reason I chose these over other brands was the fact they are rebuildable and the Reynolds customer service is superb especially compared to Zipp.

[Jasper3.0]

Another recommendation for Reynolds. I currently run two sets of the assaults. One on rim brakes and another set of disc brakes. Both been very good. The disc set came from upgrade bikes outlet store, as ex display. I was looking for a hand built set of winter wheels, but the price was so good I ended up with a second set of carbons!

Both have been really good. The rim brake set squeal like hell without getting the right amount of toe in (which is more than you would imagine).

[Black can man]

Do people really pay£1400.00 for a set of wheels ?


fk me

[Banana Boy]

Black can man said:

Do people really pay£1400.00 for a set of wheels ?


fk me

You took the words right out of my mouth!

If I were spending your money OP I'd have £1400 wheels just because, if I were spending my own money, I'd be rebuilding the Fulcrum R3's!

ETA: I have a set of R5's that I'd like to rebuild because the rims are worn but I can't get rims on their own

Edited by Banana Boy on Saturday 7th May 10:11

[anonymous-user]

Black can man said:

Do people really pay£1400.00 for a set of wheels ?


fk me

If that's what you say about £1400 wheels, make sure there aren't any sensitive ears nearby when you click this link

http://www.ubyk.co.uk/lightweight-meilenstein-ober...

[Matt_N]

JPJPJP said:

If that's what you say about £1400 wheels, make sure there aren't any sensitive ears nearby when you click this link

http://www.ubyk.co.uk/lightweight-meilenstein-ober...

Lightweigt are nice and all thst but that's about all they are - light, oh and expensive.

They use an old hat V shape and are not particularly wide by modern standards and the current trend, there has been rumours of a wider and more U shaped rim for a while now but still nothing.

[Matt_N]

matt-ITR said:

Zipp will have had lots more R&D into them and better materials than the low end wheels.

I'm not saying they are 3x as good, but they will be a better wheel.
Braking surfaces is a big area where expensive wheels differ.

Hub quality will be far superior on branded wheels as well.

What are we on now, V10 of the 188 rear hub?

Not something I'd go to Zipp for tbh, rims yes they are among the best but to still be having recalls out on hubs is bonkers, as was rarial lacing on the drive side which they persevered with for so long.

[Matt_N]

Strada wheels offer Corima wheel builds on a variety of hubs in both clincher and tubular, probably where I'd be looking along with Reynolds and Fast Forward as they use good quality DT based hubs.

Specialized Roval wheels are very well regarded at the moment too, the 46mm, again DT based hubs.

[lukefreeman]

Black can man said:

Do people really pay£1400.00 for a set of wheels ?


fk me

I would if I could justify it.

Much like I could spend £300k on a car, or £2mil on a house, but can't afford it.

[anthonysjb]

I've got a pair of Farsports 58x28mm clinchers on the way with DT 350s. Will leave a ride report when they're here!

[stongle]

Matt_N said:

Lightweigt are nice and all thst but that's about all they are - light, oh and expensive.

They use an old hat V shape and are not particularly wide by modern standards and the current trend, there has been rumours of a wider and more U shaped rim for a while now but still nothing.

Think they changed the shape on the 2016 model. I was weighing up some Ferwegs, but having destroyed an Enve 60mm clincher in Greenwich park; I couldn't justify 4bags (well 4.5 bags of you add in their wheel insurance, bonkers!).

Regardless of what you spend, worth getting the wheels from somewhere reputable. The distributor straight replaced the Enve wheel no quibbles.