Wheel upgrade advice - Shimano RS80 C24 vs Planet X Model B

[Mr Will]

I'm suffering a terrible case of upgraditis at the moment. I really want a set of RS80s, but I'm not sure I can justify £350. Planet X's are £150 at the moment which seems like a bargain but are the RS80s worth the extra? They have cool red logos and carbon and everything...

Or should I look for something else entirely?

Please help, I can't suffer like this for much longer!

[Jayfish]

I just spent all day looking at wheelsets around the RS80 price; having decided that rather than buying a new bike I can't afford, I can afford wheels and group.
Came to the conclusion than Mavic Cosmic Elites at £320 offered best bang for buck with looks combination.

[lynus2004]

I've got some of the older Planet X Model B, would recommend them for the money, I've raced and trained on them without any issues.

What would you be upgrading from? If you really want the RS80 then I'd say get them, I often go for the sensible option with bike upgrades and regret it.

[Mr Will]

lynus2004 said:

What would you be upgrading from? If you really want the RS80 then I'd say get them, I often go for the sensible option with bike upgrades and regret it.

Some pretty knackered Shimano R500s. The RS80s would drop about half a kilo off the weight!

[lynus2004]

I have R500 on my winter bike and the Planet X are a big step up so the RS80 would be a massive leap. £335 on Ribble at the minute as well.

Had you checked out the Shimano Ultegra 6700 wheels? Bit of a half way house between the Planet X and RS80

[Birdthom]

I had RS80 C24s until I mangled them in a smash. I really liked them. I have Mavic Ksyrium Elites now. I'd say that the Shimanos are 90% of the wheel for 60% of the price of the Mavic. They're very good bang for your buck.

[Gizmoish]

I was looking at these before it became a bit moot. http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-...

Wide flange spacing, and they're designed to cradle the balls. Everyone's a winner.

[Mr Will]

Thoughts on these: http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-...

[okgo]

Got them as training wheels, they're decent. Stood up to some a use over years and never set a foot wrong. Rims are worn now, but they're solid wheels.

[Jayfish]

Ooh nice find Mr will, that's 150-200g lighter at the price point...mmm tempted.

[GaryGlitter]

Ultegra 6700s, only 100g more than the Mavics but £75 less with the option of running them tubed or tubeless?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/wheels/road-...

[Matt_N]

£350ish would get you a decent set of handbuilts, meaning better spare parts availability and lower prices when needed.

Also the RS80's are only CF skinned, it's an alloy rim underneath.

[Mr Will]

Matt_N said:

£350ish would get you a decent set of handbuilts, meaning better spare parts availability and lower prices when needed.

Not really what I'm after I'm afraid. These will be my light-weight summer wheel rather than a bomb-proof training wheel.

[Rolls]

But you'll get a lightweight handbuilt wheel to rival what you'll get off the peg? Wouldn't discount it completely!

[Matt_N]

Mr Will said:

Not really what I'm after I'm afraid. These will be my light-weight summer wheel rather than a bomb-proof training wheel.

Eh?

You'll get something very decent built up for that sort of money and be safe in the knowledge that your wheels won't be out of action whilst your LBS try and source you a spoke for your factory builds.

[Mr Will]

Matt_N said:

You'll get something very decent built up for that sort of money

Such as?

[TheFungle]

Matt_N said:

Mr Will said:

Not really what I'm after I'm afraid. These will be my light-weight summer wheel rather than a bomb-proof training wheel.

Eh?

You'll get something very decent built up for that sort of money and be safe in the knowledge that your wheels won't be out of action whilst your LBS try and source you a spoke for your factory builds.

+1

My last set of wheels were Ultegra 6600 with the spokes acrewed into the hub rather than the rim, one snapped spoke had me off the bike for about 5 weeks while the LBS sourced a part, this was when the were still a younf product and had only just been superseded by Ultegra 6700.

If I buy factory again I shall certainly be buying a good amount of spokes as a spares pack.

[Mr Will]

TheFungle said:

My last set of wheels were Ultegra 6600 with the spokes acrewed into the hub rather than the rim, one snapped spoke had me off the bike for about 5 weeks while the LBS sourced a part, this was when the were still a younf product and had only just been superseded by Ultegra 6700.

If I buy factory again I shall certainly be buying a good amount of spokes as a spares pack.

Okay, but worst case scenario I just put my old wheels back on while I wait for the repair. Not the end of the world.

[Matt_N]

Mr Will said:

Such as?

Both from Strada:

Velocity A23 on Ambrosio Zenith hubs with Sapim race spokes for £325.

H Plus Son Archetype on Ambrosio Zenith and Sapim for £345.

Both sets would weigh less than those 2010 Mavics from Merlin and remain servicable for years to come.

Just two selections from a wide array, you could go for a slightly cheaper rim like a Mavic Open Pro, which is still well regarded and go for a better hub (maybe Hope or DT340) and Spaim CX spokes for example.

Your LBS will be able to advise you and probably have demo sets for you to try, plus there are loads of well respected wheel builders offering the same - Harry Rowland, Wheelsmith etc.

[TheFungle]

Mr Will said:

TheFungle said:

My last set of wheels were Ultegra 6600 with the spokes acrewed into the hub rather than the rim, one snapped spoke had me off the bike for about 5 weeks while the LBS sourced a part, this was when the were still a younf product and had only just been superseded by Ultegra 6700.

If I buy factory again I shall certainly be buying a good amount of spokes as a spares pack.

Okay, but worst case scenario I just put my old wheels back on while I wait for the repair. Not the end of the world.

If you have spare wheels then that's great, in my scenario I didn't and 'lost' 5 weeks of what had been a pretty good year on the bike for me.