Good Road Wheels?
Discussion
I'm heading off to the Dolomites in a month for some riding and I've been looking into upgrading my wheels before then but after a load of Googling I'm none the wiser as to what to get!
The bike is a Trek Domane which is running the Bontrager Race Lite wheels it came with.
I've got a budget of around £700 for the wheels and new tyres. So far I've looked at the following:
Mavic Ksyrium SLS
Mavic Ksyrium SLE
Shimano Dura Ace C24
Fulcrum Racing Zero
As much as I like the looks of the Mavic R-SYS SLR's and the Fulcrum Racing Zero Nite's, they're a bit out of my price range sadly. I've ruled out carbon wheels due to hearing too many horror stories of tyre blowouts on long descents and poor braking in the wet.
I'm looking to buy factory wheels rather than handbuilt.
Any suggestions of what's good,bad or otherwise?
The bike is a Trek Domane which is running the Bontrager Race Lite wheels it came with.
I've got a budget of around £700 for the wheels and new tyres. So far I've looked at the following:
Mavic Ksyrium SLS
Mavic Ksyrium SLE
Shimano Dura Ace C24
Fulcrum Racing Zero
As much as I like the looks of the Mavic R-SYS SLR's and the Fulcrum Racing Zero Nite's, they're a bit out of my price range sadly. I've ruled out carbon wheels due to hearing too many horror stories of tyre blowouts on long descents and poor braking in the wet.
I'm looking to buy factory wheels rather than handbuilt.
Any suggestions of what's good,bad or otherwise?
How many first hand accounts of carbon rims have you had regarding heat build up and braking in the rain? There is this mass hysteria especially on the internet that they will explode the moment you start descending or the braking performance is like glass, neither are anything like true. The manufacturers are constantly developing better braking surfaces which keep temperateures lower and whilst braking in the rain isnt as good as alu rims, its not that bad and most people use cheap pads which doesnt help. The other issue is whether the people experiencing rim failure have poor technique and cant actually use the brakes competently or just dont pay attention and grab the brakes in the rain.
I can fully understand the concern of taking carbon rims to the Dolomites for a month but I just think this hysteria is a bit overblown.
No wheelset on your list is bad, they are all very good, you will be pleased with all of them. Personally I'd look at HED Ardennes too and whatever Campag have at that price point.
I can fully understand the concern of taking carbon rims to the Dolomites for a month but I just think this hysteria is a bit overblown.
No wheelset on your list is bad, they are all very good, you will be pleased with all of them. Personally I'd look at HED Ardennes too and whatever Campag have at that price point.
Ksyrium or Fulcrum Zero would be a wise purchase.
No point going for carbon as they'll be similar weight to the above Alu rims. I haven't experienced blowouts but of three club mates using carbon rims during a week in the Alps, two of them melted their rims. Easton and DTSwiss rims too, so not Chinese rubbish. I don't know if the rims were faulty or if their braking was ham-fisted, but I would always be worrying about such rims.
I own some carbon wheels but don't use them in the high mountains.
No point going for carbon as they'll be similar weight to the above Alu rims. I haven't experienced blowouts but of three club mates using carbon rims during a week in the Alps, two of them melted their rims. Easton and DTSwiss rims too, so not Chinese rubbish. I don't know if the rims were faulty or if their braking was ham-fisted, but I would always be worrying about such rims.
I own some carbon wheels but don't use them in the high mountains.
There is a PH'er who has a 2014 or 2015 Mavic R-SYS SLR's wheels, used for 1000 km or miles, used them for the Etape. Offered me them for £750, not sure if he still has them or not.
I just got a set of these (old SL23's new rims are slightly lighter and wider) on DA hubs for £550.
They are a 1.4kg, slightly aero and pretty boom proof, they spin quite nicely.
Having replaced a set of Fulcrum 3's I am happy with them as the hubs are easily services and the wheels can be rebuilt with readily available spokes and rims when/if the time comes. The fulcrums you cannot get spokes that easily unless you travel with some nor can you get rims that easily for sane money.
I can email you Jan's email as I don't know his PH name.
Edit - Just saw you wanted factory wheels, I was the same until I did some research and happy with what I have. When it comes to some deep section wheels next year I think its more likely I will go for a factory set but may go custom built again.
I just got a set of these (old SL23's new rims are slightly lighter and wider) on DA hubs for £550.
They are a 1.4kg, slightly aero and pretty boom proof, they spin quite nicely.
Having replaced a set of Fulcrum 3's I am happy with them as the hubs are easily services and the wheels can be rebuilt with readily available spokes and rims when/if the time comes. The fulcrums you cannot get spokes that easily unless you travel with some nor can you get rims that easily for sane money.
I can email you Jan's email as I don't know his PH name.
Edit - Just saw you wanted factory wheels, I was the same until I did some research and happy with what I have. When it comes to some deep section wheels next year I think its more likely I will go for a factory set but may go custom built again.
As above - please PM me if you're interested in some used R-Sys 
I have used quite a few different Mavic wheels over the years (wife's bike currently has some 2013 SLS) and with first hand experience I can vouch for the R-Sys being a wonderful wheelset!
If you prefer to buy new, you can't go too far wrong with any of the top wheels from Mavic or Fulcrum. Fulcrum freehubs are a little louder and I personally don't like their spoke pattern.
I have used quite a few different Mavic wheels over the years (wife's bike currently has some 2013 SLS) and with first hand experience I can vouch for the R-Sys being a wonderful wheelset!
If you prefer to buy new, you can't go too far wrong with any of the top wheels from Mavic or Fulcrum. Fulcrum freehubs are a little louder and I personally don't like their spoke pattern.
Edited by Janosh on Friday 14th August 14:20
Handbuilt? what like these hand built Dura-Ace wheels?
Why do people assume that anything made by Shimano, Campanolo, FFwd, Mavic etc etc is not handbuilt?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/a-look-inside-...
I'm sure when people say "handbuilt" what they really mean is "hand built in the UK" which is fine but implies that you only get wheels built by hand in the UK and that all wheels from the big brands are built using machines.
I'd only go built to order, hand built, built by hand in the UK, call it what you want, if I had a specific purpose or some other factor that meant I needed advice from the builder such as a requirement for high spoke count based on my weight or the intended conditions of use, cobbles etc...
Providing you do some pre-purchase research about spoke availability, any wheelset is easily repaired. Most spokes are pretty easy to get hold of to eg. http://247cycleshop.com/Dura-Ace-WH-7850-C24-CL-Sp...
Why do people assume that anything made by Shimano, Campanolo, FFwd, Mavic etc etc is not handbuilt?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/a-look-inside-...
I'm sure when people say "handbuilt" what they really mean is "hand built in the UK" which is fine but implies that you only get wheels built by hand in the UK and that all wheels from the big brands are built using machines.
I'd only go built to order, hand built, built by hand in the UK, call it what you want, if I had a specific purpose or some other factor that meant I needed advice from the builder such as a requirement for high spoke count based on my weight or the intended conditions of use, cobbles etc...
Providing you do some pre-purchase research about spoke availability, any wheelset is easily repaired. Most spokes are pretty easy to get hold of to eg. http://247cycleshop.com/Dura-Ace-WH-7850-C24-CL-Sp...
pablo said:
Handbuilt? what like these hand built Dura-Ace wheels?
Why do people assume that anything made by Shimano, Campanolo, FFwd, Mavic etc etc is not handbuilt?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/a-look-inside-...
I'm sure when people say "handbuilt" what they really mean is "hand built in the UK" which is fine but implies that you only get wheels built by hand in the UK and that all wheels from the big brands are built using machines.
I'd only go built to order, hand built, built by hand in the UK, call it what you want, if I had a specific purpose or some other factor that meant I needed advice from the builder such as a requirement for high spoke count based on my weight or the intended conditions of use, cobbles etc...
Providing you do some pre-purchase research about spoke availability, any wheelset is easily repaired. Most spokes are pretty easy to get hold of to eg. http://247cycleshop.com/Dura-Ace-WH-7850-C24-CL-Sp...
You're totally correct there, I should've been more specific when I stated hand built. What I meant was built to order, custom wheels.Why do people assume that anything made by Shimano, Campanolo, FFwd, Mavic etc etc is not handbuilt?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/a-look-inside-...
I'm sure when people say "handbuilt" what they really mean is "hand built in the UK" which is fine but implies that you only get wheels built by hand in the UK and that all wheels from the big brands are built using machines.
I'd only go built to order, hand built, built by hand in the UK, call it what you want, if I had a specific purpose or some other factor that meant I needed advice from the builder such as a requirement for high spoke count based on my weight or the intended conditions of use, cobbles etc...
Providing you do some pre-purchase research about spoke availability, any wheelset is easily repaired. Most spokes are pretty easy to get hold of to eg. http://247cycleshop.com/Dura-Ace-WH-7850-C24-CL-Sp...
The C24's seem to be quite popular, a friend has a set and can't rate them highly enough. My only issue with them is that I've read a lot about how the rims are very thin and wear out quite quickly. In all honesty I've never worn out a rim yet and when I get some new wheels they're going to be for summer use so won't be subjected to dirty, wet and gritty roads through winter as i've got a winter bike to be using for that kind of thing.
Janosh, your wheels are very tempting but with spending the money I am, I'm going to get a new set rather than used. Thanks for the offer though.
Dammit said:
Flo30 for wet weather, Stinger 4's/404 FC's/ENVE if it's a show bike for dry weather, bosh.
Use proper tyres and you won't run the risk of the bead hook melting as there won't be one.
That's not really a lot of help, Stinger, Zipp and ENVE are all at least double my budget and I've no interest in running tub's.Use proper tyres and you won't run the risk of the bead hook melting as there won't be one.
It's not going to be a show bike, it's just that I'm going got use my current Bontrager wheels for winter and have a decent set for using in the summer.
I am a recent convert to and fan of rolf prima wheels
For your £700 budget, consider the Asplin SL, Echelon SL or Elan
Vanillabikes is an example stockist
http://www.vanillabikes.com/collections/alloy-clin...
For your £700 budget, consider the Asplin SL, Echelon SL or Elan
Vanillabikes is an example stockist
http://www.vanillabikes.com/collections/alloy-clin...
Here you go then - HED Ardennes+ http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPHEARDPLT/hed-ardenn...
That gets you one of the best alloy rims available, ready to be run tubeless with (say) Schwalbe One's.
I've got a pair with a Powertap G3 rear and White Industries T11 front (which don't match, but were closer when it was an SL+ rather than a G3) and they're great wheels.
That gets you one of the best alloy rims available, ready to be run tubeless with (say) Schwalbe One's.
I've got a pair with a Powertap G3 rear and White Industries T11 front (which don't match, but were closer when it was an SL+ rather than a G3) and they're great wheels.
Sorry - get the Flamme Rouge version, same price, unaccountably: http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPHEARDPFR/hed-ardenn...
Shimano RS81s? Same/very similar rim as the Dura Ace, albeit with a more Ultegra-level hub. There's a little extra weight (concentrated at the hub) but the differences are,m supposedly, slight. Circa £350-500 depending upon which rim depth you go for (34, 35 or 50mm available), which'll leave a nice chunk of change for some decent rubber, fresh Swisstop pads (the blue BXP pads are _very_ good!) and some beers when out there. Sorted!
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