Thinking about getting new wheels...

stopped_clock

As the title says, I'm thinking about upgrading my wheels, but as ever, I'm not sure...

I have a 2007 Specialized Allez Sport, and have the wheels which came with the bike.

Firstly, am I right in thinking that the wheels are the place to start upgrading? Everything is still as per the product spec (except the inner tubes).

How much would I need to spend to get a noticeable improvement, and any specific recommendations? I'm looking for lighter wheels rather than more aero ones.

Now, I was considering getting a new bike for commuting as well, finance and Mrs Clock allowing, possible a Langster since it's got a very similar if not identical frame - Could I just get that with upgraded wheels and switch them? Failing that, what does one do with old wheels?

Please help, I'm wheely confused

blorg

The wheels on a Langster will be track wheels so you can't just swap them, no, they will use track nuts rather than QR and the rear spacing will be different. The wheels you would get on a Langster wouldn't be any lighter in any case.

I have these DT Swiss RR1450s which I have been very happy with; I think I did feel a noticable difference over the Aksiums they replaced, particular when climbing. Another possibility would be handbuilts- 32 spoke Open Pro rims on Ultegra hubs come in at around 1800g real weight and are very nice rolling wheels.

Old wheels you can try to flog on here or keep for training/bad weather/emergency/turbo trainer etc.

stopped_clock

Thanks blorg - I hadn't considered the 'compatibility issues' with the two bikes.

Chips Lovell

stopped_clock wrote: »

How much would I need to spend to get a noticeable improvement, and any specific recommendations? I'm looking for lighter wheels rather than more aero ones.

What wheels do you have at the moment? Broadly speaking, how much are you willing to pay? And also you should probably factor in your weight. Heavier riders will put more wear and tear into their wheels and are also more likely to notice any flex in them.

stopped_clock

el tonto wrote: »

What wheels do you have at the moment? Broadly speaking, how much are you willing to pay? And also you should probably factor in your weight. Heavier riders will put more wear and tear into their wheels and are also more likely to notice any flex in them.

I appear to have Jalco GX460 rims on Specialized hubs (they're the ones that came with the bike when I bought it). I actually don't have a problem with them, but they're all I've had.

I'm about 11 stone usually (closer to 12 right now, but hey, it's Christmas).

I guess I'm not sure about budget - I'm curious as to what I'd need to pay to get a noticeable performance difference. The wheels blorg linked to come in at £180, which seems reasonable to me.

TinyExplosions

stopped_clock wrote: »

I guess I'm not sure about budget - I'm curious as to what I'd need to pay to get a noticeable performance difference. The wheels blorg linked to come in at £180, which seems reasonable to me.

Note that that's per wheel, not for the set.

I suspect 400 euro is about minimum to spend on getting a better set of wheels. Maybe something like the Fulcrum Racing 3's, or Mavic Ksyrium

DirkVoodoo

I've been looking at these Mavic Ksyrium SLs on CSS for a while (link)

€636 for the set, but they are reduced from €915. That's always the important part; the reduction!

Chips Lovell

I can't find a stated weight for your current set, but by the sounds of it they are a fairly entry level, which means you will probably notice a difference if you upgrade.

You're not too heavy, so I wouldn't worry too much on that front.

DT Swiss have a pretty good reputation and blorg certainly raves about his set. As Tiny said though, the price you quoted is for one wheel. The set will put you back around €420. They are very light though for that price point.

Fulcrums Racing 3 and Mavic Kysriums, as Tiny mentioned are worth considering. I've got Campagnolo Zondas, which are in that price range as well and I'm very happy with them. Fairly light, very stiff and extremely nice hubs.

Handbuilt is another route. Some people swear by them, but I think factory wheels have come on a lot. With handbuilts you're probably talking about more weight for the money, but you can pick your components and get the best of everything in terms of reliability.

stopped_clock

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Note that that's per wheel, not for the set.

I suspect 400 euro is about minimum to spend on getting a better set of wheels. Maybe something like the Fulcrum Racing 3's, or Mavic Ksyrium

I'm glad you pointed that out!

Thanks for the info guys, I've got a better idea now what I need to be spending.

Is there anything I need to be aware of when wheel-buying? eg one or two of the links mention 10-speed Shimano and so on - I've got 9-speed, does that matter?

blorg

9 and 10 speed are the same- you just need to make sure you get the Shimano ones. Those DTs come in around the €425 mark now which is a fair bit less than I paid for them, what with the sterling devaluation. They are a fair bit lighter than the Fulcrums or Mavics, if that is what you are after. Also they are standard parts and rebuildable - handy as I was able to replace a rim rather than the entire wheel after a crash.

niceonetom

been craving wheels for ages too. the DTs appeal.

1450 Mon Chasseral and just plain 1450... what's the difference? and don't say "colour and about 200 quid". the both claim to weigh the same so what's the advantage of the pricier ones? which ones do you have blorg?

blorg

It basically is colour, 200 quid, and a few minor differences.

Weight is a tricky one as DT claim weights between 1420g (Mon Chasseral) and 1480g ("classic") while banging stickers reading "1450g a set" on the actual wheels themselves and mentioning it in their marketing material. Hard to know exactly.

I have the "classic" ones but when I bought them both varieties were the same price (£379) and the claimed weights were 1450g vs 1480g. I think the price rise is mainly a market segmentation exercise as the parts certainly are not more expensive (in fact the spokes on the cheaper wheelset are considerably pricier.)

Rims are RR1.1; I went for the classic because I had heard they were a bit stronger due to the rear rim having double eyelets (and I didn't want white.) I thought this would be worth the 30g weight penalty.

Apart from the single/double eyelet issue the only other difference is the spokes. The spokes on the Mon Chasserals are rounded Revolutions while the ones on the "classic" are bladed Aerolites. Hubs in both cases are 240s. I think the MCs also come with DT's fancy new ratcheting skewers since the price increase.

After my crash I had difficulty getting a double eyelet RR1.1 out of DT so I ended up going for the single eyelet one, theoretically according to the DT spec sheet this drops me 50g to 1430g (:D) and no problems so far.

stopped_clock

blorg wrote: »

...what with the sterling devaluation.

Earning sterling unfortunately, but I do get lower VAT on Wiggle.