Wheel upgrade for my bike - Giant SCR2 - Mavic Aksiums?

messed_up

Hi all,

Am looking to invest in a new set of wheel for my Giant SCR2, to replace the standard issued Alex DA22 rims that came with the bike.

Saw these on wiggle and am thinking about going for them:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Mavic_Aksium_Wheelset_2009/5360032717/

I'm still fairly new to all things bikey so was wondering if these are a good upgrade or would you recommend something else? They've got good ratings in any of the articles I've seen.

Also, would I need to buy another cassette or is it easy to switch them over? Is it possible/beneficial to get a better cassette for the new wheels? I have a HG50 12-25 cassette on the SCR 2, which again came with the bike.

Tnx

petethedrummer

I did exactly what you did earlier this year. I have an SCR1.5 and the Alex DA22 rims were truely rubbish. Got Aksiums from Wheelorx for less than that wiggle price.

They won't win you the Tour de France, but they are good value for money. Black ones probably look cooler. Mine are silver.

blorg

Aksiums are a decent entry-level wheelset, they would be better than the stock Alex DA22s all right. Bit cheaper on CRC:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23225

Cassette is easy enough to change over, you need a chain whip and a lockring removal tool. The cassette you have is probably fine, I think the main distinction between cassettes tends to be a little bit of weight saving.

Lumen

Akiums are fine, but it seems a shame to upgrade to those if there's nothing actually wrong with your current wheels.

For a bit more (maybe €70ish to around €280) you could get a nice set of Ksyriums or handbuilt DT Swiss RR1.1s on Ultegra hubs.

Just saying maybe wait a bit and save up for next the step up?

messed_up

Lumen wrote: »

Akiums are fine, but it seems a shame to upgrade to those if there's nothing actually wrong with your current wheels.

For a bit more (maybe €70ish to around €280) you could get a nice set of Ksyriums or handbuilt DT Swiss RR1.1s on Ultegra hubs.

Just saying maybe wait a bit and save up for next the step up?

Thanks Lumen.

I had a look at the Ksyriums too which are pretty nice too. The brother bought a bike from wiggle so I have a nice voucher to play with so have half-considered them too! Is there a price-point/performance level where the wheels will be too good for the frame, if that makes sense?

Lumen

messed_up wrote: »

Thanks Lumen.

I had a look at the Ksyriums too which are pretty nice too. The brother bought a bike from wiggle so I have a nice voucher to play with so have half-considered them too! Is there a price-point/performance level where the wheels will be too good for the frame, if that makes sense?

The way I'd look at it is that if the Alex wheels are fine, you'll perhaps keep them aside to sell on with the bike (at some future point). Askiums might feel out of place on a fancy bike, and you'll then find yourself compelled to upgrade again. If you have Ksyriums or nice handbuilts you'll never really have a reason to upgrade.

All depends on what your plans are.

I do think that once you go past Ksyriums you're well into diminishing returns territory.

You absolutely won't feel short changed by Aksiums though, for €200 they're hard to beat.

peterako

Have to admit I immediately thought along teh same lines as Lumen above.

I bought a rear Aksyrium from CRC when I damamaged the cones on my handbuilt rear wheel.

They're great value, but a bit 'heavy'.

By heavy I mean that they don't seem to spin as easliy as my handbuilt wheel.

Have since had my originbal wheel rebuilt (by me ) and my impression of the Aksyrium being slower seem correct.

A set of Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs may be a more effective buy (?).

My handbuilt wheels are Open Pro's on Chorus Hubs.

My Chorus back wheel is only slightly lighter than the Aksyrium, but really does seem to make me faster

Best of luck whech ever way you go!

Peter

petethedrummer

Lumen wrote: »

The way I'd look at it is that if the Alex wheels are fine, you'll perhaps keep them aside to sell on with the bike .

Mine were constantly going out of true and breaking spokes. If they are functioning fine, I would wait and splash out on some nicer wheels if you ever need them.

Ryaner

blorg wrote: »

Cassette is easy enough to change over, you need a chain whip and a lockring removal tool. The cassette you have is probably fine, I think the main distinction between cassettes tends to be a little bit of weight saving.

Giants use SRAM cassettes and they are amazingly hard wearing. I just changed my chain after 4500km and the original cassette is still fine. Doesn't even show much wear. And I'm not easy on the drivetrain.

peterako wrote: »

A set of Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs may be a more effective buy (?).

I've these on my Giant. Don't feel as light or fast as the IOU333 ones I had my SCR1 but they have been near perfectly true for the past 2k were the giant ones regularly dropped out of true. Popped 3 spokes and snapped another in the middle.
Humphries in Finglas do a good deal on these. The guy in there has been a huge help and it really friendly.