Fulcrum 3 v Campag Zonda

alfalad

Any thoughts on either of the above, both around the same price and thinking of treating myself.
I know Fulcrum are made by Campag but the designs are very different so wondering of anyone has experience of either or both and what they think of them.

By the way I'm 13 ish stone and they will be used on Irish roads so strenght is one thing I reckon I need to pay attention to.

Thanks.

DirkVoodoo

You ride Fulcrum 7s at the moment right? How much are the pairs of wheels you are looking at?

alfalad

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

You ride Fulcrum 7s at the moment right? How much are the pairs of wheels you are looking at?

Sale price around the 400, (RRP around 500-550 I think).

I'm assuming the upgrade should make a nice diffference.

lukester

alfalad wrote: »

Sale price around the 400, (RRP around 500-550 I think).

I'm assuming the upgrade should make a nice diffference.

You'll get 'em cheaper than that. F3s are findable for about 340 online.

Was considering both these wheelsets recently, both are very well rated, some people worry about the paired spoke pattern on the Zondas, but that wouldn't put me off.

I was erring towards the Fulcrums, mainly because they were a tad cheaper and more readily available with a shimano freehub.

Beasty

I have the Fulcrum 3's and have never had much of a problem (other than a couple of spokes going). I am a couple of stone heavier that you, and these wheels do get a bit of a battering on some pretty poor roads, but have hardly moved from true in the year or so I have been using them (I have only made a couple of minor adjustments to straighten them - perhaps a couple of millimetres at the most)

alfalad

lukester wrote: »

You'll get 'em cheaper than that. F3s are findable for about 340 online.

Was considering both these wheelsets recently, both are very well rated, some people worry about the paired spoke pattern on the Zondas, but that wouldn't put me off.

I was erring towards the Fulcrums, mainly because they were a tad cheaper and more readily available with a shimano freehub.

I'm running campag so hence the free hub is not an issue.

The paired spokes are one thing I was wondering about alright, but I'm assuming given the they have been on the market for years they would be fine for the lighter rider and probably for me.

Had a look online to get an idea and £350 was the best I could find, although that was a quick enough search of the usual places.

Chips Lovell

I went from Fulcrum Seven to Zondas and noticed a big difference. Hub quality is excellent and they felt stiffer.

Fulcrum 3 and Zondas are very similar wheels in terms of weight and quality. Both have a two to one spoke ratio on the rear wheel, i.e. twice as many spokes on the drive side. The only difference is that the Zonda rear spokes are grouped in threes. I'd hazard a guess that the front wheels are practically identical.

I'm a good bit heavier than you and never had a problem with mine. Front needed truing once after hitting a massive pothole and that's about it. Been riding them for two and half years now.

alfalad

Thanks gentlemen.

As el tonto says they are similar in weight and knew that alright the grouped spokes are the only real difference so by the look of it and that does not seem to make any difference to the strength.

Was wondering if anyone had any real trouble with one over the other, lot of spokes going etc but they both seem very good.

So I guess it looks like it's down to which I like the look of more!

crashoveroid

alfalad wrote: »

Any thoughts on either of the above, both around the same price and thinking of treating myself.
I know Fulcrum are made by Campag but the designs are very different so wondering of anyone has experience of either or both and what they think of them.

By the way I'm 13 ish stone and they will be used on Irish roads so strenght is one thing I reckon I need to pay attention to.

Thanks.

And lets not forget that Campag own Fulcrum so they wheels would be very similar to each other

gmoorewest

I have a pair of Zonda's and have been riding them around Roscommon/Leitrim, on bad roads with no problem for nearly a year now. I'm 13 stone and found them really good, quick and quiet. Nice looking wheel too.

crumliniano

I love my Zonda's too. Have had no problems with them. Noticed improvement when upgraded. Roll really well. No hassle with the spoke pattern and I think they look cool!

alfalad

Looking like the Zondas could be the winner so.

Thanks again!

TinyExplosions

I have the Fulcrum 3's, and quite like them, but have found them to be less than stiff at times (though I'm a big lad, so it could be my cottage of wattage (thanks El Tonto!) is too much for 'em)

Sigean

I have had a set of Zondas for about two years now. Really like them - record quality hubs and nice quiet freewheel. Rims have never gone out of true.

Also have a set of Campagnolo Neutron Ultras - both wheels feel very similar from a comfort and rigidity perspective.

C3PO

Where are you finding Zondas for €400? Sounds like a great deal - €490 on CRC!

Beasty

RPL1 wrote: »

Where are you finding Zondas for €400? Sounds like a great deal - €490 on CRC!

That post was a year ago!

C3PO

Ahh .... why do people dig up old threads like that? Presumably the OP has long since bought new wheels!!