Wheel Upgrade Worthwhile?

MayoRoadRunner

Hi All, thinking of upgrading the Ritchey Pro wheels that came on my Boardman Team Carbon. Principal reason is performace enhancement for a few upcoming triathlons in the summer.
Question is whether a wheel along the lines of the Fulcrum Racing 5 would see much performace benefit or would not be worth it (i.e Fulcrums would be on a par with my existing wheels). The weight of both wheels looks similar (both c. 1,800g). Don't want to spend 1,500 euro on a set of Zipps but would be willing to spend 300 - 400 euro if the upgrade was worth while. Would anybody have recommendations for a wheel upgarde at this price point? Thanks in advance, MRR

blorg

It is unlikely to make you any faster. It may subjectively feel nicer. Or maybe not.

blorg

Do you have aero bars? In terms specifically of equipment you can buy they will make a much bigger difference than the wheels. Massive difference. After that, pointy hat especially if you can pick one up secondhand.

In non-equipment terms, training, coaching and working on your position will pay greater dividends.

Having said that a nice light wheelset can feel nice to ride.

Lumen

If the new wheels are the same shape and the same weight then how will they make you faster?

Aerobars
Pointy hat
Power meter
Aero wheels
Aero frame
Wind tunnel time

or something

delynet

I have the same bike and was considering the same thing. One reason was to have a spare wheel available in the event of a disaster and another to have a wheel available for a turbo-trainer later in the year.

This set was recommended to me which comes in around your budget

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29086

However I am thinking of spending a bit more and not paying the golf membership this year!

jwshooter

delynet wrote: »

I have the same bike and was considering the same thing. One reason was to have a spare wheel available in the event of a disaster and another to have a wheel available for a turbo-trainer later in the year.

This set was recommended to me which comes in around your budget

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29086

However I am thinking of spending a bit more and not paying the golf membership this year!

there lite and not over priced . hard to go wrong .

Billy Whizz

#1 importance for Triathlon is bike fit. A lot of people just chuck on aerobars and assume it makes them go faster.

Plus, going as fast as possible is not necessarily optimal. You might be better off in a position that is e.g. 1 minute slower because you can run better off the bike.

If you want something more aerodynamic for <€400 you're better off going 2nd hand in my opinion.

Lumen

delynet wrote: »

However I am thinking of spending a bit more and not paying the golf membership this year!

Speak not of this again in this place.

delynet

Okay!!!!! New wheels it is then

levitronix

Worst thing you can do is listen to some of the guys who work in the bike shops aiming a lot of their market at triathletes. I ve heard them tells guys that upgrading to mavic ksyriums from askiums will make you faster !! Bull crap !!

From my experience doing DCT i done a 1h 11min bike on normal road wheels "askiums" and last year i done a 1h 8 min bike on a 50mm aero wheel not a huge improvement and fitness and conditions might not of been the same cos i would have to say i was fitter and stronger

sy

Might be worth looking at. They are slightly over your budget and are tubs, but a bit of bling without spending too much and more aerodynamic (in that order)

Lumen

sy wrote: »

Might be worth looking at. They are slightly over your budget and are tubs, but a bit of bling without spending too much and more aerodynamic (in that order)

It's a shame they have internal nipples. Hopefully they won't need truing very often!

sy

levitronix wrote: »

.... last year i done a 1h 8 min bike on a 50mm aero wheel not a huge improvement.....

In some TT's can be the difference between first and last

I agree with your comment on the kysriums v's aksiums

sy

Lumen wrote: »

It's a shame they have internal nipples. Hopefully they won't need truing very often!

This is my worry and still not sure if I will purchase or save for the Reynolds. did you get those Soul wheels yet?

Lumen

sy wrote: »

This is my worry and still not sure if I will purchase or save for the Reynolds. did you get those Soul wheels yet?

Not yet, they're being built imminently. I'm in the first batch of the new 50mm Prodigy clincher rims, due for official release next month, which are lighter and have a unidirectional finish. Bit of a prototype thing, hush hush, say no more.

MayoRoadRunner

Thanks for all the feedback lads.

blorg - It may subjectively feel nicer

blorg - don't underestimate the importance of 'feeling' fast .

blorg Do you have aero bars? In terms specifically of equipment you can buy they will make a much bigger difference than the wheels. Massive difference.

Yes had planned on picking up a set of aero bars in the next couple of weeks.

Lumen If the new wheels are the same shape and the same weight then how will they make you faster?

Lumen - yes the thought had crossed my mind as to why a wheel the same weight and same dimensions would be of any benefit. New to the sport and thought maybe there would be a 'flex' issue of particular wheels that may make them superior to a wheel that looks and weighs the same.

Delynet - thanks for the heads up on those wheels. Saving of 300g on my existing wheels but starting to think now I need to get a deeper rim for a proper benefit.

SY - Yes like those planet x wheels but would not be comfortable using tubs at the minute. Spent 35 mins this evening changing my rear wheel tire and putting the turbo trainer tyre on! (is this a record on here? ) Can't imagine how long it would take me to change a tub! If they came in clinchers I would be very interested tbh so thanks for heads up

blorg

As Billy suggested fit will do more for your times than new wheels. Might be worth trying out www.irishfit.eu when you get your aero bars. €70 for a fit I believe.

Lighter wheels will not make you faster in almost any triathlon. Lighter wheels only have an advantage on a hilly course and even there it is not actually that great.

In terms of equipment I believe a pointy hat will do more for you than even deep section wheels. Again I think position is very important there though, you don't want the pointy hat sticking up into the wind.

Lighter wheels do make a bike feel better though especially climbing hills.

MayoRoadRunner

blorg wrote: »

As Billy suggested fit will do more for your times than new wheels. Might be worth trying out www.irishfit.eu when you get your aero bars. €70 for a fit I believe.

Lighter wheels will not make you faster in almost any triathlon. Lighter wheels only have an advantage on a hilly course and even there it is not actually that great.

In terms of equipment I believe a pointy hat will do more for you than even deep section wheels. Again I think position is very important there though, you don't want the pointy hat sticking up into the wind.

Lighter wheels do make a bike feel better though especially climbing hills.

Yes need to get proper fit. Was going to use Padraig Marrey in Ballinrobe but will check out irishfit also. Doing a Half Iron Man triathlon during the summer and the course is very hilly so might look into getting a lighter set for that reason. Umm pointy hat would be a step too far for me at this stage but won't rule it out if I see others in the field going for them in early summer Tri's. thanks for the advise