New wheels - Shimano 501s or Fulcrum racing 7s?

route66

The front wheel on my 2+ year old Focus Variado is making a "tinkling" sound when I rotate the wheel - on or off the bike. The wheels are branded "Concept SL" - presumably a Focus brand. Despite the noise, the wheel rotates very easily although some roughness can be felt.

My plan is to do nothing for the moment to see if it magically cures itself. If it doesn't, I'll buy 2 wheels.

The bike is used for fitness and enjoyment - no racing - and my needs are:
+ Compatible with my 9-speed compact Tiagra setup
+ Robust - cope with my 87 kgs
+ Reliable
+ Easy to maintain - no propietary bladed spokes, spares available, access to bearings, etc
+ Increase my average speed by at least 20%
+ Make the bike look fantastic
+ Make me - a mamil - look even better than my bike.
(I'm not entirely serious about the last 3 points )

I can get the 501s for about €80+shipping from Rosebikes and the 7s for about €165(inc shipping) from Ribble. I'd pay the extra if it's worth it - or even consider something else if suitable.

Anyone got any recommendations or experiences of similar purchases to share?

Holyboy

The R501s are about the best in the sub 200 price range of stock wheels IMHO and at that price you cant go wrong. But they are throw away wheels at the end of the day so only expect a year or two from them before needing to replace, at 90 though even if you got six months out of them its worth it, its kind of like buying things in the 2euro shop, you know they will work for a while but not for ever!

route66

Just to add some details to my post above (details for a pair of wheels):

• Shimano WH-R501 wheels in Rosebikes: link
  These are priced at €87.95 (€79 + €8.95 shipping)

• Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels in Ribblecycles: link
  These are priced at €169.67 (€157.43 + €12.24 shipping)
• Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels in Merlin: link
  These are priced at €153.04 (€0 shipping)

Any further comments/advise welcome!

doozerie

The Fulcrum 7's are here for 129.90euro, plus shipping at either 7.95euro or 7.95+20.00euro if wheels are classed as bulky items (shipping charges here).

I've not used Fulcrum 7's or those Shimano ones though, so I can't comment on them.

fat bloke

For a start, make sure that tinkling noise isn't the spokes striking the derailleur in 1st gear (largest sprocket at the back).:eek:

Been there, replaced that.

Bigus

Cycle superstore do a deal on mavic askims every now and then @ 169 inc tyres , they handle my 105 kgs no bother.

Raam

I've had a set of Racing 7 since 2008. Bearings changed on both at least once. That's about it. Lots and lots of use, still going fine.

route66

fat bloke wrote: »

For a start, make sure that tinkling noise isn't the spokes striking the derailleur in 1st gear (largest sprocket at the back).:eek:

Been there, replaced that.

It's the front wheel - the noise is there with the wheel on or off the bike. Might have a look at the spokes though ...

smacl

Bought a pair of racing 7s from Ribble about a month ago based on this thread, very happy with them. Shimanos weren't an option as I needed a campag hub.

goldencleric

route66 wrote: »

It's the front wheel - the noise is there with the wheel on or off the bike. Might have a look at the spokes though ...

It's the wheels, specifically the bearings. Have the bike and had to replace the wheels after a year, crappy cup + cone cheap jobs = shredded bearings.

Anywho I went for Aksiums on the cycle superstore deal and haven't looked back.

route66

goldencleric wrote: »

It's the wheels, specifically the bearings. Have the bike and had to replace the wheels after a year, crappy cup + cone cheap jobs = shredded bearings.

Anywho I went for Aksiums on the cycle superstore deal and haven't looked back.

Are these hubs sealed? I can't see any way of getting them open. The hub has 2 opposing notches on each side but these appear to be part of the hub "unibody" and therefore of unknown use. The axel has a .5 mm (ish) gap to this "unibody" and it is hollow to take the skewers - no place for an Allen key.

The only way I could imagine the bearings could be exposed would be to tap the axel out with a hammer.

Or am I just being thick?

I also checked the spokes and they are fine. Looks like the bearings might be shot alright. Having said that, if I could get some grease in there, it might help; maybe they're just dry?

ian_rush

I would go with these

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k632/a15983/racing-5-black.html

Not much more cash, lighter than Racing 7 and aero spokes look cooler.
They are fairly noisy when freewheeling but that is just to remind you that you should be pedalling.

Konkers

I've had a set of racing 5's for the last 3 years and the rear only recently let me down (broken spoke and buckle). They are light therefore not bomb proof. My bike came with a set of entry level shimanos (repaced with the racing 5) and it was the rear wheel open hubs that let me down after about 2 years and a couple of truings. So I went with the racing 5 cos they were sealed. The racing 5 his are still grand.
I'm about 87 kegs also, don't race (use the bike twice a week for long spins and sometimes for commuting) and have debated on going for a replacement racing 5 rear wheel or for something more expensive (obviously) that will last longer. Have gone for the later. 80 knicker versus 167. U get what u pay for. Keep the old wheels though for back up.
In my own stupid vanity I didn't get the shimano's back when I bought the racing 5s that replaced them. Live and learn.

route66

ian_rush wrote: »

I would go with these

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k632/a15983/racing-5-black.html

Not much more cash, lighter than Racing 7 and aero spokes look cooler.
They are fairly noisy when freewheeling but that is just to remind you that you should be pedalling.

Thanks. I'm a bit scared of the aero spokes - proprietary to Fulcrum and all that ...

route66

I took the bike out earlier for a 40+km spin - the "tinkling" was no longer evident.

If I was to guess, I'd say some of the oil that I persuaded in past the axle has found its way to the bearings and has now probably formed a nice lubricating paste made up of of rust, oil & metal filings ...

I still think I need new wheels though, but now I can sit around and procrastinate while the paste slowly chews up what's left of the bearings!

Thanks for all the advice.