New Wheels

MajesticDonkey

I currently ride a Trek Madone 4.5 and I'm looking into getting some new wheels. Unfortunately my budget couldn't stretch to the 4.7 at the time, which would have given me upgraded wheels.

My budget right now is as far under €400 as possible. Value for money is what I'm looking for. Thanks!

Lumen

The cheapest option is to use the wheels you have.

What's wrong with them?

MajesticDonkey

Lumen wrote: »

The cheapest option is to use the wheels you have.

What's wrong with them?

I just find when I'm having a friendly sprint finish with someone in my club or if I'm freewheeling down a hill, I'm at a slight loss. And it's not my fitness is the problem.

Also, there is the slight possibility that I might starting racing some time in the future.

Besides, they look nicer.

Lumen

If you want to just throw money at bling that's fine, but it rather conflicts with your "as far under €400 as possible" requirement.

Do you want to spend €400 or not?

MajesticDonkey

Basically what I meant by "as far under €400 as possible" was that €400 was my max

I don't know much (or anything) about wheels, or what differences €50 or €100 gets you. So that's why I said that. If good wheels can be got for €300 and only marginally better wheels can be got for €400, then it's worth asking is it worth paying another €100 for something only marginally better.

Lumen

Decryptor wrote: »

Basically what I meant by "as far under €400 as possible" was that €400 was my max

Shimano RS80s:

http://jedi-sports.de/Wheelsets/Wheelsets-Road/Shimano-WH-RS80-Carbon-C24-CL::1494.html

Lemag

I'll be expecting the Aero wheels from this post to arrive this week. I don't know much about them but for the price they will probably have been worth the punt. They appear to have sold out but the other wheels linked appear to still be available.

Lemag

Lumen wrote: »

Shimano RS80s:

http://jedi-sports.de/Wheelsets/Wheelsets-Road/Shimano-WH-RS80-Carbon-C24-CL::1494.html

A bit cheaper again with Planet X

MajesticDonkey

Thanks lads.

I suppose the first question I should have asked was, how big a difference do they make?

Lumen

Decryptor wrote: »

I suppose the first question I should have asked was, how big a difference do they make?

They'll make your wallet about €400 lighter.

Even the fastest deep section aero wheels (something like €2500 Zipp 808s) make less than 2% difference to the amount of power it takes to maintain a given speed, compared to ordinary wheels.

codie

I find Campagnolo Zondas a great solid wheel.You would have some change left out of €400.

MajesticDonkey

Lumen wrote: »

They'll make your wallet about €400 lighter.

Even the fastest deep section aero wheels (something like €2500 Zipp 808s) make less than 2% difference to the amount of power it takes to maintain a given speed, compared to ordinary wheels.

If I wanted advice on monetary issues, I'd have asked for it. If you had just posted the second bit on its own, your post's likeability would have increased by at least 80%.

Thanks codie.

Lumen

Decryptor wrote: »

If I wanted advice on monetary issues, I'd have asked for it. If you had just posted the second bit on its own, your post's likeability would have increased by at least 80%.

Do your own research then you grumpy sod.

MajesticDonkey

Lumen wrote: »

Do your own research then you grumpy sod.

I'm sorry, but you're the one that started the sascasm and started having a go at my lack of knowledge in the area. It's because of my lack of knowledge that I posted here to get some information on the topic.

The only helpful post you made here was the link to the Shimano wheels, which I thanked you for. The rest of your posts were for some reason all about my money and my wallet and so on. I simply asked for advice on wheels, not where or how to spend my money.

Is that grumpy enough for you?

Chips Lovell

That's enough.

One more off topic post and I'll lock this thread.

If you don't like someone's advice, ignore it. Don't get thick with them.

MajesticDonkey

Sorry, I just felt that Lumen was having a go since his first post and got sick of it to say the least.

mp31

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29086 get good reviews here and on other sites. I can't speak from experience though

macnab

I bought a set of Shimano WH-RS80 Carbon C24 CL from Planet X, I think they were €405 delivered. They were highly recomended on most web sites I checked. I have about 1000km on them so far and I am very happy with them. I also have a set of Zipp 404's that I bought in a moment of what I call "Bling Lust", I cant honestly say either wheel rolls better or climbs better. The Zipp wheels do make a lovely sound though:D

Lemag

Decryptor wrote: »

Sorry, I just felt that Lumen was having a go since his first post and got sick of it to say the least.

I doubt that Lumen meant any harm. It was a bit of tongue in cheek. His attitude is probably more helpful in the long run than that of those on here who will only too willingly help you spend your money

mp31 wrote: »

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29086 get good reviews here and on other sites. I can't speak from experience though

They do get some good reviews but I think that there have been quite a few reports on this forum of issues with them.

delynet

After busting the rear wheel on my bike I went with a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Shop around and you will get them under 400 like these ones.

http://www.marreybikes.com/en/mavic-wheels/1583-mavic-ksyrium-elite-wheelset.html

Lemag

delynet wrote: »

After busting the rear wheel on my bike I went with a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Shop around and you will get them under 400 like these ones.

http://www.marreybikes.com/en/mavic-wheels/1583-mavic-ksyrium-elite-wheelset.html

I'd say that it would be quite difficult and perhaps unrealistic to expect to find these for under €400 new unless they are old stock. The best that my googling skills could do was €449.

Without having had any prior experiences with the Shimano RS80s which Lumen suggested earlier I would still be inclined to go for them. They're cheaper, lighter and seem to be well regarded.

OP, you mentioned your 'lack of knowledge in the area'. Be sure that whichever wheels you pick will have a sram/shimano hub if the components on your Trek are either of Shimano or SRAM which are cross compatible. If you find that the desired wheelset is advertised as having a Campagnolo hub then it'll only work with Campagnolo components.

delynet

I bought a set of 2012 Elites off O'Neill cycles in Tuam for 486 two months ago. (http://www.oneillcycles.com/ not listed on their site however)

Was over in Marreys last week and I saw a set hanging up, online price is 493

Dont know much about the other suggestions as I wanted the Elites, heard that they are reasonably light but very strong. Needed something strong with the roads I do go on.

MajesticDonkey

Thanks for the advice Lemag re the components.

Thanks to everyone else also for the suggestions.

I must find out what brands/types my local shop does and now that I know a bit more I'll know whether the price is good or not.