Wheel advice: 500 euro for competition suitable wheels.

CaoimH_in

Hai all,

I was wondering what is the wisest way to invest 500 euro in wheels suitable for racing?

I've seen these Planet X Pro Carbon wheels for that price. They are tubular and deep rimmed. Are they worthwhile though? They look tempting

http://planetxireland.com/products-page/tubular-wheels/planet-x-pro-carbon-2010-82101-wheelset-700c-shimanosram-tubular/

Or should I quit tubulars for some higher quality clinchers? I was looking at some nice looking Bontrager Race Lites. They have much less of a rim and are made of scandium, so seem to be quite light and not as aero but presumably of better build quality (as regard hubs, spokes, design etc) than the Planet Xs.

What would you do? You have 500 of my money to spend--spend it wisely!

Lumen

I think you first have to make a decision about the clincher/tubular thing.

Otherwise it's like asking for restaurant reviews without disclosing that you're a vegan coeliac with IBS.

CaoimH_in

If I were to buy expensive clincher tires, would I be able to get close to the levels of rolling resistance offered by the tubular?

colm_gti

Asked the same question myself a few weeks back, decided I'm going for Ksyrium SL's or fulcrum zero's in the new year, if that helps you at all

Lumen

CaoimH_in wrote: »

If I were to buy expensive clincher tires, would I be able to get close to the levels of rolling resistance offered by the tubular?

Probably, but if you care about rolling resistance that much you're going to have bigger problems, like punctures.

harringtonp

I asked that question too a couple of months back. Ended up getting Planet X 60mm clinchers. Haven't got to use them much as its end of the season, but I can tell you they make a nice sound.

CaoimH_in

Lumen wrote: »

Probably, but if you care about rolling resistance that much you're going to have bigger problems, like punctures.

How do you mean? Will clincher tires trying to perform similarly to tubs (as regard rolling resistance) puncture more?

Lumen

CaoimH_in wrote: »

How do you mean? Will clincher tires trying to perform similarly to tubs (as regard rolling resistance) puncture more?

What I mean is that at racing speeds, rolling resistance accounts for perhaps 10% of total resistance, so by focusing on rolling resistance differences between tyres (which are probably an order of magnitude lower) you're suggesting that you care about the last 1% or whatever of performance. If you care that much, the clincher/tubular issue merges in with the resistance vs durability issue, because regardless of construction, better rolling tyres tend to puncture more. Do you care that much?

The best argument for tubulars is that they're safer to puncture on at speed in a bunch, which is why pros (who have mechanics to worry about all the stretching, gluing etc) use them.

murph226

colm_gti wrote: »

Asked the same question myself a few weeks back, decided I'm going for Ksyrium SL's or fulcrum zero's in the new year, if that helps you at all

What kind of money are Ksyrium SL's making now, looking for a set shortly myself!

XtotheZ

Mabye Mavic ksyrium Elite or cosmic elite or Roval Fusee Sl? i run a pair of Rovals myself and there brilliant

CaoimH_in

Ya, I'm looking towards clinchers and away from the Bontragers mentioned above. They have got so many bad reviews. Those Ksyrium elites seem brilliant. Everyone seems to be raving about them. Any thoughts?