Flo Wheels

RJM85

Has anyone bought a set of these? Experiences? How much customs duty etc did you end up paying?
Thanks

lennymc

link?

RJM85

lennymc wrote: »

link?

http://www.flocycling.com

lennymc

I was charged duty on a set of wheels recently - they look at the total figure paid (including shipping unless the value of the item is under 150 euro (i think)) and charge you based on that. The items turn up in a depot here, you get a note saying you owe us money, you email a copy of an invoice or receipt and then anpost deliver the wheels, and charge you a few quid aswell.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/importing/ has more info.

RJM85

lennymc wrote: »

I was charged duty on a set of wheels recently - they look at the total figure paid (including shipping unless the value of the item is under 150 euro (i think)) and charge you based on that. The items turn up in a depot here, you get a note saying you owe us money, you email a copy of an invoice or receipt and then anpost deliver the wheels, and charge you a few quid aswell.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/importing/ has more info.

Thanks Lenny. Can you remember if you were charged customs duty or just in respect of VAT? Either me or the revenue website is stupid.

lennymc

I wrote up the process at the time - see here

let me know how you get on and if you go with them - I would assume you are going for the disc rear?

mossym

not very easy to get these, unless they have changed they do 3 to 4 flash sales and builk builds, and if you;re after the more popular models they are gone in seconds after going on sale.

RJM85

lennymc wrote: »

I wrote up the process at the time - see here

let me know how you get on and if you go with them - I would assume you are going for the disc rear?

Not 100% decided yet. Either 90/90 or 90/Disc. Budget is tight so will probably be decided once I see the shipping cost!

RJM85

mossym wrote: »

not very easy to get these, unless they have changed they do 3 to 4 flash sales and builk builds, and if you;re after the more popular models they are gone in seconds after going on sale.

Yeah. There's an order going on sale this evening. Gonna try my luck and see how I get on.

mossym

RJM85 wrote: »

Yeah. There's an order going on sale this evening. Gonna try my luck and see how I get on.

best of luck with it so.

fat bloke

They look nice but why would anyone join a queue to be a potential buyer of these over the many other manufacturers offerings that are similarly weighted and priced and available all year around?

mossym

fat bloke wrote: »

other manufacturers offerings that are similarly weighted and priced and available all year around?

such as?

fat bloke

mossym wrote: »

such as?

Ok the FLO 60's are "from" 900 dollars (plus whatever customs charge) for a 1900g clincher wheelset. Would it be fair to say you might get them for 1000 euro landed to your door?

It doesn't strike me as a an unusually good bargain, unless they're an exceptionally good wheel in a way of which I am unaware in which case I refer you to my question again.

Why buy them over another?

RJM85

fat bloke wrote: »

They look nice but why would anyone join a queue to be a potential buyer of these over the many other manufacturers offerings that are similarly weighted and priced and available all year around?

Weight isn't the main differentiating factor when looking at TT / Triathlon wheelsets. These are purportedly the best aero wheels for the money.

mossym

fat bloke wrote: »

Ok the FLO 60's are "from" 900 dollars (plus whatever customs charge) for a 1900g clincher wheelset. Would it be fair to say you might get them for 1000 euro landed to your door?

It doesn't strike me as a an unusually good bargain, unless they're an exceptionally good wheel in a way of which I am unaware in which case I refer you to my question again.

Why buy them over another?

the flo's have reportedly tested better than the equivalent zipps, which are considerably more expensive.

i wasn't being smart, i was generally asking what other equivalent wheelset you could get for that price poin, 1900gram wheelset, comes in a 90mm back wheel, 60mm front for that money? there are other 1900gram wheel sets, but i'm not aware of any others with that aero profile, so again my question is an honest one, i'm still curious as to what others you;re referring to.

Junior

Worth giving this lad a shout if your interested so http://www.colbertcycles.co.uk/cc85.aspx

fat bloke

RJM85 wrote: »

These are purportedly the best aero wheels for the money.

Purport being to appear to do something, often falsely .

I see from the website there that over 40k at 30 mph (? - their units) the 60's are 1 min 15 seconds faster than 32 spoke mavic open pro's - so a totally non aero wheel.
I'd have thought any "aero" wheel would give you that kind of a saving. Any data on how they compare to other manufacturer's aero offerings?

mossym

fat bloke wrote: »

I see from the website there that over 40k at 30 mph (? - their units) the 60's are 1 min 15 seconds faster than 32 spoke mavic open pro's - so a totally non aero wheel.

40k is standard olympic tri distance. mph because they are american, and not a lot outside of there buy them

fat bloke

mossym wrote: »

the flo's have reportedly tested better than the equivalent zipps, which are considerably more expensive.

i wasn't being smart, i was generally asking what other equivalent wheelset you could get for that price poin, 1900gram wheelset, comes in a 90mm back wheel, 60mm front for that money? there are other 1900gram wheel sets, but i'm not aware of any others with that aero profile, so again my question is an honest one, i'm still curious as to what others you;re referring to.

I don't know enough about them, which is why I'm asking. Someone puts up a link to another deep section carbon wheel offering - there are a million of them. Go to a race and no two guys have the same wheels. Ribble, Planet x, wiggle, chain reaction, there are many many companies selling, on the face of it, the same thing. Obviously when you look closer there are differences. Usually you see the difference in the weight. Ribble will sell you "superleggara's" that at 2kg a set are all but taking the p1ss outta their own "super-light" model name. A mate of mine recently bought, brand new (with tubs) from a shop a set of zipp 404 tubs, for 1000 euro. He didn't have to queue or gamble with customs or any of that, he just walked around locally and shopped with cash in his pocket and he got a very very nice aero wheelset, with a huge weight saving over those FLO's. I think the zipps are sub 1400g iirc.
I'm a big fan of the look of FFWD wheels, another example. Their F6R's are a shade under 1400 euro list on their website. 60 section wheel, same as those FLO's, but again 500g lighter a set at a claimed 1350g. Ok they're more expensive, but shop around. Wiggle have them for 1200 euro.

Yeah, if you're looking for FLO's particular aero profile then you won't get that from FWD or Zipp or Krusty the Klown's Karbon Klinchers, which I guess does answer my question.

Still though, I'd be surprised if Zipp / FFWD or even KKKK didn't claim around a 60 second aero saving over a 40k TT for their wheels over standard hoops. 'Spose that's an argument for another day. They're nice looking wheels anyway, and most people are happy enough with that

mossym

fat bloke wrote: »

I don't know enough about them, which is why I'm asking. Someone puts up a link to another deep section carbon wheel offering - there are a million of them. Go to a race and no two guys have the same wheels. Ribble, Planet x, wiggle, chain reaction, there are many many companies selling, on the face of it, the same thing. Obviously when you look closer there are differences. Usually you see the difference in the weight. Ribble will sell you "superleggara's" that at 2kg a set are all but taking the p1ss outta their own "super-light" model name. A mate of mine recently bought, brand new (with tubs) from a shop a set of zipp 404 tubs, for 1000 euro. He didn't have to queue or gamble with customs or any of that, he just walked around locally and shopped with cash in his pocket and he got a very very nice aero wheelset, with a huge weight saving over those FLO's. I think the zipps are sub 1400g iirc.
I'm a big fan of the look of FFWD wheels, another example. Their F6R's are a shade under 1400 euro list on their website. 60 section wheel, same as those FLO's, but again 500g lighter a set at a claimed 1350g. Ok they're more expensive, but shop around. Wiggle have them for 1200 euro.

Yeah, if you're looking for FLO's particular aero profile then you won't get that from FWD or Zipp or Krusty the Klown's Karbon Klinchers, which I guess does answer my question.

Still though, I'd be surprised if Zipp / FFWD or even KKKK didn't claim around a 60 second aero saving over a 40k TT for their wheels over standard hoops. 'Spose that's an argument for another day. They're nice looking wheels anyway, and most people are happy enough with that

fair points. i think one thing that moves the flo wheels from the ribble/planet-x is that they are aimed at the tri community, they're released some pretty impressive test data, and for that performance they are considered the cheapest on the block. are there cheaper lighter wheels out there? sure, but as said weight not as important for this use.

a zipp 808 clincher set is 2500 on wiggle. if you get these shipped to you for 1000, and they are, as claimed, similar performance(i make no argument to back up this claim, just seen it said), then that's a hell of a saving. even if they are 10 to 15% less that's a hell of a deal.

lot of people must believe it, they'll be gone in minutes

and i like 1900gram wheels, i have these on my tri bike:)
http://www.4za.com/wheels/cirrus-pro/item/119-ac58

RJM85

Zipp 404 wheelset for €1k?

A front wheel on crc is €1,078.99. Either he got a very good deal or he bought some very expensive fakes, no?

mossym

RJM85 wrote: »

Zipp 404 wheelset for €1k?

A front wheel on crc is €1,078.99. Either he got a very good deal or he bought some very expensive fakes, no?

tubular will be 20% cheaper off the bat, but it's still a good price. for the same money if it were me i;d give the flo's a shot

RJM85

He FFWDs you mention are 58mm rims. Aerodynamically, how will a 58mm rim perform against a 90/90 combination or a 90/disc combo for that matter? I'm interested specifically in the most aero combination i can fin on a budget and I'm not particularly worried about 300g. I'll just go for a poop before the race.

RJM85

mossym wrote: »

tubular will be 20% cheaper off the bat, but it's still a good price. for the same money if it were me i;d give the flo's a shot

Aye, but you can add the 20% back on to buy the tyres.

mossym

RJM85 wrote: »

He FFWDs you mention are 58mm rims. Aerodynamically, how will a 58mm rim perform against a 90/90 combination or a 90/disc combo for that matter? I'm interested specifically in the most aero combination i can fin on a budget and I'm not particularly worried about 300g. I'll just go for a poop before the race.

could always get a disc cover made up for the 58's, best of both worlds

RJM85

mossym wrote: »

could always get a disc cover made up for the 58's, best of both worlds

I suppose you could.

I've done a fair amount of research over the last while though and there seems to be a fair consensus of positive reviews for the Flo's. I'm happy to try them anyway.

RJM85

90/Disc wheelset ordered.

Now the waiting.

Inquitus

RJM85 wrote: »

90/Disc wheelset ordered.

Now the waiting.

Did you have to order with ceramic bearings? When I checked that was the only option in stock...

mossym

wow, not sold out yet. that's a first for flo...

mossym

Inquitus wrote: »

Did you have to order with ceramic bearings? When I checked that was the only option in stock...

what one are you looking at? just checking a flo 90 and they have both in stock

Inquitus

mossym wrote: »

what one are you looking at? just checking a flo 90 and they have both in stock

The 30's and the 90's both come up once added to the basket as ***

Products marked with *** are not available in the desired quantity or not in stock!

RJM85

Inquitus wrote: »

Did you have to order with ceramic bearings? When I checked that was the only option in stock...

No. Steel bearings for both. I was sitting waiting for the countdown though. Payment went through 1:30 after they went on sale apparently!

mossym

Inquitus wrote: »

The 30's and the 90's both come up once added to the basket as ***

Products marked with *** are not available in the desired quantity or not in stock!

yeah, it says there are 10 black 90's in stock. 4 of them with steel bearings, but when you get to choosing shimano or campy hub it says there are neither in stock. what are the 10 made up of so?

lennymc

RJM85 wrote: »

90/Disc wheelset ordered.

Now the waiting.

I bet your looking forward to tri-ing them

Looking forward to seeing them myself.

RJM85

lennymc wrote: »

I bet your looking forward to tri-ing them

Looking forward to seeing them myself.

I'm getting impatient already

RJM85

mossym wrote: »

yeah, it says there are 10 black 90's in stock. 4 of them with steel bearings, but when you get to choosing shimano or campy hub it says there are neither in stock. what are the 10 made up of so?

Front wheels?

mossym

RJM85 wrote: »

Front wheels?

perhaps. you have to choose front or back to even get to where i as though so i don't think that was it. maybe their system is just messed up.


anyway. never mind, happy with my wheels. well done on getting a pair, best of luck with them when they arrive

fat bloke

Yeah congrats on the win. Post up pic and impressions when you get them.

RJM85

fat bloke wrote: »

Yeah congrats on the win. Post up pic and impressions when you get them.

Will do. What's the chances I'll get away with telling the wife I won them in a raffle?

RJM85

have had the wheels for a couple of races now. they're excellent. very happy.

Inquitus

RJM85 wrote: »

have had the wheels for a couple of races now. they're excellent. very happy.

They look great