Aksiums or something else?

fcon

Planning on upgrading my wheels. They're still the original ones that came on it and are a bit tired at this stage. Looking at aksiums but just wanted to know is there anything else I should consider in the same price bracket?

irishrover99

fcon wrote: »

Planning on upgrading my wheels. They're still the original ones that came on it and are a bit tired at this stage. Looking at aksiums but just wanted to know is there anything else I should consider in the same price bracket?

I have Aksiums and these, both great wheels but at this price and using parcel motel the Khasims would be my prefered choice. Add them to the basket and checkout you get 40 % extra of. 121 euro but i think the offer ends today


https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPCAKHAM/campagnolo-khamsin-wheelset

markusz

you won't go wrong with Zonda's or Krysium Equipes either.

irishrover99

markusz wrote: »

you won't go wrong with Zonda's or Krysium Equipes either.

Yes but both them are not in the same price bracket of Aksiums and that is what he is looking at

martyc5674

Those Khamsins say "2010 model" on bottom of page...doubt theres any real difference though...cracking value

harringtonp

Before you pull a trigger compare the price and weight of whatever you are thinking of going for with

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/clearance-icon-ultra-11speed-wheelsets-2024.htm

doozerie

Like many factory wheelsets the Aksiums are throwaway - break some spokes, damage a rim, possibly even just wear out the bearings, etc., and it's not economically viable to repair them, you have to replace them. That's fine of course, if you are prepared for that, but if you can get serviceable wheels for a similar price or even a little more, I think they'd prove better value longer term.

That depends very much on the quality of the parts obviously, and more often than not you get what you pay for with bike parts. But personally I'd invest in good hubs (can last a lifetime if maintained properly), decent spokes (will last several wheel builds), and if I was to compromise on anything it would be on the rim (which is a consumable). It takes some shopping around though to find good value in handbuilt wheels, factory wheels tend to be much more readily available - www.wheelsmith.co.uk is one site worth a look.

Buzwaldo

https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/products/wheels/cero-ar24-alloy-road-wheelset-bundle
Lighter than the aksiums, and i think they sound good value. Considering some ceros myself.

paudie2005

Buzwaldo wrote: »

https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/products/wheels/cero-ar24-alloy-road-wheelset-bundle
Lighter than the aksiums, and i think they sound good value. Considering some ceros myself.

Got them this January and so far so good. Have the ar30's for the last year and are faultless.

billyhead

Just wondering how often should you replace your wheels. What's the usual lifespan

fcon

Picked up some superstar R380's half price plus 20% off. Not to shabby

G1032

fcon wrote: »

Picked up some superstar R380's half price plus 20% off. Not to shabby

How did you get the extra 20% off?

harringtonp

I pulled the trigger on the Alexrims R380 yesterday evening as well.

Not that I need them right now but wheels are always going bust every year or 2 and its nice to have something to roll in rather than having to buy a quick and not often cheap replacement set at the time. Couldn't resist when I saw the extra 20%, just use EASTER20

Was caught like this last August where 2 wheels went in quick succession (a planet X 60mm clincher irreparably due to cracked rim and a krysium elite which needed an entire set of new spokes) and I needed a replacement quickly.

After this I decided that expensive wheels were a waste racing as you hit too many potholes so bought the superstar icon ultra for 199 STG and they do the job just fine.

doozerie

harringtonp wrote: »

After this I decided that expensive wheels were a waste racing as you hit too many potholes so bought the superstar icon ultra for 199 STG and they do the job just fine.

Serviceable wheels, as in wheels where the spokes and rims (and hub bearings) are relatively easily replaced, are a good choice for racing wheels too. In fact, as you say, race wheels get a hammering so serviceable wheels are arguably ideal for racing.

"Serviceable" doesn't have to mean hand-built though it often does. And when compared to the price of many wheels labelled as race wheels, hand-built wheels can be very competitive.

harringtonp

Yes servicable is open to interpretation. After hitting a pothole last August in a race had a buckle in a Mavic Krysium Elite. Nothing too bad but needed fixing all the same. Problem was the spokes were locked solid so ended up ordering complete spoke set and local mechanic cut all existing ones and rebuilt wheel. Total cost about 80E. Heard since about many other cases of the nipples locking on those wheels and they are considered to be very "servicable". Turnaround time for repair was well over 2 weeks.

C3PO

doozerie wrote: »

Like many factory wheelsets the Aksiums are throwaway - break some spokes, damage a rim, possibly even just wear out the bearings, etc., and it's not economically viable to repair them, you have to replace them. That's fine of course, if you are prepared for that, but if you can get serviceable wheels for a similar price or even a little more, I think they'd prove better value longer term.

That depends very much on the quality of the parts obviously, and more often than not you get what you pay for with bike parts. But personally I'd invest in good hubs (can last a lifetime if maintained properly), decent spokes (will last several wheel builds), and if I was to compromise on anything it would be on the rim (which is a consumable). It takes some shopping around though to find good value in handbuilt wheels, factory wheels tend to be much more readily available - www.wheelsmith.co.uk is one site worth a look.

As Doozerie says Aksiums and the like are disposable wheels - you'll get a couple of winters out of them and then you throw them out! I've had a couple of pairs over the years and they served me well! On the other hand I had a set of wheels built up with Hope hubs and Mavic Open Pro Rims and they've lasted for yonks. Both options probably end up costing about the same in the long run but the better wheels probably give you a better riding/owning experience!!