Wheelset Recommendations €1000 budget.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I've been given the green light by she who must be obeyed to treat myself to a new set of wheels. I'm going to limit myself to in or around the €1k mark.

I want something that is lightweight and ideal for climbing as living in Donegal ensures that every spin has at least some sort of climbs. I don't race and so aero/fast wheels aren't really necessary.

I'd love carbon but I don't think there is anything that suits my needs. I considered the Fulcrum Quattro carbon but I think all it offers is looks as it's neither aero or lightweight and suffers in crosswinds.

I've probably looked at every set of wheels available and it seems Campags Shamal Ultras or Fulcrum Zero's are the best all round wheel but has anyone any other recommendations that I might have missed.

I will consider handbuilt but I want something attractive too which means having to put decals on custom wheels which I'd rather not have to do but would do for the right wheels.

I do not like the look of the Dura Ace 9000 wheels as they're simply too plain and understated although they probably are the wheel most suited to my needs.

nordicb

Had Zondas for quite a bit and was long considering Shamal Ultras, but in the end stretched a little and went for dark Bullet Ultras, really like everything about them.

thekooman

Canyon had these at 1000 last week:
https://www.canyon.com/en/accessories/?117587938&search=1#category=parts&subcat=10411&id=60213


Also these are light enough:
http://jedi-sports.de/Wheelsets/Road/Mavic-Ksyrium-Pro-Exalith-2016::6056.html

you are spoilt for choice at that price point.
even handbuilt: http://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collections/road-rim-brake-wheelsets/products/borg50-carbon-clinchers-from-1390g-20f-24r-26-5mm-wide

Taxuser1

second hand Campag Bora Ultras for 800-1000 is a bargain. if you were thinking the best wheels.

benneca1

If I were you id go for hand built you wont regret it. I got a pair built up on DT Swiss 240 hubs with H plus son rims. At the moment would probably set you back a grand. For me it was the best investment I ever made I am a big guy and ride bad roads since I got them not a problem. Stay true and roll beautifully stuck a SRAM red cassette on rear and light as a feather.

Brian?

If I had a grand to spend on wheels and no more, I'd get the 50-60 version of these.

https://www.tokyowheel.com/shop

Eamonnator

If I were you, I would strike the Fulcrum Racing Zeros off your list.
I have a pair of them, I also have a pair of Campagnolo Zondas, which cost less than half what the Zeros cost. On the bike, they are indistinguishable.

fat bloke

If you want wheels for going up Donegal hills, you'll want wheels for going down the other side of them, often in the wet. So I would strike carbon clinchers.
Mavic's Exalith coated time give you that slick black rim look and also stronger braking. I've the ksyrium slrs for three years and I love them.

happyhappy

fat bloke wrote: »

If you want wheels for going up Donegal hills, you'll want wheels for going down the other side of them, often in the wet. So I would strike carbon clinchers.
Mavic's Exalith coated time give you that slick black rim look and also stronger braking. I've the ksyrium slrs for three years and I love them.

Plus one on slrs. I'm racing on them and find em great.

brownian

I've the Shamal Ultras. I really like them, especially for climbing. And they look brilliant.

Just saying...

Stevieg2009

happyhappy wrote: »

Plus one on slrs. I'm racing on them and find em great.[/QUOTE

Have a set of these fantastic wheels light,stiff strong,great braking all conditions
And look sweet also had the c24 and these are much better wheel for all round use http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/brand/mavic/limited-edition

Cee-Jay-Cee

Eamonnator wrote: »

If I were you, I would strike the Fulcrum Racing Zeros off your list.
I have a pair of them, I also have a pair of Campagnolo Zondas, which cost less than half what the Zeros cost. On the bike, they are indistinguishable.

I currently have Zondas on both my bikes and really rate them but just fancy stepping up from them a little.

Aren't Fulcrum Zero's just Shamals with a different rear spoke arrangement?

Cee-Jay-Cee

nordicb wrote: »

Had Zondas for quite a bit and was long considering Shamal Ultras, but in the end stretched a little and went for dark Bullet Ultras, really like everything about them.

How you find them in crosswinds and climbing compared to the Zondas?

nordicb

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

How you find them in crosswinds and climbing compared to the Zondas?

1st ride on them I've noticed right away how comfortable they are, the road buzz and bumps have reduced noticeably. As for speed, they do seem to cut a little easier through the air giving a more sustainable speed over 30kph. In the cross-wind they are a little twitchier compared to Zondas, but there was not a moment I wanted to go slower. I paired them with Vittoria Rubino Pro's 25, which gave another level of comfort.

For the price difference over Zonda's, I don't feel they are that huge step up, but they are an improvement nevertheless. Zonda is just a great wheel, they went on my winter bike.

The reason I didn't go for shamals is that many say they are just no different to Zonda's, also I'm not a strong believer in the aluminum/carbon spokes malarkey - just wanted reliable steel spokes, great hub bearings and aluminum braking surface. Zondas seem to have less spokes in the front than bullets.

Bullets came with somewhat a sharpish edge where the metal braking surface meets carbon, but that is the only negative thing I can say about them. They look great too.

iwillhtfu

fat bloke wrote: »

If you want wheels for going up Donegal hills, you'll want wheels for going down the other side of them, often in the wet. So I would strike carbon clinchers.
Mavic's Exalith coated time give you that slick black rim look and also stronger braking. I've the ksyrium slrs for three years and I love them.

Agree with this if you're doing a lot of hill work I'd take a pass on carbon wheels. I have a set and they're great on the flat but if you're coming down any steep descents they're a pain. In the dry the brakes pads are grabby and in the wet they can be very vague.

I've seen fatblokes wheels and they're the mutts nuts. It helps they're on a wicked looking Cervélo mind.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Brian? wrote: »

If I had a grand to spend on wheels and no more, I'd get the 50-60 version of these.

https://www.tokyowheel.com/shop

Have you any experience of them?

Brian?

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Have you any experience of them?

I don't personally, but a friend has them and speaks very highly.

OleRodrigo

If you're ruling out aero and carbon, its gotta be Pacenti SL23 rims, black CX ray spokes on Dura-Ace 9800 hubs. Possibly the nicest looking wheels ever and still leaving you a decent chunk of change rustling around in your pocket.

Idleater

OleRodrigo wrote: »

If you're ruling out aero and carbon, its gotta be Pacenti SL23 rims, black CX ray spokes on Dura-Ace 9800 hubs. Possibly the nicest looking wheels ever and still leaving you a decent chunk of change rustling around in your pocket.

Personally I like my Stans ztr rims. Either way handbuilts are well worth it for this price bracket. My extralites (ztr 24/28 sp spokes) are sub 1200g and after 5 years racing here and travelling abroad they are going strong. One replaced spoke after someone ran into the back of me, otherwise normal truing and servicing.

The one thing that doesn't meet your criteria are the bling stickers.

fat bloke

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Pacenti SL23 rims, black CX ray spokes on Dura-Ace 9800 hubs.

A single plum, floating in perfume, served in a man's hat.

Who/where/how would a fella assemble such an exotic menage a trois?

OleRodrigo

Idleater wrote: »

Personally I like my Stans ztr rims. Either way handbuilts are well worth it for this price bracket. My extralites (ztr 24/28 sp spokes) are sub 1200g and after 5 years racing here and travelling abroad they are going strong. One replaced spoke after someone ran into the back of me, otherwise normal truing and servicing.

The one thing that doesn't meet your criteria are the bling stickers.

They are nice. A smidgen blingy, as you say, but coming in at 1200g that's a fair cop. Totally agree about handbuilts.

fat bloke wrote: »

A single plum, floating in perfume, served in a man's hat.

Who/where/how would a fella assemble such an exotic menage a trois?

9000 I should say ( 9800??..was thinking of 105 ) Well, there's a few UK builders doing them...cheapest being thecycleclinic.co.uk and dcrwheels.co.uk.



http://thecycleclinic.co.uk/blogs/news/14321105-dura-ace-9000-hubs-on-pancenti-sl23-rims

Incidentally, dcrwheels do their own well spec'd hubs and rims at a lower price than their branded counterparts. They also look the biz. Plum purple hubs for a retro build ? Think I just might, ta very much.

benneca1

Strava wheels did a good job for me

Cee-Jay-Cee

I've been looking at the Fulcrum Quattro Carbons again after seeing a set in the flesh today and they look superb on a black bike (which is what I have)

They weigh 1495g (actual weight with Shimano body as weighed by Bike24 and not manufacturers claimed weight) which is nearly a whole 100g lighter than my Zondas which are 1593g with Shimano freewheel. The front wheel is more or Less the same as the Zonda front wheel but the rear wheel is 95g lighter so technically they shouldn't be any slower to spin up as most of that weight is in hub and spokes? Theyre also the wheel supplied with the €7000 Felt F1 so they can't be all that bad. They're a possibility again...

iwillhtfu

Might be something here 24hrs only

https://www.canyon.com/en/accessories/#category=specials&subcat=T066

Eamonnator

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Might be something here 24hrs only

https://www.canyon.com/en/accessories/#category=specials&subcat=T066

I have Mavic R-Sys wheels on my Canyon.
They're mad light, very strong and the braking is second to none. The Exalith braking surface is very durable, so the braking surface still looks good after 18 months.
Because of my weight, I would be harder on wheels than most. Mine are still perfectly straight and true.
That seems to be a great price.
The tyres, that come with the wheels, are, in my opinion, sh1t.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Eamonnator wrote: »

I have Mavic R-Sys wheels on my Canyon.
They're mad light, very strong and the braking is second to none. The Exalith braking surface is very durable, so the braking surface still looks good after 18 months.
Because of my weight, I would be harder on wheels than most. Mine are still perfectly straight and true.
That seems to be a great price.
The tyres, that come with the wheels, are, in my opinion, sh1t.

I have an aversion to Mavic wheels, I don't really know where it stems from but I just don't trust them nor like them. Strange but that's just me

OleRodrigo

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I have an aversion to Mavic wheels, I don't really know where it stems from but I just don't trust them nor like them. Strange but that's just me

IIRC, as a chap who will happily fit Campy wheels on a bike built with a Shimano groupset, I would respectfully suggest you have your superstitions totally ar*eways.

Mind you, Yksion tires should be banned.

Cee-Jay-Cee

OleRodrigo wrote: »

IIRC, as a chap who will happily fit Campy wheels on a bike built with a Shimano groupset, I would respectfully suggest you have your superstitions totally ar*eways.

Mind you, Yksion tires should be banned.

Yeah I know. I don't know what it is about them, I had a set of aksiums that were great wheels but I have since just gone off all Mavic wheels.

iwillhtfu

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Yeah I know. I don't know what it is about them, I had a set of aksiums that were great wheels but I have since just gone off all Mavic wheels.

Those RSys wheels are a whole different level to the run of the mill wheels (aksium/Ksyrium etc) mavic have been pumping out.

Cee-Jay-Cee

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Those RSys wheels are a whole different level to the run of the mill wheels (aksium/Ksyrium etc) mavic have been pumping out.

Fair point but unfortunately they're way out of my budget.

Having looked at near enough every single wheelset that complies with my 'want' criteria, it's looking like the Fulcrum Quattro Carbons are at the forefront, they're light (1495g) 17mm wide, Carbon and look pure class. I haven't pulled the trigger yet as I'll give it a few days to see what else might appear but it's unlikely anything else will match them at that price point.

iwillhtfu

Just one other thing to consider if you're intent on going down the carbon route. The brake pads are pricey.

Kaisr Sose

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Just one other thing to consider if you're intent on going down the carbon route. The brake pads are pricey.

I think when someone is planning on spending a grand on wheels, the price of brake blocks are not part of the mix!!

Choose wisely!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Most carbon wheels I've looked at so far come with carbon specific Brake pads included and they're going on my good bike which is for summer/dry use only so I won't need new pads too often but thanks anyway.

Smalltom

Not to hijack your post but I just spotted it and have a set of Ksyrium SLR just up
In the adverts section. I notice you have an aversion to Mavic but just FYI!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Smalltom wrote: »

Not to hijack your post but I just spotted it and have a set of Ksyrium SLR just up
In the adverts section. I notice you have an aversion to Mavic but just FYI!

Thanks but I want to buy new and like you said, my aversion to Mavic doesn't help either but thanks anyway. ðŸ‘

Eamonnator

Here you go. Inside your budget by €1, not counting postage.

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/accessories/#category=parts&subcat=10411&id=60282

Delivery is only €7.90

Cee-Jay-Cee

Eamonnator wrote: »

Here you go. Inside your budget by €1, not counting postage.

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/accessories/#category=parts&subcat=10411&id=60282

Delivery is only €7.90

I've actually looked at those wheels several times in the last few days but I'm not 'feeling' them. The weight on the Canyon site is incorrect, the clinchers are 1568g, the weight shown is for the tubular version so theyre the same weight (roughly) as the Quatrro's but dont have the look the Quattro's have and so I discounted them for that reason.

Koobcam

Dura Ace C24 clinchers can be had for around the €7-800 mark-check the German sites and also Chain reaction. You'll get better braking than standard carbon clinchers, but the feel of these wheels is definitely more subtle and comfortable (especially on sh*te roads) than your standard aluminium rims. The hubs are the best in the business. They are very light and not bad looking at all (though admittedly not as nice looking as a pair of deep-section full carbon wheels, but you only have a grand to spend, so...). They also come in a tubeless version, so you could buy these and spend some of the remaining budget on a set of Schwalbe one tubeless tyres and a cassette of some sort.

Eamonnator

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I've actually looked at those wheels several times in the last few days but I'm not 'feeling' them. The weight on the Canyon site is incorrect, the clinchers are 1568g, the weight shown is for the tubular version so theyre the same weight (roughly) as the Quatrro's but dont have the look the Quattro's have and so I discounted them for that reason.

I didn't cop that the Canyon site had the incorrect weight.
the extra weight takes the good out of them

Cee-Jay-Cee

Eamonnator wrote: »

I didn't cop that the Canyon site had the incorrect weight.
the extra weight takes the good out of them

Yeah when I seen it first they went top of the list as it was an impressive weight but when I started reading other reviews I discovered the actual weight and so they were tad unattractive.

Anywho I pulled the trigger on a set of Quattro Carbons from PBK for €960 delivered. Can't wait for them to arrive now!!

oconnpad

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Yeah when I seen it first they went top of the list as it was an impressive weight but when I started reading other reviews I discovered the actual weight and so they were tad unattractive.

Anywho I pulled the trigger on a set of Quattro Carbons from PBK for €960 delivered. Can't wait for them to arrive now!!

Have you link for that? think I might be in interested in them as well 😀

harringtonp

Yes this was a good wheel thread even though I'm not in the market myself. Post the link to what you finally choose to finish it off nicely

Cee-Jay-Cee

Here's the link >> http://m.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/fulcrum-racing-quattro-carbon-40mm-clincher-wheelset-2016/11184769.html

Remember to change the currency to Sterling. Let your credit card or PayPal do the exchange rate conversion. It works out over €100 cheaper. Tracked shipping is free to Ireland. I also got a £25stg discount code which unfortunately for others ended yesterday so they'll work out just under the grand mark for anyone else.

iwillhtfu

The best of both worlds I'd have found the few extra pennies.



http://m.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/fulcrum-red-wind-h.50-xlr-dark-cult-bearing-clincher-wheelset/10991169.html

harringtonp

iwillhtfu wrote: »

The best of both worlds I'd have found the few extra pennies.



http://m.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/fulcrum-red-wind-h.50-xlr-dark-cult-bearing-clincher-wheelset/10991169.html

Page on this wheel:

"The test performed involves spinning the wheel to 500 rpms then letting it decelerate. The test results are amazing: the wheel equipped with CULT™ ball bearings continues its motion for a full 45 minutesi.e. nine times longer than standard bearings."

Have always wondered what a free spinning wheel means in terms of watts saved, is is 1 or 2 or counted in low 10's ? Haven't the foggiest, anybody any idea ?

Cee-Jay-Cee

iwillhtfu wrote: »

The best of both worlds I'd have found the few extra pennies.



http://m.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/fulcrum-red-wind-h.50-xlr-dark-cult-bearing-clincher-wheelset/10991169.html

Yeah looked at them but they only have Campag fitment and theyre considerably dearer on other websites.

oconnpad

harringtonp wrote: »

Page on this wheel:

"The test performed involves spinning the wheel to 500 rpms then letting it decelerate. The test results are amazing: the wheel equipped with CULT™ ball bearings continues its motion for a full 45 minutesi.e. nine times longer than standard bearings."

Ah sure the bike can go off and cycle itself so, you're not needed

Cee-Jay-Cee

harringtonp wrote: »

Page on this wheel:

"The test performed involves spinning the wheel to 500 rpms then letting it decelerate. The test results are amazing: the wheel equipped with CULT™ ball bearings continues its motion for a full 45 minutesi.e. nine times longer than standard bearings."

Have always wondered what a free spinning wheel means in terms of watts saved, is is 1 or 2 or counted in low 10's ? Haven't the foggiest, anybody any idea ?

I wonder how that translates in real life with a load on the wheels/bearings? Have they 9 times less resistance? I doubt it.

Kaisr Sose

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I wonder how that translates in real life with a load on the wheels/bearings? Have they 9 times less resistance? I doubt it.

Dare I say these test readings are akin to VW / general motor industry emmison test results - unachievable-unattainable in normal use?

harringtonp

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I wonder how that translates in real life with a load on the wheels/bearings? Have they 9 times less resistance? I doubt it.

I suspect very little when considering weight, surface etc. Best guess would be 2-3 watts but if on the other hand you have a wheel that spins down very quickly it is irritating.

I have never seen an article on what free spinning means in real terms

Lumen

Free-spinning wheels just have lighter grease and looser seals. The power saving is negligible and they will degrade in poor conditions.

The kinetic energy of a naked wheel spinning at 500rpm (over 70kph) is significant, maybe 150J, so it's not surprising that it would spin for a long time under no load.