Wheels

[BrutusBuckeye]

I'm looking at upgrading my wheels on my bike. Wheels are an interesting subject in that opinions vary so widely on how important wheels are and what wheels are the best. My current wheelset is the Mavic cxp22. Not a great wheelset and quite heavy compared to others, but they seem to roll fine when I'm out riding. I'm just wondering what I could expect from a nicer and lighter set (current set is about 2100g).

I have a couple of questions I'm hoping to get some feedback on from the riders (and especially gearheads) on the board.

1. How important are wheels compared to other components on the bike? Should I keep my money and upgrade other components?

2. In your opinion, what is the best wheelset in the $500 range? I found some new Mavic Ksyrium Elites for that amount and bought them. However, I am tempted to sell them and get the Fulcrum Racing 3s or maybe even something else if I can be swayed.

Thanks.

[mtnbiker]

I'm looking at upgrading my wheels on my bike. Wheels are an interesting subject in that opinions vary so widely on how important wheels are and what wheels are the best. My current wheelset is the Mavic cxp22. Not a great wheelset and quite heavy compared to others, but they seem to roll fine when I'm out riding. I'm just wondering what I could expect from a nicer and lighter set (current set is about 2100g).

I have a couple of questions I'm hoping to get some feedback on from the riders (and especially gearheads) on the board.

1. How important are wheels compared to other components on the bike? Should I keep my money and upgrade other components?

As you know, for a road bike, the rotating mass makes a big difference. That's probably the first component to upgrade if you're looking for a little better performance. A year or so ago I upgraded from Mavic Aksium Race wheels that came with my bike to the Mavic Ksyrium Elites. I feel like I accelerate a little better, and it feels like I have about another half gear advantage when chugging up steeper grades. A quick comparison at a bike shop showed about a pound difference in weight between the wheelsets, which corresponds pretty well with the claimed weight difference from the manufacturer.

2. In your opinion, what is the best wheelset in the $500 range? I found some new Mavic Ksyrium Elites for that amount and bought them. However, I am tempted to sell them and get the Fulcrum Racing 3s or maybe even something else if I can be swayed.

Thanks.

I don't remember all the comparison shopping things I considered when I was looking for a wheelset. I'm very happy with the Ksyrium Elites. I suspect you'd be happy with them or the Fulcrums or any other wheelset with similar specs. If you favor particular brands, you might know that Fulcrum is owned by Campagnolo. So if you have a Campy bike or gruppo, then the Fulcrums might complete the ensemble. It probably just depends on which look best to you.

[creekster]

Mtnbkr is right; rotating mass makes a huge difference.

[RC Vikings]

Listen to creekster and mtnbiker when it comes to bikes, they know there stuff, good wheels can really help. I have a pair of Mavic Ksyrium SL's that I use for training, in the spring and as a backup and for my fast wheels I've got some American Classic 420 Aero. I love my Mavic's because they are bomb proof but those AC's are fast. Someday I hope to try some carbon wheels.

[mtnbiker]

That reminds me of an interesting experience a few months ago. I was zooming down the South Fork canyon in a semi-tuck and I got passed up by a couple of dudes who weren't even trying. I saw them a little later on the parkway and mentioned that they had really fast wheels. They grinned pretty big grins and just said 'yup!'. It's not only the weight, but also aerodynamics and bearings. If you want really fast wheels, and don't mind the cost, find some with high quality bearings, and possibly ceramic ones. In fact, I bought my Ksyriums from a guy who had just bought a new bike and wanted to upgrade to some fancy $3000 wheels.

[BigPiney]

after reading this and looking at prices I have come to realize that I will never have fast wheels.

[BrutusBuckeye]

Listen to creekster and mtnbiker when it comes to bikes, they know there stuff, good wheels can really help. I have a pair of Mavic Ksyrium SL's that I use for training, in the spring and as a backup and for my fast wheels I've got some American Classic 420 Aero. I love my Mavic's because they are bomb proof but those AC's are fast. Someday I hope to try some carbon wheels.

I've looked into those ACs and they look nice. Unfortunately, they're a touch out of my current budget. I often hear that the Ksyriums are bombproof and that makes me want to stay with them. I'm on the heavier side (195ish) as far as weight weenie cyclists are concerned, so bombproof is very important.

I've also looked at the HED Ardennes GP. Know anything about those?

[BrutusBuckeye]

If you want really fast wheels, and don't mind the cost, find some with high quality bearings, and possibly ceramic ones. In fact, I bought my Ksyriums from a guy who had just bought a new bike and wanted to upgrade to some fancy $3000 wheels.

I don't think I'll ever be in the market for $3000 wheels (or even $2000 for that matter). Those deep carbon dishes would make me stand out and I'm pretty certain I couldn't perform to their level.

[mtnbiker]

After posting my comments last night, I looked around a little and remembered that the really expensive wheelset the guy was buying was one of those deep-sectioned HED units. The Ardennes look interesting. See if you can get a ride on them and let us know what you think.

I wouldn't worry about the Ksyriums. I'm heavier than you are, and haven't had any problems with them. I am a little careful about high-speed downhill turns, though. They have a bit of flex to them, and I get a little brake rub when cornering. That scares me just a bit. Or is that normal for everyone else and I'm just being paranoid?

[PaloAltoCougar]

My wife has now racked up around 20,000 miles on her bike. It's a nice ride (Look 566, carbon frame, SRAM components) and she wants to keep it, but I want to get her some new wheels, replace the pedals and make a few other tweaks (it's been well-maintained over the years). It's had the same Mavic Aksiums since the beginning. This thread has been interesting and coupled with the recommendation of our son-on-law (who has helped run bike shop for years and is himself an avid cyclist) we've been leaning toward the Ksyriums. I'm curious if anyone has had new thoughts on this.

But our SIL has also said that these are his favorite wheels of all those he's ridden on, and I wonder about those or the 90s. He recommended the Ksyriums as well, but regards the carbon wheels as a nice splurge. Given how much Mrs. PAC rides, I'm happy to pay up to a thou or so. But one of her riding buddies has these wheels and they seem to be adversely affected by crosswinds and she's more cautious during high speed (well, 20+mph) turns. The missus has also been told that lighter wheels are better for climbing but don't matter as much in the flats and are more prone to breakage.

I'll probably get some new wheels eventually, but I'm a few thousand miles behind the wife.

[Dwight Schr-ute]

My wife has now racked up around 20,000 miles on her bike. It's a nice ride (Look 566, carbon frame, SRAM components) and she wants to keep it, but I want to get her some new wheels, replace the pedals and make a few other tweaks (it's been well-maintained over the years). It's had the same Mavic Aksiums since the beginning. This thread has been interesting and coupled with the recommendation of our son-on-law (who has helped run bike shop for years and is himself an avid cyclist) we've been leaning toward the Ksyriums. I'm curious if anyone has had new thoughts on this.

But our SIL has also said that these are his favorite wheels of all those he's ridden on, and I wonder about those or the 90s. He recommended the Ksyriums as well, but regards the carbon wheels as a nice splurge. Given how much Mrs. PAC rides, I'm happy to pay up to a thou or so. But one of her riding buddies has these wheels and they seem to be adversely affected by crosswinds and she's more cautious during high speed (well, 20+mph) turns. The missus has also been told that lighter wheels are better for climbing but don't matter as much in the flats and are more prone to breakage.

I'll probably get some new wheels eventually, but I'm a few thousand miles behind the wife.

I'm late to the conversation and don't have much to contribute since I pretty much found something that I love about 12 years ago and have stuck with the brand since. Getting married and starting a family also took a significant chunk out of my R&T budget. But I just wanted to throw in a recommendation of a lesser known brand that might help you get a little more for your money. I love Rolf Primas for general training/every day riding and have never had any hint of an issue with them. Solid German engineering. The Eugene, OR kind of German engineering.
http://www.rolfprima.com/products-Vigor.php

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'm late to the conversation and don't have much to contribute since I pretty much found something that I love about 12 years ago and have stuck with the brand since. Getting married and starting a family also took a significant chunk out of my R&T budget. But I just wanted to throw in a recommendation of a lesser known brand that might help you get a little more for your money. I love Rolf Primas for general training/every day riding and have never had any hint of an issue with them. Solid German engineering. The Eugene, OR kind of German engineering.
http://www.rolfprima.com/products-Vigor.php

That's especially interesting, Dwight, because our local shop mechanic said the same thing about the Rolf's; I hadn't heard of them until he mentioned them a couple of days ago. Thanks for the rec.

[BrutusBuckeye]

Rolfs are nice wheels. I've never ridden them but the company was a client of my firm when I practiced in Eugene, so I got to know a little about them. The local shops spoke highly of them as well.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[hostile]

My wife has now racked up around 20,000 miles on her bike. It's a nice ride (Look 566, carbon frame, SRAM components) and she wants to keep it, but I want to get her some new wheels, replace the pedals and make a few other tweaks (it's been well-maintained over the years). It's had the same Mavic Aksiums since the beginning. This thread has been interesting and coupled with the recommendation of our son-on-law (who has helped run bike shop for years and is himself an avid cyclist) we've been leaning toward the Ksyriums. I'm curious if anyone has had new thoughts on this.

But our SIL has also said that these are his favorite wheels of all those he's ridden on, and I wonder about those or the 90s. He recommended the Ksyriums as well, but regards the carbon wheels as a nice splurge. Given how much Mrs. PAC rides, I'm happy to pay up to a thou or so. But one of her riding buddies has these wheels and they seem to be adversely affected by crosswinds and she's more cautious during high speed (well, 20+mph) turns. The missus has also been told that lighter wheels are better for climbing but don't matter as much in the flats and are more prone to breakage.

I'll probably get some new wheels eventually, but I'm a few thousand miles behind the wife.

I haven't done any significant riding for quite a while. I still have my 63cm Cannondale and one of the first upgrades I made was Ksyriums. They are/were a great addition. Very stable, no problems. Still have them and now I'm feeling guilty for not putting more miles on them.

[Joe Public]

I got some new Hed Belgium 32-spoke wheels. They have a 23mm rim, so I’m interested to see if I notice a difference from my 19mm wheels. Some pics: