Road Cycling - Training wheels! (not what you think)

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The_Convert
08-07-04, 08:35 PM
Hey everybod...

Just got my new-to-me Trek 5900 from ebay. The Kysriums SSC SLs on which it rolls are utterly gorgeous and, being in vermont, I have little, no, or bad shoulder to ride. My question is, I am planning to start racing eventually and was wondering if it is wise to purchase a more standard
(see: serviceable) wheelset to train on. I figure it isn't particularly a great idea taking a chance racking up miles on an $800 wheelset. But

1) How durable are 700c wheels... could I actually ruin a pair riding on the occasional rough road?
2) If it is a good idea to get a second wheelset... which kind?
3) If the cassette and chain wear together, how can you switch between wheelsets? would I have to switch the cassete or chain every time?

Thanks-
Ross

borg
08-07-04, 09:05 PM
I will always have a set of training wheels...for me that means 32 hole, 3 cross 14 guage spokes. Currently I have dura-ace hubs (overkill but got dura-ace as a group) with sun ma14a rims. I can never see myself just riding around on a nice light weight wheelset.

As for the cassette and chain, I would switch the cassette between wheels when you need to.
dwatson
08-08-04, 06:40 AM
I have three set of wheels, one set for bad weather, one set for training and one set when I want the light wheels. The frist set are Mavic MA3 with Ultegra 32 hole hubs, the second set are Mavic Open Pro with 32 hole hubs and last are a set of Mavic Helium. Like stated above a good 32 hole wheel set will hold up find, if you are a heavier rider you can go to a 36 hole for a stronger wheel.
I have a cassette on each set of wheels, so no you would not have to switch cassette and chains, you will just have to keep an eye on everything.

Hitchy
08-08-04, 06:49 PM
g'day,

save the kysiriums for race day!. I have 4 sets of wheels, (yeah I know but I can't help myself...& 'her indoors' thinks i only have 3...sshhh, it's our little secret ok?)....2 sets of race wheels, & 2 sets for training. I love my kysiriums co sthey are so light & stiff & i get full value for my 'effort' from them. These are also the reasons I won't train on them, they are light & stiff. I find them 'uncomfortable' are many hours of training & prefer something with a little more 'give' to train on. Whilst kysiriums are extremely well made wheels, they are not completely 'bomb proof', like all light weight wheels, so i prefer to save them for when it counts. BTW, I have a pair of mavic cosmos wheels that i train on & are reasonably priced, well specced wheels. Would recommend them as a training wheel or a beginners racing wheel,

cheers,

Hitchy
borg
08-08-04, 07:52 PM
I have a cassette on each set of wheels, so no you would not have to switch cassette and chains, you will just have to keep an eye on everything.

I actually used to do this with the 8 spd ultegra stuff I had and I didn't have any problems. I tried the same with the 9 spd dura-ace and the newer cassette, which barely saw use, never shifted as well. I am assuming it could be the softer (lighter) material of the dura-ace causing more wear, but I'm not sure. Because of these uneven wear problems, I was going to stick to one cassette and keep switching as needed.

Anyone else have any experience with using the same chain and different cassettes?