"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Choosing my race wheelset...

I have a set of Giant PSL1's that came with my TCR Advanced, and I have a set of Neuvation M28X that I am taking off a previous bike. Both have relatively new Ultegra cassettes.

My question is: between these two, which would you pick as your race set and as your pit set. I realize they are both relatively "slow" wheels, but I'm a grad student and they're what I have, so I guess I'll just have to rely on my engine instead ;)


Anyway, which would you pick? FWIW, they feel the same to me, and I don't know the weights, unfortunately.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/gear/product/p.sl1.wheelsystem/558/38549/
http://www.neuvationcycling.com/product/neuvation-m28x-aero-front-black-1237.htm

They're both going to be totally fine for racing. I think it just comes down to tires.

You could put more "racy" tires on one, like Michelin Race3s or some such, with latex tubes or ultralight butyl tubes and you've got your race set.

For your training/pit set, but Continental Gatorskins or some clincher that's cheap with regular tubes.

Take whichever one makes you feel more confident. If they are equal in that regard, I’d use the Nuevations since the bladed spokes and the higher profile should theoretically be more aerodynamic. At the end of the day I doubt it will change anything though, so if you like the ride qualities of one more than the other, take the one you like best.

I guess another way to look at it is to ride your most expensive/favorite wheels because your spares might not be in the pits after the race. GL

I would guess, purely on looks, that the Giants will be a bit lighter. Of course recent I've picked up lead weight OEM wheels that looked great when they were on the bike, so my guess may be off.

Bladed spokes weigh more. Tall rims usually weight more. Less rotating weight is good, it's what a light race tire will do for you.

I'd race on training tires. Anything not worn out and not too aged, i.e. tread is still supple.

Thanks, everyone, for the input! At the moment I am leaning towards the Giants. I will be bringing both though, and so if I decide I don't like the Giants after my ITT on Saturday, I can always change to the Neuvations for the rest of the weekend.


;) Thanks again!

I wouldn't worry as much about which are better for races, but I like the first recommendation about tires. I'd set up one with durable "training" tires and the other with dedicated grippy race tires.

I have one set with GP4000s and another with 4-seasons. I occasionally ride dirt roads, so it's useful to have the extra protection on one set.

I would guess, purely on looks, that the Giants will be a bit lighter. Of course recent I've picked up lead weight OEM wheels that looked great when they were on the bike, so my guess may be off.

Bladed spokes weigh more. Tall rims usually weight more. Less rotating weight is good, it's what a light race tire will do for you.

I'd race on training tires. Anything not worn out and not too aged, i.e. tread is still supple.

Unless black version is significantly heavier than the silver, the Nuevations are 20g lighter.