Wheels upgrade
#1
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Wheels upgrade
I have a Ridley Orion with OEM wheels on it. They're Fulcrum Racing 7s, which I understand are on the lower end as wheels go. Got the bike about 10 months ago -- my first road bike in many years so I had to learn how to ride it. Back then, I was avoiding hills but now I'm dreaming of the next big one to climb. I'm considering upgrading the wheels but have no clue where to start. I'm going with the theory that a wheel upgrade is a great way to improve my bike's performance. Is that true?
What I do know is weight and control are important to me. I ride a lot of bumpy backroads here in Sonoma wine country and there's lots of climbing. My bike is equipped with Ultegra if that matters. I want wheels that are tough enough to handle the bumps and light enough to make going uphill easier. I do not want to spend more than, say, $1K and prefer to keep the cost to $500 or less. Thoughts? Advice? Anything else I need to know that's specific to my bike or situation? Thanks in advance.
What I do know is weight and control are important to me. I ride a lot of bumpy backroads here in Sonoma wine country and there's lots of climbing. My bike is equipped with Ultegra if that matters. I want wheels that are tough enough to handle the bumps and light enough to make going uphill easier. I do not want to spend more than, say, $1K and prefer to keep the cost to $500 or less. Thoughts? Advice? Anything else I need to know that's specific to my bike or situation? Thanks in advance.
#2
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Soul 2.0 wheels are extremely light for their price. https://2013.bikesoul.com/s2/
They also have the new 23mm wide profile, which improves grip and allows slightly lower air pressure. I would never go back to 19mm wide rims after riding 23mm.
They also have the new 23mm wide profile, which improves grip and allows slightly lower air pressure. I would never go back to 19mm wide rims after riding 23mm.
Last edited by link0; 01-27-14 at 02:56 AM.
#3
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I am also a firm believer in 23cm wheels.
To the OP. Your weight will determine how many spokes you will want to run. I love my Hed Belgiums. I'm a clyde so I run 28 spoke count and 25 cm tires.
To the OP. Your weight will determine how many spokes you will want to run. I love my Hed Belgiums. I'm a clyde so I run 28 spoke count and 25 cm tires.
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Nicer wheels are nicer, but no matter what you do the heaviest thing when you're riding is you.
Fulcrum 7s aren't bad wheels and if you do the math cutting your wheel weight to absolutely zero isn't going to get you up hills more than a handful of seconds faster.
Fulcrum 7s aren't bad wheels and if you do the math cutting your wheel weight to absolutely zero isn't going to get you up hills more than a handful of seconds faster.
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There are lots of good wheels on the market. I've had good luck with Mavic wheels. The Ksyrium Sl models are light and for me at least, bombproof. I've rarely had to true a wheel I've ridden for thousands of miles. Mavic Ksyrium wheels are frequently on ebay, slightly used and well within your budget. Like you, one of my bikes came with Fulcrum 7 wheels. Replacing them with light wheels and good tires improved my performance.
#6
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Well, I've done a lot of work on me too. :-) Almost 50 pounds total since I started two years ago with diet. 10 inches off my waist. I've dropped a half dozen sizes, halved my body fat, and thanks to cycling and circuit training I've never been this fit. I'm 5-9 and right about 154 with my goal of getting down to 135-140. I'm a girl. I'm going to be 50 in February, I'm planning my first century in the spring and my marriage just broke up. Tons of motivation that I'm using for good. Best part about the breakup is I can buy cycling stuff and not have to explain my purchases to anyone. :-)
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Well, I've done a lot of work on me too. :-) Almost 50 pounds total since I started two years ago with diet. 10 inches off my waist. I've dropped a half dozen sizes, halved my body fat, and thanks to cycling and circuit training I've never been this fit. I'm 5-9 and right about 154 with my goal of getting down to 135-140. I'm a girl. I'm going to be 50 in February, I'm planning my first century in the spring and my marriage just broke up. Tons of motivation that I'm using for good. Best part about the breakup is I can buy cycling stuff and not have to explain my purchases to anyone. :-)
In regards to wheels a lot of people recommend you go custom. I think you can get Dura Ace c24s for close to 700. I know it's a bit above your budget but you are getting pro level wheels for what I think is a total bargain. Other than that I have a set of Chinese Yoeleo Clinchers and they are pretty darn good too as long as you are not planning on going down 55mph tight descents for a complete day. They weigh 1460g. They also sell 38mm variants which i think will set you back to 1320g which is fairly close to the Dura Ace. I aslo have a pair of RS80 ultegra wheels with about 800 miles that I'd be willing to sell for pretty cheap. I didn't use them much and they weigh around 1540g. Not super lightweight but for the price I don't think you can beat them. I rode them when I was 200 pounds. I sit at 160-65 right now and ride Enve Smarts (different ballgame)
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#8
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November FSW23, Boyd Vitesse, Zen Cyclery Katmandu, or anything else with a 23mm wide rim on a good hub. The DA C24s are the only DA wheel still narrow.
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The C24 wheels are kind of in between as far as rim width goes. They are not exactly narrow like the old 17-19mm widths but not wide either at 20.8mm. I have ridden mine for thousands for miles with great results and no pinch flats. Very comfortable wheels and climb great thanks to the row rim weight.
#10
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He'll ask if you want to upgrade to WI T11 hubs. I would suggest it. Relatively inexpensive upgrade for hubs that will likely outlast the rim.
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Can't go wrong with NorCal's own Williams. https://www.williamscycling.com/Wheel...set_p_130.html
#12
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Buy wheels for looks, not because you think they are going to make hills easier. They won't. Hub noise can be a big factor as well. You want a loud or quiet hub? Generally speaking, more spokes provide a more durable ride. If you ride on rough road, you probably don't want a low-spoke wheel. There are lots of great options on here so far. I got the Vuelta Corsa Super Lights. Less than $500. Didn't make me one second faster, but I sure like the looks and the price.
If you are buying wheels expecting to actually go faster, you might be very disappointed.
If you are buying wheels expecting to actually go faster, you might be very disappointed.
#13
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Buy wheels for looks, not because you think they are going to make hills easier. They won't. Hub noise can be a big factor as well. You want a loud or quiet hub? Generally speaking, more spokes provide a more durable ride. If you ride on rough road, you probably don't want a low-spoke wheel. There are lots of great options on here so far. I got the Vuelta Corsa Super Lights. Less than $500. Didn't make me one second faster, but I sure like the looks and the price.
If you are buying wheels expecting to actually go faster, you might be very disappointed.
If you are buying wheels expecting to actually go faster, you might be very disappointed.
Seriously, I just found some info substantiating the wider rim recommendations given in this thread. See my post #82 : if you are willing to risk going down the rabbit hole. Sure wish I understood all that I posted. Heh.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16445964
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FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
#15
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Here is an interesting read...don't forget to read comments...Have you wasted money on super light new wheels? | road.cc
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so did you get your new wheels?
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#17
a77impala
After putting Bontrager Race Lite's on my Tourmalet I can't believe the improvement in the ride. I was always a doubter, not any more!
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