Thoughts on this wheelset? Is it even an upgrade?
 

Vuelta Corsa SLR:
Vuelta Corsa SLR Road Wheelset

They're $279 shipped for the set, under 1500g, and they look pretty nice IMO. I'm wondering if it's worth it to upgrade my stock wheels on my Emonda ALR 5 to these. The ones I currently have just have "Bontrager TLR" on them, which aren't even listed on Bontrager's site, and I can't seem to find any specs on them, but I imagine they're a little under 2000g, given the "Race TLR" are over 1700g.

I want something lightweight that's going to improve the ride quality when I'm on some rough roads. The stock wheels aren't too great.

I have just purchased and installed them. they are very light and the bike definitely feels more agile in acceleration. They do flex a little laterally and compared to my Specialized Axis classics, I lost 1.6 lbs of weight. They do roll forever. Would have liked more lateral stiffness but when you are up to speed, I do not notice it. It is only when I am riding slaloms at a lower speed that I notice they flex.

I do like them. If it matters, I am 200 lbs and so far they are great.

If you are concerned with the flexing, the Corsa lites would be better or so I am told.

I would buy these again.

Do not know your wheels to say if the change is worth it or not. Having an extra set of wheels, to me, is always worth it if for nothing other than backup or to set up a trainer tire or for bad weather.

Ask your dealer what wheels you have and if upgrade makes sense. My guess is NO and that the TLR you have are much better wheels. Bontragger RXL TLR are $600.00 + a set. I'd find out before you downgrade and waste $$$.

Mine did not come with the RXL TLRs, which are a great set. The stock wheels on the ALR 5 are just TLR, and are not listed on Bontrager's site. They seem to be a no-series wheelset.

Go to this link and zoom in on the bottom of the wheel to see what I mean:
Émonda ALR 5 - Trek Bicycle

I like my SLR wheels.

They are actually over $1000 per set for 1600 gram wheels. I'd rather have the 1500 g wheels for under $300. I have the regular Vueluta Corsa Lites which I got for $230 and are about 1550 g. Over 2000 trouble free miles on them and extremely happy. I have heard heavier riders have issues with the SLR staying true

What's "heavier"? I'm a little over 6'3" and weigh about 195.

It sounds like the recommendation is to do it. I really wish I had some specs on my TLR wheels to make the decision easy.

Also, I've never replaced wheels before. How easy is it to put my existing tires, cassette, etc, onto the new wheels and install on the bike myself? Will adjustments be needed?

I bought the Corsa Lites and rode them for about 90 miles. I ended up getting a better deal on the wheels I really wanted, and my biggest issue with the Corsa Lite is the hub noise. Some people like noisy hubs, I don't.

I took em off and I have em. They have about 90 miles on them and I'll make you a good deal on them if you want em. Say $175 shipped?

You just replaced wheels? Then no, you didn't.

That's over 700 grams... that means your stock wheels were 2,200g. A quick google says they're 2,050g. With tires/skewers/cassette, sure... but not just wheels.

For special tools, you'll need at least a chain whip and cassette tool to remove the cassette...it's not something most people have lying around their garage.

I'd save up another $200 and get a nicer wheelset. Going to the $500 point is a jump in the performance you could get.

Examples?

Or pony up another $300 upon that and get Dura Ace C24... megggga upgrade.

But he's right... wheels under $500 are in general garbage. They may be less garbage than what you have, but not worth paying for to upgrade.

Where have I heard talk like this before...

What about these? Amazon.com: Vuelta Corsa Race 700C Clincher Wheel Set (Black)

Those are 1375g for the set. :eek:

I was comparing with skewers (used new ones that came with SLRs), same cassette and with the same tire on a scale good to +/- 2 grams. My stock wheels are heavy. total weight loss was due to replacing the Axis Classic wheels from my 2014 Specialized Secteur Sport. I do not have the weights in front of me but they did total to 1.6 lbs when combined for both wheels.

Replacing wheels was a piece of cake. The SLR come with a spacer in case you have an 8, 9 or 10 sp cassette (like I did). Put it on the hub before you put the cassette on the new wheels.

I had started a thread where I got good advice on swapping wheels:

http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...eels-help.html

everythign I needed to know about swapping came from this thread

I also put the old tires back on the stock wheels and in all it went extremely quickly. Just make sure you tune your rear derailler and check your brakes before your first ride after installing the new wheels.

Have you ever heard "light, cheap, durable, pick two"? This is cheap and light, obviously. This wheelset is under $300 SHIPPED. Let's say that they get a bulk discount for shipping and it only costs them $30 to ship. That's $250 for a set of wheels. You really think you're getting the same thing as a higher end wheelset (Dura Ace C24 in my example). Do you think they just picked a random dollar amount out a hat and charged that? NO! They charged an amount where they can remain profitable. Good SPOKES cost more than $250 for a wheelset, let alone hubs, rims, nipples, and build time.


There's clinchers out there in the sub 1,200g range.

Yeah, but are they $450 for a set? :)

Yeah... my friend ebayed a pair of 1200g carbon chinese clinchers. I think he said they were around $300. He climbed Mauna Kea on them (look it up if you aren't aware of it--HUGE mountain) and rode them for a while but eventually melted the carbon going down a long steep hill.

I own these wheels and they're solid, fairly light, and inexpensive in comparison. Unless you're a Fatty McFatterson. In that case your options get limited.

Actually yes if you have them built with Bike Hub Store parts. Or at least close.

There are still obviously corners that were cut to get them to that price. Whether or not you are capable of identifying them is a separate discussion.

Vuelta wheels are excellent value. You can pay a lot more without getting more.

More expensive doesn't always mean better. Sometimes it just means more expensive. If you know how to discern the difference, you can ride well and save a lot of money.

Ok, let's compare to the Dura Ace C24.

Do a quick google search... thousands upon thousands of pages of people giving nothing but praise for the hubs. Can you say that about whatever no name hubs are on the Vueltas? It's funny because this guy on the local huge facebook cycling group for buying/selling parts/bikes has been reposting this Vuelta wheelset for MONTHS and nobody wants them.