Upgrading wheels does not make a huge improvement. It can make a small improvement at times, but probably not in the $500 dollar range. However, having a second set of wheels has been a big lifesaver for me as at various times spokes have broken, hubs loosened, tires found with holes, etc., and just grabbing the other wheel and throwing it on when ride time came instead of having to deal with the issue has saved me many rides.

I also don't think carbon versus aluminum in and of itself is a big jump. Really depends a lot on the layup of the bike. Some carbon is better than some aluminum, and some aluminum better than some carbon. I doubt you would notice the difference in frames, though, for those bikes.

If you want to make an upgrade with probably the biggest bang for the buck, fast rolling tires are absolutely your best bet. The difference between a crappy pair of training tires and good (not necessarily expensive, some 30-40 tires are tremendously fast) tires is huge. So huge that I've flat-out stopped 10 years of riding crappy tires for training because of the differences in speed between decent tires (like Continental GP 4000s) and the $12 Nashbar specials I always rode before.

Even more of an upgrade, but one that requires a bit more work and possibly discomfort in the short term, is position on the bike. This would assume speed is the upgrade you're looking for, of course, but you can make tremendous gains by addressing how high you sit up on the bike, how wide your arms are, how high your head is, etc.

You can go quicker with a shallow box section wheel with fast tires versus a 2800 dollar carbon wheel with slow tires (Zipps with gatorskins?!! )

Tires are more important than wheels. Fast tires on fast wheels, though; that's the cat's meow.

Strangely enough, that's a preferred combination among the tri folks around here. They're that petrified of getting flats, in spite of the fact that our roads are pretty decent and we have nothing like goat heads to be afraid of.

I agree with latex tubes and Grand Prix 25mm tires.
Michelin pro4 is another popular choice and I think they are on sale for 25 a piece at nashbar for the moment.

If you were going to get another set of wheels I would find some that are tubeless compatible.

If you want to give yourself a present that will make you a happier rider, upgrade your kit: better shoes are huge, as are shorts or bibs. Even a nicer jersey or base layer makes a difference in on-bike comfort. Better glasses are good, too. I'm loving my new Pearl Izumi Elite shorts. I'd upgrade my kit long before upgrading my bike. I reckon I've accumulated ~$3000 in kit components and I don't buy top-end gear.

Yup. I just bought some Craft, Bontrager, and Under Armour base layers last year, and the difference was noticeable, on both very hot, and slightly cool days. I particularly like the Craft base layer. I switched to somewhat better shorts several years ago. Same with socks. Never thought I would notice a difference but after wearing thin wicking socks, and merino wool in winter the last couple of years, I will never go back to riding with cheap athletic socks that you buy in 8 packs. Still playing around with shoe comfort. I just bought some shoe inserts last month and even those make a difference.

My LBS gave me the Roubaix today to take for a test ride. Not a super great day with 50-60km/h winds, but maybe it's better to test ride in adverse conditions to see what the bike is really like. The first thing I noticed is the difference in riding position. The bike felt taller and I felt like I was riding "on" the bike versus my Defy where I feel like I'm "in" the bike. The Roubaix was smoother though, especially over road joints and railroad tracks. Was it better? I'm not sure it was better enough to justify the extra expense.

I've done a bit of that over the winter. A couple pairs of bib shorts, a jersey and some nice stiff shoes. I was surprised how much of a difference the shoes made to my power output and comfort of my feet. I still need to update my helmet since my current one is likely past its due date.

Hahaha, I saw a Scott aero bike with deep section carbon wheels and Gatorskins on the bike rack at work.

And of course, this dumb **** had parked their bike PARALLEL with the rack, so they were taking up 4-5 slots on the rack.

********.

If OP is trying to go faster, wheels are the last thing to get. Literally the last. Tires would be the first.

Why buy a $45,000 truck that will be $27,000 when cleared out? Therein lies the dilemma.


I've obviously got more stereo equipment than you do.

carbon wheels look cooler and can be much lighter if tubular


best bang for the buck is in tires, shoes, tight fitting clothing

I agree with some of the replies. Tires are a good choice and ++1 on Conti GP 4000S II, especially 25mm or higher if you frame will accommodate them. But I think a good set of wheels will make a huge difference. My Orbea Opal came with mavic ksyrium elite wheels, when I upgraded to HED Ardennes FR wheels the difference was night and day, lighter, stronger, wider (23mm OD) which translates to more comfort and better handling, as you can ride lower pressures. However the OP at 225lbs going too low puts you in pinch flat danger.

The newer Ardennes and Belgium 25mm rims would be a great choice, the Stallion build with more spokes is what you want coupled with 25 or 28 mm tires. My new HED Ardennes SL Plus 25mm rims the 25mm Conti GP4000S II measure 28mm. Can't say yet how the new wheels ride as they won't fit on my Opal. The new SL Plus I bought for my a new Orca I haven't received yet.
That's my .02
John

Hey buddy just wanted to say i switched from 23s to 28s about 600 miles ago and i wish i would have just done 25s like all my other buddies. The 28s seem sluggish maybe its just my tires though, anyway thats my 2 cents.