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Do I need new wheels?

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Old 03-26-18 | 06:43 PM
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Do I need new wheels?

Hi guys - I recently acquired a '17 Ruby Comp with stock DT R460 wheels, which are maybe a little heavy but otherwise fine. A friend of a friend is selling his Roval CLX50s and claims they are superior/lighter/smells like flowers compare to to the DTs. What do you guys think? Is there an appreciable difference? The weight differential is only about 400g, less than a pound. I admit that I'm completely ignorant in the wheel area.
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Old 03-26-18 | 07:34 PM
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Most would notice a difference in feel when dropping 400g in wheel weight, especially if a good chunk of that is at the rims.

How much of a bro deal is he giving you?
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Old 03-26-18 | 07:36 PM
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Do you NEED to go like 0.1km/h faster?
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Old 03-26-18 | 07:42 PM
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Unless your current wheelset is in bad shape, it’s not a huge performance improvement. Light wheelsets feel a little more lively, but the actual performance gain is very small.
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Old 03-26-18 | 08:16 PM
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What everyone said, but those 50mm deep carbon rims will make you look like one of the cool kids.
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Old 03-26-18 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by atwl77
What everyone said, but those 50mm deep carbon rims will make you look like one of the cool kids.
And I so very much want to be one of the cool kids!!

He's asking for $1200 for both front and rear, but I'd have to drive about 2 hours to pick them up. That seems like a good deal as they are in excellent condition and retail is over $2000 for the pair. But do I NEED them? I am torn...
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Old 03-26-18 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Nubie
And I so very much want to be one of the cool kids!!

He's asking for $1200 for both front and rear, but I'd have to drive about 2 hours to pick them up. That seems like a good deal as they are in excellent condition and retail is over $2000 for the pair. But do I NEED them? I am torn...
Of course you don't need them. The question is whether or not they'd make you happy. Nothing's wrong with having cool ****, 'specially if it gets you on your bike more often.

....at the same time, I will say that $1200 is not insignificant in that there are a good number new wheels, that are similarly spec'd, that can be had for about the same price.
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Old 03-26-18 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
Of course you don't need them. The question is whether or not they'd make you happy. Nothing's wrong with having cool ****, 'specially if it gets you on your bike more often.

....at the same time, I will say that $1200 is not insignificant in that there are a good number new wheels, that are similarly spec'd, that can be had for about the same price.
Can you suggest some for me to look at? Like I said, I know nothing about wheels.
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Old 03-26-18 | 10:30 PM
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everyone always needs new wheels. New wheels are the coolest. Look at PSImet wheels, great deals super fast spinners.
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Old 03-27-18 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Nubie
And I so very much want to be one of the cool kids!!

He's asking for $1200 for both front and rear, but I'd have to drive about 2 hours to pick them up. That seems like a good deal as they are in excellent condition and retail is over $2000 for the pair. But do I NEED them? I am torn...
Those DT's aren't bad wheels and for less money you could get a set a DT Swiss PR 1400 Oxic (Rim Version) I love my DT wheels (1600 Disc). The Oxic 1400's come with DT 240 hubs F/R and you can easily service them when needed. Plus that 18T Star Ratchet is sex

Last edited by nwrig004; 03-27-18 at 11:37 AM.
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Old 03-27-18 | 11:34 AM
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How much do you like being blown around in the wind? Carbon wheels look cool but it's a hazard in cross winds for lighter / inexperienced riders. $1200 seems a little outside the realm of reasonable for used OEM wheels that nobody would buy new in the first place if they didn't come on specialized bikes.
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Old 03-27-18 | 12:49 PM
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I have those DT R460 wheels on my commuter bike, they're actually pretty good wheels. I don't know much about Roval but @TrojanHorse makes a good point about buying them at that price. I'm sure if you check the buy n' sell groups on FB that you could find even better Carbon wheels for cheaper if you're willing to buy used ones anyway.


I used to say you couldn't tell the difference between wheels and tires as well. Once I got a second bike and started riding them back to back with different wheel and tire combinations I was super surprised about how much of a difference wheels and tires actually make.


You don't need them, but if you can afford them then get them (or some perhaps better version of them).
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Old 03-27-18 | 12:54 PM
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It's always nice to have a second set of wheels, especially with different gearing for different riding situations. And these are pretty nice wheels, but only you can answer whether you'll get $1200 worth out of them.
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Old 03-27-18 | 12:57 PM
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I didn't read the thread. The answer is yes...it's always yes.
:-)
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Old 03-27-18 | 12:57 PM
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Google says that DT R460 wheelset is about 1800 grams, which is not "heavy" to begin with. Do you "need" a 1400 gram wheelset? I personally wouldn't, but I'd never consider spending $1200 on any wheels, and it may be just the thing for you. I think it would definitely have a different feel.
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Old 03-27-18 | 01:03 PM
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Everybody needs new wheels. Why is this even a question?
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Old 03-27-18 | 01:20 PM
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Asking if you need new wheels on BF is like taking your car to Midas and asking if you need a new muffler.

That said, I don't think you will see much benefit, so it's optional.
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Old 03-27-18 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 12strings
I didn't read the thread. The answer is yes...it's always yes.
:-)
This is the correct answer.
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Old 03-27-18 | 03:13 PM
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You guys have convinced me. I'm going to do the fiscally responsible thing...and try to talk him down. What do you think would be a fair price range?
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Old 03-27-18 | 03:29 PM
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400 gms is a ton of weight to save but how much???
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Old 03-27-18 | 03:31 PM
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go to Jeson Bike HED & SHimano wheels on sale about 1650 gram for $300.00 now thats a good deal
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Old 03-27-18 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Nubie
You guys have convinced me. I'm going to do the fiscally responsible thing...and try to talk him down. What do you think would be a fair price range?
A friend of a friend, it's touchy. Sometimes it's just a matter of liquidation/unloading stuff, in which case $6-700 wouldn't be unreasonable. But if the guy needs the cash more than you need the wheels, seems to me it would be bad form to suggest much if anything less than asking.
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Old 03-27-18 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by kbarch
A friend of a friend, it's touchy. Sometimes it's just a matter of liquidation/unloading stuff, in which case $6-700 wouldn't be unreasonable. But if the guy needs the cash more than you need the wheels, seems to me it would be bad form to suggest much if anything less than asking.
That's an excellent point, but not the case here. I've known the seller for a long time as an acquaintance, he wouldn't be offended. I appreciate your insight re: price, we'll see what he says.
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Old 03-27-18 | 08:23 PM
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Have you by chance looked into a nice set of GERMAN LIGHTWEIGHT MEILENSTEIN Wheels..? I would be lost without mine..
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Old 03-27-18 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by trekmogul
Have you by chance looked into a nice set of GERMAN LIGHTWEIGHT MEILENSTEIN Wheels..? I would be lost without mine..
Thanks for adding nothing useful to this thread.
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