Hi everyone,

I hope you're all safe wherever you are.

I've edited this a couple times, so I apologize if anyone has spent time replying to the previous version while I was deleting it. lol


Long story short:

I've been riding an older Nirone 7 on an older sora groupset since the beginning of the corona situation. All the while drooling over some gorgeous matte black XR3 with ultegra on it. Last week Bianchi stores across Tokyo went hardcore sales to prepare for the incoming 2021 new models.

I was given the chance to ride an XR3 with ultegra, but it was an underwhelming experience. I went over it before editing this post, as it's not necessary.
Let's just say I was expecting to get mindblown, but instead realized how good and solid my 650 bucks, aging Nirone 7 is.

All in all, good experience for me, if not really confusing and awkward for a couple days.


So, instead of blowing 3500 bucks on a bike that is total overkill for me, as I do not have the skills or needs to use its qualities properly, I have decided to modestly upgrade my Nirone, starting with wheels.

Now unfortunately, every single cyclist and proshop clerk I have talked to has been recommending 1800 bucks fulcrum wheels with whatever magic ceramic bearings inside.
Apparently, words like "reasonable" and "affordable" don't seem to register around me, so I thought I'd ask for your guys' help.

The goal is to improve the ride overal, a bit lighter a bit faster, but without costing the price of a 2020 intenso with a 105 on it.

Maybe something that doesn't cost more than a new Nirone 7, but that would be worthy of my next bike too?

any relevant recommendations and tips appreciated,

a great weekend to you all.

If I were to buy wheels to replace the stock ones on my Allez, my current feelings would be to go with the Campagnolo Scirocco, reasonably priced under $300 and just enough of a performance upgrade to justify the purchase. You might want to check them out (sold on wiggle, among other places)

I have converted both my road bikes to Mavic tubeless and am very happy with them. The cost for each set of wheels was under $500 and that included tires. I am pretty sure prices have gone up a bit.

Which Fulcrum wheels were selling for $1800? Since Fulcrum is Campagnolo by another name, you have a wide choice of wheels from both brands at a variety of price points to choose from. How much do you want to spend? Keep in mind that wheels can be transferred to another bike if you do decide to change bikes in the future

hi guys,

thank you for the recommendations


the fulcrum were called "Competizionne" (spelling...) a version of the Zero with special bearings supposedly making them roll 9x better instead of 4x...

I'm thinking I could spend anywhere around 500USD, unless that's the threshold and I can get something much better for a tad more.
I do think I'd like to be able to use them on the next bike too, but since the whole bike is around 900 bucks I would not want to go that high for those wheels. Later in my riding life, sure, but right now my riding skills and fitness level don't deserve amazing wheels on an entry level frame.

I found a set of those wheels for $1245 CDN on the Merlin website. They use Campagnolo's CULT ceramic bearings that they claim turn 9 times smoother, not faster, subtle difference: https://www.merlincycles.com/fulcrum...set-95332.html
In the same vein, wheels like the Campagnolo Zonda, a fine wheelset, can be found for considerably less: $497 CDN, well within your budget
​​​​​​https://www.merlincycles.com/campagn...set-95027.html

After several years of salivating on aero carbon wheels. I finally took the plunge on getting my first wheels. I prices have finally gone down....wife approves.