Why upgrade wheels?
 

What are the benefits to upgrading wheels? Currently my 2006 Felt F80 has an Alex AKX R2.0 wheelset, and I'd like to get the Reynolds Alta Comp wheels but need to know what overall benefit I will see from them.

"and I'd like to get the Reynolds Alta Comp wheels but need to know what overall benefit I will see from them"

That's a weird statement. If you don't know the benefits, why would you "like to get" the wheels?

Seriously, buy new parts when you feel that the old ones are limiting you in some specific fashion. If you buy new stuff just for the sake of it, you are wasting your money.

I'd like to get the wheels because I understand there is some benefit associated with them. I'm just not educated enough to understand what those benefits are.

hrm... seriously, just go ride for a while... put like 2K miles on the bike and do group rides, then lets talk about upgrades :)

You mean to say you didn't save the wheelset off your Denali to put on the new bike?

Actually I've been using them to anchor down my houseplants during this storm that's been hitting us.

Nice. Put those twist shifters to work as well.


I tend to agree with the advise of other posters here - ride what you've got and upgrade in the spring with your tax return or something. But there's certainly another side to that. If you do a search on wheel upgrades you'll see that lots of folks feel they make quite a difference...and your Alex set isn't real great. If you've got an itch, the 20% Performance coupon could be used to hook up some O.P./Ultegra's or silver Mavic Cosmos for under $200 (plus shipping). I've been really happy with my Cosmos.

I found the Alta Comps for $150 shipped...

hey bd, we have yet to ride, but still, here's some stuff I've seen.
Before: Cannondale Wind Hubs / CXP-22 Rims and DT Stainless Spokes
Now: 2005 Bontrager Race

Noticeable Differences:
looks cooler
hubs turn more smoothly and go on forever if they're spun in the air

Not sure about:
weight, might be lighter since I don't own a scale.
more areo, maybe - bladed low spoke count.
am I faster? not sure.

Don't know anything about 'em. Just from the spec's, I'd say the double-butted spokes are a big plus. $150 is hard to beat. The Forte Titans are $109 plus shipping with the 20% off...but I haven't heard real good things about those (especially if you are larger at all).

I'm like 150, is that "large"?

No. I was thinking 180+.

Well, my birthday is the 11th so maybe my fiancée will get them for me :)

Wheels can be different in two ways (excluding durability). One is weight. Lighter wheels make a very, very small difference in climbing, especially for long and steep hills. The other is aerodynamics. Aero wheels can improve performance. For example, deep aero rims can knock off quite a few seconds on a 40 km tt, perhaps a minute or more. So, for most practical purposes, wheels don't matter at all unless you are concerned with performance climbing or gaining precious seconds in a timed event or race.

Give those Titans a quick look and use the search function here to research 'em. I'd say they're a pretty good deal with the web coupon today.

Its nice to have a spare set in case of a flat but a ***** to take them along with you .

I think you are minimizing the weight savings too much. When I upgraded my wheels earlier this year, I shaved off almost a pound and instantly made my climbing easier.

Also, you forgot the ride itself. A good set of wheels will be noticeably smoother. I do agree though, that you should pout some miles on the stock wheels before upgrading.

Upgrade your wheels for any of the following reasons:
- The new ones will be lighter
- The new ones will be stronger
- The new ones will be faster
- The new ones will look cooler

Feel free to add to the list.

Maybe this should be a different thread, but on a related issue, what do people think about tire size. My trek pilot 1.2 came with 28s (as well as Alex rims). Is there a real performance benefit to going down to 25s (wich I think will fit on the rims) or even 23s (which I'm not sure about fitting)? And conversely how much of an adverse effect does going thiner have on comfort?

BTW: about 1200 miles on the bike & I'm still trying to fine tune things. Unfortunately, the season around here is almost over & I'll have to let my butt get soft over the winter, before I have a chance to consider changes next spring.

Dan

My run-ins with Alex wheels have not been good. I have never owned a pari, but I have worked on CyLowe97's and I am not impressed in the slightest. From what I have heard on the quality the Reynolds would be an upgrade. For that price you can't beat a wheel upgrade.

Lighter wheels accelerate better too.

If you're a racer where your paycheck depends upon shaving seconds off each race, then the seconds that lighter wheels will give you will be worth it. If you're not timing every single one of your rides religiously and if your ride are +/- 10 minutes from day-to-day on the same ride, I doubt you're gonna benefit from lightweight wheels.

However, the most noticeable impression of lighter wheels is their responsiveness. The front end will turn and change directions quicker with the same input. The bike will "feel" faster even though it's really not that significant or even measurable. That "feel" alone may be worth it to some people though. Although this will also make the bike feel more twitchy at high-speeds on downhills, so there's pros & cons...

- the old ones look like tacos

How much better?

Since the difference isn't measurable, anyone who wants the same undetectable effect for much less money can order my special patented fairy dust. Just sprinkle it on your wheels and you get the same magic "feel".