Reynolds Wheels
06-14-03 | 06:38 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Outside Boston
I used to ride Lew Sydney's which are EXACTLY the same thing as the Reynolds wheels right down to the White Industries hubs that they use. Reynolds bought out Lew last year after financial difficulties on Lew's part, and hasn't changed a thing other than the decals.
Allthough the wheels were certainly light (290 gram rim weight on my Sydney's, and 1140 for the set), and also very aero, they weren't that stiff at all, which makes Reynold's new advertisment campaign for these wheels where they are advertized as the stiffest and best power transmitting wheels a bit of a farse to me. They had to be trued after every few races which I guess is acceptable given their intended application being "super light-weight race-only wheels." However, after less than twenty races, I started breaking spokes in the rear wheel, and after having broken two, I had the rear wheel rebuilt -- and haven't raced it since as I moved onto using some custom "extra beefy" Zipp 404's (which BTW are having problems now too, so I'm going to retire them as well). The front Sydney developped a "clicking" noise every time the wheel rotated which origionated from one of the two gussets located on each rim having loosened up. Reynolds wouldn't warranty my wheel since I acquired them origionally through Lew -- which sucked. I was told that the noise was not indicative of anything dangerous, but just an annoyance, and by injecting a bit of epoxy around the gussets of the front wheel, I got the noise to go away.
These wheels might have been a lot better if they added four spokes to both the front and rear to stiffen them up and make them less prone to breakages. I will give the rim design of the Sydney's props in that they have never melted or deformed under heavy downhill breaking, which HAS happened to TWO Zipp rims that I've had.
As I stand now, I haven't used the wheels for about nine months since the end of last season. I'm planning on selling the rear wheel which is in good condition having been just rebuilt, and keeping the front wheel for use on my Time Trial bike. I should also mention that I did not pay the retail price of $1800 for the Lew Sydney's (I think Reynold is selling them now for cheaper... but still a ton) but in fact, less than a third of that cost because of an affiliation that I had with the company. Despite the deal, because of their unreliability and inability to inspire confidence I can't reccommend them too highly. You didn't mention what your application for the wheels was going to be -- I'm assuming that it's to race them -- but unless you weigh sub-150lbs. and will only use these for going up and never down, I'd reccommend something heavier with greater stiffness and reliability. I used the wheels trying to get an "edge" on the competition, but more often that they helped me, they broke, or made me uncomfortable while riding them at high speed.
I'm seriously thinking of buying a set of Velomax Orion II Pro wheels (the tubular version) in the next week or so as my new race wheels. At 1350 grams are still very very light, but with 24 spokes front and rear, as well as aluminum rims which have MUCH better breaking, should be stiff and trust worthy over sketchy terrain. Good ALL-AROUND wheels.
If you REALLY want to go with the pains of Carbon rimmed wheels, might I suggest the Corima Aero's with 20 spoke front and 24 spoke rear. They're not as light as most other Carbon wheels at about 1400 grams, but they're aero, I hear from people who ride them that they are stiff, and I haven't heard of the rims melting or "clicking" or any of that bad stuff. They're cheaper than the Reynolds too - I think you could find them for around $800.
Those are my thoughts.
- Maurizio
Allthough the wheels were certainly light (290 gram rim weight on my Sydney's, and 1140 for the set), and also very aero, they weren't that stiff at all, which makes Reynold's new advertisment campaign for these wheels where they are advertized as the stiffest and best power transmitting wheels a bit of a farse to me. They had to be trued after every few races which I guess is acceptable given their intended application being "super light-weight race-only wheels." However, after less than twenty races, I started breaking spokes in the rear wheel, and after having broken two, I had the rear wheel rebuilt -- and haven't raced it since as I moved onto using some custom "extra beefy" Zipp 404's (which BTW are having problems now too, so I'm going to retire them as well). The front Sydney developped a "clicking" noise every time the wheel rotated which origionated from one of the two gussets located on each rim having loosened up. Reynolds wouldn't warranty my wheel since I acquired them origionally through Lew -- which sucked. I was told that the noise was not indicative of anything dangerous, but just an annoyance, and by injecting a bit of epoxy around the gussets of the front wheel, I got the noise to go away.
These wheels might have been a lot better if they added four spokes to both the front and rear to stiffen them up and make them less prone to breakages. I will give the rim design of the Sydney's props in that they have never melted or deformed under heavy downhill breaking, which HAS happened to TWO Zipp rims that I've had.
As I stand now, I haven't used the wheels for about nine months since the end of last season. I'm planning on selling the rear wheel which is in good condition having been just rebuilt, and keeping the front wheel for use on my Time Trial bike. I should also mention that I did not pay the retail price of $1800 for the Lew Sydney's (I think Reynold is selling them now for cheaper... but still a ton) but in fact, less than a third of that cost because of an affiliation that I had with the company. Despite the deal, because of their unreliability and inability to inspire confidence I can't reccommend them too highly. You didn't mention what your application for the wheels was going to be -- I'm assuming that it's to race them -- but unless you weigh sub-150lbs. and will only use these for going up and never down, I'd reccommend something heavier with greater stiffness and reliability. I used the wheels trying to get an "edge" on the competition, but more often that they helped me, they broke, or made me uncomfortable while riding them at high speed.
I'm seriously thinking of buying a set of Velomax Orion II Pro wheels (the tubular version) in the next week or so as my new race wheels. At 1350 grams are still very very light, but with 24 spokes front and rear, as well as aluminum rims which have MUCH better breaking, should be stiff and trust worthy over sketchy terrain. Good ALL-AROUND wheels.
If you REALLY want to go with the pains of Carbon rimmed wheels, might I suggest the Corima Aero's with 20 spoke front and 24 spoke rear. They're not as light as most other Carbon wheels at about 1400 grams, but they're aero, I hear from people who ride them that they are stiff, and I haven't heard of the rims melting or "clicking" or any of that bad stuff. They're cheaper than the Reynolds too - I think you could find them for around $800.
Those are my thoughts.
- Maurizio
06-14-03 | 06:44 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Outside Boston
I just looked at your thread about the 303 clincher rims crash. You state you're thinking about getting rid of them because of a lack of confidence. I agree, confidence in your equipment is VITAL. And doubt you'll find it with flimsy super lightweight stuff.
I've been racing lately on my Campy Protons -- and you know what? When I do poorly, it's not because of the wheels I'm riding, it's my own fault. At least I've been making it to the finish line with them and dont scare myself in the process. Equipment matters less than most people think.
Thanks for listening.
- Maurizio
I've been racing lately on my Campy Protons -- and you know what? When I do poorly, it's not because of the wheels I'm riding, it's my own fault. At least I've been making it to the finish line with them and dont scare myself in the process. Equipment matters less than most people think.
Thanks for listening.
- Maurizio
