Another wheelset thread...
11-20-08 | 12:08 PM
#27
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The EA90 SL is pretty much the obvious choice. Go for the Reynolds or the Mavics if you want some bling but from the price/perf standpoint, the Eastons stand out.
I might go with the SLXs, though. I've seen reports from several larger guys who haven't had problems with them and I'm a closet weight-weenie. For the price, they're damn near as disposable as the Neuvations... Assuming they don't fail catastrophically, I can always tune them up and sell them to somebody lighter if they don't work out.
The Attacks are attractive because I've always wanted to try carbon rims and I can't imagine finding a better deal on them anytime soon. Probably just a bit too much bling for me, though.
11-20-08 | 12:14 PM
#28
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From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: Specialized Allez Elite, BMC SLC01
At this point, I'm just kibitzing. The Easton EA90 SLs are clearly the wheels I need.
I might go with the SLXs, though. I've seen reports from several larger guys who haven't had problems with them and I'm a closet weight-weenie. For the price, they're damn near as disposable as the Neuvations... Assuming they don't fail catastrophically, I can always tune them up and sell them to somebody lighter if they don't work out.
The Attacks are attractive because I've always wanted to try carbon rims and I can't imagine finding a better deal on them anytime soon. Probably just a bit too much bling for me, though.
I might go with the SLXs, though. I've seen reports from several larger guys who haven't had problems with them and I'm a closet weight-weenie. For the price, they're damn near as disposable as the Neuvations... Assuming they don't fail catastrophically, I can always tune them up and sell them to somebody lighter if they don't work out.
The Attacks are attractive because I've always wanted to try carbon rims and I can't imagine finding a better deal on them anytime soon. Probably just a bit too much bling for me, though.
11-20-08 | 12:20 PM
#29
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If aero helps on 10-15mph hill climbs, I sure can't notice the difference... at least with the rim depths we're talking about here. The Neuvations certainly don't seem to climb any faster or more efficient than the box-section rims they replaced. They do seem a bit better on the flats when trying to maintain a faster pace, but even there the difference doesn't seem huge.
11-20-08 | 01:09 PM
#30
Don't mess with Texas
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: Fuji Roubaix SL
I was just debating over this exact decision. I really like the look of the attacks, but from what I can tell about the SLX's - this decision is a no-brainer.
EA90 SLX it is.
EA90 SLX it is.
11-20-08 | 01:22 PM
#31
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If aero helps on 10-15mph hill climbs, I sure can't notice the difference... at least with the rim depths we're talking about here. The Neuvations certainly don't seem to climb any faster or more efficient than the box-section rims they replaced. They do seem a bit better on the flats when trying to maintain a faster pace, but even there the difference doesn't seem huge.
This is from HED's website
"Q. Is it true that you have to be riding above 20 mph for aero wheels to make a difference?
A. The faster you go, the more power you produce. Efficient use of this power depends on how good your aerodynamics are. The time savings provided by aero wheels are always going to be proportional to the power of the rider. It doesn't matter whether you produce 300 watts or 150 watts. In fact, slower riders may not be going at the same speed as faster ones, but aero wheels actually save them an even greater amount of time over the same distance. The only exception is on hills with a grade of more than 6%."
Q. How much time could I save in a 25 mile time trial by switching to aero rims?
A. It depends on the wheels. Using our 150 lb test rider in an aero tuck as a model, switching to aero wheels will typically save between 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes over a flat 25 mile course. Using a Deep front and Disc rear, two minutes is a realistic figure.
If you assume 1.5 minutes over a 25 course going at 20 mph, that's barely enough to notice.
11-20-08 | 02:13 PM
#33
Batüwü Creakcreak
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: The illadelph
Second, 1.5-2 minutes over a 25 mile course is a HUGE savings when placings are determined by a few seconds.
If you're just goofing around on them, then yeah it won't matter, but if you're racing and the time actually counts, then they're a good thing to have...
11-20-08 | 03:34 PM
#34
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From: Berkeley, CA
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Would be interesting to see the consensus on this. Sure you may save more time but the number of watts saved would probably be substantially greater for a faster rider since Fdrag is proportional to v^2. Depends on how you quantify "benefit".
11-20-08 | 05:52 PM
#35
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First of all, you don't do a 25 mph course at 20 mph. That's a terrible speed for a 25mile tt, for a racer trying to do TT's anyway.
Second, 1.5-2 minutes over a 25 mile course is a HUGE savings when placings are determined by a few seconds.
If you're just goofing around on them, then yeah it won't matter, but if you're racing and the time actually counts, then they're a good thing to have...
Second, 1.5-2 minutes over a 25 mile course is a HUGE savings when placings are determined by a few seconds.
If you're just goofing around on them, then yeah it won't matter, but if you're racing and the time actually counts, then they're a good thing to have...
My point is it's difficult to notice a speed increase from wheels unless you do tests. Aero wheels might give him 1/3 to 1/2 mph at 10-15 mph.
I have a pretty good idea what a good 40K tt is. I've got a tt bike, helmet, and suit and usually place well.
11-20-08 | 07:35 PM
#36
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Well, my well used 9spd Dura Ace is much quieter. WI hubs have a nice snapping click sound. Quiet they are not, but they are not loud either. I like the sound actually. And they are smooth as butter. Was looking for a light weight durable wheelset, and I think I got it.
11-20-08 | 08:28 PM
#37
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From: Florida
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix TDF,2008 Orbea Orca in Red
Seems like every day there's another silly question about which wheelset to buy. Looks like today is my day...
With the 25% cash back program through live.com it seems like it might not be a bad time to buy a set of wheels on eBay. I've been using a set of Neuvation M28 Aero2s. As a $200 upgrade to a 15-year old bike, they made sense. But my new Cervelo RS deserves better wheels!
My budget is around $500-600 (less 25% cash back = $375-450). My weight is around 190lbs and I'll use the wheels for training, weekend rides on crappy roads, centuries, etc; no racing. I spend far more time climbing hills at 10-15mph than blasting across flats at 20+mph, so aero probably isn't terribly important. I'd like to find a clincher wheelset that's around 1500g and isn't going to require constant maintenance. After searching around on eBay, it seems the likely candidates are: Easton EA90SL, EA90SLX, EA90 Aero, Mavic Ksyrium Elite, and Bontrager Race X Lite. Reynolds Attack and Ksyrium SLs are harder to find and a bit above my intended budget. All of these are the '08 version of the wheel.
Any thoughts? I'm currently leaning toward the '08 Easton EA90 SL as a nice compromise between weight, durability, and price...
With the 25% cash back program through live.com it seems like it might not be a bad time to buy a set of wheels on eBay. I've been using a set of Neuvation M28 Aero2s. As a $200 upgrade to a 15-year old bike, they made sense. But my new Cervelo RS deserves better wheels!
My budget is around $500-600 (less 25% cash back = $375-450). My weight is around 190lbs and I'll use the wheels for training, weekend rides on crappy roads, centuries, etc; no racing. I spend far more time climbing hills at 10-15mph than blasting across flats at 20+mph, so aero probably isn't terribly important. I'd like to find a clincher wheelset that's around 1500g and isn't going to require constant maintenance. After searching around on eBay, it seems the likely candidates are: Easton EA90SL, EA90SLX, EA90 Aero, Mavic Ksyrium Elite, and Bontrager Race X Lite. Reynolds Attack and Ksyrium SLs are harder to find and a bit above my intended budget. All of these are the '08 version of the wheel.
Any thoughts? I'm currently leaning toward the '08 Easton EA90 SL as a nice compromise between weight, durability, and price...
Try to find a set of Kysiriums... you may find a set of 08 for about 600-700 dolars range, those are the best to abuse.
11-21-08 | 06:38 PM
#38
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For anyone interested, I ended up ordering a set of 2008 Easton EA90 SL wheels.
I was sorely tempted by the '08 Reynolds Attacks, but decided they were just a bit too expensive in the end. I was also tempted by the EA90 SLXs, but the readily-available '08 version is 1472g rather than 1398g like the '09s. Figured I might as well sacrifice 60g and get the more bomb-proof SLs. Unfortunately, several of the cheapest wheelsets disappeared while I was dithering around and I used my 10%-off coupon on an expensive MTB fork, so the net cost ended up being closer to $400 than $300. Not a great deal, but certainly not that bad...
I was sorely tempted by the '08 Reynolds Attacks, but decided they were just a bit too expensive in the end. I was also tempted by the EA90 SLXs, but the readily-available '08 version is 1472g rather than 1398g like the '09s. Figured I might as well sacrifice 60g and get the more bomb-proof SLs. Unfortunately, several of the cheapest wheelsets disappeared while I was dithering around and I used my 10%-off coupon on an expensive MTB fork, so the net cost ended up being closer to $400 than $300. Not a great deal, but certainly not that bad...
