ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

I dont usually post here, but this I thought would be a question that the Road forums could answer for me.

Are SRAM S80 wheels good wheels for every day commuting....i know it sounds stupid but I need to know. I saw it on a FG bike on velospace and I was thinking wtf. I thought it would be a wheel that would only be used in races.

But heey. I like how it looks and it seems to be a great wheelset....but so far I haven't seen any prices lol.


Roadworthy or no? Commuter Friendly or Naah?

mzeffex 

You could, but I don't see why you would want to commute on it. It has an aluminum brake surface and is a clincher so it should be durable.

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

thanks. It looks hella sic though, and from what I hear its a very good aero wheelset. But as you might have noticed, Im not really in touch with the road-race/TT wheelsets used by roadies and pro racers, so thats why I asked.
Im more familiar with wheelsets used by FG/SS riders etc.

Obviously he could only use the front wheel since the rear wheel was using the 130mm hubs and his dropouts were only 120mm. To bad he didn't lace em to a SS hub... =[

valleycyclist

They should be strong enough for commuting, but they aren't the ideal commuting wheelset. It's probably best not to lock a bike up with those wheels or else they will be missing when you are ready to go home.

hairnet

theft magnet

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

thats exactly what I thought. I mean, even if you didn't have Quick release and you locked it up THROUGH the wheels, I still wouldn't be comfortable leaving a bike with those wheels ANYWHERE.

But haha. I guess its obvious. I asked cuz I like those wheels. Even the S60s. Those profiles are soooooo deeeeeeep.

Thanks for the input guys.

Haha hairnet Ive seen you in the FG forums.

ptle

It would work. I'm sure they're durable wheels, but I wouldn't use them to commute on. It's a pretty stupid idea in my opinion.

Obviously they're not going to save you any time on your commute. With all the stops, yields, and redlights, you're not going to be able to use for what they're designed for. If you wanted to save time, just leave your house 30s earlier than you normally would.
They're very flash wheels. I commute on a cheap bike because I don't want to take a chance messing up my good gear. It'd be a shame for me to get hit my a car on my commute and lose a wheelset that costs over $1000.
I'd also never lock up my bike with those wheels on it. I don't like having my bike stand out to potential thieves while I'm away from my bike.
Lastly, you've got to ask yourself, what's the point?

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

Haha true dat. But in any case i saw it on a FG bike on velospace. It was a tarck bike straight up. He built up a Cinelli frame...think it was the Mash frame or the Vigorelli. But yeah. I don't doubt that it wouldn't save me time...assuming that you were following traffic laws which most FG riders I know don't do.

On your note about the flashy bikes....Id probably be just as skeptical about building up a really nice flashy bike. But assuming I did grab a set, I would only be able to use the front wheel, which would suck looks wise I guess since spacing on my frame at hte back is only 120mm.

Lol. So question about your picture. When did you decide to put "thats not me below"?After people asked? or in anticipation of the questions?

hairnet

Yeah, but I also ride in my super hero costume

rpeterson

I have the S60 set on my tri bike and can't understand why anyone would commute on the S80. First off it's a 600 dollar carbon wheel, sure it's sturdy, but not nearly as sturdy as an Open Pro with a good hub for 400 bucks less. Secondly it's a super deep wheel, which will be pretty tough to handle in any real windy conditions, as well as making it tough to lock up and be a complete theft magnet. Finally, they just aren't that comfortable to ride, not compared to a well built training wheel. And this is just me being a dick, but I don't think I've ever seen a fixed gear rider around town going fast enough to warrant a deep wheel for aero benefits.

ptle

After people mistaken it for me.

You could build a set of B43s, they're pretty popular and deep.

ph4nt0mf1ng3rs

^. Yeah my friend has a set of B43s. Are the decorations on the S60/80 etc just decals ro are they painted on? If they are painted on, hello B43s and some creative painting lol.

@rpeterson. Yeah. Most FG around here are on the hype and don't ride fast enough lol. ALthough a few times ill see one with a disc wheel in some SF "edits". I saw one with a disc wheel in the San Jose, California area, and he was pushing like 48/13 gear ratio (????) on a pursuit frame. But yeah. How fast he was going I dont know. But you might have said the same thing- doesn't warrant it lol.

@hairnet. So wait, you wear your costume on your FG or Road bike =p/

rpeterson

My S60 set has decals, don't know how hard it would be removing them though.