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Which first, carbon frame, or carbon wheels?

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Which first, carbon frame, or carbon wheels?

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Old 07-07-11 | 08:48 AM
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Which first, carbon frame, or carbon wheels?

I have the itch to upgrade something soon, and I want to make it worth my while.

I am thinking of upgrading either my frame, or my wheels to something better. Currently I have a somewhat stock Trek 1.2 with some minor upgrades, but I want to make it more speedy if possible and I am guessing wheels will do the trick for me. However for the same cost of me selling it picking up a new bike I can get a SuperSix 10-5 but I won't get the whoosh.

These are the wheels I want to pick up:

https://www.williamscycling.com/sys58_clincher.html


What do you guys think?
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Old 07-07-11 | 08:49 AM
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Those would be a nice addition to your bike.
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Old 07-07-11 | 08:56 AM
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Do you want to be more aero, or weigh less? Your 1.2 is a nice road bike, but unless you're ready to upgrade to a whole new (and much lighter) component group like SRAM Rival you're still gonna' be on the heavy side, even if you are more aero with the Williams wheels (which I like, BTW). If you aren't racing a lot and mostly doing fast group rides, the wheel upgrade makes a lot of sense. If you are going to get in to racing, you're gonna' want to be lighter and more aero.
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Old 07-07-11 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by DC_United_Fan
Do you want to be more aero, or weigh less? Your 1.2 is a nice road bike, but unless you're ready to upgrade to a whole new (and much lighter) component group like SRAM Rival you're still gonna' be on the heavy side, even if you are more aero with the Williams wheels (which I like, BTW). If you aren't racing a lot and mostly doing fast group rides, the wheel upgrade makes a lot of sense. If you are going to get in to racing, you're gonna' want to be lighter and more aero.
Eventually I do want to get into racing yes, I just want to make sure I do the upgrade first that makes the most sense. I will want to get both in the long run, but unfortunately I have yet to win the lottery to afford that super sexy Cervelo I've been eyeing up. I'm still deciding on the Rival vs 105 on the SuperSix, I do love how the SRAM shifts though.
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:20 AM
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Those williams wheels are amazing, I have a set of those exact ones. Buy them, you wont regret it.
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:27 AM
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I have a 1.2. I too got the itch to upgrade. I toyed with the idea of upgrading to 105's, wheels, etc.
In the end I realized that any money I spent upgrading the 1.2 would be better spent on buying a whole new bike.
At 21lbs there just simply isn't much room for weight savings without spending a LOT of money.

Got the Giant TCR Composite and couldn't be happier. I've since put Williams 38s on it and it's right at 18lbs.
The 1.2 is permanently attached to my Trainer now (unless the wife's bike is on it). There is nothing at all wrong with the 1.2, just not worth throwing much money at IMO.
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:30 AM
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How hilly are your rides?
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:34 AM
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You can start with the wheels now and always put them on the next frame.
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike F
You can start with the wheels now and always put them on the next frame.
Logic hurt brain!
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:57 AM
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I'd go with new frame/bike if I were you. I was in a similar situation last year. I had a 1.2, which served me well, but the cost to upgrade various parts, especially to a lighter drivetrain vs. new ride was just not worth it. Plus I really got bitten by the carbon bug.
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Old 07-07-11 | 09:59 AM
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Just buy both. You'll feel better.
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Old 07-07-11 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by sbxx1985
Just buy both. You'll feel better.
so very much this!
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Old 07-07-11 | 10:21 AM
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Start big and work down. Frame. GL
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Old 07-07-11 | 10:41 AM
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Wheels....though I wouldnt go with those wheels.
Then when you buy a better bike you can switch the wheels over to the better bike.
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Old 07-07-11 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by kleinboogie
Start big and work down. Frame. GL
This.
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Old 07-07-11 | 11:18 AM
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This is meant to be tongue-in-cheek so as not to offend the OP because the 1.2's a fine ride, but this thread reminds me of this pic:
Attached Images
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Old 07-07-11 | 11:19 AM
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get a new bike and keep the 1.2 as a back up bike, rain bike, or on a trainer if you have one.

I was in your situation before where i wanted to upgrade my Fuji Roubaix. Then I realized it would cost me a lot of money with upgrades in wheels, components, etc. that it would make more sense to just put it all towards a whole new bike.
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Old 07-07-11 | 12:29 PM
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I mis-read the posting and thought it was a historical question.

Carbon frames came out in the 1970's (Exxon Graftek), became viable in the 1980's (Look Screw/glue) and became "standard" in the 1990's.

Carbon rims did not even come out until the 1990's I believe.

Anyway, back on topic I agree best to get good wheels for current bike, and then when you get a new bike you can transfer the wheels as OEM wheels are often a weak link.

That, and ride more.
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Old 07-07-11 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
I mis-read the posting and thought it was a historical question.

Carbon frames came out in the 1970's (Exxon Graftek), became viable in the 1980's (Look Screw/glue) and became "standard" in the 1990's.

Carbon rims did not even come out until the 1990's I believe.

Anyway, back on topic I agree best to get good wheels for current bike, and then when you get a new bike you can transfer the wheels as OEM wheels are often a weak link.

That, and ride more.
I think I am going to go this route, it makes more sense to get wheels first and then upgrade the bike after in my opinion. I want to build a bike from scratch, so I will be doing it over the winter and if I get the wheels now I can use them in the meantime while I save up some more money for bike parts. I appreciate the input from everyone though.

Now I just need to know if I got Williams or November, didn't hear about the Novembers until today but I read they are the same rim just a different name on the wheel.
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Old 07-07-11 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by DigitalN
I think I am going to go this route, it makes more sense to get wheels first and then upgrade the bike after in my opinion. I want to build a bike from scratch, so I will be doing it over the winter and if I get the wheels now I can use them in the meantime while I save up some more money for bike parts. I appreciate the input from everyone though.

Now I just need to know if I got Williams or November, didn't hear about the Novembers until today but I read they are the same rim just a different name on the wheel.
I have the williams 38 Carbon wheels and love them. I have also heard good things about November so I suspect you would do well with either.

If you go for the deep section 58's I hope you either don't have crosswinds or weigh a lot!

I only weigh 145 and sometimes ride in crosswinds so that's why I chose a shallower section wheel.
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Old 07-07-11 | 01:18 PM
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Slightly off-topic:
So shall the Specialized Allez be in the same boat?
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Old 07-07-11 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
I have the williams 38 Carbon wheels and love them. I have also heard good things about November so I suspect you would do well with either.

If you go for the deep section 58's I hope you either don't have crosswinds or weigh a lot!

I only weigh 145 and sometimes ride in crosswinds so that's why I chose a shallower section wheel.
I weight 180 pounds with plans to bring it down to 170, but will be riding in every condition. I will admit the reason I want the 58mm is because of how hot it looks... I don't think cross winds would be too much of an issue, but I should probably take a set of 38s and a set of 58s for a spin before I make a commitment. I just need to meet some people so I can do that
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Old 07-07-11 | 01:39 PM
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you can never have too many wheels
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Old 07-07-11 | 01:47 PM
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You can naver have too many bikes.
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Old 07-07-11 | 02:00 PM
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Get wheels first. They will make you faster and a frame won't.
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