hhnngg1

"Wheels are the best upgrade you can make" - don't know where this came from (?wheel manufacturers) but it's a quote that's been thrown around on this forum, and given the cost of wheels and the marginal speed benefit they give, I seriously question the validity of this oft-used quote.

What's your take on it?

Tundra_Man 

False. The engine is the best upgrade you can make.

rollin

As far as the bike is concerned I would say fit and then wheels.

jamesdak 

Well, in terms of my satisfaction I'd have to say fit and then wheels also. I would not say that wheels have made me faster but they certainly improve my riding experience a lot. Every incline can be attacked harder yet easier and since I tend to put in a lot of miles I can ride longer without as much fatigue building up.

I do a fair amount of climbing now and when I dropped around a pound off my wheels with the purchase of some Williams System 30s (free plug for Keith! ) the climbing suddenly became much more fun. The resistance to crosswinds of these wheels also was a pleasant surprise since they seem to have the same profile as my old Rolf Comp wheels which do not handle crosswinds well.

Now I am waiting for some new wheels built with Kinlin Rims around Alchemy hubs. This will allow me to drop even more wheel weight off my main bike and the Williams will be a welcome replacement to the heavy Rolfs on my Lemond. Hopefully they'll make it in before my next century in two weeks which has around 7000 ft of climbing in it.

rangerdavid

agreed. get a good fit. get good wheels. those two items will provide the most noticeable, immediate difference. (assuming your saddle fits well, but I consider that part of the "fit")

AMAlex

I think that wheels can be a big upgrade on your bike, but some people wont consider it the best. I upgraded my wheels and my performance definitely improved with the newer wheels.

rolliepollie

Well, other than yourself and assuming your fit and saddle are comfortable, name one other component that is more of an upgrade. Only one I can think of is tires.

Bob Dopolina 

It depends on where you're starting from.

If you're rockin' a bike from Wally World then, no, nice wheels would be lipstick on a pig. If you've already covered the basics like fit and working on the engine then yes, wheels will make a noticeable difference in ride quality and, in some instances. speed.

There's math to back it up but I'll let the shills supply that.

turkey9186

Dollars per grams of bike weight lost, upgrading wheels are probably the cheapest.

grwoolf

+1

If it needs to be something on the bike, I'd say powermeter by a big margin. Great tool to improve the engine.

If I had to turn in my nice wheels, carbon frame, Red shifters, etc., I would miss them, but it wouldn't be a big deal. If I had to give up my powermeter, I'd be in major withdrawl (tremors, nightsweats, etc.).

As far as wheels, they do make a difference, but not huge from my perspective. From a comfort standpoint, I feel a bigger difference going from 23's to 25mm tires. On weight, I just can't feel a difference (At 180lbs, a couple hundred grams isn't enough for me to notice). My deep wheels probably save me about 15 watts or so at 25+ mph (nice, but not huge).

nyxis

in the "unspeakable" world aero helmets are the best upgrade.. but i doubt you are going to rock one of those...

Bob Dopolina 

Seriously?

A 15 watt increase in FTP just from a wheel change? That's pretty significant. That's 3%~5% for most people.

mmmdonuts

It's about scope and scale. What you are changing and by how much. Wheels will not always yield the best results.

So the answer is: FALSE

grwoolf

Not FTP, power at speed. I wish I could ride at FTP at over 25mph....

My FTP is around 290 right now, but I'm putting out mid 300's at 26-27mph (typical speed when pulling at the front of a race or group ride). I find I'm usually around 350watts on my box section rims and around 335 with my zipps in these situations. This is totally unscientific, just my estimate.

Bob Dopolina 

How is it not scientific?

If you have a PM it's hard data.

Ok. So 15W still puts you in the 3%~5% range. That's still significant.

johnny99

By far.

grwoolf

Lots of variables with wind, body position, etc.

I still think it's pretty close. I spend a lot of time at that speed taking 4-7 minute pulls during group rides (same roads, similar wind, etc.), so I think I have a good feel for it.

Any yes, I do feel it is significant at speed and I don't regret spending the money on aero wheels. Like I said, "nice, but not huge". I'd still much rather add another 15 watts to my FTP vs. bolting on a few watts via wheels. That said, I'd take both if I can.

Bob Dopolina 

+1.

datlas 

Tires are a good and (relatively) cheap upgrade. Many stock bikes come with mediocre rubber.

A pair of Conti GP4000s is a good, relatively inexpensive upgrade.

I agree fit and engine come first.

rat fink

I think a better way to look at it is, wheels can make or break a build. An overly stiff wheelset paired with a stiff frame can easily become unbearable. But a well built wheelset, well matched to the frame and the rider's needs, can make more significant difference in the overall package. Ignoring the engine comment, I think the frame is very important factor in the overall experience, (not talking raw speed here).

znomit

Flipping the stem.

Then nutrition, then motor, then wheels.

FactVord

Mini motor in downtube

patentcad

Just get the expensive wheels. Then move on to other pricey bike crap. Post pics here.











You have your instructions. Don't let us down kid.

Atol

Lose 10 lbs.

Best upgrade ever.


Personally, I'd say tires are a better upgrade than wheels.

AdelaaR

Wheels are one of the worst upgrades considering benefit to price ratio.
From what I've heard, in order of benefit to price:

1) Train harder and improve your engine ... it costs nothing.
2) Get a good position on the bike and lower your handlebar.
3) Aerobar.
4) Skinsuit or at least very tight clothing.
5) Tires.
6) Aerohelmet.
7) Shoecovers.
8) Aero bike.
9) Aero wheels.

This is obviously a list with a flat time trial in mind.
If someone wants to do mass start road races numbers 3 and 6 aren't an option.
If someone wants to do a mountain race the aero wheels would make little sense and ultralight wheels will be a better upgrade.
There is no such thing as "the best bike" ... it all depends on the course, the speed, the rider, the conditions.