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Another wheel post

by brokenorange
Sun, Mar 09, 2014 22:00
8

Sorry for what must be yet another post on this subject....

But, I'm looking to buy a new set of wheels for my Giant defy composite. The current wheel set is giants own P-R2 which ill keep for the winter. I'm 72 kg and looking for something that will be good for climbing and long distance riding (160 km +). I can’t envisage any Cavendish style sprints for the line anytime soon, so something that will make the miles easier.

So far I have been looking at with my budget of around £350:

Fulcrum Racing 3
Campagnolo Zonda
Shimano Ultegra 6800
Mavic Kysrium Elite (over budget 7 but I hear many good things about these)

Thanks folks, in anticipation 1

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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Simon E | 10 years ago
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Shimano Ultegra are a safe bet and excellent value, £250 at Merlin just now. RS61s are even cheaper. Both are 11 speed compatible and tubeless-ready.

Cycle Division have the Cero AR30s for £100 off at the moment, I see in an advert on http://www.velouk.net
CW liked them:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/wheels/cero-ar30-wheelset

If you have £350 to spend have you considered handbuilt? Wheelsmith, Strada et al. Cycle Clinic (http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk/) are offering H Plus Son Archtype Miche Primato hubs for £275.

A number of recent threads on this subject so if you browse through the bike forum you'll have plenty of suggestions.

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fukawitribe replied to Simon E | 10 years ago
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Simon E wrote:

Shimano Ultegra are a safe bet and excellent value, £250 at Merlin just now. RS61s are even cheaper. Both are 11 speed compatible and tubeless-ready.

By some strange co-incidence I have some new (ex-display) RS61s available for a very reasonable amount...

Simon E wrote:

If you have £350 to spend have you considered handbuilt? Wheelsmith, Strada et al. Cycle Clinic (http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk/) are offering H Plus Son Archtype Miche Primato hubs for £275.

^^ This, if you're going to be spending near your budget.. or at least, if I had the cash, this is what i'd do.

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SamShaw | 10 years ago
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Always liked Bracciano's on Ultremo ZX's too.

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pauldmorgan | 10 years ago
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another +1 for Braccianos

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therevokid | 10 years ago
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+1 braccianos .... with one caveat, it can be tricky to get spares (think
freehub bodies here!!)

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fukawitribe | 10 years ago
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If it's comfort with reasonable weight you're looking for - i'd keep an eye out for Bontrager Race TLR. They are comparable weight to the ones listed but have the advantage of wider rims - you're going to get quite a bit higher volume on your existing tyres on them with them, with the associated extra comfort. You can also run them tubeless later on if the fancy takes you (might be a idea for lots of miles comfortably with extra protection). They are typically a lot cheaper than most of the wheelsets mentioned and come up regularly in new condition on eBay.

If you're considering the Braccianos, i'd also recommend checking out the Planet X clinchers (AL30 etc) as there isn't a massive difference between the two apart from price. Agree with Jack Osbourne about the tyres - i've heard some very good things about the Michelin Pro4 Service Course in 25c, nice light and grippy and come up very big on the wheel (26-28mm depending on rim).

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dave atkinson | 10 years ago
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+1 for braccianos, impossible to overstate how good they are for the money.

Look out for Novatec Jetflys too, Extra are now bringing them into the UK. £359 for a sub-1500g 32mm section alloy clincher, past incarnations have been very good

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Jack Osbourne snr | 10 years ago
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Prolite Bracciano. Take the money you save and spend it on good 25mm tyres.

I use Schwalbe Ultremo ZX and Durano (folding ) and can attest to their comfort and compatibility with these wheels. They are light, have good to excellent durability/protection and can be very easily whipped on or off with only one tyre lever (potentially crucial out on the road)

You'll find lots of happy Bracciano users here.

NB One thing to note is that lighter wheels may help you climb but they will be no more or less comfortable over a given distance than any other wheels. Tyres however can make a ride heaven or hell, so that's where to concentrate your quest for comfort.

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