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Bontrager wheels

by notfastenough
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 15:50
5

Afternoon everyone,
I'm narrowing my choices regarding a new bike, but have a dilemma. Two of those on the shortlist are a Trek Madone 4.7 and a Canyon Ultimate CF 9.0. Extremely similar geometry (58 in the Trek = 60 in the Canyon), both full carbon good quality frames, both with Shimano Ultegra. However, the Trek has Bontrager Race Tubeless Ready wheels, which the LBS tell me are "pretty much equivalent to Ksyrium Elites". Is this about right? The Canyon actually has Ksyrium Elites.

There is a small price difference, but the LBS are willing to do a deal so the difference will likely be negligable. The other difference, of course, is that one purchase supports my LBS, and the other doesn't. Thoughts?

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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5 comments

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notfastenough | 12 years ago
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Thanks for the replies - you're right I don't need lighter faster wheels, but then I don't *need* a bike at all. I ride as much as my time/resources/domestic situation allows, and I'm looking to treat myself to something which will fit me better and have the range of adjustment necessary to eliminate my aches/pains. My question was more about how much of a gap there is in quality/weight/stiffness/handling between the obvious difference across the two bikes, as well as mentioning the elephant in the room of LBS vs online. I actually use a one-man-band mechanic business (a clubmate) for servicing, but still...

That said, the Trek's the better looker - the midnight blue/white paint job is the best outside of the project one stuff IMHO.

In the end, if the Bont wheels are as good as the LBS (and Lost Faith...) suggest, then the lifetime frame warranty and LBS service on the Trek are definitely good to have.

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Super Domestique | 12 years ago
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In all honesty which bike do you prefer?

Wheels can get buckled / damaged or upgraded, etc but you will live with the bike for a while.

If it doesn't aesthetically please you, you will always think 'if only I had bought'!

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mhtt | 12 years ago
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those Bonty wheels retail at about £300, they probably are not as high tech as ksyrium elites (slightly heavier), but are solid (as well as being tlr) and I totally agree with PJ, go with your lbs.

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Lost faith in t... replied to mhtt | 12 years ago
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mhtt wrote:

those Bonty wheels retail at about £300, they probably are not as high tech as ksyrium elites (slightly heavier), but are solid (as well as being tlr) and I totally agree with PJ, go with your lbs.

the key word you have used is probably, meaning your assuming.

Bontrager wheels tend to be better and cheaper than most brands out there, its quite suprising.

a lot of folk dont buy it aftermarket as they assume its trek parts and there for should not be on any other bike other than a trek.

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PJ McNally | 12 years ago
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Go with the LBS.

Otherwise, are you planning to post your new feather-light Canyon, with its Ksyriums, back to Canyon to be serviced?

Unless you're a pro, you don't *need* the world's latest and greatest wheels. Most of us could go faster just by training properly.

(Nb - I know nothing about Bontrager wheels, other than that the set on my commuter have been bombproof 1 ).

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