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What would be a good non-bank-breaking upgrade from Mavic Aksiums?
Have an opportunity to get some nicer wheels but not really that clued-up on what it's worth jumping up to.
I see Merlin have some deals on at the mo...will check that out too but if you think of a good upgrade I'm all ears 😉
After a little digging I've found some Ultegra wheels for £212
Not sure how much better they are than the Mavics - but would go nicely with the full Ultegra 6800 group!
There's the likes of Fulcrum, Easton and DT Swiss too but these are off my radar in terms of any knowledge.
Shimano RS81 C24 - the non groupset "ultegra" carbon laminate wheelset
Sits below Dura Ace but above 6800 Ultegra
Check out these:
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Got mine for just over £300 off Wiggle, touch over 1500 grammes, very fast rolling and stiff laterally but also a degree of vertical compliance not common in factory wheels (the reason Shimano have their carbon/alloy laminate rim)
Merlin have the Fulcrum Racing 3 complete with the superb Conti GP4000 tyres and tubes. 85g lighter than the ultegra...if weight is the big driver ? £335
Do you need some bib shorts?
[url= https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/cero-ar30-alloy-clincher-wheelset-6538 ]www.cycledivision.co.uk/cero-ar30-alloy-clincher-wheelset-6538[/url]
I do actually...
or you could talk to a wheelbuilder with your budget, type of riding and what you want from the wheels and see what they recommend.... I've used Harry Rowland
The apparent lack of sealing would put me off those cero wheels, despite their lack of weight
I have these wheels. Not ridden them yet as they are on the summer bike. There always seems to be a deal on, mine came with tyres and £100 off just before xmas. They were £269 which was a steal.
steve_b77 - Member
The apparent lack of sealing would put me off those cero wheels
Didn't realise that actually. But I'm only using in summer / dry so I'll be ok I think.
What's the budget? What sort of riding?
[url= http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/dt-swiss-pave28-wheelset.htm ]These superstar ones[/url] look pretty good for 250 quid. DT Swiss hubs and a decent shape rim.
I love my campag zonda's, as light as I'd want (1600g with shimano hub), stiff and cheap - I paid about £270 and they can now be had for £250 via Wiggle.
I had a set of these arrive yesterday...
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/clearance-icon-ultra-11speed-wheelsets-2024.htm
Not ridden yet, but for [b]£99[/b] they are ridiculously light.
Mine weighed in at 1570g for the pair, including the rim tape which I am told is pretty heavy by most standards... the ultimate weight weenie grumble!
The missus is planning on getting some Hunt wheels to replace her R500s. Nice and wide plus having them come pre-installed with Schwalbe Pro Ones and tubeless is pretty nice. http://www.huntbikewheels.com/
I think you've got most options covered there. I've had Shimano RS80s, Hunt, Aksiums, superstar and handbuilt wheels on various bikes.
My suggestion would be to figure out what you want.
Are you a light weight climber looking for light wheels?
Are you a sprinter looking for stiff wheels?
Are you heavy looking for strong wheels?
Are you looking for summer wheels - leaving your aksiums to take the brunt of winter?
Are you looking for wheels that are easy to service and get replacement spokes for?
Are you looking for reliable wheels for clocking up miles?
Are you just looking for something that looks nice?
All black H plus son archetypes on Aivee sr1 hubs built with DT Swiss revolution spokes are £320 posted at the mo hand built from handcraftedwheels.co.uk on face book
Thanks folks - some options I hadn't considered there.
Jonba - a lot of questions there - TBH I'm about to buy a new bike...one I'm looking at has Aksiums.
I've had them before and they're a good wheel - good enough for me...never had issues with them.
I'm quite heavy - I'm not fast - never noticed any flex in them.
If I'm honest I'm being a ponce and want something different with a bit more kudos but functional etc at the same time. Cartridge bearings, strong, no flex but look good - there, said it. No one run those Ultegras then?
Was all set to buy some Fulcrum Racing 3 tomorrow - then saw Campy Zondas which are also meant to be very good...hmmm...which ones to buy...
Tubeless!
if it's fulcrum or zonda then your answer will always be ... zonda 🙂
I had the same dilemma and went for hope road hubs with stans alpha 400 rims, 32 dt Swiss spokes, brass nipples and set up tubeless. I'm very happy with them, not too heavy (light where they need to be at the rim), strong, well sealed, easily serviced, look good and the sound is loud!
I like the look of the zondas but the huge gaps freak me out a little.
If I only had the one bike I'd have 2 sets of wheels, one set of cheap shimano 500's and a set of Rs81's for Sunday best although I'm planning some longer audax rides and audax UK recommend standard wheels due to easier available spares if you have a mechanical hence my choice of Hopes.
Ksryiums are nice and stiff, if you can stretch to them.
Good choice for a larger rider, I'd have thought.
very fast rolling and stiff laterally but also a degree of vertical compliance
Did I actually just read that?
Merlin doing Fulcrums with 2 X Conti GP400s II with tubes for £335.
That's a great price.
I've got a set of Zondas, very stiff wheel, been on the bike 2 years (about 7000 miles), just changed the freehub bearing.
Had Aksiums before that, they were stiff too, but a bit heavier and the spokes furr up and look tatty if you ride in the rain. Rims wore out which is why I changed them.
Also had Simano R500, cheap, heavy, flexy (touches the pads when climbing) but fine on the winter bike. Again, wore the rims out so changed those for...
Superstar Icons with Elite 30 rims. Very light (about 1500g), look nice, but of resistance in the freehub when freewheeling but that might ease with use. Quite a bit of flex, similar to the R500s, again touch the brake pads when climbing so had to leave a bit more space on brake adjustment. Couldn't run them on the summer bike, would rub the stays.
Also have some Pro-lite branciano a42, 42mm deep so aero design, look nice, about 1900g, spin very smoothly, but again a bit of flex, not as much as the Superstar, but noticeable.
TLDR;
Go for the Zondas!
Fulcrums bought.
My new bike is now eagerly awaiting their arrival.