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Thinking of replacing the Fulcrum Racing DB wheels that came as stock on my Genesis Zero Disc. I believe that the wheels are pretty basic and in terms of bang for buck are the best upgrade I can make (I’ve already replaced stock seat post (carbon), bars, stem and saddle).
I’m not a racer and not wanting to spend big money, but would like to think that I’ll can get something which will offer an improvement in performance.
Any opinions on these wheels (seem to review well on road.cc) Fulcrum 5 , another option is the Hunt x Mason. Anything I am missing, any bargains out there (I’m not historically a roadie so not as sure as if I was looking at mtb kit).
Requirements are Disc, pref centrelock, through axle f&r. Also not wanting anything with gopping stickers all over.
What size tyres are you looking to run, are you going tubeless and what's the budget?
The local bike shop (who can get Hope / Mavic / Hunt) said they don’t stick Fulcrum as the bearings aren’t great and they’ve had too many problems with them
in the last.
I got Hunt X Mason’s from them as they were the best combination of weight vs price I could find around that sort of price.
I’ve tested the crash replacement service and had a replacement rim in my hands within a few days with 30% off rrp.
And they look nice!
Also how heavy are you? The Hunt/Mason's have a weight limit of 100KG inc bike and luggage and if the load is over 90KG they recommend that the wheel is 'serviced regularly'
Budget is £300 ish.
Not tubeless at the moment but would plan to do down the line (the Hunts are pre taped and have valves which is a plus). Also raises the question over tyres and what is a good value TR option as I don’t think the current Contis I have are?
Tyres are 25s, if looking at new tyres is current wisdom to go 28? My frame will take 28.
Weight is about 80kg in kit, bike is about 9kg, only ever going to carry water and a small saddle bag.
|There's a pair of Hunt 4 season discs on the classifieds for £200. Described as unused from 2015 which might mean they are narrower than the current version but could be worth a look
Rim width is a pile of croc for all bar a couple of watts aero.
Thanks Avdave, have pm'ed but I expect they've gone as posted 12th May and seem a good deal.
I was 3rd inline for those hunt wheels but not heard anything back in a day or two.
My Cube came with those Fulcrum Racing77 DB wheels and I treated myself to the Hunt Aero Disc Lights last summer, they were right at the very top of my budget, been happy with them but they're my first ever road wheel upgrade pair so I cannot compare them to anything.
I was looking at other bolt-thru disc wheelsets such as...
https://www.merlincycles.com/alex-cxd4-tl-ready-clincher-road-disc-wheelset-700c-109026.html (good reviews, out of stock when I wanted some!)
https://www.cerowheels.com/wheels/cero-ard23.html (could have sworn they were sub-£300 last summer, good reviews)
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/products/mason-x-hunt-four-season-disc-brake-road-bike-wheelset-tubeless-ready
https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/ (very similar, if not exact same as Hunt Aero Disc Light, cannot recall model now)
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/prime-pro-disc-road-wheelset/ (was put off by reports of hub/bearing issues)
At ~£300 budget, I'd probably choose between the HuntxMason and CXD4s.
Maybe DT E1800's then, they seem to tick every box.
20 mm internal so ideal for 25c or 28c tyres
12/12 axles with adaptors for Q/R
Taped for tubeless out the box with valves.
A bit heavier but wider and have a 120 KG weight limit, much more safety margin.
Evans have them for £315 a pair
https://www.evanscycles.com/dt-swiss-e-1800-spline-clincher-disc-brake-700c-front-wheel-EV359922
https://www.evanscycles.com/dt-swiss-e-1800-spline-clincher-disc-brake-700c-shimano-rear-wheel-EV359923
I take it this is a better deal on similar DT Swiss? https://www.merlincycles.com/dt-swiss-p-1800-spline-23-disc-road-wheelset-700c-118917.html
Though there seems to be E and P models. Not sure of the difference.
On my Genesis Zero Disc I just put tubeless Zuus. I got them at s good price.
I like them. Others may have different opinions.
DT Road Wheels are divided up by tyre size and intended use, the letters at the front give you this.
A - Aero - Racey wheels, 17 mm internal, designed for 23-25c tyres
P - Performance - All rounders, 18 mm internal for 25-28c tyres
E - Endurance - Modern endurance road bikes - 20 mm internal for 25 - 32c
C - Cross - Cyclocross/Gravel - 22 mm internal for 33c or bigger.
T - Track
More letters = posher rim.
P = Performance
PR = Performance Race
PRC = Performance Race Carbon
The numbers afterwards give you the level of hub and spokes.
1800 - Pawl hub.
1600 - 350 level ratchet hub
1400 - 240 level ratchet hub and posh spokes
1100 - Ceramic bearings and all the money.
It's a big range but pretty logical once you know what the letters and numbers actually translate to.
Thanks Hatter, that’s very useful.
Any real world advantages for 23 vs 32 rim depth.
There will be a degree of aero benefit so long as you have a relatively narrow tyre (when a tyre bulges out way past the rim it negates almost all aero benefits from a deep rim) but the main reason DT see to do 23 and 32 mm versions of the same alloy models is that the 32mm versions are stronger and are rated to a 130 KG weight limit.
Guess they offer them for those wanting a really tough wheel for clydesdales or loaded riding.
Thanks again Hatter. Think I’ll be pulling the trigger on the 23s from Merlin at some point then. Just need to make sure my rear end is 142mm and work out whether to go P or E.
Update. Wheels arrived from Merlin today, look the part and will hopefully save a few grams. Went for the Performance 23s in the end. Weight limit is 120kg still and quite a bit lighter than the E models. £245 for the pair pre taped with valves. Thanks all for the input, especially Hatter for the DT spec help.
Still deliberating tubes vs tubeless and 25 vs 28.
Modern 28’s can be great. Such a difference over 25’s for all-round use. Narrows are really for high pressure speed freakery. If you aren’t planning to race then there’s no practical reason not to run 28’s I don’t think.
If you aren’t bothered by tubeless, the wired Conti GP 28 is a bargain gem. Amazing tyre, gets the full Black Chili treatment. So much grip and so little resistance. Black Chili I awesome stuff on road tyres.
I'm running 28 with tubes and they're great. Still running at relatively high pressure at 90psi so dropped pressure by 10 to 15 psi over narrower tyres I've ran in the past. No noticeable reduction in rolling resistance and they are a bit comfier...not like having suspension in any way shape or form but a bit softer but so much more grip and nicer cornering and better braking especially with disc brakes.
Popped into Sigma Sports this morning and picked up some Fusion Performance 28s and just set up tubeless, was a doddle and both wheels done in 20 mins or so! Would’ve liked the GP 5000s but over £100 a pair! The Hutchinson’s review well. Looking forward to getting on the road tomorrow (mtb day today).