[Closed] road wheels- £350 budget, what would you do?

are the merlin wheels defo the rs ones i have the standard pro 3 mono ones and they dont take an 11 speed rear cassette just something to check

id be going for campag zondas tbh if i were buying a set at the min as they are same as fulcrum 3 and cheaper (at wiggle)

You don't need to spend that much; just buy a set of Superstar Components Pavé 28 wheels, which review as a £500 wheelset but cost £195. My son and my cycling buddy both have them and would both concur.

FWIW I have a set of Fulcrum 5.5 (one model below 3) that came on a bike and they're a descent wheel. Still smooth and true after 6 months of commuting and winter training rides.

Personally, I'd go lighter rather than heavier with wheels (within reason and assuming you're not 100kg +).

A FLO30?

http://www.flocycling.com/

I went with Ultegra's- happy with these.

For £175 you can buy the Cero AR24s (currently with free pair of Conti Grand Prix Sport 25mm tyres). 1550g a pair.

http://www.cycledivision.co.uk/product-info.php?Cero_AR24_Alloy_Clincher_Wheelset-pid363.html

Or for £379 the Cero AR30s, slightly lighter, slightly more aero...

http://www.cycledivision.co.uk/product-info.php?CERO_AR30_Superlight_Alloy_Clincher-pid133.html

I have both wheelsets. They are excellent wheels, robust, light and great value.

Unless you are an out-and-out racer the AR24s are a very good choice.

Any of the above any good if you are around the 100KG mark, with all the finese of a rutting bull elephant?
Only reason I ask is i've knocked the tension out of the wheels which came with my Giant Defy 1 twice now and think it might be upgrade time.

needs to be 11-speed compatible as might upgrade at some point..

I've got Shimano RS-81 C24s... essentially Ultegra hubs on DA C24 rims. Light, stiff, and 18mths of trouble-free riding by 95kg of me speaks volumes for their reliability!

I'm a big fan of the RS-80/81s

I've just bought a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites from 4thebike for a little over £300. They've not actually arrived yet (only ordered Monday) but I though a good price and a chunk cheaper than the RS81's I was going for.

I've been looking at the Hope hoops, I searched high-n-low for the Aeros with ZTR 400 rims, not just the RS monos (heavier).

I could only find a pair at Bike24 for 520 Euro, which given current exchange rates may well be inline with the approximate budget.

Although this info may not be applicable if you're after a set of disc brake road wheels.

Go bling 🙂 - these

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/lb-35mm-deep-x-25mm-wide-carbon-clincher-rims

built up with some laser spokes & Bitex hubs - approx 1400g for around the £500 mark

You can get Miche hubs on Archetypes with mid range spokes for much less, or use Hope / DA / Campag if you want. Open Pros are great rims but are narrow by todays standards

I'd go for Stans Alphas on a conservative buils with tubeless tyres.

Self built 1500gm for £300 odd for me.

[i]Self built 1500gm for £300 odd for me. [/i]

Details?

A set of good nick second hand Shamal Ultras or Fulcrum Racing Zeros?

I wouldn't go for the mavic rims because relatively speaking they are heavy. I have two sets of wheels in this range. One for hilly races and the other for training and long rides.

My race wheels are shimano RS80. Can't fault them and I hear the RS81 are just as good. My only concern is that on a 300km ride they only have minimal spokes and if one goes I'm stuck.

My other wheels are only slightly heavier. Hope Pro 3 on Stan's alpha 340. Nice light and stiff with 32 spokes which means I can ride on through a breakage or two.

The Hope wheels were second hand but can be had in your range. Look at justridingalong as they were good when I was looking.

I'm lightish between 75 and 70kg depending on how close we are to the hill climb season.

ultegra then get some nice tyres like 4000s 2s?

Have a set of of Ultegra 6800 11-speed with Bontrager R3 tubeless tyres, only used the once but got offered some carbon wheels I couldn't say no to. Drop me an e-mail if you're interested.

Solo - Member

Self built 1500gm for £300 odd for me.

Details?

Stans Alpha (the 340), 105 rear hub, cheap light front from ebay, Sapim Race spokes.

I like the sound of the ultegras now to be honest. The bike is a cube agree gtc it has magic askiums on at the moment.

Would it be worthwhile upgrade in your eyes? I'm 75kg

Shameless plug but how about these £500 odd wheels for half price...

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-brand-new-dt-swiss-r23-road-wheelset-1470g-275

🙂