Road Wheels & Road Wheel Recommendations?

#science

808FC clincher + G3 Powertap

Where can I get it cheaper than $1,790.00 + PP?
http://www.wheelbuilder.com/zipp-powertap-wheel.html

Also, anyone know what the advantage is with the GS hubs over the G3s? Just because they use a DT Swiss hubshell or somfink? Wattup?

Road wheel idiot question:

Between the Shimano R501 30mm bladed at £89 and the RS31 at £132.50, is the main difference the fact that the latter is 11-speed compatible?

They appear to weigh about the same but the cheaper ones appear, to my untrained eye, to be m0ar a3ro...because...spokes.

The RS31 has 16 / 20 spoke configuration vs the R501 which is 20 / 24.

Less spokes = more aero.

Would it make a difference to a somewhat light TT bike (old Cannondale 2.8 frame) powered by a not very fast, 80kg human?

^^^^ yes all DT Swiss internals plus straightpull spoke lacing for moar stiffness they say.

Would it make a difference to a somewhat light TT bike (old Cannondale 2.8 frame) powered by a not very fast, 80kg human?

Well, the effect from air drag is reduced the slower you go, so if you are not very fast, then it will make less of a difference.

But if its for a TT bike, and you plan on getting fast, then it makes sense to go with the more aero option no?

Just had some TB14 rims built up with ambrosio hubs, thought id weigh them out of interest and they are a bit lighter than my ambrosio evolution wheelset which was a nice surprise. Not to mention they look fkin nice also.

Thanks Hovis.

Think I'll just leave this here...

Road wheel idiot question:

Between the Shimano R501 30mm bladed at £89 and the RS31 at £132.50, is the main difference the fact that the latter is 11-speed compatible?

They appear to weigh about the same but the cheaper ones appear, to my untrained eye, to be m0ar a3ro...because...spokes.

Fewer spokes on the RS series - but also offset rims and special hubs with straight-pull spokes. The R series use conventional hubs and J-bend spokes.

Well, the effect from air drag is reduced the slower you go, so if you are not very fast, then it will make less of a difference.

Aerotroll.

Just had some TB14 rims built up with ambrosio hubs, thought id weigh them out of interest and they are a bit lighter than my ambrosio evolution wheelset which was a nice surprise. Not to mention they look fkin nice also.

Actual weight?

Fewer spokes on the RS series - but also offset rims and special hubs with straight-pull spokes. The R series use conventional hubs and J-bend spokes.

And hence more easily reparable/upgradeable?

Yeah, you could use any commonly-available J-bend spoke to repair the R wheels, I think. Conventional nipples, etc.

Not sure if you'd have to order a replacement for an RS spoke. You certainly do for my RS80s (three quid a pop, and you tend to have to get a shop to order them in from Madison).

Ah that's settled it then. First "fast" road bike. I'll get the cheaper wheels.

I just bought the R501-A (on there as "R501 bladed") - not much in it but they are £14 cheaper and 100g lighter. NB: Ribble list them at the same weight as the 30mm version (2kg) but they're not, they're the same weight as the regular R501 (1900g).

You can debate the pros and cons of the weight saving vs the aeros of the deeper rim with Tester. :)

(three quid a pop, and you tend to have to get a shop to order them in from Madison).

Not to mention how well stocked Madison is when it comes to spare. Being the same thing as Genesis, when I cracked my fork, I thought a warranty replacement was straightforward... except they don't have any spare fork, so I will get a voucher instead... I suppose you can try to fit a voucher in place of a spoke, but it might not come true anymore

You can debate the pros and cons of the weight saving vs the aeros of the deeper rim with Tester. :)

It's not even certain that the R501-C30 is actually more aero than the R501-C24, Shimano's 24mm rim profile punches above it's weight in that department. The 30s will be a bit stiffer and stronger.

The sound of a freshly greased Chris KIng hub.

Further road wheel n00b question:

Is there anything in the £100-£150 area second hand that's worth looking at, that you couldn't get from Shimano's lower end OTP offerings new (RS11/21/31)?

Think of what you could get handbuilt for £300 and set Ebay searches appropriately.

10 spd Dura Ace/Hope level hubs will be looking good value now 11 speed is around and people begin to trade up

RS80-C24 sometimes goes for under £150 on ebay, if you put it next to an RS21 you're essentially getting everything the same apart from the CL rims which are nearly 150g lighter each. Probably won't actually make you faster, but you get lots of carbon-bling and weight-weenie points :-)

Presumably WH-6700 or WH-RS61-TL go for similar money, if you fancy proper tubeless road wheels which are otherwise similar in performance to RS21s.

Think of what you could get handbuilt for £300 and set Ebay searches appropriately.

10 spd Dura Ace/Hope level hubs will be looking good value now 11 speed is around and people begin to trade up

I'm not really sure what you can get handbuilt for £300 but have been watching a few Mavic Cosmics.

Thanks for the advice. I think again it's all much of a muchness for my ability at this price level...just curious.

Mavic factory wheels that aren't Aksiums/Ellipse tend to represent style over content.