[pipedream72]

Folks, like many readers, I would really appreciate some wheel advice as I’ve only been riding just over a year and don’t really know what I need to be taking into consideration.

My bike is a 2014 Defy Composite 2 with 105 groupset and stock Giant wheels. I love riding it and probably don’t really need any new wheels but its got to that point where I’m a bit fed up of its uninspiring grey colour scheme, so a new set of snazzy wheels would seem to be in order.

I’m thinking I can stretch to about £500 (unless my wife is reading this in which case my budget is whatever the loose change jar will stretch to).

Have been looking at –

Ksyrium Elite S – everyone seems to say they are great for the price.
Dura Ace C24s – would match my shimano groupset (not really bothered about that to be honest)
Campag Shaman Ultra Mega G3 – I’m drawn to these because they are italian, look cool, have a silly name and are on sale on wiggle at about £550 (versus apparent RRP of 800 or so).

My mates are telling me that its shameful to think about putting a shimano cassette on a campag wheel and that they are more of a race wheel that might not be robust enough for pottering around country lanes, but plenty of reviewers seem to suggest they are solid.

Do I just go for the Campags or are the others honestly better wheels?

Cheers all,

Steve

Topic

[pipedream72]

All, thanks for your help…I
All, thanks for your help…I think I am gonna follow my heart and go for the campags….

Il Sole, I did look at the fulcrum racing zeroes and had added them to my list of possibles. When you say they are exactly the same, do you mean in terms of quality, or do they actually use the same build components but just have different branding? The rim depths are different so must be slightly different.

Cheers,

Steve

[il sole]

I’ve got shamals on my wilier
I’ve got shamals on my wilier and they’re great. They also have by far the best hubs out of the trio you mention using campag’s ceramic bearings. Mine are used as an everyday wheel and cope well with winter dirt and grime. they’re also sensational at climbing and stay really stiff during out of the saddle efforts. You’d be amazed at the difference they’d make to your giant.
They’re also nice and light and look pretty cool (like all campag stuff!)
If you don’t fancy the campag/shimano clash, why not get some fulcrum racing zeros? they’re exactly the same wheel as the shamals, but would look better with your shimano drivetrain…

[s_lim]

If you can find someone to
If you can find someone to build you wheels, I can’t recommend H Plus Son Archetype rims enough. I’ve had a few wheelsets, but these are in a league of their own. Light, comfortable & durable. I’ve mine paired with Hope hubs which are pleasantly noisy and spin forever

[SPAM Naval]

i’ve got both Dura-Ace c24s
i’ve got both Dura-Ace c24s and the Mavic Ksyrium Elite S wheelsets. First off they are both great wheelsets; light, and nice and stiff (i’m 79kgs) and both excellent climbing wheels. I think the c24s are a bit more comfortable for all day riding than the Mavics, although the Mavics are a bit more robust.

c24s also suffer from ‘grabby’ braking particularly when used with Shimano brake pads (you get a pulsing feel when braking) so if you go c24s, pair them with something like Swisstop Greens as these work well.

The mavics are also the blingier of the two wheelsets as well, c24s being quite subdued.

Happy hunting…

[Batchy]

Mavic Kysium Elites S do it
Mavic Kysium Elites S do it all !

[MattEdd]

Thanks for asking exactly the
Thanks for asking exactly the question I’ve been wrestling with for exactly the same bike! 😀

[Exup]

Have a look at the other
Have a look at the other thread “Best climber wheels between £500 and £1000”. Similar question, same wheels being discussed !

http://road.cc/content/forum/152947-best-climber-wheels-between-500-and-1000

[Author]

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