[UpHillBattle]

Curently I ride a boardman Road Sport bike with a carbon fork which came with mavic cpx22 wheelset.

I weight 16stone (101kg) & ride on average 50/60 miles per week with an average speed of 13.5mph.

I’m going to be doing more miles and take part in my first sportive this year so am looking to upgrade my wheels to the Fulcrum (aero) wheels above but is this a good choice or would I be better saving for more expensive wheel upgrades & losing more weight & getting fitter at the same time to make the most out of any upgrade.

 

Any advise would help.

 

 

Topic

[DirkS]

Hi I’ve had mine for two

Hi I’ve had mine for two years and have replaced the front wheel bearings twice, corrosion. Never jet washed or anything. However, it’s very easy and I used abec 5 bearings the second time, not expensive. The are extremely strong and roll well when up 18-20mph.

[matthewn5]

+1 for Fulcrum Racing 5 – don

+1 for Fulcrum Racing 5 – don’t measure the weight, feel the stiffness!

I use them as winter wheels and sometimes forget to take them off over summer. Really extraordinary wheels for the £135 I paid for them. So lively and reactive.

[bobbinogs]

Aero means didly squat at

Aero means didly squat at those speeds.  What is more important is a reliable set of wheels that will handle your weight.  101kgs is way above the vanity low spoke count options that many go for, you need something like 28F/32R matched with some good rims.  My advice would be to just plough on with what you have and then think about some nice handbuilts as a treat for the summer…but you will need at least £300.  Then contact some wheel builders like Strada, Paul Hewitt or the Cycle Clinic and listen to advice you get.

[graybags]

I’ve seriously worn the rear

I’ve seriously worn the rear braking surface on my Racing Quattros in only two winters use and the front bearings only managed one winter…………..so not sure I’d spend £200 on wheels that are pretty much disposable. They have stayed perfectly true however.

[mike the bike]

bendertherobot wrote:

Fulcrum Racing 5 are quite a bit lighter ….. Decent price at Wiggle £165, and a good upgrade.  

 

I agree completely, marvelous wheels for the money.

[bendertherobot]

Fulcrum Racing 5 are quite a

Fulcrum Racing 5 are quite a bit lighter and, to be honest, you won’t miss the aero bit. Decent price at Wiggle £165, and a good upgrade. They won’t make you faster, but they’ll give you an incentive. 

If you really want to splash the cash, Campagnolo Zonda at £248 are a really excellent investment.

 

[allanj]

If we are being sensible

If we are being sensible about it, it’s the latter I’m afraid- you won’t get any real aero benefit until you are a good bit faster.

On the other hand we are not sensible by nature so a new piece of kit is always nice to give you a bit of a boost and keep you motivated!

[Author]

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