Wheel upgrade suggestions...

I also had a nightmare getting tyres on and off the rear ultegra (I only had the rear) and with a 25 mm tyre it felt awful to ride. 

The answer to the monthly "wheel upgrade for about 300 quid" thread is always Zondas.

There's lots of good off the peg wheels discounted at all the major retailers, so you need to decide what you want from the wheels, hubs, rims, spokes etc. I have the ultegras on my winter bike, buttery smooth hubs, self serviceable, cup and cone hubs, stayed true to date (3yrs) and have a sublime smooth ride. The downside is that they are tubeless ready and an absolute swine to get tyres on and off.

Fulcrum 3s used to or still may be available in two way fit (tubeless ready) and conventional clinchers. I have a 5yr old pair that have been pretty bomb proof, still running true, no servicing as such to date. Ride is harsher than the ultegras and less informative.

Both good wheel sets, but the ultegras ride closer to a nice hand built set. The latter I am sure feel better as you know what you've asked for, taken advice from an expert and know who's put them together. Usually nicely evenly tensioned and feel "special". If you know a good builder, always worth a chat.

I'm 65kg peak in winter, less in summer, rarely break stuff and notoriously lighy on gear despite 14000km/year riding. If you are a heavier rider your needs will be different to a climbing whippet. Go with your heart and most £300+ wheels will feel special after the Aksiums.

I upgraded to Shimano RS81 C24 last year. Made a noticeable difference and have been trouble free. Not to sexiest of brands perhaps but great for me.

I believe that Zondas are actually the same as Fulcrum 3s. They brought out the Fulcrum 3 for those who didn't want campag on their shimano equipped bikes. How about a pair of Ultegra wheels?

Easy, Zondas.

Fulcrum Racing 3's.

These are worth serious consideration

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/pave-28-ultra-11speed-wheelset-202...

when i asked MB at cycleclinic about selling one of an odd pair of carbon rims he had on ebay and building it onto my existing hub he basically said yes but priced me up for one of his highest end hubs instead (The £340 carbon ti) This was a straight pull hub which is exactly what i didn't want and went on to give me some blather about the rims being a pair (they weren't according to his ebay description and were old stock rims) and basically making out he would be doing me a favour splitting them etc etc which given how long he'd have them was bollocks, that was enough for me to go elsewhere.

Depends on what you are wanting to use the wheels for, if it's general road riding then a pair of handbuilt wheels on some sturdy hubs will see you fine, you certainly don't need to spend £350 to get some good wheels for all occasions.

is having a mid depth rim important to you?

Shimano Ultegra with tube/tubeless rims are £285 at Merlin and you can get another 3% back from topcashback https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-ultegra-wh-6800-clincher-road-wheel...

Come on chaps give him a proper plug: Malcolm Borg at The Cycle Clinic 

Malcolm borg at the clinic and he knows his stuff.

Something handbuilt from the cycle clinic. The chap there, I forget his name, should be able to advise you on something that meets your needs and your budget.

Hunt

https://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-rim-brake-wheels/product...