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Advice please - Wheelset for La Marmotte ?!
Hi Everyone,
I'm after some advise. I am taking part in La Marmotte in July - training going well 
but am unsure (based on what I read) about whether my wheels are up to it. I have a Wilier GTR SL on Fulcrum Carbon Racing Quattro Carbons - which I love. I'm sure there are plenty of threads on a similar subject, but with the amount of descending will they/ I be okay? I'm a pretty decent rider, wont drag brakes if I can help it and weigh 78kg.
I reckon my choices are;
1. I get some alloy rims for the trip - Cero AR30 perhaps (Tubeless)
2. Go with what I’ve got - my LBS reckons they'll be fine.
3. Would love to go disc but budget doesn’t permit at present.
I just don't want to be constantly concerned on those heavenly descents so any help gratefully received.
Many thanks
Chris
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20 comments
Assuming there's no special stipulation to use certain pads (warranty etc), you could try Reynolds 'Cryo Blue Power' pads - the best I've uesd, better than swisstop yellow and were even shipped with another manufacturer's wheels (3T)
@Maviczap 'stuck on tyres' are good enough for the pros and the speeds they descend, there's a reason they won't use carbon clinchers. Appreciate tubs aren't for everyone though.
Not sure about Fulcrum, but Campag (Same Company) very clearly state something amounting to 'Use any other brake pad and kiss your warrenty goodbye'
Out of the warrenty period however...
You'll be totally fine with the Fulcrums. I've got the Campag Bora one carbons which have the same rim/braking surface. Used them in the Etape in +30degrees with zero problems!
Was using the supplied Campag Red Carbon pads, would't reccomend using other pads.
Thanks for the advice - I'm starting feel more confident on taking the Fulcrums. Do you run the Boras tubless? I think that the Fulcrums can be set up to go tubeless - has anyone seen or tried? And is it worth it?
Nearly the weekend!
Nope, ran them with Spesh Turbo Tubes and 25mm Vittoria Corsa G+ tyres at about 85-90psi if I recall correctly (I'm about 80kg and the Max pressure for the Corsas is 140psi). Campag claim you can't run them tubeless so I just followed their advice. TBF, I love the Corsa tyres so much too, it didn't make sense to go Tubeless, even though I do on my other bike.
There were a lot of people popping tubes/tyres on the event, though strangely more on Alu rims than Carbon, which was on the 20km descent off the Colombiere. To which I can only conclude a fair few were 'punters' who'd been dragging the brakes all the way down.
I tend to alternate front/back brake to regulate the speed rather than dragging both brakes, then braking hard and short for corners. With this the Boras stayed fairly cool, no pad burn or anything. Must admit I was impressed as like you, it had played on my mind before taking them to the Alps. Now I wouldn't think twice about taking them.
Like it was said earlier, I would get Swisstop yellow pads or Black Prince and keep the Fulcrums. If you want explicitly an alloy set, I'd recommend custom built option (e.g. Hope, DT Swiss 350/240s hubs with something like Mavic Open Pro UST, Kinlin XR22T, XR26T, XR31T rims + Sapim spokes).
If you have the cash for CK, go for it...
Have had Cero and Hunt wheels (AR30 and 4 Season) and still have the Cero wheels. Hunt wheels went back due to braking and bearing issues. Would happily buy another set of Cero wheels - especially as they now have wider rims.
I've just had to replace the bearings in my front Hunt wheel (the cheap rim braked version I have on my winter bike) at 1,816 miles, they were absolutely toast. Dead easy to change though using a couple of 3/8th sockets.
Did the Maratona last year with a friend who was running Giant carbon aero wheels. Absolutely no problems. A ride earlier in the week was wet and no braking problems.
Did the Maratona last year with a friend who was running Giant carbon aero wheels. Absolutely no problems. A ride earlier in the week was wet and no braking problems.
Thank you all so much for the helpful replies, really helpful. See you there srchar!
I've always used Alu rims in the mountains, even though I'm a confident descender, I wouldn't consider using carbon.
My current pair of wheels weigh about 1350grms bare, minus skewers, tyres, tubes and cassette.
You'll only find tubular wheelsets to be lighter, and I don't fancy riding on stuck on tyres.
Mine cost me £200 on eBay, American Classic hubs, I forget the rims.
The Cero's would be a good choice, and I've looked at those and these, as I'd like to go tubeless, and have wider rims
http://www.justridingalong.com/jra-wheels/jra-lark-light-road-wheelset.html
If it rains or its wet, then carbon is going to scare you silly, no matter how good your brakes, plus they'll be riders of all standards just to put into the equation.
Keep your nice carbon wheels for home, and get some wheels you can rely for braking on, whatever the weather, but won't break the bank if you had any mishap on? Unless you're minted.
Hmmm, I rode Alps Marmotte last year.
I took a conscious decision to take my Hunt alu wheels rather than my full Carbon Knights.
Very pleased I did. The descents are epic, but regularly punctuated by the gunshot sound of exploding tyres. I’m not exaggerating to say I heard more than half a dozen. You need to drop 10psi to avoid the heat build up becoming a pressure issue.
I practise descents and weigh sub 75kgs. You can do a lot of aero braking.
The Hunts are not far off the Knights for weight, and aero isn’t a big thing on a climbing event.
I returned to the same Alpine area later in the year running my carbons, riding solo so taking it a bit easier than the Marmotte. One one descent, there was a terrible smell from my brake blocks, I decided to stop and cool them off. By the time I pulled over, the remaining braking effect was significantly reduced and the tyres were noticeably firmer due to pressure rise.
Enjoy the Marmotte - it’s properly epic.
Aren't they basically a Bora? In which case they're more than up to the job. Use the red Campag brake pads and you'll be fine. I'll be riding the Marmotte myself on Bora Ones with those pads.
Your Fulcrums look like a great option. Plenty of people ride events like this with similar wheels.
If you're thinking of alternatives that won't break the bank look at the suggestions here:
http://road.cc/content/forum/241045-best-racing-wheelset-junior-club-racers
Work on your descending technique and treat yourself to some new brake pads if needed. The Quattro Carbons have a reputation as some of the best braking carbon wheels out there.
I'd only buy another set of alloy wheels if you also need a set of winter training wheels.
I think I might take your advise on the second set for winter training - thank you.
I mentioned the Cero AR30’s, are there any better alternatives that you guys could recommend? Hunt. Mavic?v
Thanks again, hope you’re all enjoying the lovely weather!
I'm on my second set of Cero's, first one have got 8000miles on and just had their second bearing change and that's it.
I'd recommend the AR24's, the claimed weights are wrong on the site and there is only 30g between them and the AR30
That's a rather short bearing life IMHO.
I've seen only positive comments for Hunt wheels and more of a mixture for the Cero so if it was my money I would go for Hunt.
My hunt wheels (Aero Light Disc) have been back for all sorts of issues. Both front and back bearings didnt get to 1000m. The rear replacements managed 5000m. The rear rim also cracked after 7000m. All sorted by warranty but I was disapponted to be without the wheels for several months while it was being sorted. I recall seeing many non-positive comments about hunt wheels on this forum and others. They ride great but what I really wanted was a set of wheels I could depend on.