[BananaRepublic]

Question: when to stop spending money on an old bike?
I’ve got hold of a De Rosa Corum, which had a dreadful front-end set-up. More by luck than judgement, I’ve now got the reach and stack right, and I can’t believe how much better the handling and comfort is. I feel confident on descents. The new set-up is Fizik aluminium bars and stem, and Specialized tape.
I also changed the chainrings from 53-39 to 48-34 compact, keeping 13-29 on the cassette. From looking around the forums this seems to be a pretty common change to make, and it works for me.
So far, I haven’t spent too much, and the bike seems pretty good. Its got Ambrosio Excellence wheels, with 23mm Michelin clinchers which are old I think, and are cracking up a bit on the sidewalls.
My question is: is a set of modern wheels, perhaps with 25mm tyres, going to make much difference? I am 94kg and I would like to move from 23mm to 25mm, but the internal width of the Ambrosio’s is 15mm I think.
Or do I just need a new set of 23mm tyres?
Thanks in advance for any advice…

Topic

[BananaRepublic]

I like the sound of that even

I like the sound of that even better! Some new tyres then, going to try Veloflex 25mm.

Thanks

[Balthazar]

Ambrosio Excellence are fine

Ambrosio Excellence are fine rims- if the brake track is not too worn and the hubs are ok then you don’t need new wheels. Get some nice 25mm tyres, or even try getting some 27/28mm in there- I’m not sure what the clearance is like on a Corum. 

[Welsh boy]

I am going to question this

I am going to question this love of “hand built” wheels, i have gone over to “factory built” (quite often hand built by a man in a factory) wheels and have had no problems with them (apart from two Campag Zonda freehubs both destroying bearings in 2-3000 miles).  Have a look at something like Pro Lite Bracciano A42W, will take 23 to 35mm tyres and are tubeless ready too.  Dont get me started on tubeless either, stick with inner tubes (have a look at the recent thread “Tubeless tyres – opinions?” currently on the of of page 3 of this forum) but the Bracciano’s will take tubeless if you want to go that route.

[benji77]

+1 for Harry Rowland. He

+1 for Harry Rowland. He built 2 sets of wheels for me some years ago and both running brilliant still.

[Chris Hayes]

Ask Harry Rowland to build

Ask Harry Rowland to build you some 32 spoked Kinlins: wide rimmed, tubeless ready, very comfortable and sturdy.  He may have some in stock.  You should be able to fit 25mm tyres, giving you more volume… It will make a difference.  

[Author]

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