Best 700c Clinchers for sub £500?

spicypedro · 2012-12-11T10:09:40+00:00

This year I bought a new frameset (Argon18 Radon) and a new groupset (105) but I'm still running my old wheels (OpenPro on 105 on the back and whatever the Bonty factory wheel was that came with my 2009 Trek 1.5 on the front). The bike upgrade made a real difference to my performance as well as my enjoyment of riding. I also lost 6 stone in weight in 6 months, which probably contributed. For next season I want to upgrade my wheelset. I'll have a maximum of £500 to spend before The Wife has my nuts and I'm after some advice on the best options. Obviously I'd like this to be a meaningful upgrade. Something that will make me notice the difference and feel like I'm riding on better wheels. So what are my best options?

This topic has 25 replies, 22 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 6 months ago by Adam Buckland_ASD.

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December 11, 2012 at 10:09 am #17446

spicypedro

This year I bought a new frameset (Argon18 Radon) and a new groupset (105) but I’m still running my old wheels (OpenPro on 105 on the back and whatever the Bonty factory wheel was that came with my 2009 Trek 1.5 on the front).

The bike upgrade made a real difference to my performance as well as my enjoyment of riding. I also lost 6 stone in weight in 6 months, which probably contributed.

For next season I want to upgrade my wheelset. I’ll have a maximum of £500 to spend before The Wife has my nuts and I’m after some advice on the best options.

Obviously I’d like this to be a meaningful upgrade. Something that will make me notice the difference and feel like I’m riding on better wheels.

So what are my best options?
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December 11, 2012 at 3:34 pm #708737
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MattT53

Something hand built – Open
Something hand built – Open Pro/Hope combo would be nice. I have a pair of hand built wheels(Dt240s on Dt rims) that I find a whole lot nicer to ride than Kysiriums (SSC SLs). Plus when you wear through the rim you just buy another one ….
Nice list of possibilities here – http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/road-wheels-prices

December 11, 2012 at 3:31 pm #708735
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gillerz960

I recently bought some
I recently bought some Fulcrum Racing 3s and although I don’t have anything in a similar price range to compare them to I am really pleased with them. I noticed a huge difference between them and the CXP22s that came with the bike so I don’t think you’d be disappointed if you went for them.

December 11, 2012 at 3:17 pm #708733
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timbola

OK, in support of any Fulcrum
OK, in support of any Fulcrum wheels … I have had my Fulcrum Racing 7s since June 2007. I have not had a single spoke break and only had to replace the pawl springs (plus the sprockets of course) with regular commuting etc. If the more expensive Fulcrums are anything like mine, they will be extremely reliable.
Interesting suggestion of Open Pros and Hope hubs … I have been wondering about building some wheels up (as I used in the 70s and 80s to race) and have seriously considered that combination, too.
My mate owns a cycle shop and he has always had good things to say about Mavics, by the way.

December 11, 2012 at 3:10 pm #708731
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Leviathan

These Planet X aero clinchers
These Planet X aero clinchers are £399 so well in budget. Tell the missus you saved money!

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPX60CCL/planet_x_60mm_carbon_clincher_wheelset

Kudos on the weight loss. If I lost 6 stone I would be 8 stone and a mountain goat.

December 11, 2012 at 2:56 pm #708729
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Anonymous

Ksyrium Elites. Mine are
Ksyrium Elites. Mine are just under 4 years old, 3500 miles or so, 1 spoke replaced after it went in a fast corner recently, but otherwise never been touched. When I bought aero wheels for the carbon bike this summer they moved from there to the audax. When the spoke went I put the RS20 back wheel in and immediately felt the difference. I’m currently just under 100kgs, but I have been over for most of the last 4 years, so good for Clydesdales.

December 11, 2012 at 2:26 pm #708727
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Simon E

There are some brand new
There are some brand new Ksyrium Elites for sale on the forum:
http://road.cc/content/forum/71755-fs-mavic-ksyrium-elite-shimano-freehweel

Other names that come to mind are RS80s, Fulcrum Racing 3, American Classic Victory or 420 Aero, Pro-Lite Bracchiano and Planet X AL30s.

December 11, 2012 at 11:42 am #708725
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pirnie

I’ve just been through the
I’ve just been through the same debate and literally this morning ended up ordering a set of Ksyrium Elites. Heard good things about them, both online and from friends.

I’ve had a set of Shimano RS80s in the past which were lovely, but just not stiff enough at my weight (80-85kg) and the back rim’s worn out in about 8 months rubbing against the brake pads. I’ve heard that the Dura-Ace C24s can suffer the same problem but I have no experience of them.

December 11, 2012 at 10:55 am #708723
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spicypedro

A friend has recommended
A friend has recommended getting a handbuilt set of OpenPros on Hope Pro3 hubs, and makes some good arguments for this option.

Any dissenting opinions?

December 11, 2012 at 10:32 am #708721
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titusrider

can you stretch to Duraace
can you stretch to Duraace c24’s might be in reach somewhere on the web

otherwise maybe go for some handbuilts with something like a velocity a23 rim

December 11, 2012 at 10:25 am #708719
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jimmo62

Mavic Ksyrium Elites – mine
Mavic Ksyrium Elites – mine have been bulletproof, not the lightest on the market but really tough and you will definitely notice a difference…
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