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Alternative wheelset conundrum

I currently have a set of Vision T42 wheels on my ‘best’ bike. I’ve had them for 5 years and they’ve always been great. In previous years I’ve alternated with the original wheels I had on the bike that I used when the weather was bad or it was very windy (the Visions are pretty good but when it’s really blowing across you do feel some force pushing you sideways).

I upgraded my groupset to 11 speed this summer and the original wheels have a 10 speed tiagra hub so are no use any more.

I’d like to get a set of lighter and shallower wheels that could serve for hilly and windy days. I’ve built a set of wheels for my CX bike using DT Swiss R460 rims and 350 hubs, which have come out really well with Schwalbe s-one tubeless tyres on. So I’d like these to be tubeless too.

My initial thought was to build a set of DT Swiss wheels using RR411 20h/24h on 240s hubs - these would be under 1500g, but I’ve been told they’ll be quite flexible (I weigh 85kg). And the build cost would be around £500 for the wheelset alone, plus skewers, tyres, tape and valves.

Alternatively I was thinking of the Fulcrum racing 3 two way for, I’ve seen some quite good pricing for these, though they are a few years old so have a 15mm internal/20.5 external rather than the wider 18mm internal of the RR411. However for half the cost roughly I think that’s an acceptable downside (they’re only 60g heavier too).

I want a set of wheels that aren’t too wide - ideally the same (21mm) external width as my visions with an aluminium brake track - then I can change quickly without having to mess around each time.

Has anyone any experience of using the fulcrum wheels with Schwalbe Pro Ones? Should the fact they are a few years old put me off?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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TheFatAndTheFurious | 6 years ago
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I have a set of 2013 Fulcrum 3 two-way fit yet never using tubeless, owing to buying them at a stupidly good discount. 

I've found them to be pretty much bomb-proof. They are still straight and round after 20,000km,  on roads which are mostly without potholes. The very very minor niggles are:

* One of the flat bladed spokes has worked its way a quarter of a turn around, and doesn't turn with the nipple.

* The front wheel bearings were pretty tight - it spun down quite quickly. However, since the bearings are cup/cone and with their "allen-key only" adjustment, that was very easy to resolve.

* Rear wheel hub noise is a bit raspy for my taste.

Width wise, they are wider than the stock wheels which came with my bike (from 7 years ago), but it's only 3 turns on the brake barrel adjuster to bring the blocks out enough. I'd be surprised if you had to do much more.

My summary: a totally dependable wheel and a good notch up from "stock" wheels for a reasonable price.

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