How much difference does a new wheelset make?

[limewave]

I was really hoping to get a new bike this year, but I don't think that's going to happen. DH said he would like to see me get a new wheelset for my for my road bike. I'm just wondering, how much of a difference it makes? My bike is a Giant TCR2 2005 aluminum frame with stock components--no upgrades.

[SheFly]

I've been told that if you make ONE upgrade to your ride, it should be wheels. This is where you can gain the most significant weight savings. My DH often replaces our stock wheels for something lighter, and it really DOES make a difference. The ride is usually faster, and depending on the wheels, can also be smoother.

SheFly

[Veronica]

Tires make a huge difference as well and are comparatively cheap to upgrade. :D

Thom found a website where some guy ran tests on a bunch of different tires. Happily, the ones on my race bike are some of the faster ones.

Veronica

[Aggie_Ama]

I will let you know soon since my bike with stock wheels will hopefully beat my custom ones. When I ordered my replacement for my crashed bike the one thing I splurged for was a new wheelset. Everything else is similar to what I had except 29er wheels. It is shaving about 800 grams (1.75 lbs) on my bike. Then you factor in the rolling weight and you realize even more benefit. Plus the wrenches explained a stiffer wheel set won't flex meaning more of your power is used efficiently, I think of it as the wheel works with me not against me. I built a light set that are laced in a way to make them super stiff. After that a good set of hubs (I am going with Industry 9 but there are numerous good ones that aren't quite as expensive) will engage faster. Some people said they feel like they stop pedaling but the hub is still pushing.

Like Shefly, I have always been told it is the best upgrade you can do. You can usually find some nice deals on good road wheels if you shop around. Good luck!

[Seajay]

As said above. Tires and Wheels make a huge difference. Consensus among those who actually look at data seems to run along the lines of wheel aerodynamics making the biggest difference. Even at the expense of slightly higher overall weight. That said...a lightweight aero wheel with the appropriate tire inflated to the correct PSI would be ideal.
I've heard that the biggest performance advantage for the least money comes in tires/tire pressure.
Remember that anything you can do to clean up aerodynamics will allow you to be faster with the same output. Clothing, helmets, ride position (to a point), bottle cages, cable housing

[Velocivixen]

I went to Pedal Nation this weekend in Portland and spent time talking to Jude Kirstein, owner of Sugar Wheel Works, and she said that wheels can make a world of difference. My question to her was "would different wheels make a difference for someone like me who is a newby or would only elite competitors notice the difference?". She had a lot to share on the topic. She had some wheels she made out of some sort of Italian wood - just gorgeous. Not that this answers your question, but new wheels could be a good thing.

[oz rider]

Do you know what your current wheels weigh? If the wheels are standard you might be able to find the total weight of the wheelset (then add tyres); otherwise you can get tyre weights and rim/hub weights from manufacturer and retailer websites, which will give you something concrete to use in assessing potential upgrades - either factory or custom. The weight in rims and tyres is rotating weight so it's more significant than elsewhere. Unless you are putting an enormous amount of power through them, or there's some particular issue like weight, most factory wheels will be sufficiently stiff for the average rider and cheaper than custom. But I do love my custom wheels. :D

[limewave]

Thanks for all the input. I wish I could afford custom. But after looking at the prices, I'm going to have to find a good deal on factory wheels. Cycling on a budget is tough! Part of me is wondering about just sticking with my bike as is for another year or two and cross my fingers we can afford a new bike at that time. Another part of me thinks I ought to invest in an upgrade in the wheelset and cross my fingers that my bike holds up another 4-5 years.

[Aggie_Ama]

The only reason I went custom was I get 20% off them. They are still a bit spendy but I also had to spend a certain amount to get my full insurance payment and not wanting a carbon mountain bike meant I needed to spend about $1k more to hit it. So I understand they are not for everyone.

Depending on what you have now you can get some wheels that will be a huge upgrade without dropping a lot of money. Might want to start watching towards the summer if you can wait for the next year models to drop and then you can find great deals on this year's wheels. That is what DH did when he got some upgrades for his mountain bike.

You can always keep your wheels and sell the stock ones if you replace the bike.

[arielmoon]

Absolutely! Wheels and quality tires make a substantial difference, especially to someone that is used to riding heavier wheels.

My stock wheels were 1800 grams. I recently rode 1500g Zipp 404 carbon clinchers for fun (WOW!!! but $$$) and a set of Industry Nine i30 at 1450g. With both wheels I felt a difference especially when trying to stay on a fast paceline. Did I still get dropped by the A riders? Sure. But, I stayed on longer, recovered faster and had a blast.

Also consider lighter tubes like latex.

[jobob]

Indysteel, Sadiekate , dauchsund and I posted ad nauseum some time back about what a huge difference a new wheelset makes, and how surprisingly affordable (and downright economical) a well built set of custom wheels can be.

Look up posts by indysteel or sadiekate with the keyword "wheels". If you want to narrow your search, add either "custom" or "handbuilt" to your search. If you want to get to the crux, throw in the term "white industries hubs".

[indysteel]

Indysteel, Sadiekate , dauchsund and I posted ad nauseum some time back about what a huge difference a new wheelset makes, and how surprisingly affordable (and downright economical) a well built set of custom wheels can be.

Look up posts by indysteel or sadiekate with the keyword "wheels". If you want to narrow your search, add either "custom" or "handbuilt" to your search. If you want to get to the crux, throw in the term "white industries hubs".

Yep. Granted, I don't know what type of wheel you're looking for Limewave, but custom wheels aren't necessarily more expensive than factory wheels. DH and I both have similar sets and they did not break the bank for what we got in return. Plus, the White Industries hubs we both used (and Jobob and SK used as well) are a thing of beauty.

[jobob]

Yep. Granted, I don't know what type of wheel you're looking for Limewave, but custom wheels aren't necessarily more expensive than factory wheels. DH and I both have similar sets and they did not break the bank for what we got in return. Plus, the White Industries hubs we both used (and Jobob and SK used as well) are a thing of beauty.


Right -- I imagine the White Industries hubs wouldn't be what you're looking for, Limewave (at least, I don't think so), I meant to use that term to zero in on our past discussions of the advantages of wheelset upgrades, but in retrospect that might lead you too far OT. sorry!

[indysteel]

Right -- I imagine the White Industries hubs wouldn't be what you're looking for, Limewave (at least, I don't think so), I meant to use that term to zero in on our past discussions of the advantages of wheelset upgrades, but in retrospect that might lead you too far OT. sorry!

I don't think doing that search will lead her too far off topic. In the very least, I think those former threads address her original question. Plus, to the extent she's looking for a good set of all-around wheels, I actually do think the builds we went with, including the WI hubs, make for a good suggestion. Admittedly, however, I have no idea what kind of wheel she's looking for or what her budget is.

[limewave]

Admittedly, however, I have no idea what kind of wheel she's looking for . . .

Me either.



. . . or what her budget is.

$400-$500 for a set.

[crazycanuck]

Limewave, i'm not sure if JetBlack wheels are the price range you're looking at but perhaps ask your lovely LBS?? http://www.jetblackproducts.com/categories/B/B01

I've no clue if JetBlack stuff is well known in the US???

[Seajay]

Me either.




$400-$500 for a set.

Oooo. That's tough.
Road bike?
Well, Best low cost option I can think of is a bit higher in the price range...
SRAM S30 Sprint @ $750
Other good options
Mavic Ksyrium Equipe @ $449
(I sent you a PM also)

[Cataboo]

YOu could treat it like a scavenger hunt and watch bonktown. They ocassionally have 50% off wheels. Easton EC90's have been up for $500 or less and my FSA wheels were like 60% off.

They'll be improvements over your stock wheels.

[limewave]

I've been watching Bonktown. I saw two wheelsets come up over the last week, but they were still out of my price range.

Would it be totally weird to just buy one new wheel? I was thinking maybe I should just get a new rear wheel.

[redrhodie]

You should read Peter White's page on wheels (especially his rant). I love this guy. He cracks me up.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/wheels.asp

[Seajay]

Nothing wrong with getting one wheel.

[jobob]

You should read Peter White's page on wheels (especially his rant). I love this guy. He cracks me up.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/wheels.asp

Very good call, redrhodie! Peter White's a grumpy old guy but he speaks the truth and makes a whole lot of sense.

Those of you who are convinced you cannot afford custom built wheels, take a moment and look at the prices he's quoting, you might be in for a bit of a surprise.

Yes, I know, these prices are circa 2007-2008 and will no doubt be higher now (how much higher, I have absolutely no idea -- that's where you contact Peter White).

At the very least, it should give those of you contemplating new wheels (including the OP) a starting point.

PW builds mtn bike wheels too, and has (outdated) quotes on the page for those as well. Again, its a good starting point.

One could always approach other wheel builders (or heck, write to Peter White) and ask how much they would charge today for one of those builds. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Seriously, email a few good wheel builders (if you want any suggestions, ask here) and tell them what you are looking for, even if it's just along the lines of :

"I have xxx bike, it takes (700c? 650b? 26"?) wheels and I usually ride xx width tires, and I'm looking to upgrade the wheelset because (why are you looking to upgrade the wheelset, btw?). It would also help to specify what your current wheelset is, at least what is the brand name written on the hub and on the rims.
I weigh xxx.
I ride xxx (frequency, terrain).
I was wondering what wheels you would suggest, in the $$$ price range.


That's what I did a few years back and I was pleasantly surprised.

You might be pleasantly surprised as well. :cool:

At the very least, it might give you a better idea of what you should be looking for.

[indysteel]

Very good call, redrhodie! Peter White's a grumpy old guy but he speaks the truth and makes a whole lot of sense.

Those of you who are convinced you cannot afford custom built wheels, take a moment and look at the prices he's quoting, you might be in for a bit of a surprise.

Yes, I know, these prices are circa 2007-2008 and will no doubt be higher now (how much higher, I have absolutely no idea -- that's where you contact Peter White).

At the very least, it should give those of you contemplating new wheels (including the OP) a starting point.

PW builds mtn bike wheels too, and has (outdated) quotes on the page for those as well. Again, its a good starting point.

One could always approach other wheel builders (or heck, write to Peter White) and ask how much they would charge today for one of those builds. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Seriously, email a few good wheel builders (if you want any suggestions, ask here) and tell them what you are looking for, even if it's just along the lines of :

"I have xxx bike, it takes (700c? 650b? 26"?) wheels and I usually ride xx width tires, and I'm looking to upgrade the wheelset because (why are you looking to upgrade the wheelset, btw?). It would also help to specify what your current wheelset is, at least what is the brand name written on the hub and on the rims.
I weigh xxx.
I ride xxx (frequency, terrain).
I was wondering what wheels you would suggest, in the $$$ price range.


That's what I did a few years back and I was pleasantly surprised.

You might be pleasantly surprised as well. :cool:

At the very least, it might give you a better idea of what you should be looking for.


That's about how my conversation with my fitter went. I'd note--although I'm not necessarily trying to push a particular build--that my DH has a lovely pair of 2009 handbuilt wheels by Ron Ruff that cost $600. I know that's above your price range, but with some tweaking to the build, he or another builder could potentially build you something in your price range. Whether they'll be a big enough improvement to your stock wheels to justify the expense, I don't know. I would suggest figuring out first what your current wheelset weighs--not (as Peter White indicates) that weight is everything.

[Veronica]

This thread revived Thom's interest in new wheels for my bike. I LOVE having a guy who likes to do research. After tons of reading, he ordered me some Easton EA90s from Colorado Cyclist today.

I have no idea - and I really don't care- why he picked those. He got me a fabulous new bike last year, so I trust his judgement. :D

They would (just barely) fit into your price range.

Veronica

[pll]

What will the Eastons replace? Please do tell what differences you feel in the ride!

[Veronica]

What will the Eastons replace? Please do tell what differences you feel in the ride!


Fulcrum 7s. New wheels won't be here for a week. But I will be sure to give some feedback.


Veronica

[limewave]

I definitely want to hear your opinion of the difference too!

I gave up on a new wheelset when I couldn't find anything in my price range that I thought would make a big enough difference to justify the cost. And then my darn LBS just handed me over a 29er to demo for awhile. Now I've listed my full suspension mntn bike and am slowly adding to my bike-fund in hopes of getting my own 29er!!!

[itself]

When I had my Litespeed Blueridge, I had a custom set of Canecreek wheels with titanium hubs put on her. Absolutely the best upgrade ever. I noticed a huge difference.

[jobob]

I always wonder, when people go out and test-ride different bikes, if the differences they perceive have more to do with the wheelsets that happen to be on those particular bikes rather than, say, the frame materials.

Not that it would be practical to bring your own wheelset to test ride a bike ... :rolleyes:

[Jiffer]

The right wheels could lighten your bike considerably. There are wheels design to help you climb better (which is why DH chose mine for me) and wheels designed to help you go better on the flat (which is why DH chose his), etc. The right wheel can make a big difference, depending on what you are going from and to. You need to figure out your goals and see if you can find a wheel that helps with that and is within your budget. It's a good way to upgrade your bike without replacing it.

You can always upgrade other parts as well a little at a time, including your frame. This is a great way to get a sweet bike without a big one time expense. DH got my Cannondale SuperSix frame super cheap on ebay, cause it has a small blemish, which I can't even find ... not that I'm really looking! I told him not to tell me. It took him and his friend a long time to find it too. My bike was an evolution, which started with my husband's first bike. He started with a lower end used Cannondale and slowly bought parts to upgrade it. He found deals and saved a lot of money and was able to spread out the expense over time. Eventually he had a really nice bike with DuraAce components and an upgraded frame. It was a completely different bike from the one he started with. When I was ready to transition from the tandem we rode to my own bike, he was also dying to get an even better bike. So, he bought an already built new bike, bought me a frame and put all his parts from his previous bike on it. Nice parts, like DuraAce components, so I got to start out with a pretty nice bike from the get go. Eventually, some of those parts were changed out to better suit me (handlebars for my smaller hands and crank set for better climbing) and then he surprised me one day. I had been dying to get the new Cannondale SuperSix frame, which he beat me to cause he crashed and bent his frame. I was SO frustrated. However, little did I know that he had, over a period of several months secretly bought me a SupeSix frame, SRAM Red components and something else I can't remember. He told me he was taking our bikes to his friend's house to take them apart, clean them really good and put them back together. I was in bed when he came back. He turned on the light in the bedroom and I squinted in the light to see him holding up my newly evolved SuperSix bike all put together! He had redeemed himself. ;)

His riding buddy very patiently bought parts for his dream MTB on ebay just recently. He bid over and over again on parts he wanted, but wouldn't budge on his low price. He lost tons of bids, but won some here and there and, with patience, he got all the parts for his dream bike and is now riding it. He saved a ton of money.

So there's some food for thought. You might want to start with wheels and move on to other components a little at a time to get your dream bike.

[zoom-zoom]

Jiffer, I love this story. I am totally smitten with my own SuperSix, but the wheels are the lowest-end thing on it (Mavic Aksium) and I could see eventually wanting to upgrade the components from a mix of Rival and Force to all Force, as well. Hubby recently built a wheel for a fixed hub that he put on his CX bike (cobbled from an old road bike of his dad's). I'm thinking someday I might have fun building my own wheels, too...this thread has been really inspirational.

[Becky]

I'm thinking someday I might have fun building my own wheels, too...this thread has been really inspirational.

Do it....it's really not that hard, I've managed to save some money building my own, and it's a lot of fun!

[Aggie_Ama]

In Austin (granted a hot bed of cycling), we have several custom wheel builders and the cost they have thrown out isn't extravagant. Buidling up wheels really taught me a lot of about bike parts, I didn't have one of the local guys do it but I still had a lot of input before ordering. I understand how hubs work better, benefits of different ways they are laced and how much difference stiffness can be. It was really fun and I feel smarter!

[Veronica]

Well, now I'm going to have two sets of wheels to compare. Thom did some more research and decided that I really needed ther Shimano dura ace 7900 c50 clinchers as my race wheels.

We're looking for a good place to do a controlled test to compare all this stuff - different wheels, different tires... I think I've found a good, relatively long, straight hill. :D

He was hoping to surprise me with this second set, but it set off the credit card alert and I got an email about it. Oh well, he's still earned lots of points - which are non-redeemable and have no value. :p

Veronica

[pll]

Waiting for your review... ;) I guess you also have an extra cassette, to be able to swap wheels easily?

[Veronica]

Took the Eastons out for their first ride today. The bike definitely accelerates faster uphill. I was seeing 2-3 miles faster on the short hills we were riding today in between storms. The wheels are about a pound lighter than the Fulcrums so that makes sense. I actually dropped Thom on a hill today. That hasn't happened in a long time.

It's a bit stiffer ride - probably because I'm riding at 120 PSI instead of 100. I actually like a stiff ride, so that's okay.

The rear wheel was pinging under heavy acceleration. One spoke was ever so slightly loose. Fixed that when we got home, so hopefully that problem will go away.

The Shimanos are coming from the UK so they won't be here for a bit.

And yes, I did get a second cassette.

Veronica

[pll]

2-3 miles faster? Sweet! That is huge. Are using 23 mm tires instead 25 mm? 120 psi is what the 23 mm tires in my old bike would take (versus the 25 mm in my new bike).

[limewave]

Wow! That is a BIG difference!

I ride at about 120 PSI too. I'm hoping to get a new mntn bike now, but maybe I'll save my pennies after that so I can upgrade my wheelset on my road bike next year.