Advice

[CAS]

I need some advice. I am planning on starting a training program to do a gran fondo in a couple of mos. (the training...the gran fondo will be Spring 2018) and I am going to have a guy from Canada coach me via email. I just bought a new road bike (carbon), and he is strongly suggesting that I purchase a lighter wheel set. The bike has rim brakes (I live in San Diego and with the exception of the last three/four mos, we receive very little rain), so I won't have the added weight the disc brakes would have. It also has Shimano 105 components. Would lighter wheels really make that much of a difference? I am not out for speed--or be the first one in, but I don't want to be crawling in either. Ha, I am 65 years young, and the only person I compete with is myself. I didn't purchase a TOL bike, I bought a bike that was the best that I could afford without having to sell my beloved dogs! �� Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[north woods gal]

Listen to your coach. 105 grade bikes are usually spec'd with basic, utility grade wheel sets. I was a doubter until I upgraded an early Trek Carbon 105 grade bike I had with an expensive, lighter wheel set, but noticed an immediate difference in average speed. Bike accelerated, quicker, and was more responsive. Almost like getting a new bike. Even if you're not interested in speed, it still means less work over the course of a long day. Was well worth spending the money to do it. I think it's the most effective way to improve performance on a typical 105 class bike.

[CAS]

Listen to your coach. 105 grade bikes are usually spec'd with basic, utility grade wheel sets. I was a doubter until I upgraded an early Trek Carbon 105 grade bike I had with an expensive, lighter wheel set, but noticed an immediate difference in average speed. Bike accelerated, quicker, and was more responsive. Almost like getting a new bike. Even if you're not interested in speed, it still means less work over the course of a long day. Was well worth spending the money to do it. I think it's the most effective way to improve performance on a typical 105 class bike.

Thanks! I appreciate your real world experience, which is very helpful.

[Jean_TZ]

I recently replaced the Mavic wheels on my 2011 Ruby Elite with Shimano RS81 C24 wheels and noticed an improvement in handling as well as acceleration.

Given that you are a female cyclist, you too will probably notice a decrease in wheel weight. If the weight reduction is meaningful, it should be noticeably easier to accelerate (e.g., taking off from a stop or accelerating into a gust of wind, or going up a hill).

You don't necessarily have to spend lots of money to get a set of light wheels. On the "BikeForums" and "RoadBikeReview" web sites you can find lots of suggestions for light road wheels. (Among the least expensive and most talked about are the Vuelta wheelsets.)

[CAS]

P
I recently replaced the Mavic wheels on my 2011 Ruby Elite with Shimano RS81 C24 wheels and noticed an improvement in handling as well as acceleration.

Given that you are a female cyclist, you too will probably notice a decrease in wheel weight. If the weight reduction is meaningful, it should be noticeably easier to accelerate (e.g., taking off from a stop or accelerating into a gust of wind, or going up a hill).

You don't necessarily have to spend lots of money to get a set of light wheels. On the "BikeForums" and "RoadBikeReview" web sites you can find lots of suggestions for light road wheels. (Among the least expensive and most talked about are the Vuelta wheelsets.)

Oh, that's good to know! I have to admit, that when I rode my Ruby for the first time (yesterday), I couldn't believe how hill climbing was so much easier than on my Sirrus. I can only imagine what it will be like to get lighter wheels. I certainly will take your advice by researching on the two websites you suggested. I have surgery next week, so my cycling days will be numbered until I recover. I just love this bike!

Thank you for your wonderful advice. Everyone who responded has convinced me to upgrade my wheel set.

[Trek420]

Thank you for your wonderful advice. Everyone who responded has convinced me to upgrade my wheel set.

Yes, upgrading wheels may be the single most cost effective upgrade on a bike you love but otherwise want to improve. You decrease rolling resistance while you increase acceleration and usually less weight.

I'm considering downgrading my wheels somewhat. My road bike has an awesome carbon wheelset. Ultimately we worry about carbon fiber because I've had and ridden the bike for a while and a lot of miles. So I'm researching what would be the lightest, fastest and of course loveliest "standard" wheels.

My LBS has suggested a few but with tubeless tires and I'm not sure I want to go tubeless. While I tend to have few flats but the idea of having to fix a tubeless flat when in a remote location sounds daunting.

Of course there's always Uber at that point. :rolleyes:

[CAS]

Yes, upgrading wheels may be the single most cost effective upgrade on a bike you love but otherwise want to improve. You decrease rolling resistance while you increase acceleration and usually less weight.

I'm considering downgrading my wheels somewhat. My road bike has an awesome carbon wheelset. Ultimately we worry about carbon fiber because I've had and ridden the bike for a while and a lot of miles. So I'm researching what would be the lightest, fastest and of course loveliest "standard" wheels.

My LBS has suggested a few but with tubeless tires and I'm not sure I want to go tubeless. While I tend to have few flats but the idea of having to fix a tubeless flat when in a remote location sounds daunting.

Of course there's always Uber at that point. :rolleyes:

Thank you Trek! If I ride for the shear enjoyment, but also want to do gran fondos or century rides, what are the disadvantages of carbon wheels? Our streets are in horrific condition (although, gas tax and car registration will rise to pay for the repairs in California), so, I am kind of flummoxed to the type of wheels (taking into consideration our lousy roads) I should look at.

[Jean_TZ]

Thank you Trek! If I ride for the shear enjoyment, but also want to do gran fondos or century rides, what are the disadvantages of carbon wheels? Our streets are in horrific condition (although, gas tax and car registration will rise to pay for the repairs in California), so, I am kind of flummoxed to the type of wheels (taking into consideration our lousy roads) I should look at.

To answer to your specific question, check out http://road.cc/content/feature/171115-pros-and-cons-carbon-fibre-wheels.

In general, bear in mind that with bike wheels you can only achieve two of the following three goals: low cost, low weight, high durability.

When it comes to choosing new wheels, there are several specifications you should consider:
- material (all aluminum, carbon fiber with aluminum brake track, or all carbon),
- width of the rim when viewed from head on,
- rim profile/section (the height of the rim from the bead where the tire mounts to the rim’s shoulder area where the spokes enter),
- whether you want to run tubeless tires, and
- and reparability.

Google for “bike wheel buying guide” if you aren’t familiar with those rim & wheel specifications. Then you can choose new wheels based on your particular needs, wants, and budget.