New Bike - But Need Opinions

Good morning! I just ordered a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 (upgraded from SRAM Rival to Ultegra). The wheelset that comes on the bike is Mavic Aksium WTS. The LBS suggested I could change to a Fulcrum Racing 4 wheelset for $150.00. The Fulcrum Racing 4 wheelset comes on Specialized bikes and is hard to find information on online. I know that wheelsets are very important to some but I basically ride in benefit/charity rides with the family so I am not a racer but just don't want to give up the Mavic's if they are a good wheelset for the Fulcrums if it is not necessary. Thoughts?

Not familiar with the Fulcrum but love my Mavic's, have never had a single problem and have 1,000's of miles. Haven't even broken a spoke.

I cannot comment on those wheels particularly, as I ride my Synapse on Ksyrium elites (also a Mavic wheel). I think wheels make a big difference in how a bike rides and a nice set is worth it to have. Generally stock wheels are so-so. You're ordering a pretty awesome bicycle, why not get a good set of wheels too? But you can always save up and upgrade later.

I'm still riding the Aksiums that came stock with my Synapse. They're a very inexpensive wheel. At my weight and riding style, they're way overbuilt - the upside to that is that spoke- and rim-wise, they're pretty much bulletproof and hardly ever even need truing.

My freehub bushing failed at about 10,000 miles, and it turns out that's not that unusual an event. Mavic uses a plastic bushing rather than bearings (or more durable bushings). Because of that, the freehub needs more frequent cleaning and lubrication than other brands, which is kind of a pain. I do most of my maintenance myself, but pulling the freehub apart I leave to professional mechanics.

I don't know anything about the wheelset the shop is offering you. Ask them to explain the differences and why they think the other wheels would be better for you.

Most generally, when you buy a complete bike, wheels are the place the manufacturer skimps the most on. But trading the stock wheels off another bike - rather than buying or building a better set - doesn't necessarily seem like that great a deal.

DBF had a set of Aksiums for years before he upgraded to Ksyriums. His mom now has the Aksiums and they've held up well. I don't think they're at the 10,000-mile mark yet (his family rides but not as much as many here). I'm not entirely sure that it's worth spending the extra money to "upgrade" to another stock wheel, especially one that's essentially unknown. I'd save and buy a nicer set.

(Hm, Aksiums are inexpensive and bullet-proof, you say? They're sure as heck an upgrade from where I am right now...Hm.)

The Aksiums are a durable inexpensive wheelset, but they are heavy. That's the weight weenie in me talking. Without going esoteric, you can easily find wheelsets that weigh over a pound less. We are talking rotating mass here- a pound from the wheels will feel like 3 pounds off the bike when you are moving.

The Fulcrum 4 wheels, from what I have read, are made for Specialized so were probably take-offs from someone who upgraded when they got their bike, and are a mix of the Fulcrum 3 and 5 (5 hub, 3 rim and 20/24 spoke count). The Racing 3s weigh 1555 and the Racing 5 weighs 1760 so the Racing 4 probably weighs in the mid 1600s. Not bad and close to a pound less than those Askiums.

Very worth it for $150, you will feel this difference with every pedal stroke, unless your aim is to buy or order something totally different in the near future.

A 2011 Mavic Aksium wheelset weighs 1795g, so tzivia's estimate of weight is correct, the Fulcrums would be less than 1/3 lb lighter. The Aksiums are good wheels, in my experience. $150 sounds like a fair deal on the Fulcrums if they 4s are close to the 3s (which retail for ~$640, while the Aksiums go for ~$250).

The Fulcrum 6 wheels came on my Specialized Ruby. They were a zillion times better than the wheels that came on my Fuji. The 4's are the next step up. I can't speak to the other wheels you mentioned- have never ridden with any of them.

Thank you all for responding! I am hoping my bike comes in this week. I am worried that the Fulcrums have a lot of red on them and my bike is white, black and Cabernet. If the red is mostly on a label then I guess I could just take the label off.

I really appreciate all of your help!