So do new wheels make you faster? (Bike Pics)

[Mr. SR500]

I don't know, but they are fun to play with. I ride my Madone most all the time, but keep the Bianchi has a back-up trainer/rain bike. Lately I've taken to thinking about making it my TT bike. You know spend lots of money for 20K once a month for 8 months. First I added some aero bars, and just this week, bought some Pro-Lite 50mm demo clinchers. I'm not sure how much faster I'll be, but the bike really makes you think you are fast. It still weighs a ton, but hey not bad for my Italian budget TT'er.

[redrhodie]

And you'll LOOK fast to all of us on the other side of the road, heading in the opposite direction. That's gotta be worth something!

[Mr. Bloom]

I hope so! I bidding on some on ebay as we speak!

[salsabike]

So do new wheels make you faster?

Of course they do. Is this a trick question?

Looks very pretty indeed.

[silver]

Dang! that's a sexy bike! Oh, those wheels!!!! They sure look fast! have you put them on the madone yet? will you? How much do they weigh? what kind of tires? tubes?

Why not TT bars?

[mimitabby]

lovely Bianchi!!!

[Mr. Bloom]

Yea! I just got some brand new Bontrager X-Lites on ebay for $510

[VeloVT]

Mr SR500, pretty Bianchi -- what's the vintage? Alu? I have a newish Bianchi cross bike and have an idle desire for a vintage steel Bianchi road bike (must be Celeste). Of course, if I had a spare $10k, I'd be tempted by the new ti ones too...

Mr. Silver, congrats on your new wheels.

I am idly wanting to get fast wheels for my new road bike (which came with Ksyrium Equipes) so I can switch the OK road bike wheels to my cross bike, which came with crappy wheels with crappy bearings (low-end Alex wheels). I'm kinda interested in Easton EA90's and HED Ardennes, both seem to be (relatively) good values. Any feedback on either of these is appreciated . (However, my desire is at an idle/tire-kicking level right now until I'm feeling flush enough to actually do something about it... But no good salesperson should ever write off a seeming tire-kicker because impulse is all too volatile...).

Anyhoo, if it looks fast, and makes you feel faster, you'll be faster, I promise !

[Mr. SR500]

Thanks all.

Silver, I don't know the weight, but they aren't light, although likely not much heavier then the low-end Mavic Ksyrium that I had on it before. I can run them on the Madone, but it currently has a set of Race-X-Lite Aeros with a power tap, so I lose the PT if I swap wheels. I might do it, but the Madone also has a carbon bar, so aero bars is a no-no. Hence the Bianchi is better suited for modification, plus I just love the Madone as it is! Since they were demos, the tires and tubes were included. Conti 4000's, no idea on the tubes. A local guy used them at the KYIM last year, so in excellent condition. Most of the guys around here have gone to tubular race wheels, either 50's or a 50/90 combo. The tubulars are a lot lighter, can run higher pressures, and have an excellent ride, but I didn't really want the extra expense or hassle of tubulars at this point. The bike as pictured is right at 22.7 lbs, but the Madone is a full 5 lbs lighter with saddle bag and PT. I guess it's a good thing I've dropped a few pounds and our TT is fairly flat.

Mr. S., Congrats on the Race-X-Lites, I've got 1000's of miles on my original set (now on Mrs. bike). They are great wheels, fairly light and stiff, plus I like the looks of a low spoke count wheel. Are you still on the LeMond?

[Mr. SR500]

Mr SR500, pretty Bianchi -- what's the vintage? Alu? I have a newish Bianchi cross bike and have an idle desire for a vintage steel Bianchi road bike (must be Celeste). Of course, if I had a spare $10k, I'd be tempted by the new ti ones too...

Lisa,

It's an '03 Veloce, aluminum and made in Italy. I think there was a steel option Veloce that year, but it might have only come in a triple (plus it wasn't celeste if I recall correctly).

My buddy is the Pro-Lite distributor, so he hooked me up. I think they are decent, but not really sure how they compare to a Zipp, HED, or Bontrager.

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. S., Congrats on the Race-X-Lites, I've got 1000's of miles on my original set (now on Mrs. bike). They are great wheels, fairly light and stiff, plus I like the looks of a low spoke count wheel. Are you still on the LeMond?

I'm still on the LeMond. Since I didn't want to lay out $ for a new bike, Silver's expert advice was that better wheels would be a good interim step. Personally, I think that the hubs are shot on my existing bike

How are the studies going for Mrs. SR ?

[Mr. SR500]

I'm still on the LeMond. Since I didn't want to lay out $ for a new bike, Silver's expert advice was that better wheels would be a good interim step. Personally, I think that the hubs are shot on my existing bike

How are the studies going for Mrs. SR ?

New wheels are always good. If you might want another LeMond, you should call your dealer, since Trek and Greg are parting ways. Might still be able to fine one...before they are all gone.

Thanks for asking, she gets home tonight after almost 2 weeks, so is good to go on the acupuncture. The bad/good news is she goes again for a week to get up to speed in the wound care clinic. Great for her, although she hates to be away from the kids. Bad for me as another week of full time Mr. Mom, and little chance to ride. Hopefully she'll start getting back in the swing and can get a few miles on her Madone soon.

[chicago]

my boyfriend thinks so. He had me upgrade from my stock Zero wheels to Mavic Ksyriums ES's... and I so love them. I guess we'll see the real benefit come our 15 day bike trip in Canada come July

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[Mr. SR500]

Chicago,

Very Nice!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Do "new" wheels make you faster? No, depends on what you had on before and what you are putting on instead. Newness doesn't have much to do with it.