How much difference does a new wheelset make?

[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.