How much difference does a new wheelset make?

[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.

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.

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.