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What wheels?
Pink Pirate
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Hi, I have a very basic little Norca Valence A3 road bike (https://www.evanscycles.com/norco-valence-a3-forma-2015-womens-road-bike-EV211705) - which is a huge improvement on my old road bike that was 3 sizes too big. It's done me ok through Slateman, Cholmondeley, Hathersage Hilly and Bala this year - but it's not the lightest and next year I've got two 70.3s and Slateman Savage in the diary. As I really can't afford to buy a new bike (however much I might REALLY want to) - I'm guessing upgrading the wheels is my best bet to reduce weight and upgrade the Silver Fox (yup - dodgy name for my bike, but who doesn't want to spend lots of time with a Silver Fox?!) I'm also borrowing some aero bars to try out (once I've got the chicken levers I had put on - taken off again!)
So - what wheels is the question. I reckon I've got £250 tops to spend.
A mate has suggested Shimano Ultegra 6800 - which I can find on sale for just about that amount. Any other suggestions would be appreciated - along with any other suggestions for getting the best out of my little roadie.
Thanks x Pink x
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Comments
I'd maybe look for second hand though - You'll save about a hundred and put that money toward saving for a new bike eventually.
It will cost a lot of money to upgrade your bike bit by bit. A whole bike will be a far more efficient way to do it.
Do you use tribars on it ? That would be the best thing for speed ?
+1 for the Ultegras. They're not the fanciest wheels out there, but are well built and dependable.
Thanks both. Yup - I'm keeping an eye out for second hand and have been offered some Campag wheels at a bargain - but not sure if I'm better holding out for something a bit lighter. Definitely saving up for a new bike. I've been offered some tribars to borrow - so hopefully they will help too. The plan isn't to upgrade bit by bit, just to make some easy fixes to pimp it up now - and SAVE!!!
Must stop perving over bike porn I can't afford!!!
I've got some Ultegra 6800 wheels. Nice wheels, but i am no faster on them than the RS21 wheels they replaced (saved about 200-250g in weight). If i could go back in time, i'd go for some Fulcrum Racing Quatro's. Only 85g heavier than the Ultegra's, but with a 35mm rim depth and 17c internal rim width, i reckon these would be faster. Can get for £190 too.
Tri bars, aero hat, tight clothes - thats the cheapest and best upgrade really.
Second Dom's cmments.... I've got the Fulcrum Quattros on my summer road bike, and they are the bees wotsits.... bloody tough too!
Just to throw something else into the mix, Mavic Aksiums are decent enough.
If you're buying second hand, check that the rear is has a Shimano/SRAM compatible hub. The campag wheels may have that. or they may have a campag hub which won't take a Shimano cassette.
THe Campag wheels aren't Shimano compatible so I'd need to get a new Campag cassette too - still relatively cheap. Decisions Decisions!
A campag cassette won't work with your Shimano Sora gear shifters & rear mech - the cog spacing is different.