Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels (Page 2)

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2009-06-25 11:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels

the bear - 2009-06-25 10:05 AM

"Pay no attention to the aerodynamics in these wheels. They aren't your race wheels."

Thats true.  But one of the key elements of that article is that $400 is the approximate level to get a quality set of wheels.  As much as anything, thats what I was trying to convey.

2009-06-25 11:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
This is all really useful. I was trying to figure out if it was a pipe dream (i.e., there is no way I'm spending $2K on wheels!) or something to think about in the future. Looks like there are plenty of reasonably affordable ways to go. Maybe one day soon :-) Thanks for your input!
2009-06-25 12:32 PM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
Ridgelake - 2009-06-25 12:45 PM Thats true.  But one of the key elements of that article is that $400 is the approximate level to get a quality set of wheels.  As much as anything, thats what I was trying to convey.


Call me a bike snob all you want, but a $400 set of new wheels is not all that high up there ...... Having had decent wheels that were factory built have issues too many times makes me leery of most of them.
2009-06-25 4:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
2009-06-26 8:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels

Daremo - 2009-06-25 1:32 PM

Call me a bike snob all you want, but a $400 set of new wheels is not all that high up there ...... Having had decent wheels that were factory built have issues too many times makes me leery of most of them.

I think the issue is all relative.  If someone has been using stock wheels only, getting a set in this price range will be a major upgrade.  Obviously doubling or quintupling the price will bring incremental benefits beyond that, though at a diminishing level of return.

2009-06-26 8:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
Ridgelake - 2009-06-26 8:18 AM

Daremo - 2009-06-25 1:32 PM

Call me a bike snob all you want, but a $400 set of new wheels is not all that high up there ...... Having had decent wheels that were factory built have issues too many times makes me leery of most of them.

I think the issue is all relative.  If someone has been using stock wheels only, getting a set in this price range will be a major upgrade.  Obviously doubling or quintupling the price will bring incremental benefits beyond that, though at a diminishing level of return.



Not sure how you can term it a "major upgrade." You're not going to see a significant improvement in performance or reliability, unless you're having problems with the stock wheelset. In fact, I'd advise most to save their money for a true aero set of race wheels, or go with the disc cover on a set of Mavic OPs.

2009-06-26 9:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
the bear - 2009-06-26 9:32 AM
Ridgelake - 2009-06-26 8:18 AM

I think the issue is all relative.  If someone has been using stock wheels only, getting a set in this price range will be a major upgrade.  Obviously doubling or quintupling the price will bring incremental benefits beyond that, though at a diminishing level of return.



Not sure how you can term it a "major upgrade." You're not going to see a significant improvement in performance or reliability, unless you're having problems with the stock wheelset. In fact, I'd advise most to save their money for a true aero set of race wheels, or go with the disc cover on a set of Mavic OPs.


Forgive my ignorance Bear, but what are Mavic OPs? I searched their website and they just seem to have wheels with cool names, like Ksyrium and Aksium. I'm sure I am just missing something obvious here. I like the idea of a disk cover- an upgrade for <$100 is awesome! I'm not having trouble with my stock wheels per se, but honestly don't know any different having never ridden on anything else!
2009-06-26 9:11 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
louiskie - 2009-06-26 10:00 AM
the bear - 2009-06-26 9:32 AM
Ridgelake - 2009-06-26 8:18 AM

I think the issue is all relative.  If someone has been using stock wheels only, getting a set in this price range will be a major upgrade.  Obviously doubling or quintupling the price will bring incremental benefits beyond that, though at a diminishing level of return.



Not sure how you can term it a "major upgrade." You're not going to see a significant improvement in performance or reliability, unless you're having problems with the stock wheelset. In fact, I'd advise most to save their money for a true aero set of race wheels, or go with the disc cover on a set of Mavic OPs.


Forgive my ignorance Bear, but what are Mavic OPs? I searched their website and they just seem to have wheels with cool names, like Ksyrium and Aksium. I'm sure I am just missing something obvious here. I like the idea of a disk cover- an upgrade for <$100 is awesome! I'm not having trouble with my stock wheels per se, but honestly don't know any different having never ridden on anything else!


Not Bear, but I think those are Open Pros.
2009-06-26 9:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
fgump - 2009-06-26 9:11 AM
louiskie - 2009-06-26 10:00 AM
Forgive my ignorance Bear, but what are Mavic OPs? I searched their website and they just seem to have wheels with cool names, like Ksyrium and Aksium. I'm sure I am just missing something obvious here. I like the idea of a disk cover- an upgrade for <$100 is awesome! I'm not having trouble with my stock wheels per se, but honestly don't know any different having never ridden on anything else!


Not Bear, but I think those are Open Pros.


Yep.

And if you're not having problems with your stock wheels, just add the wheelcover.
2009-06-26 9:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels

So before people get really technical about wind gusts, hills, weight, engine performance, energy efficiency, etc, what would you say would be an average pick up in speed with just the disk cover on the stock wheels? 
Assume 20mph avg with stock wheels, same level of effort, all other things being equal and no wind? 

A 1 mph pickup, 2 mph pickup?  Please no - it depends answer.

Just looking for perspective on what the cost/benefit would be (other than looking and sounding cool when passing the left). 

2009-06-26 9:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
Having fun tri-ing - 2009-06-26 9:24 PM

So before people get really technical about wind gusts, hills, weight, engine performance, energy efficiency, etc, what would you say would be an average pick up in speed with just the disk cover on the stock wheels? 
Assume 20mph avg with stock wheels, same level of effort, all other things being equal and no wind? 

A 1 mph pickup, 2 mph pickup?  Please no - it depends answer.

Just looking for perspective on what the cost/benefit would be (other than looking and sounding cool when passing the left). 



Probably less than 1/2, maybe even 1/4 mph. Here you get into a savings that is often described as "X number of seconds over a 40K time trial" rather than in MPH.

Regardless, it's thesame as with a disc. Adding a (true) aero front will give you more time savings.

Still comes back to the old engine, more than anything else. Second to improving the engine is the fit, adopting a position where the rider is most aero with power and comfort. Everything else can be quantified in seconds. Or less.

2009-06-27 7:36 AM
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Subject: RE: Cheapest wheels you would define as legitimate "race" wheels
The used route via ebay, BT/Slowtwitch classifieds will all produce great value on aero wheels.

Disc Cover for the back       $85

If you want brand new you can get great stuff without breaking the bank.

http://www.neuvationcycling.com/product52.html

http://www.neuvationcycling.com/product56.html

Those on the front and a disc cover on the back and you are on your way.
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