General Discussion Triathlon Talk » should I buy flo's or any wheel Rss Feed  
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2012-02-21 9:21 PM

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Subject: should I buy flo's or any wheel
I have a $1200 (2009 fuji roubaix pro) is it wise to pay $800 for wheels. Be them the flo's or some other wheel. I bike around 20mph for 40 K. Or sould I save up and buy a tri bike in 2 years. I could get the wheels this year but not the bike. I also figure if I buy the tires now I would be able to use them on the future bike. Thank You


2012-02-21 10:20 PM
in reply to: #4059609

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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
A Tri bike would be way better.
2012-02-21 10:28 PM
in reply to: #4059609

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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
thanks but what type of wheels come with a $2500 tri bike
2012-02-21 10:29 PM
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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
Getting yourself into the tri position somehow would be better than upgrades that still keep you in the road position.
2012-02-21 10:31 PM
in reply to: #4059609

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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel

No. 

There are tons of threads that will order the bang-for-the-buck cycling gear improvements, and wheels are about 5th on the list...behind a decent riding position with aerobars, aero helmet, miscellaneous cleanup (tri suit, cabling, getting rid of the aerodrink straw), and a decent trisuit. Shoecovers even rate higher than getting a rear disc.

Most people buy wheels because they look cool. You'll have to decide whether that's your criteria, and when to get them. They work, they're just far down the list. As a previous poster stated, your biggest gains will be getting on a tri bike with aerobars, and getting into a decent aero position. Everything after that will be a rounding error. 

 

 

2012-02-21 11:33 PM
in reply to: #4059684


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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel

deadman - 2012-02-21 10:28 PM thanks but what type of wheels come with a $2500 tri bike

They're usually pretty crappy. I think Felt's come with some nice, deep AL wheels: The TTR#'s. I'm spending a good amount more for my incoming SHIV Pro, and the wheels on those are going to be sold the instant I take delivery.

I would get whichever one fancies you the most. I got wheels first since I can use 'em on my road bike, and I wanted to delay the tri bike purchase ever so slightly to see what would be available. Lo and behold, the new SHIV's came out during the time I bought the wheels. Whatever makes you happy and will make you want to go faster, do that.



2012-02-21 11:44 PM
in reply to: #4059609

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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
All bikes come with really wheels. The manufacturer assume that you will want to buy your own wheels generally.
2012-02-22 1:27 AM
in reply to: #4059609

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Master
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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel

There are a number of factors that affect your triathlon bike speed.  IMHO this is how I would rank them in order of importance:

1. Powerful rider (i.e. good sustained power or watts-to-kg on hilly courses)

2. Proper aerodynamic position (i.e. TT/Triathlon position: aerobars with a steep seat angle)

3. Skin tight clothing (i.e. Skinsuit or a snug tri top/shorts)

4. Aerodynamic bike (i.e. aero frame tubing, clean cabling, cleanly placed or no bottles and bags)

5. Aero helmet vs. regular vented helmet

6. Aero Wheels vs. regular wheels 

7. Race tires vs. regular tires (low tire Crr)

8. Latex Tubes vs. Butyl Rubber Tubes

In terms of value-for-money a wheelset does not give you a good bang-for-the-buck.   In my humble opinion a race wheelset is one of the last upgrades a triathlete should be making.

 

2012-02-22 4:04 AM
in reply to: #4059728

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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
renesis - 2012-02-22 12:33 AM

deadman - 2012-02-21 10:28 PM thanks but what type of wheels come with a $2500 tri bike

They're usually pretty crappy. I think Felt's come with some nice, deep AL wheels: The TTR#'s. I'm spending a good amount more for my incoming SHIV Pro, and the wheels on those are going to be sold the instant I take delivery.

I would get whichever one fancies you the most. I got wheels first since I can use 'em on my road bike, and I wanted to delay the tri bike purchase ever so slightly to see what would be available. Lo and behold, the new SHIV's came out during the time I bought the wheels. Whatever makes you happy and will make you want to go faster, do that.

The stock wheels aren't very good. But honestly, it's about a lot of other things, including working the engine. I purchased a P2 before my first season last year. I trained and raced on the wheels they came with all year, including my HIM at the end of the year and avgd almost 21 for the ride. I'm buying new wheels for this year for racing, but I wasn't about to throw down another $1000+ last year on wheels. You can ride the other wheels...they actually do function, contrary to popular opinion.
2012-02-22 6:34 AM
in reply to: #4059684

Master
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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel

deadman - 2012-02-21 10:28 PM thanks but what type of wheels come with a $2500 tri bike

Bikes 2-4 times that amount will still come with lesser quality wheels. These will be used for training. One reason this is done is that people will want to select their own race wheels anyway. Hopefully you saw some of the other responses and are less focused on the wheels.

2012-02-22 7:28 AM
in reply to: #4059609

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Expert
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Madison, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
if you buy flo wheels you probably won't get them until the fall at least so keep that in consideration. renting race wheels the first couple of times is 10x cheaper and you have much more choice and can test them out.


2012-02-22 7:45 AM
in reply to: #4059609

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Master
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Malvern, PA
Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel

where can you rent race wheels???

I'd be interested in that...

2012-02-22 8:12 AM
in reply to: #4059609

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Elite
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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
*I* would not buy Flo wheels.
2012-02-22 8:32 AM
in reply to: #4059772

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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel

In terms of value-for-money a wheelset does not give you a good bang-for-the-buck.   In my humble opinion a race wheelset is one of the last upgrades a triathlete should be making.

 

 

bingo (IMO)

2012-02-22 11:37 AM
in reply to: #4059964

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Expert
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Subject: RE: should I buy flo's or any wheel
maxmattmick - 2012-02-22 7:45 AM

where can you rent race wheels???

I'd be interested in that...

most LBS rent them out or you can try here

racedaywheels.com

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