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2012-06-21 4:18 PM


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Subject: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
What’s the best cost-benefit for a carbon wheelset to a road bike (pinarello FP2) to race at olimpic and HIM. And witch one : tubular or clincher?


2012-06-21 4:26 PM
in reply to: #4274168

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

Questions that are perpetually debated on forums.

I'll suggest a reputable brand 60 mm deep clincher is a good bet.

2012-06-21 4:34 PM
in reply to: #4274168

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
Also have to consider brand as that drastically affects pricing.

You can order Planet X's 82/101 full carbon tubular wheelsets - a complete wheelset - for like $1,000 (with all extras, including tires).
Other brands, you can't even get a half a wheel for that.
2012-06-21 4:40 PM
in reply to: #4274188

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

Deja Vu?

Saw this on the "other" tri site...

 

Same answer.  HED 3's are super earo.  I got a preowned set for $900 on ebay.

2012-06-21 5:00 PM
in reply to: #4274168

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

Check ebay/craigslist for any real good local deals.  For cost-benefit youre going to get a better deal used/clearance than paying retail for some new Zipp 808 Firecrest's.  The best brand & model for the cost may depend on what deals you can get.

Wheelbuilder disc on your existing rear wheel? Might not be carbon but great results for a fraction of the cost of new wheels.

Sorry to not answer your question directly but just throwing some ideas out there.



Edited by TriSte 2012-06-21 5:03 PM
2012-06-21 6:07 PM
in reply to: #4274168

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset


2012-06-21 7:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

You're asking about cost-benefit about carbon wheels? that's sort of an oxymoron. 

Clincher are more practical for me. Tubulars will save a couple hundred grams.

 

I'd worry about aerobars, aero helmet, and then carbon wheels. And any set you can find less than 5 years old and under like $500 would be a good deal. ST has a lot more in the classifieds

2012-06-21 8:40 PM
in reply to: #4274460

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
X2 on the Planet X 82/101 combo. I got mine for ~$550 plus another $125 for the tires- hard to beat. 
2012-06-21 10:13 PM
in reply to: #4274168

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

Does Planet X have good wheels?

2012-06-21 11:16 PM
in reply to: #4274628

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

they're carbon and cheap. kinda heavy.

and they don't have dimples...

2012-06-22 6:31 AM
in reply to: #4274168

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
I just bought a set of 58mm Boyd wheels with skewers and valve extenders for $1100.  Very nice ride and excellent customer service. 


2012-06-22 7:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

No one mentioned the Flo wheels? If you're a young fellow you may even live long enough to have some shipped to you.

Cool

IMHO the best bang for the buck is going to be to find a used HED3 front and get a disk cover for the rear wheel.

2012-06-22 7:53 AM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

flyers - 2012-06-21 11:18 PM What’s the best cost-benefit for a carbon wheelset to a road bike (pinarello FP2) to race at olimpic and HIM. And witch one : tubular or clincher?

OK, I'll give this a shot because I have no clue: Cost is easy, look up the price. Benefit:

Benefit analysis 1, money matters: Will you win price money w. carbon wheels whereas without you don't? or will you win bigger price money with carbon wheels whereas without you don't? If you have no expectation of answering yes to one of these questions, then cost-benefit analysis comes out negative.

Benefit analysis 2, time is precious: Over the lifetime of the wheels, how much time (life) will you save? How much are you willing to pay for that time? As for the second question, your time is as much worth as your employer or clients are willing to pay you for it. So, then add up the time saved, the cost of that time and compare it to your pay.

This may not be the answer you were expecting. So maybe think differently:

Benefit analysis 3, motivation matters: If treating yourself with something that can't really be justified by it self is what you need to stay motivated, then the answer is clear: Motivation keeps you in the sport, practising sport keeps you healthy, staying healthy keeps your medical bills and insurance low, over a lifetime carbon wheels are possibly the best investment you can do!

Happy shopping Smile

2012-06-22 8:50 AM
in reply to: #4274688

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
indianacyclist - 2012-06-21 11:16 PM

they're carbon and cheap. kinda heavy.

and they don't have dimples...

 

Mine are lighter than my stock Felt TTR 40's. They are also Gigantex, which Boyd uses as well

 

2012-06-22 10:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
Anything is lighter than those felt rims. Those things are bomb proof tho. And I'm just saying planet x are heavy as far as carbon wheels go. Brand name wheels will save a few hundred grams if that matters to the op
2012-06-22 10:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
indianacyclist - 2012-06-22 11:00 AM

Anything is lighter than those felt rims. Those things are bomb proof tho. And I'm just saying planet x are heavy as far as carbon wheels go. Brand name wheels will save a few hundred grams if that matters to the op



If you're 200+ lbs like me, a hundred grams here or there becomes meaningless really quickly, hehe
The aero benefit at that price point, however, is pretty darn solid.


Question on the HED3's that everyone is recommending... are they superior aerodynamically than an 80mm deep dish wheel??

I'm seeing a number of those on eBay for like $400, and am now thinking that one of them with a disc rear would be nice.


2012-06-22 10:50 AM
in reply to: #4275292

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

cgregg - 2012-06-22 8:34 AM
indianacyclist - 2012-06-22 11:00 AM Anything is lighter than those felt rims. Those things are bomb proof tho. And I'm just saying planet x are heavy as far as carbon wheels go. Brand name wheels will save a few hundred grams if that matters to the op
If you're 200+ lbs like me, a hundred grams here or there becomes meaningless really quickly, hehe The aero benefit at that price point, however, is pretty darn solid. Question on the HED3's that everyone is recommending... are they superior aerodynamically than an 80mm deep dish wheel?? I'm seeing a number of those on eBay for like $400, and am now thinking that one of them with a disc rear would be nice.

When I got my HED 3's about 3-4 years ago, I did the research and they were pretty much the most aerodynamic wheel on the market.  I remember watching the TdF and just about everyone was on them in the TT.  So they are a great wheel.

I'm not sure how they compare with the latest evolution of race wheels, but I'm sure they still hold their own.  Heck, they still may be a top contender when it comes to aero.  However, I don't see them nearly as much, if at all, in professional cycling.  It could just be a "fashion" thing.

And for heavier cyclists?  Without any proof, they probably ARE the best race wheel.  They are bombproof.  If you wanted a Zipp Carbon wheel, you are probably looking at their Clydesdale models, and they probably lose some of their earo advantage due to an increased spoke count.

2012-06-22 10:59 AM
in reply to: #4274168

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
I took my time and found Easton EC 90 TT's for a good price. I bought the front on Ebay for $550 and found the rear later for $680. It took me a year to acquire both. Still a lot of $$ to drop, but I really enjoy them and they are super light.
2012-06-22 12:07 PM
in reply to: #4275330

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
Kido - 2012-06-22 11:50 AM

cgregg - 2012-06-22 8:34 AM
indianacyclist - 2012-06-22 11:00 AM Anything is lighter than those felt rims. Those things are bomb proof tho. And I'm just saying planet x are heavy as far as carbon wheels go. Brand name wheels will save a few hundred grams if that matters to the op
If you're 200+ lbs like me, a hundred grams here or there becomes meaningless really quickly, hehe The aero benefit at that price point, however, is pretty darn solid. Question on the HED3's that everyone is recommending... are they superior aerodynamically than an 80mm deep dish wheel?? I'm seeing a number of those on eBay for like $400, and am now thinking that one of them with a disc rear would be nice.

When I got my HED 3's about 3-4 years ago, I did the research and they were pretty much the most aerodynamic wheel on the market.  I remember watching the TdF and just about everyone was on them in the TT.  So they are a great wheel.

I'm not sure how they compare with the latest evolution of race wheels, but I'm sure they still hold their own.  Heck, they still may be a top contender when it comes to aero.  However, I don't see them nearly as much, if at all, in professional cycling.  It could just be a "fashion" thing.

And for heavier cyclists?  Without any proof, they probably ARE the best race wheel.  They are bombproof.  If you wanted a Zipp Carbon wheel, you are probably looking at their Clydesdale models, and they probably lose some of their earo advantage due to an increased spoke count.



Cool, good to know!
I'm still running stock Shimano R500's that came with my bike, so anything will be an improvement, but with what you just posted, I'm now thinking that HED 3 front, disc rear will be the way for me to go.
2012-06-22 12:24 PM
in reply to: #4275523

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
cgregg - 2012-06-22 1:07 PM
Kido - 2012-06-22 11:50 AM

cgregg - 2012-06-22 8:34 AM
indianacyclist - 2012-06-22 11:00 AM Anything is lighter than those felt rims. Those things are bomb proof tho. And I'm just saying planet x are heavy as far as carbon wheels go. Brand name wheels will save a few hundred grams if that matters to the op
If you're 200+ lbs like me, a hundred grams here or there becomes meaningless really quickly, hehe The aero benefit at that price point, however, is pretty darn solid. Question on the HED3's that everyone is recommending... are they superior aerodynamically than an 80mm deep dish wheel?? I'm seeing a number of those on eBay for like $400, and am now thinking that one of them with a disc rear would be nice.

When I got my HED 3's about 3-4 years ago, I did the research and they were pretty much the most aerodynamic wheel on the market.  I remember watching the TdF and just about everyone was on them in the TT.  So they are a great wheel.

I'm not sure how they compare with the latest evolution of race wheels, but I'm sure they still hold their own.  Heck, they still may be a top contender when it comes to aero.  However, I don't see them nearly as much, if at all, in professional cycling.  It could just be a "fashion" thing.

And for heavier cyclists?  Without any proof, they probably ARE the best race wheel.  They are bombproof.  If you wanted a Zipp Carbon wheel, you are probably looking at their Clydesdale models, and they probably lose some of their earo advantage due to an increased spoke count.

Cool, good to know! I'm still running stock Shimano R500's that came with my bike, so anything will be an improvement, but with what you just posted, I'm now thinking that HED 3 front, disc rear will be the way for me to go.

 

HED3 front and a disc cover for the rear is an extremely affordable route to go for almost the same aero benefits

2012-06-22 12:58 PM
in reply to: #4275570

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
I have Shimano R500's - wheelbuilder can't/won't make a disc cover for them, so no matter what I'm buying a new rear wheel.


2012-06-22 1:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
Regardless, you can it a box rim (mavic open pro) and a disc cover got less than most disc wheels.
2012-06-22 1:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset
Regardless, you can it a box rim (mavic open pro) and a disc cover got less than most disc wheels.
2012-06-22 1:46 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

This is an interesting thread. Here's why:

Buying behavior, especially for males between 30 and 50, is a strange phenomenon. They portray a decision process steeped in empiracle reason, rife with spread sheets, "research", analysis, investigation. This is serious stuff, and us manly men only make the most informed, sagacious, data-driven decisions. Consumer Reports could learn a lot from us...

Then we buy either the cheapest or coolest looking thing on impulse.

At the end of the day it is the male version of buying perfume.



Edited by Tom Demerly. 2012-06-22 1:47 PM
2012-06-22 1:51 PM
in reply to: #4274168

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Subject: RE: Best cost-benefit carbon Wheelset

If your asking about the cost benefit ratio of carbon wheelsets. Dollar for dollar Chinese carbon wheels off ebay get you the best bang for your buck.  You can get a 60mm tubular set for $300-$400 and you get most of the benefits.  Novatech hubs are not the lightest but pretty solid, spokes are just as good and carbon is just as deep.  They are not as good as a zipp 404 but you get most of the benefit at $1500 cheaper.

 

That being said  I just bought a used corima 4 spoke and a Reynolds 66mm wheelset for $420  off ebay instead of a chinese carbon set.

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