fulcrum 3 v dt swiss 1700

[busdennis]

hi
ive got between 300 and 400 notes for some new wheels to go on my giant defy for next year.
ive never upgraded wheels and cannot belive the choice. im currently 103kg but hope to lose more as i was 115kg at the start of 2012. i will be training on my stock wheels keeping these for longer club rides and club time trials (ive done about 6 starting at 30mins and improving to 27mins at the end of the season. my main aim next year is weight loss and to improve my 10mile tt to the very best that i can achive.
you can get the fulcrum 3s for £349 at ribble or the dt swiss for £365 at probikekit both with generous discounts

my questions are which wheel would you buy or recommend you own?
can an independant wheel builder build a better wheel for the same cash?
if the dt is such a good wheel why is it being marketed at 50% below retail price, is it a retail ploy or is the trading market really that tough at the moment
thanks

 

[Rob3rt]

Please state the specs because I cba to look it up. I do recall the DT Swiss being heavier though.

The Fulcrum Racing 3 are very good wheels and very good VFM (I was going to buy some, but the white hub makes me sick!), but finding replacement spokes for Fulcrum wheels at a reasonable price can be a bit of a mess on I have heard.

If you are going to TT mostly with the new wheels and train on other wheels, why not look at some PX 52mm or 60mm clinchers? They will weigh more and take a bit more to get up to speed, but once up to speed they should go and go and go, they may save you more time than your other options. (Quick Q, when you TT are you using clip on aero bars?)

The wheels you propose are good all round wheels, for training and racing and should accelerate and climb well, but aero wheels might be a good idea.

 

[busdennis]

carnt do the fancy link "press here" thing
but here is the dts http://www.probikekit.com/uk/components/wheels/road-wheels/dt-swiss-r-1700-tricon-wheelset.html
and here are the fulcrums http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...-tri-fulcrum-racing-3-wheels-pair/fulcwhfr260

thanks
i bought some aero bars at the end of the season but only used them for training at present

 

[Rob3rt]

Fulcrums are 134g lighter despite a deeper profile. 21mm front and 30mm rear vs the DT Swiss with 20.8mm front and rear. It wont make a lot of difference aero wise, but the deeper rear on the Fulcrum might lend itself to a stiffer more robust wheel. The DT swiss however have more spokes, which could lend itself to durability.

I would buy the Fulcrum given that choice. Ksyrium Elite is another option if looking at shallow profile, moderately light, do it all wheels.