Wheel upgrade for Giant Contend SL1 disc

[Tommohawk]

Any recommendations? Budget £400 max. Prime attaquer? Scribe?

 

[Peter Salt]

Alloy or carbon? What depth? Considering second-hand? Want them aero? Light? For what sort of riding - smooth roads, or pot holes, or cobbles?

 

[Tommohawk]

Alloy, new and light(er) than my current wheels. I ride roads and bike tracks etc.

 

[Peter Salt]

I'm assuming you're on PR-2s? Everything will be better than that.

There's a wide selection of ~1500g, 30-35mm deep, alloy wheels for your budget. Primes are super cheap but not sure it would be a noticeable upgrade - I'd recommend forgetting about those. Scribe is a good idea, but you may struggle with availability. Hunt wheels are OK too - at least the alloy ones, but on the pricier side and they're not better than others. Maybe have a look at DCR Wheels? They're not as popular so should have stock, good quality and decent pricing.

Alternatively, find a local wheel builder and have him quote you for something of that weight, depth, with sapim spokes and bitex hubs - should be within budget.

 

[Jameshow]

I'm assuming you're on PR-2s? Everything will be better than that.

There's a wide selection of ~1500g, 30-35mm deep, alloy wheels for your budget. Primes are super cheap but not sure it would be a noticeable upgrade - I'd recommend forgetting about those. Scribe is a good idea, but you may struggle with availability. Hunt wheels are OK too - at least the alloy ones, but on the pricier side and they're not better than others. Maybe have a look at DCR Wheels? They're not as popular so should have stock, good quality and decent pricing.

Alternatively, find a local wheel builder and have him quote you for something of that weight, depth, with sapim spokes and bitex hubs - should be within budget.

Good shout about local wheel builders.


Although beware of the lightest bitex / novatec hubs as they have the smallest sealed bearings.

I'd use miche or Shimano hubs for better reliability.

 

[Tommohawk]

I’m on the original pr2’s with gatorskin tyres.

 

[Tommohawk]

Scribe d currently available for £336.

 

[Jameshow]

I’m on the original pr2’s with gatorskin tyres.

Try new tyres first imho.

 

[kingrollo]

A few years back I had an alu defy (contend equivalent) - I swapped out the wheels for budget campag khasmin it made quite a difference.

 

[Tommohawk]

Vel 28rl alloy for £279?

 

[Tommohawk]

I’m thinking of getting gp5000’s.

 

[vickster]

Vel 28rl alloy for £279?

Did you read the reviews on the Sigma site. Noisy hubs if that’s a good or bad thing for you.
Superstar components (also noisy hubs) often have deals and discount codes

 

[Tommohawk]

Noisy hubs isn’t really a concern. A lot of the wheel reviews talk about noisy hubs in many of the different brands.

 

[Peter Salt]

Scribe d currently available for £336.

I’m thinking of getting gp5000’s.

Both good ideas.

 

[Tommohawk]

Scribe or Vel?