Wheel upgrade. Will the difference really justify the price?

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Location
winlaton
Recently I toyed with the idea of buying a new bike. After listening to advice from here and friends I've decide to change the set up of my current bike to suit me better rather than buy a new one.
I'm currently looking at buying these
The bike I have is this one
I ride it at weekends and do between 40-60 miles averaging 15-17mph. I've also started doing a few sportives and have one coming up fairly soon. I don't race or anything like that, it's purely for leisure.
I'm also looking at running 25mm tyres as I find them more comfortable.
I'm still running the stock wheels on it and wonder will the difference be enought to justify the outlay?
 
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Adam4868

Legendary Member
I'm no real expert on what really benefits the 'average' cyclist.Obviously if you feel better on a bike it probally makes it easier and more comfortable a ride.I upgraded my wheels on my cannondale a few years ago but I think it's my fitness that has made it easier,not the wheels.Saying that I like the look of them ! Do what you can afford and makes you happy.
 

Spoked Wheels

Legendary Member
Location
Bournemouth
Recently I toyed with the idea of buying a new bike. After listening to advice from here and friends I've decide to change the set up of my current bike to suit me better rather than buy a new one.
I'm currently looking at buying these
The bike I have is this one
I ride it at weekends and do between 40-60 miles averaging 15-17mph. I've also started doing a few sportives and have one coming up fairly soon. I don't race or anything like that, it's purely for leisure.
I'm also looking at running 25mm tyres as I find them more comfortable.
I'm still running the stock wheels on it and wonder will the difference be enought to justify the outlay?

Not sure what you mean by real difference but if you expect to go much faster then no, no real difference. You will definitely improve on your current wheels and save a little time over your 40-60 miles.

If you like them cause it will make your bike look better, you feel better about your bike, etc then go for it. Cube stock wheels I've seen are pretty rubbish anyway so you will have to get new wheels at some point.

You should also consider bespoke handbuilt wheels..... at the very least you might get something that looks different ;)
 

boydj

Legendary Member
Location
Paisley
New wheels will make a difference, but I'd be looking at a set of hand-built wheels from a good builder. You'll get wheels built to your own spec, after discussing requirements with the builder, and spares will be much easier to get hold of, should they be required.
 

Kajjal

Guru
Location
Wheely World
Compare the weight to your existing wheels. If they are lighter, you like the look of them and you want spend the money go for it. They are unlikely to make a significant difference but will make you want to ride more.
 
The biggest vfm wheel upgrade Ive made is the old stock wheels on my bike to £125 model b's but that was mainly because the hub bearings were worn :shy: I have made more significant money upgrades I think that's still the best based on ME, no it won't justify things fully improvement wise but if you can afford it go ahead :okay:
 

gmw492

Veteran
I upgraded my stock wheels to Campag Scirocco 35 on 25mm tyres,made a difference not massively quicker times but quicker still,they roll better and improved my riding or maybe made me enjoy it more,I don't know if your stock wheels are better than Campag Zondas ? cheaper upgrade if they are not,I had a Cube gtc Agree Pro and they had Mavic askiums on it ,I still have most of my best times on Strava when i was on that so me personally I wouldn't see such a big gain in paying for that much for wheels,I think you will find some half the price you set aside for them probably just as good.I am no expert though just a hobbyist riding similar miles,good luck,
 

Wafer

Veteran
Based on my admittedly unscientific findings I'd think you'd feel the difference more than you'd notice time difference.
I've just got a new bike with upgraded wheels and they feel great, though I can't say how much is the wheels and how much is the bike.

If spending that much though, I wouldn't go for something that I assume is factory built like those. You can get off the shelf wheels that are hand built or go to someone who builds them and get a very nice set for less money than that.
 

T4tomo

Legendary Member
Your original Dt Swiss wheels are pretty decent. It's not like your upgrading from a basic set of hoops on a sub £1000 pound bike.
 

speccy1

Guest
Recently I toyed with the idea of buying a new bike. After listening to advice from here and friends I've decide to change the set up of my current bike to suit me better rather than buy a new one.
I'm currently looking at buying these
The bike I have is this one
I ride it at weekends and do between 40-60 miles averaging 15-17mph. I've also started doing a few sportives and have one coming up fairly soon. I don't race or anything like that, it's purely for leisure.
I'm also looking at running 25mm tyres as I find them more comfortable.
I'm still running the stock wheels on it and wonder will the difference be enought to justify the outlay?
I have found a massive difference in the past. For example on my Trek, I changed from the standard lead lined wheels which seemed to come from a Russian tank:laugh: and bought a set of Mavic aksiums, this was an upgrade only costing about £150 or so, but that bike flew, the difference was amazing!
 
Location
Loch side.
Don't believe anyone that says you will feel or measure a difference. Ask them to describe how they timed the difference and under what conditions, complete with controls and the like and you will get a bunch of blustering answers. They will give you nonsense terms such as "roll better" (absolutely meaningless), "spin up faster" (ask for empirical data), "stiffer", "lighter" blah blah blah. It is all BS. Anyone who makes a recommendation makes it based purely on wheels they have bought and now have to post-rationalize. Since there are 10 zillion brands out there, you will get 10 zillion different opinions if this thread carries on long enough. Like the stock wheels that are supplied with a Vectra Corse, the wheels you have are just fine. Go for a ride with friends, smell the roses, drink a beer and take pictures. It is not about the wheels.
 

gmw492

Veteran
ok maybe we will see the Peleton in the TDF on Axis 1.0 wheels then ,mine do roll better than my previous though ,when spun they spun far longer than the stock wheels which stopped like they had a slow brake on it so I presume you see that on the road,if you don't then hey my mistake,
 
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