Wheels - Weight

[ursus_major]

I've done some sums on this. The rotational kinetic energy of the wheels is a very small percentage of the total kinetic energy of the bike plus rider, so it's a bit of a myth that saving a few grams on the wheels will make a big difference.
Light wheels do tend to look nice, though

 

[Dan B]

The 'proof of the pud' was a simple test on the half pipe in the factory's back workshop.
The same skateboard with OE bearings was let free from the 'blue tile' and a marker was chalked where it stopped on the opposite 'transition'.
The bearings were changed for dry bearings and the test repeated.

Lo-and-behold, the dry bearing 'stick' rolled further up the halfpipe.

And there was someone standing on it at the time, was there?

 

[accountantpete]

I've done some sums on this. The rotational kinetic energy of the wheels is a very small percentage of the total kinetic energy of the bike plus rider, so it's a bit of a myth that saving a few grams on the wheels will make a big difference.
Light wheels do tend to look nice, though

You can do all the sums in the world but the proof of the pudding is in the eating - a good light pair of factory wheels will make a very noticeable improvement over their heavier 32 hole counterparts- although as I say above only some of this is down to weight.

 

[Tollers]

I've done some sums on this. The rotational kinetic energy of the wheels is a very small percentage of the total kinetic energy of the bike plus rider, so it's a bit of a myth that saving a few grams on the wheels will make a big difference.
Light wheels do tend to look nice, though

What was the percetage value?

 

[jethro10]

You can do all the sums in the world but the proof of the pudding is in the eating - a good light pair of factory wheels will make a very noticeable improvement over their heavier 32 hole counterparts- although as I say above only some of this is down to weight.

Although, a lot of this has rambled way above my head. You just mentioned something here that I don't follow.
Just checked there are different amounts of spokes on different wheels.

32 being what seems the most.
So what normal for a sensible wheel - we've talked about £300 give or take earlier in this thread?
Also whats safe! I assume more=strength? there seems to be some with nearly none

ta
Jeff

 

[jimboalee]

And there was someone standing on it at the time, was there?

I understand what you are saying.
With a person standing on the skateboard, the wheel bearing friction element of the whole Force vs velocity curve is a much smaller percentage compared to the skateboard alone.


May I suggest you grab a set of wheels, pull out the bearings and boil the races in a solution of water and Fairy Liquid. Best to use bearings with only one metal dust shield.

When they've cooled, spin them to get the washing up water out.

Replace them into the wheels and go to your local halfpipe.

As long as you use the board every other day or so, they will keep polished. They will even polish looser to give a really fast ride.


If you haven't heared about this before, you're not radical.

 

[accountantpete]

Although, a lot of this has rambled way above my head. You just mentioned something here that I don't follow.
Just checked there are different amounts of spokes on different wheels.

32 being what seems the most.
So what normal for a sensible wheel - we've talked about £300 give or take earlier in this thread?
Also whats safe! I assume more=strength? there seems to be some with nearly none

ta
Jeff

Well you have time trialling wheels either full discs or tri-spokes like these
through the factory builts with 18 on the back in 3g pattern etc like on this page through to 32 or 36 spoke handbuilts builts which offer greater comfort.

The decreased number of spokes is no less safe due to the manufacturers using stronger yet lighter materials on the rim and spokes.

 

[onlyhuman]

What a revellation. I was handplanting the coping and getting 3 foot airbournes the very next week.

Does this come as a revelllation Jimbo:

• Airbourne, also known as Eastbourne International Airshow, is a 4-day international air show run every August in Eastbourne, Sussex, England. ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbourne_(air_show)
• Airbourne is an Australian rock and roll band originating from Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, where they gained a steady following with their ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbourne_(band)

 

[jimboalee]

Does this come as a revelllation Jimbo:

• Airbourne, also known as Eastbourne International Airshow, is a 4-day international air show run every August in Eastbourne, Sussex, England. ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbourne_(air_show)
• Airbourne is an Australian rock and roll band originating from Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, where they gained a steady following with their ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbourne_(band)

"Airborne" sorry.

Onlyhuman, you're a better pisstaker than I am... Congrats.

 

[petmcgratt]

I am a newbie to cycling and like most newbies went for a cheaper option bike Vitus Alios Triple from Chain reaction Cycles. I personally think I got a great deal as it retailed at £750 and by the time I got it at a reduced price of £299 not to mention the further reduction as I bought it through cycle to work scheme. However, I have been toying with the idea of changing my wheels from the rigida flyer noir to something like the camapagnolo Khamsin which are selling at the moment for £119. Is there much poin in me doing this or as some people have pointed out in other threads you are better putting the money into upgrading to a better bike. Waht do other people think up the campagnolo khamsin?

 

[accountantpete]

I am a newbie to cycling and like most newbies went for a cheaper option bike Vitus Alios Triple from Chain reaction Cycles. I personally think I got a great deal as it retailed at £750 and by the time I got it at a reduced price of £299 not to mention the further reduction as I bought it through cycle to work scheme. However, I have been toying with the idea of changing my wheels from the rigida flyer noir to something like the camapagnolo Khamsin which are selling at the moment for £119. Is there much poin in me doing this or as some people have pointed out in other threads you are better putting the money into upgrading to a better bike. Waht do other people think up the campagnolo khamsin?

A pair of Khamsins mated to a pair of Michelin Pro Races would make a good improvement over what you have but they are not earth shatteringly brilliant.

An alternative is to upgrade massively one area at a time - say wheels,then groupset and finally frame - and you should end up with a really good bike whilst getting something out of what you have bought.

Personally I'd keep the existing wheels for winter use and look at Campag Scirocco wheels and above -I presume you have a Campag 9spd groupset already.

 

[MacB]

yep, agree with Pete on the massive upgrade idea, say you start with wheels, you could go:-

Black rims 32hole(Mavic Open Pro or DT Swiss 1.1), red alloy spoke nipples, black spokes double butted, Hope Pro III hubs front and rear which are red. Round it all off with a red and black road tyre, about £350 all in.

You can then gradually complete the black and red theme with quality parts. Hope do headsets, bottom brackets, stems, spacers, seat clamps. You'd need a fancy frame in black and red, something in carbon probably. Only sticking points may be around chainsets and brakes, trying to keep the colour scheme, and the quality level, going.

 

[petmcgratt]

Thanks guys. yes I have the campag 9spd groupset. Pete, your idea of changing things at different times is essentially what I had in mend but particularly changing things that I could use with the ultimate goal of rebuilding a better spec bike on a good quality frame. It was either hat or possible wait until my cycle to work scheme agreement is finished (summer 2010) and buy a new bike. I really like the specialised racing bike as I love the shape of the frame. It has a very strong and robust feel to it with the arched frame. But again I was not looking to spend big money as I was looking at the specialised allez 16.
has anyone any opinions on the campag vento or the fulcrum racing 7 as chain reaction have both these on sale. £350 seems a bit too much to upgrade my wheels at the moment MacB. I am thinking that i only paid ~£180 pound for the bike in total and can't seem to justify spending that sort of money on a set of wheels.

thanks again guys

 

[earth]

Blimey - if you're going to go that far you might as well neck a good laxative a few hours before the race as well as the weight loss will make more difference.

You mean you don't??

 

[jimboalee]

You mean you don't??

Two things you should NEVER do the morning before an event.

1/ take a chunk of Ex-Lax.

2/ accept a chocolate digestive biscuit off a competitor.