Why are wheels the best upgrade?

[50000tears]

Have been doing lots of forum searching and whenever anybody talks about upgrading without fail wheels (after tyres) are the thing advised. As a result I am looking at upgrading my PR-2s on my new Defy 1 to Fulcrum Race 3s.

Before I jump in though just what do better wheels give you? I know in this instance they will be 500g lighter overall but what else do they bring that I will notice in my riding? Just need to be sure before I fork out over £300 on something I might not need, especially as I will have to do so in a way to hide the whole event from my good lady!

 

[User6179]

I would put tyres before wheels then frame and groupset last .

 

[50000tears]

I would put tyres before wheels then frame and groupset last .

I have the tyres already. Put GP4000s on this week.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

rotational benefit

 

[50000tears]

rotational benefit

Well that tells me .............. er ............ nothing.

 

[MikeW-71]

Less rotating mass, better bearings. A lighter wheel needs less energy to accelerate it.

Take half a kilo off your frame... you'd barely notice. Take half a kilo off the wheels.. you will definately notice it!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Less rotating mass, better bearings. A lighter wheel needs less energy to accelerate it.

Take half a kilo off your frame... you'd barely notice. Take half a kilo off the wheels.. you will definately notice it!

Aye, what he said

 

[User6179]

I have the tyres already. Put GP4000s on this week.

If you do lots of hills and race then go for light wheels( unless your heavy ) and if you do long flat rides at a good pace then go for aero wheels IMO

 

[50000tears]

I am light, and we have plenty of hills where I live. Can't leave the house without tripping over at least 4 or 5!

 

[User6179]

I am light, and we have plenty of hills where I live. Can't leave the house without tripping over at least 4 or 5!

Then you would benefit from lighter wheels , am 14st so I went for aero and stiff , fulcrums are better than mavics pound for pound IMO and I have 2 pair of mavics.

 

[mark william]

wheels would be the first thing that i would upgrade on a bike. there is such a difference in the weight that wheels can weigh and if you have got a light set of wheels on you can notice a difference they are more responsive and they are easier to get rolling.

 

[Cyclist33]

Have been doing lots of forum searching and whenever anybody talks about upgrading without fail wheels (after tyres) are the thing advised. As a result I am looking at upgrading my PR-2s on my new Defy 1 to Fulcrum Race 3s.

Before I jump in though just what do better wheels give you? I know in this instance they will be 500g lighter overall but what else do they bring that I will notice in my riding? Just need to be sure before I fork out over £300 on something I might not need, especially as I will have to do so in a way to hide the whole event from my good lady!

On the assumption that PR-2s are lighter or as light as the inferior SR-2s, then I would be surprised if the PR-2s weighed more than about 1900g, and the Racing 3's published weight is 1555g, so not as much as 500g difference.

 

[50000tears]

On the assumption that PR-2s are lighter or as light as the inferior SR-2s, then I would be surprised if the PR-2s weighed more than about 1900g, and the Racing 3's published weight is 1555g, so not as much as 500g difference.

The PR-2s are around the 1900g mark and the hand builts I had fitted today were 1480g. Still not as much as 500g difference but not to be sniffed at.

To be honest I am less concerned with the weight difference than I am with just have a better quality hub that spins a lot better than the giant stock hub and the much stiffer build with very little lateral movement. I will be interested to find out as to how this translates to the road.

 

[Deleted member 22722]

I'd be very interested in hearing how your new wheels compare to the stock Giant Wheels. I'm in the same position in wanting to upgrade but am not sure what price point I need to be considering at a minimum before I can expect to see a noticeable difference.

I've not been able to find anything anywhere that states how the stock Giant wheels compare to others.

My budget is fairly low at £300-400.

 

[50000tears]

I'd be very interested in hearing how your new wheels compare to the stock Giant Wheels. I'm in the same position in wanting to upgrade but am not sure what price point I need to be considering at a minimum before I can expect to see a noticeable difference.

I've not been able to find anything anywhere that states how the stock Giant wheels compare to others.

My budget is fairly low at £300-400.

Well my budget was the same and would hope to notice a difference. I am doing a 50 mile ride on Saturday so should have a reasonable verdict after that.