Upgrading wheels

Sometimes it happens me too to think I need some upgrade to go faster.
When that happens, I do the following: I go to a steep, long and really hard hill (for ex. there's one not far from where I live that is something like 10km at 10% average grade), then I try to do better than my best time (= go up quite hard = a lot of pain).
During those 50 minutes of pure pain, I usually realize that *it's not about the bike*.
And i go home, happy -and stronger. 🙂

Francesco

frenk said:

Sometimes it happens me too to think I need some upgrade to go faster.
When that happens, I do the following: I go to a steep, long and really hard hill (for ex. there's one not far from where I live that is something like 10km at 10% average grade), then I try to do better than my best time (= go up quite hard = a lot of pain).
During those 50 minutes of pure pain, I usually realize that *it's not about the bike*.
And i go home, happy -and stronger. 🙂

Francesco

Yeah, and you have more money for beer.

boudreaux said:

The OP was right about the $300 wheels. Unless you have money to burn or race, anything beyond open pro rims, ultegra hubs and butted spokes,well built is overkill. Price $200-250 from several sources.

I live and ride in a windy place, where Ksyriums do wonders for most guys' bike handling skills (b/c of the the way those stupid spokes catch our lusty gusty native crosswinds!).
Seriously - if you must have new wheels go the OPs. If not and the cash is burning a hole in your pocket spend it on a few sessions with a good coach - that'll make you faster than wheels will (and might educate you about what you "wheely" need.

armchair_spacem said:

I live and ride in a windy place, where Ksyriums do wonders for most guys' bike handling skills (b/c of the the way those stupid spokes catch our lusty gusty native crosswinds!).
Seriously - if you must have new wheels go the OPs. If not and the cash is burning a hole in your pocket spend it on a few sessions with a good coach - that'll make you faster than wheels will (and might educate you about what you "wheely" need.

I made my decision. I totally upgraded to a Specialized Roubaix Pro with full Dura-ace and Dura-ace wheels. That settles the dilemma! 😄

I've gotta agree with most of these guys.

Ofcoarse you want to have a nice bike, everyone wants to have a nice bike.

However in all seriousness unless you think you are professional and getting that extra 1mph woul mean training an extra 200 km's or if you rely on your results to make a living then sure buy the wheels.

However having said that if you are a recreational rider or even an amatuer racer then there are much easier ways to improve your performance, don't spend your moeny on new wheels. Keep doing what you love - go and train more. If you have only been riding for four months i gaurantee you that 6 months down the line you will be riding 5mph faster on the same wheels.

Just my 2 cents

Rollo

armchair_spacem said:

I live and ride in a windy place, where Ksyriums do wonders for most guys' bike handling skills (b/c of the the way those stupid spokes catch our lusty gusty native crosswinds!).
Seriously - if you must have new wheels go the OPs. If not and the cash is burning a hole in your pocket spend it on a few sessions with a good coach - that'll make you faster than wheels will (and might educate you about what you "wheely" need.

Handling in crosswinds is the reason few people here like aero-section rims. In fact, in the crosswinds aero rims produce a lot more drag than OPs, not less. The slight advantage they provide only applies to perfect conditions.

Rollo said:

I've gotta agree with most of these guys.

Ofcoarse you want to have a nice bike, everyone wants to have a nice bike.

However in all seriousness unless you think you are professional and getting that extra 1mph woul mean training an extra 200 km's or if you rely on your results to make a living then sure buy the wheels.

However having said that if you are a recreational rider or even an amatuer racer then there are much easier ways to improve your performance, don't spend your moeny on new wheels. Keep doing what you love - go and train more. If you have only been riding for four months i gaurantee you that 6 months down the line you will be riding 5mph faster on the same wheels.

Just my 2 cents

Rollo

Thanks for you input, which makes a lot of sense. I just couldn't resist the deal I was given on a new Roubaix Pro with full Dura-Ace. I can't wait till Monday when I pick it up!

The only thing I want to add to this soup is that whatever you do, set a base level for yourself, which you don't need a trainer for, though they do that too. You just need to put in regular and consistant K's...get a feel for you and your bike and build from there. I ride the same rides all the time and I can feel exactly how "we" are doing. After that base is established then you can benefit from lighter wheels. That being said there is no doubt that a great even good set of wheels can improve you and the bike at that time. My current faves, which transformed one of my bikes are American Classic Sprint 350's...mad light and mad strong and not too spendy!!!