B1KE

I'm looking to upgrade my budget Axis 2.0 wheel set for something lighter and stiffer. I weigh 180lb and do 90% hilly roads and about 10% gravel/ chip seal roads. I want something that's fast but also durable and reliable. I want to run 28mm tire eventually too. A big priority is that the wheel lasts long and I don't have to service it often My choices are as folllows;

Shimano RS81 C24
Campangolo Zonda
Fulcrum Racing 3

1.Based on my needs, weight and terrain riding style which would you recommend?

2. Also anyone who has the above wheelsete would love to hear your opinion/review on it, even if it's a quick sentence or two.

alcjphil

The Zonda and the Racing 3 are similar in weight and quality. Fulcrum is a Campagnolo sub brand, many hub components from one will fit the other.

B1KE

Got it, thanks for the insight.

alcjphil

Oh, and both the Zondas and the Racing 3 are available in 2-Way Fit versions allowing the use of conventional or road tubeless clinchers

Jean_TX

I recently got a set of Shimano RS81 C24 wheels to replace the Mavic CXP22's that came with my bike. I chose Shimano wheels because their products are reliable - I couldn't find any complaints about them on the web except that the initial hub adjustment was occasionally too tight. The wheels were perfectly true out of the box. They are noticeably lighter and easier to accelerate than the original Mavic's. Also, they are noticeably stiffer laterally when leaning into turns. Their hubs can easily be "digitally adjusted" (i.e., adjusted by hand, no tools needed). I'm very pleased with them.

motosonic

I have a set of the RS81's and they're smooth as butter and I've put my share of miles on them. They're quiet, durable, they brake well and they're super lightweight. I'm actually looking at replacing them.. (just not 100% sure yet) for a set of custom wheels.. but You can't go wrong with them.

B1KE

Thanks for your opinion. I heard there was some issues with the brake pad rubbing and based on their width would these be able to run 28mm tires without having the lightbulb look to them?

B1KE

How many miles have you done before considering replacing them?
Have you ridden them on any gravel or chip seal roads and had any issues?

motosonic

I'm not 100% sure on that. You'd have to look that up. I'm running 700x25 with Maxxis Refuse and those are fine for me. I have been told they can support a wider tire, but, I have not personally tried anything wider than what I have on now.

A LOT. I don't meticulously count the miles I ride, but it's in the thousands. lol And they're set to do a 5 day, 500 mile trek later this month.. and that'll be after I put a few hundred more on them in between.

I actually rode on a dirt/gravel road on Monday with a LBS ride group. The stretch was a good 2 miles and they were fine. I get nervous riding roads like that on a road bike with road tires.. but the Refuse tires have some good tread on them, as do all Maxxis tires.. so, it felt good. It's a durable wheel.. it's made for that purpose... and that's why I have them.. because I needed something durable, fast and light.. Which is kind of like a dream in the world of cycling wheels. lol

I wouldn't consider myself a typical road rider. I started out a few years back as a disabled VET trying to overcome some physical limitations through cycling with an organization called Project Hero. I don't count watts or cadence and I'm not trying to be a professional racer.. Although I really do enjoy cycling.. I'm not awesome at it.. especially the climbing portion. So, my needs may be different than most. What I needed was a durable, light bike that I could ride for years to come because I don't quite have the budget that some on here have with warehouses full of bikes and carbon wheels.. lol SO whatever I buy.. needs to last.. so, that's my #1 criteria.. If that makes any difference. OH and I should add that I'm 200lbs.. I fluctuate between 180 and 200lbs pretty regularly, lol)

Stratocaster

I have the Fulcrum Racing 3 wheels. At about 155 lbs myself, I feel good about riding those. I believe they have less spokes than other wheels, so at 180 lbs I'm not sure how "durable" they will be for you. Not that 180 lbs is heavy - it's just that I know I wouldn't have to worry about spoke count - you may need to consider it...maybe not. Just throwing it out there.
Actually, after checking - it looks like they do put a "warning" in the description right at 82KG (180 lbs).
https://www.wiggle.com/fulcrum-racing...wheelset-2014/

B1KE

Thanks for that, looks like the Fulcrums are out. I'm leaning towards the Shimanos more than anything now. Only thing swinging me is the Zondas are a bit cheaper.

rayzafc

The new redesigned profile campagnolo zonda is support up to 28c tyres. Its lightweight and looking nice for me.

indiglow

I was just going through this same decision making process just a few weeks ago. I ended going with the Zondas with price and the redesigned C17 rim being major factors. I'm 130 lbs tho, so I wanted a pretty low spoke count, but having said that the Shimanos are actually the lowest here, by 1 spoke. They are still sitting in the box, so unfortunately I can't offer any insight on how they ride.

tomato coupe

I have a set of Zondas, a set of Fulcrum 3s, and a set of Fulcrum 3 two-way fit. They are, for all intents and purposes, the same wheels. I weigh the same as you and ride a lot in the mountains and on dirt roads. I have never broken a spoke and the wheels rarely need to be trued.

ct-vt-trekker

I agree 100%.
I've got a set of RS81s too. I notice no difference between these and the Dura Ace C24s that I've got over 25000 miles on. They both are very smooth and spin great. I'm 183 lbs.
The RS81s are something like 100-120 g heavier than the Dura-Ace but a few hundred dollars less .

I love Shimano wheels as they are easily serviceable.

Almost all the roads I ride are chip sealed and full of pot holes and cracks too, no issues with the ride on chip seal.

f4rrest

I've got Dura Ace C24s and Fulcrum Racing 5s.

Can't really feel a difference while riding.

The Fulcrum bearings have some lateral play after 10k miles.

B1KE

Wow great review, thanks for sharing. Gives me a lot of confidence in the wheel. Just curious what is your weight becuae I'm 180lb and feel a bit uneasy about the low spoke count.

f4rrest

I'm your weight, and the dura ace c24 have been bullet proof. They're essentially the same wheels as the rs81, except with dura ace hubs.

B1KE

Thanks for your opinion. I'm thinking of mounting 28mm wheels, I know the rim width is 15mm could that be an issue?

f4rrest

It will work up to 32mm.

dunrobin

I have both rs81 c35s and a couple of sets of zondas...both spin well. The zondas are similar to campys eurus without the aluminum spokes.
I'm really pleased with both.