CalEl

Currently riding a Cannondale Synapse 105 AL. Love it but also looking for some ways to save weight and upgrade. Thinking about finding a more lightweight wheelset. It seems like wheels are the go to upgrade.

Looking at the Hunt Aero Light Disc Wheelset. They seem lightweight and aero without breaking the bank.

Aero qualities are a plus but I’m more looking to save weight. I’m not sure about the weight of the stock wheels. They’re the stock Cannondale/Maddux RD 2.0 Disc, double wall w/ eyelet, 28h rims but I can’t find much about them online.

Anyone have any advice or recommendations? Trying not to bank the bank either.

Thanks!

alcjphil

Start by determining how much your current wheels weigh
"breaking the bank" doesn't mean anything unless we know how many dollars in your account

hubcyclist

hot take coming: wheels may not be that great of an upgrade, maybe a minute an hour by some measures, including this video


Jeff (the producer of this video) finds wheels to be a worthy upgrade, and I suppose they would in a race scenario where one is in breakaway. However, if I were to tell my wife I wanted new wheels to save maybe 5mins during a 100mile ride, I'd likely be laughed out of the room.

surak

I have the Hunts. They've been faultless for me. Lighter than OEM wheels, good hub engagement, very head-turning freewheel buzz that is polarizing but in my experience has only received compliments, and a cinch to set up tubeless with GP 5Ks with a floor pump (full disclosure, I used a tire bead jack, but I do that when mounting most new tires anyway because my hands are weak).

I wouldn't say that they're all that aero as they aren't very deep and the rim width is relatively narrow by today's standards. But getting significantly better performance would likely mean 2x+ the cost (from Light Bicycle deep carbon rims to the more premium name-brands). If you are serious about chasing speed, then there's an argument to be made that you'd be better off saving more money for a higher-end wheelset or even spending it elsewhere on training tools, tires, clothing, etc. But if you'd be happy with a noticeably lighter wheelset without any glaring issues, then those Hunts are a good option.

CalEl

Thanks for the advice. I don’t mind the hunts not being particularly aero. I more concerned with saving weight. That’s why I’m wondering if there’s a beer wheelset option besides the hunts in the same price range. I’ll have to figure out the weight of the stock wheels i have.

masi61

I’m also curious what the stock Cannondale/Maddux RD 2.0 disc wheelset is, and if it is tubeless ready.

I looked up the Hunt Aero Light Disc wheelset....it appears they weigh 1488 grams for the set and retail for $609, not bad....though as stated, I am unfamiliar with the exact Cannondale disc wheel specifications so... mainly I am curious what others offer up as for comparisons/value.

What tires do you plan to run?

CalEl

The stocks wheels are not tubeless ready. I think they weigh around 2,000g but I don’t have a good way of weighing them. I plan on running pirelli pzero velos.

surak

This was some years ago, but the only comparable I could find at the time were custom wheel builds using something like the Boyd Altamont or Kinlin X31 rims, but getting a light hub with more engagement points, bladed spokes, and brass nipples drove up the price. Especially since the GBP to USD conversion rate was more favorable, the Hunts won out for me.

Sy Reene

Hunt also has the 34mm deep Aero Wide Disc wheelset. Adds 60 grams but probably worth it. Also $70 more.

Someone mentioned Kinlin XR31s. This is doable I think here at comparable pricing to Hunts: https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/pwb-...t-package.html

bruce19

Are you interested in tubeless? They are generally lighter than stock wheels and cheaper than carbon ones. Unless you start looking at tubeless carbon.

Koyote

This.

If I'm not racing a bike, I'm happy with alloy rims, good hubs, and 32h/3x lacing. I've run such wheels for 30k+ miles with nothing more than a couple minor tweaks with a spoke wrench.

Inexpensive and lightweight wheels might save you five minutes on a century ride, but they'll cost you hours when they break fifty miles from your home.

sw20

https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/whee...ncher-wheelset