xlibrarygeekx

Dear collective wisdom,

I ride a Specialized Tarmac with Fulcrum 6 wheels. I'm now looking to upgrade my wheelset. I ride about 200 miles a week, at a pretty good pace. The terrain here (New England) is rolling/hilly. I'm hoping to start doing some racing. Basically, I'm looking to spend around $1,200. I've been eyeing the Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL. Thoughts? I've also read some good things about the Ksyrium SL wheels (and, even the Ksyrium Elite, which are much less expensive). Thoughts? Is there something else out there I should be looking at?

Thanks!

bonz50

$200 more for Boyd Carbons instead of AL/Carbon mix wheels that are 300g lighter

Bah Humbug

November Rail is toroidal and fully carbon as well.

beatlebee 

get a Powertap

canam73

Uh-uh. Get a quarq (or SRM or Power2Max). Train on Fulcrums. Get race wheels after you've done a couple of races.

beatlebee 

fixed for price specification in OP

Bah Humbug

Can easily pick up a new P2M for <$1000.

canam73

Don't you still need a compatible crank with that?

I think the cheapest with a crank is $1275, or $1299 for a new quarq: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Box-2...item3f24cbd266

Bah Humbug

Maybe; I have a Rotor 3D with Q-rings anyway.

StanSeven

He's also a contributor here and provides a lot of helpful advice.

bikepro

Zipp 101's. A very reliable alu, toroidal, 30mm rim. Performance has the rear wheel for $729. I sure front and rear would be around $1200.

CrankAndYank

And stands behind his customers, even when they are stupid.

clausen

I think you meant behind his product. Behind his customer is something else.

Bah Humbug

November Dave, Coach Boyd, and PSIMET all post and contribute.

Dudelsack 

Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades.

Silvercivic27

I have and use Ksyrium elites and Cosmic SLs. If I could have only 1 set, it would be the elites. I still prefer an Al brake surface in the wet, because I feel the stopping power is much better than carbon, also the grit and crap you pick up when the road is wet tends to really abrade the carbon brake track. Along these lines, the sealed bearings on the mavic wheels will be a plus in the wet and if you tend to wash your bike a lot with water. I have three beefs with the cosmics. They're heavy to the point that its noticeable on long climbs, the ride is pretty harsh, and they catch a crosswind more than my Zipps, for example. With regard to the Ksyrium line, I went with Elites mainly due to the steel spokes. Although I haven't spent much time on SLs, I'm told that the interface between the lighter and thicker alloy spokes and the rim is beefier for strength, and therefore provides a harsher ride, and the wider spokes catches a crosswind more than the thinner steel spokes. If those spokes are turned, they can also have a detrimental aero effect. I don't know what the roads are like where you live, but my butt definitely preferred the Ksyrium elites to the cosmics on the pothole ridden Pittsburgh roads. Hope that helps you.

Silvercivic27

Honestly, if I were to buy and use 1 set, I think I would have zipp 101 rims built with Sapim CX-ray spokes and hubs with sealed bearings like Chris King R45s. I think the zipp 101s are a good combination of relatively light weight, strength, aero, width. It would give you a decent aluminum brake track for wet weather as well. You could have that built for right around your budget, but don't forget the cassette, tires, tubes.

hhnngg1

Get a power meter before you get the wheels.

Silvercivic27

Get whatever makes you happy and makes you ride more. A power meter is going to make you slower if you aren't using it properly because in that case, all it does is add weight to the bike.

CrankAndYank

Correct. I meant in terms of customer service.

macca33

Seeing as you like the Fulcrum 6, why not opt for Fulcrum 1 or Zero - should easily meet your budget. I ride Fulcrum 1 and they are fantastic.

cheers

Ross11

If you want wheels and that is your budget the Mavic Cosmic SL would not be a bad choice. If you could save a little more I am sure later on you would appreciate a lighter wheel. I am not sure if you are planning to buy at the lbs or online, but https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...6855.41.1.html

I am a Mavic guy for sure, but you would be saving a pound by getting the Reynolds in Tubular plus you would have tubulars. The same set can be had with a small weight penalty in clincher. If you do get the Mavics you will not regret it. I think though, around that price point the Reynolds are probably a better buy.

island rider

It's really more that he is willing to take a hit sometimes when his customers are stupid.

;..and don't call me stupid.

waitforme

I ride a mid level 2010 Tarmac with Ksyrium Elites. I trained hard (for me) and started road racing this year in M35+ 4/5 with reasonable novice results of not getting dropped and being around to contest the pack sprints without actually threatening to win. From my limited racing experience, upgraded wheels would not have made any meaningful improvement in my race results, what I need is to learn better race craft (don't underestimate this) and improve my:- 1 min, 30 sec and 5 sec power.

All that being said, a friend of mine was kind enough to lend me his older Al/carbon Zipp 404's recently and I used them for one fast group training ride. My experiences were: they seemed to spin more freely (better hubs or bearings or better adjusted?), they held a tighter line on sharp bends, jumps/sprints seemed about the same, very difficult to make any judgement on difference in top speed or power used to hold given speeds (typically in to 24 - 28 range). However, they looked fantastic and based on this alone I will probably end up getting a pair of deep carbon rims later this year, either used 404's or new November Rail 52's.

Bosock

I have the new Boyd 44 carbon clinchers. I cant say enough about them...stiff, light and ride very nice. They are also a very good lookin wheel. I highly recommend based on my experiences with Boyd wheels. I have the aluminum vitesses on my Tarmac that i use for canyon runs. Had over a year on back roads and riding up canyons...still true and are great...stiff and light for aluminum wheels. Also Boyd and his wife are great to work with.