12strings

I'm considering 3 sets of wheels, at different prices, with different features:

1. Vuelta 37mm wheels. 1946 grams, deepest section, $134.
https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/mProduct4_10052_10053_589151_-1_catNav

2. Vuelta corsa lite...nuff said, about 1500 grams, $259, before discounts.

3. Ultegra 6800...nuff said, 1640 grams. $317.


So...does the deeper section of the cheapest wheels make them something to consider for Aero benefits vs the lighter wheels?

And does the overall quality of the 6800 wheels make it a good idea to pay more, and accept a small weight gain vs the corsa lite?

Given the 3, what way would you go?

I suspect the stock wheels on my bike weigh over 2000 grams, and aren't super high quality (Alex AT470 with formula hubs, round spokes, high spoke count). Also, I like to ride fast group rides (sustained flats with no wind would usually be 20+mom)...but most of our rides have some climbs as well...and I weigh 160 lbs.

Thanks!

nzube14

I'm probably going to be shouted down, but I hear lots of good things about the Campagnolo Zonda as one of the best (if not the best) wheelsets under $500.

Capagnolo Zonda

Mulberry20

You can buy them for less than $350.

12strings

1. What makes the better than Ultergra?

2. Are they shimano drive train compatible?

12strings

I should also add that those ultegra wheels are at the very top of what I would ever spend for wheels. I'm not going full Aero carbon, so aluminum clinchers is what I'm after...

nzube14

1.This site corroborates what I've heard around forums (an excerpt):

"Shimano makes three levels of alloy wheels – Ultegra at the entry level, Road Sport (or RS) in the middle and Dura-Ace at the top end. The Ultegra 6800 wheelset is stock quality weight and stiffness, low profile alloy, slow engaging steel hub, and tubeless ready. Not one you would want to upgrade to."

https://intheknowcycling.files.wordp...ison-chart.png

2. Yes, they are Shimano drivetrain compatible, with 9/10/11 speed hub compatibility.

Agreed. With discount codes, I got my Zonda down to $295 about a month ago. Now I think you can get even lower if you go the ProBikeKit w/discount codes w/GBP route.

topflightpro

I bought my wife a set of Ultegras a month ago. They are pretty nice wheels. Not as nice as some of our other wheels, but they are going on her second bike.

Anyway, I got them at Performance during their triple points weekend. So, while I paid $360 for them, I then got back $108 in Performance bucks, which I would spend there anyway on gels and crap.

Campy wheels are nice too. I don't think you can go wrong with either the Zondas or the Ultegras. A lot of people on here like the Vueltas, but I have no personal experience with them.

RJM

Honestly, none of those choices really seem like much of an upgrade.

mpath

Don't even worry about "aero benefits". You won't notice any.

Stratocaster

Wait...so the RS11 wheels that came stock on my bike are a step above Ultegra? That doesn't seem right.

ltxi

Ultegra 6800s

dksix

I thought the same thing. I've seen the RS11 around $125 a set. Is there other sets with the RS designation?

nzube14

The site is referencing the RS81, not RS11.

f4rrest

It's funny that the site only recommends wheels that are available through affiliate links (meaning he earns a sales commission), and then he has the balls to say

"To remove any potential conflicts of interests in my reviews, I buy or demo and return all the gear I test and I don’t run ads or go on company-paid product review trips."

LOL.

12strings

Seriously, until this thread I'd never heard a bad thing said about ultegra wheels.

dbrook67

I got a set of the Ultegra 6800's early this season. Love them.

FIVE ONE SIX

+1!

me personally, i would recommend the Ultegra's if you are considering going tubeless, cause their a great bulletproof wheelset that can go tubeless if you want. i'm 240 and i've used them for 2 years and i've never had to true them yet...

if weight's an issue, than go with the Vuelta Corsa Lite, cause they're lighter and they spin a bit better than the Ultegra's. the Ultegra hubs are average as far as rolling goes, the Vuelta's are a bit better. they aren't tubeless compatible though, just to let you know...

Fly2High

I have a set of the Vuelta Corsa SLR (Nashbar) and love them. I dropped a 1.5 lbs when I changed to these wheels and put Conti 4000s II on them from the stock. I notice the difference. These seem to roll forever but the Axis/Epona wheels that came on my Spesh were lousy basement level stuff. I was thinking of the Ultegra at the time but liked the weight savings. Not sure if there were other reasons at the time as well. If it matters, I weigh 202lbs and have no issues with them staying true for about a year's worth of riding (2K-3K miles)

mrtrinh

also picked up a set of ultegra 6800's. Used them for climbing as I am not confident in descending with my carbon wheels. The wheels are stiff and the hub is so smooth and quiet. Tires are kind of a PITA to mount though.

ypsetihw

I ride these wheels, and they are great bang for the buck, and an improvement over my stock RS10s (I'm on a Nashbar bike as well). Sealed bearings roll nicely and could be upgraded, and I'm 190+ at the moment and they are plenty stiff without being too heavy and roll very true. I disagree that you won't feel the aero benefit, in fact I find that these wheels are noticeably more aero a high speed and when sprinting, and do not flex AT ALL. The machined brake track performs extremely well with salmon pads. I have yet to find a wheelset anywhere else online with these specs for this pricepoint, and they look very sharp. Highly recommend if you're after a good performing, stiff, slightly aero budget wheelset.

Digger6255

Another option Fulcrum Racing 3's from Wiggle $340 and free shipping, made by Campy. They are the same wheels as the Zonda but for Shimano.