unionmade

So, I decided to serve a 1/2 day self-imposed suspension from work for office profanity (see my earlier post, https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t-got-me-fired! ). In other words, I played hookie this morning to install the new wheels on my bike (I sprang for a new cassette and chain, and also installed a new Fizik Pave saddle), and then had time for a short (15 mile) ride. I have to say that my first impression was one of extreme disappointment. I immediately realized that the new wheels do not eliminate the need to pedal. I thought they would.

Here's the build:
White Ind. H2/H3 hubs (black)
Kinlin XR-300 rims (black)
Sapim CXRay spokes (24f/28r)(black)
DT Brass nipples (silver)

To be serious, the wheels roll incredibly smoothly. I won't say that they are going to change my life, but they are sweet. I noticed the difference from my Mavic Askiums most on hills. I went up hills without noticing. Can't say the difference is extreme sitting on flats, but I noticed an increase in stiffness when I was standing to pump up hill. Obviously, 15 miles isn't enough to make any conclusions, but I sure am a happy camper with my new wheels. Aesthetically, I'm smitten. I really like the silver WI hubs, but think black works better for my bike. And yes, I asked for extra decals!
Saw a white fence about half way in, so I snapped some shots with the phone:

spazzkid

very nice! im jealous!

M_Wales

Sweet ride and love the wheels... Rob did a great job on mine also and I love them...

Enjoy

bhayes505

Wheels look great!

Is it the angle or is your seat not level? Looks like the nose of your seat is lower than the back.

unionmade

Wow, it sure does look bad. Must have tipped slightly when I was putting on the new Saddle. Didn't notice over15 miles, but would over longer distance. Thanks for noticing, I'll fix it tonight (although I'm keeping my avatar picture the same, I can't really see it that small).

Standalone 

The way you have your saddle bag seems odd to me, too. I strap the front strap up higher. That nose is way down... Cool wheels.

blacksquid

Nice wheels! You made the right call on the black WI hubs, they look really sharp with that frame.

soma5

Give your WI hubs some time to loosen up. Mine were tight to begin with. About 400 miles later, they are smooth and fast. I took them to my mechanic and he showed me how to set the pre-load and he also put a little lube on the freehub-side seal. The hubs started getting better right then.

WI hubs seem to start out tight; they do loosen up and become super-smooth rollers.

bikerjp

Similar to mine. Love them. Over 2,000 miles now and no issues. Roll great. I am getting a tiny bit of flex lately climbing out of the saddle but not sure it's the wheels (i.e. skewer not tight enough haven't played yet). I agree the silver WI hubs look great and probably better than the black but I also went black to match the bike better.

Capecodder

Looks like the seat is pushed all the way forward, so there is not enough room....... The wheels do look nice.

caphits

Wow! Those decals look great!

I did my first ride today on my psimets. It was a good 30 miler. I was pretty beat when I was done. It was great to have my wheel problems off my mind.

Handelfan

Flip it.

antmeeks

And slam it.

pgjackson

Level the seat, flip the stem. Looks very nice. Love the plain black and white scheme you got going.

ahsposo 

Fry it, dye it and lay it to the side.

ColinL

+1

I would get a zero setback seatpost. In fact I *did* do this on my M1.

unionmade

Fixed the tilt in the seat. It's positioned as a result of a fitting, so it is where it is. I did adjust the bag so it didn't look too dorky (it was off to put the bike on the rack, threw it back on hastily in order to get out on the road). Disinclined to flip the stem, as it was also fitted during said fitting. It's at the angle it's at due to several of factors: 1) I'm fat; 2) I'm old; 3) My herinated discs asked me to get a fitting.

On the wheels, I should note that while I didn't notice a significance change other than going up hill, Strava did tell me that I did 3 segment PRs. Again, it was a very short ride, so that could have been most of the reason, but hell, I'll go with the wheels.

AngryScientist 

nice wheels and all, but does a new set of relatively "regular" wheels really need two new threads started?

corybb

you may want to look at a pic of the bike before you swapped saddles, they may have tilted your saddle forward to relieve pressure on your back if you truly have herniated disc's. A saddle with a curved rear may suit you as well as it would force a little more forward rotation of your pelvis in-turn returning some natural lordotic curve to you low back without having to angle the saddle.

pgjackson

So what? Geesh. Don't look if you aren't interested. It's not like there's limited space on the forum.

bikerjp

I also have a herniated disc. What sort of issues do you run into? I mainly get numbness (the pins and needles feeling like when your foot falls asleep) in the left foot after about an hour of riding but sometimes sooner and sometimes later. Also usually have some lower back pain at some point. Longer rides actually seem to help (i.e. tends to get better as I go). I have bad posture and constantly have to remind myself to not hunch and to rotate at the hips. I found a somewhat lower stem actually helped me to stay in a good position. The idea of a saddle with raised back sounds interesting.

pgjackson

Best thing for a bad back is getting skinny. Probably 90% of all back problems can be fixed or at least greatly improved by losing the beer-belly. That gut puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your spine and screws up your posture. After that it's all about strengthening the core muscles. I have 3 bulging disks in my lower back...I have to really watch my weight.

DropDeadFred

flip it

bikerjp

You implying I'm fat? them's fightin' words.

Actually, I have to agree (not that I'm fat - anymore). I have lost weight and while I can certainly afford to lose another 10 lbs, I think that would be close to ideal (though it wouldn't qualify as I cycling body and mine never will).

pgjackson

Not you...the OP said he's fat.