coolbreeze02

I'm taking a survey and gathering information because I'm not sure what I want to do. And yes, I'm coming to BF for advice. Anyway, I've got a 2009 Marin Portofino - an entry level road bike. And I'm getting the itch that tells me I need to get some new wheels. Should I drop $500-600 on some new wheels (on a bike that cost $800), or hold off, keep saving up $$$ and get a better bike? Pros? Cons?

canam73

I would normally say wheels, but I get the sense you are going to want to upgrade your whole bike sooner rather than later. If that is the case, don't drop another cent into your bike and just save for the new one.

zazenzach

what are your reasons for upgrading?

EDIT: and futhermore, why would you put a $500+ wheelset on a bike full of shimano 2300 groupset.

mmac

I'm assuming this is what you mean. https://www.marinbikes.com/2010/bike_...?serialnum=721

Speaking from experience, I have a trek 1.2 I put a 105 groupset and some new wheels on.

I paid 300ish for a 105 groupset and Ultegra SL derailleur on ebay and I feel it made a huge difference in ride quality, shifting is much better and easier.

I paid $240 for some Bontrager Racelite X wheels with DT swiss hubs that are lighter and more aero that the Alexis At 450s I had, I honestly can't record or feel a significant speed difference between the two and moving from 28mm to 23mm tires sucks, I'll probably be swapping the more comfortable tires out before next weekend (roads around here are extremely buckled and filled with potholes). The wheelset I have sells for ~900 but mine has better hubs, and I assume a slightly heavier rim.

IMO I would look to upgrade your drivetrain or scour craigslist/local shops for a good used bike.

urbanknight

Get the wheels. You will find a way to fund the new bike when the time comes anyway. Then, you can put your nice wheels on the upgraded bike that only comes with so-so wheels anyway.

klages

I was going to say the same. If you look at new bikes you'll notice they almost all come with suck-ass wheelsets anyway.

mustang1

I have £200 wheels on a bike that cost me £400. I'm happy enough, if I ever buy another bike, I'll move the wheels over. Do what urbanknight says.

rishardh

If you are seriously taking up this sport and plan to ride a lot go for the bike. Not that your current bike will hold you back, overall you will enjoy riding a nicer bike. Performance wise wheels will make the biggest difference. When I put on my Zipp 404s on my 20+ year old Litespeed I can go as fast as my newer bikes.

thump55

+1

I use my old wheels/chain/cassette for the trainer. It's nice to have spare wheels.

You may even want to upgrade your groupset (save your old one to put back on the bike when you sell it), and then you can look for a new frame/fork only when you want to upgrade.

Silvercivic27

Get the wheels. It will keep you excited about riding and keep you going. You're going to get the better bike in the future no matter what anyway. You know this.

jischr

What riding do you do and where? Newer lighter wheels, even used, will be easier on rollers and hills and at speeds over maybe 16 mph. They will make very little difference on flat roads and slower speeds. Aero wheels won't help till you're over 20-25 mph. I recently bought a used frame that came with Ksyrium Elite wheels (~1700 grams). The difference with my old wheels, 32 spoke 105 hubs laced to open pro rims, is a lot more noticible than other folks led me to believe. For me, on steeper hills, its like the difference between a 39 and a 30 tooth chain ring. Now I'm thinking I need to borrow a pair of 1,400 grams wheels and try those.