gore

Hello everyone,
I own stock Specialized Allez Elite 2014 road bike, with Tiagra groupset and AXIS Classic wheels.
The rims are now worn by the brake pads and I guess I need to change them.
Could you please advice what could be better wheels upgrade on a budged, from following options:

1. Mavic Aksium
2. Fulcrum Racing 5
3. Fulcrum Racing 6
4. Shimano WH-R501

Or maybe you could propose another option

Thank you very much for your input.

macattack71

I have been looking at wheelsets too, since my original Mavic Aksiums don't stay so true anymore, and had some loose spokes which were tensioned up by the LBS. They have not been reliable from a staying true point, maybe 9000 total miles on them. They recommended going to a 32 spoke wheelset,. Nothing fancy, but they source their sets from their established wheelbuilder. They can build their own too. Recommended DT Swiss rims with Shimano or DT Swiss hubs, ~$450 for a starting set. No reason to break the bank on my 2011 bike, but I trust the owner of the shop, as he knows what parts are reliable, and is super helpful on all things bike and non-bike related and doesn't try to just sell me stuff. I plan on riding this bike another 10 years. I have also been using the prowheelbuilder.com website based on his recommendations of suppliers. I could spend $1000 or more but seems overkill for the type and amount of riding I do. I am currently 200# but have been from 175 - 230. I know, a wide delta. Ideal cycling weight would be 170- 175#.

hankj

Your body weight would be a big help, along with how much you ride and in general how smooth or abusive your local roads are. I like Mavic wheels a lot, for my 130lbs wife ...

gore

I am currently 75kg (165lbs).
I ride around 2 hours per day, for 3 days a week, but I expect to have more free time in the future.
Usually I ride on asphalt, but sometimes I have to cross railroad tracks on the bike.

Steve B.

I would be calling a shop that can custom build, Universal Cycles builds good wheels. Tell them what you have, your weight and riding style and have them recommend something they can build up. A hand built from a shop is always better than a factory wheel.

urbanknight

OP's profile says they're in Switzerland, so getting custom wheels shipped from USA (I assume the Universal Cycles referenced is the one in Oregon) is probably not very budget minded. However, getting handbuilt wheels could still be an option, especially if the current hubs are still in good condition. Rims, spokes, and labor should come up to about the same as the models the OP listed, and will likely be more durable.

choddo

Labour in Switzerland is likely in the region of €200 an hour though

I had the fulcrum 5s. They were ok but I quickly upgraded. Think the Mavics are probably better. My son has them on his bike. Freehub has got sticky but that’s a £25 fix after 8+ years of use. Or as others have said, if your hubs are ok maybe a shop can put some new rims on.

Steve B.

Yes, good point, I didn't look at his profile. Still maybe a good local shop could make a recommendation or build something.

bampilot06

Campy zonda if you can find them on sale. I have seen them sub 500.00

choddo

Same as Fulcrum zeroes more or less I think?

bampilot06

I would take the zondas over the the fulcrum, but that’s just me.

Iride01 

If you are riding fast and somewhat long distances, you might want a rim that will add more aerodynamic benefit to the tire widths you run on the bike.

tomato coupe

Zeros are couple of rungs up from Zondas. Racing 3 are (were?) the equivalent of Zondas.

hankj

FWIW, I've had very good experiences with Hunt wheelsets. They've been reasonable weight, roll quite nicely, and are well built, so far always having showed up properly trued and tensioned.

https://us.huntbikewheels.com/produc...-28deep-22wide

choddo

ah ok. I bought some zeroes and then got a used bike with some zondas and they looked very, very similar. Never put them on the scales though 😄

msu2001la

You can find generic Chinese rim-brake carbon wheels from brands Superteam or Yoeleo for less than $300 online.

Even if you don't care about aero or weight, these wheels make a compelling option for a basic replacement wheelset on an older bike. I've owned both entry-level alloy wheels from Shimano and own a pair of Superteam carbon wheels.

bruce19

I have two sets of Aksiums. They are bullet proof but a little heavy. The others I don't know well. I have become a convert to tubeless and love my Kysrium Elite USTs. I have 4 sets and haven't had a flat in 5 years.

delbiker1 

I have owned both Fulcrum Racing 5 and Campagnolo Zonda wheel sets. The Zonda's are FAR superior. The Racing 5 that I have seen have too low of a spoke count and are not durable. The OP, being in Europe, may still be able to acquire Zonda's at a decent price. Personally, I am more concerned with how well the wheels will hold up, rather than the weight, which also plays into budget.
Just checked, Chain Reaction Cycles, located in England, have Zonda wheels with Shimano free hub for $411 shipped. If that is too steep, Sirocco is another good choice, but the Shimano free hub is out of stock at CRC.

Fox Farm

Zonda's are excellent wheels, particularly for the price. I found them for a little bit over 300 Euro for rim brakes. To the OP, keep your brake pads clean and free from pebbles and stuff that gets stuck in the slots. A small flat blade screw driver works well for doing this.

Jughed

Thanks for that info - I will be looking to upgrade the Rolf Comps on a Lemond Zurich I will be getting soon, these look to be a good non carbon option.

1600g and 30mm deep is not bad for the price or for aluminum wheels in general.

I just need to see if they make new ones that will fit the 2001 frame/drivetrain. I think its a 9 speed.

gore

I have found Campagnolo Zonda wheels on local market, but the hubs are Campagnolo and I do not think it will fit with the Shimano drivetrain on my bike.

tomato coupe

Scirocco are Racing 5 equivalents.

alcjphil

Note: Fulcrum wheels are manufactured by Campagnolo. Equivalent to the Zonda would be the Racing 3. The Fulcrum racing zero is equivalent to the Campagnolo Shamal

cweb99

I have the Fulcrum Racing 3s on my 15 Allez. They are great. 2:1 ratio on the rear hub.

gore

I have found a new old stock Fulcrum Racing 3 C17 rear wheel at a very good price.
Does it make sense for me to change the rear wheel only?
My current wheel set is 622 x 15C (700C) + 700x25c tyres, and Fulcrum comes with 17mm rim profile + 700x28c Continental tyre.