C
Colin Campbell
Guest
Are these wheels considered a decent value for the money? The LBS has
loaned me a pair, and when I've "learned" something about them compared
to my current wheels, I'm supposed to try the new Mavic R-SYS wheels.
(Obviously, the owner wants to separate me from some of my money, but as
long as we both understand that....)
The bike I put the Fulcrum wheels on is equipped with shop-built wheels
consisting of Mavic Open Pro rims, 32 DT spokes (F & R), and Record
hubs. I've no idea what they weigh, but the complete bike is 19.75
pounds. (A newer bike, identical except for Bontrager Race Lite wheels,
is about 1.2 pounds lighter. I've been assuming nearly all the
difference is in the wheels, though the Record components are three
years newer.)
The Fulcrums are 16 aero spokes front, 21 rear. The rims are non-aero,
and have been machined down between the spoke holes. The nipples are
much larger than what I'm used to seeing. The inside of the rim has no
holes, so no rim tape is required. A pair is supposed to weigh 1570
grams. This compares well with Mavic Ksyrium ES and Campy Eurus, wheels
in roughly the same price range.
I rode the Fulcrum wheels today on a 69 km (43 mile) flat ride, and I
didn't notice anything special about them. I was told that I'd notice
how well they accelerated, that cornering was solid, etc. There was
certainly nothing wrong with them, but.... I plan to try them in the
hills tomorrow.
Am I just an insensitive Philistine, incapable of appreciating expensive
rolling works of art?
loaned me a pair, and when I've "learned" something about them compared
to my current wheels, I'm supposed to try the new Mavic R-SYS wheels.
(Obviously, the owner wants to separate me from some of my money, but as
long as we both understand that....)
The bike I put the Fulcrum wheels on is equipped with shop-built wheels
consisting of Mavic Open Pro rims, 32 DT spokes (F & R), and Record
hubs. I've no idea what they weigh, but the complete bike is 19.75
pounds. (A newer bike, identical except for Bontrager Race Lite wheels,
is about 1.2 pounds lighter. I've been assuming nearly all the
difference is in the wheels, though the Record components are three
years newer.)
The Fulcrums are 16 aero spokes front, 21 rear. The rims are non-aero,
and have been machined down between the spoke holes. The nipples are
much larger than what I'm used to seeing. The inside of the rim has no
holes, so no rim tape is required. A pair is supposed to weigh 1570
grams. This compares well with Mavic Ksyrium ES and Campy Eurus, wheels
in roughly the same price range.
I rode the Fulcrum wheels today on a 69 km (43 mile) flat ride, and I
didn't notice anything special about them. I was told that I'd notice
how well they accelerated, that cornering was solid, etc. There was
certainly nothing wrong with them, but.... I plan to try them in the
hills tomorrow.
Am I just an insensitive Philistine, incapable of appreciating expensive
rolling works of art?