Help with chosing some new wheels???

**Dean Henderson** · 16th February 2012

As the tittle says im looking some new wheels for my giant tcr advanced 3 (2010) Im planning on doing some racing including time trials and the odd tour this year and carbon wheels seem to be theee thing to have, so i thought id come on hear and ask for some wise advice as im unsure what im looking at. I was thinking something like mavic cosmics? I heard a few fellas saying they where prity good? also my bike is 105 system what rear block should i buy? Thanks in advance for all your help.

**Danny87** · 17th February 2012

How much do you weigh Dean?

Are you going to be using the wheels purely just for tt/racing? Or are you after a wheelset for everything i.e racing, training you know it.

What kind of terrain will they be used for? Hilly or flat stuff? Lots of descents?

How much do you want or not want to spend?

In answer to your Q about the rear block. I assume you mean the rear cassette? If so is it a 10 speed block? Depending on the answersto the above, I'd think you may be as well to either swap over the cassette from your old wheels to your new ones. Or if the old cassette is knackered, replace with new one and a new chain as well. Probably cost about £60-ish.

**Greg Quinn** · 17th February 2012

I'd go for tubs for racing and TTs. Get yourself a set of Planet X 50s at £399. Buy a new cassette for the wheelset and a new chain. I'd get a 105 cassette with a reasonably close ratio and a KMC chain with a quick link. Keep your existing wheels for everyday use and just use the carbon tubs for racing. You'll also need some decent tubs like Vittoria Evo Corsas and some tub tape (Velox Jantex). Have a look on YOUtube to see how it's done. Make sure your track pump can go up to 125psi if not buy a new one.

**coolboarder** · 17th February 2012

If you're planning on using these wheels for everything on one bike then I wouldn't get carbon wheels or tubular tyres but touring on a Giant Defy seems a bit odd. From the sound of it you're not an experienced racer so splashing out on expensive wheels seems a bit excessive at the moment. It would be useful to know what wheels you have presently and what you want to spend but for good all-round performance at a sensible price I would recommend Campagnolo Eurus, I have these and they are a superb all-round wheel with a semi-deep rim at a very reasonable sub 1500gm weight, and come with a Shimano option. Or talk to a wheel builder about a pair of hand-built wheels, he can advise on what would be the best for you and it may be cheaper than a factory built pair. You can swap your present cassette onto the new wheels but you may want a different ratio for different disciplines. When you get more into racing you may then want to but specific wheels for each discipline.

**Dean Henderson** · 17th February 2012

Originally Posted by Danny87

How much do you weigh Dean?

Are you going to be using the wheels purely just for tt/racing? Or are you after a wheelset for everything i.e racing, training you know it.

What kind of terrain will they be used for? Hilly or flat stuff? Lots of descents?

How much do you want or not want to spend?

In answer to your Q about the rear block. I assume you mean the rear cassette? If so is it a 10 speed block? Depending on the answersto the above, I'd think you may be as well to either swap over the cassette from your old wheels to your new ones. Or if the old cassette is knackered, replace with new one and a new chain as well. Probably cost about £60-ish.

To be honest they shall be used mostly for racing however when the better weather arrives they might not come off again as the group I train with is a racing group and they already have there's on and for A4 the pace is fairly big, about terrain where I'm located in northern ireland no matter where I go iv got some flat roads but then onto the climbing. As for the weight I'm 82kg fairly lean. Moving onto the spending probably 1k is the very max with wheels ready for on the bike. As for below the tour comment its probably ggoin to be 5 one day tours at the max. Anything else will be tt and some races its my first year competing however feeling very good and strong so hopefully I should be a good year.

**Greg Quinn** · 17th February 2012

Maybe you should do a few races first and see if you like it before buying racing wheels. If you get your ass kicked too much you may decide to stick to TTs and sportives then your wheel choices may be very different. It is nice to have a good race set and an everyday set. Also bear in mind if you get carbon tubs you will need carbon specific brake pads. That in itself can be a hassle if your swapping back to training wheels.

**Manglier** · 18th February 2012

I recommend Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 C24 CL @ £550 from Planet X. Replace the Shimano steel skewers with Planet X Ti ones and you will have a brilliant all-round set of wheels. I went the same way on my TCR Advanced SL in January and have never looked back.

**cadseen** · 19th February 2012

Mavic cosmics are good, seems to me that clinchers will be better for you as iy sounds like you may be doing some fast training on them as well. Or any other similar profile carbon wheels.