Wheels again

[Mike I]

There's only one thing better than a new bike thread, and that's an old bike thread. But, in the absence of either, a wheels thread is pretty good too.

So, I'm looking for something to replace the Neutrons and make next year's sportives (including the Marmotte) slightly less painful than they might otherwise be. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Neutron Ultras or Shamal Ultras. Carbon is a bit delicate for what I have in mind, as are tubulars.

So, any experience of riding these? Is it right that the Neutron Ultras are a step up from the old Neutrons, while the standard ones are a step down? Are the gold Shamals too bling? I've pretty much ruled out Mon Chasserals, but is there anything else I might be missing?

[Andy E]

The Shamal's are a steal at Parker International, only £535 That's about £100 cheaper than anywhere else and brings them pretty close to the price of the neutrons. Makes it a no brainer surely

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/P ... 6605c1d1e3

[Andrew G]

I know you wouldn't, but don't get the gold ones.

If you don't go Shamal or Neutron and want a lightweight climbing wheel then a good set of DT Swiss (not the white ones) would be an alternative. Hed do the Ardennes which on the face of it look quite appealing but I haven't seen any reviews of them.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Sean Hogan - 何祥"]DT Swiss are bombproof and with decent hubs you can't go wrong.

[Dombo]

Easton make nice wheels, light too, my EA90 SLXs are only about 1500gms. Got mine from GBs for about £350

[John the old'un]

Surely reliability all depends on who builds them.
In the old days I always had problems with wheels going out of true, broken spokes etc.
Since coming back into cycling I have bought Campag wheels. Machine built, and still as true as the day I bought them.
Can't fault the Eurus' on the good bike, or the Khamsins on the hack bike.

[djembi]

i've got the gold shamals and they are my favorite don't be shy

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I've got the older style Neutrons and Shamals.

Both have remained as true as the day I bought them. The Shamals have only been used on the flatlands and are very fast and the Neutrons (upgraded this year to boras) have been put to good use as a nice training wheelset.

I also used them for my ride back from Grenoble loaded with 2 paniers full of stuff for 600 miles with no problems even for such a light wheel.

My opinion would be:

Shamals for flatter riding
Neutrons for lumpy terrain.

Guru P

[Jon H]

I suppose a set of Dura Ace hoops are out of the question

[Andy E]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]
My opinion would be:

Shamals for flatter riding
Neutrons for lumpy terrain.

Guru P

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

The rim is heavier on Shamals even though the overall weight is less and those that know about these things say that climbing is best with a lighter rim i.e. less revolving weight at the outside, if you follow...

Guru P

[Elliot M]

What's wrong with DT Mon Chasserales (or similar)?

[Andy E]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]The rim is heavier on Shamals even though the overall weight is less and those that know about these things say that climbing is best with a lighter rim i.e. less revolving weight at the outside, if you follow...

Guru P

[Mike I]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Andy - Bargain, well spotted

Mr G - Found some mixed reviews of the Heds, but no stockists this side of the Atlantic.

Dombo - I'll check 'em out.

John - So true. The wheels on my fixie were rubbish until I had GBs tweak them.

Paul - I think you're suggesting I get a set of each. That is why you are The Guru and I am not.

Jon - Wash your mouth out, blasphemer!

[Nicolas]

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]The rim is heavier on Shamals even though the overall weight is less and those that know about these things say that climbing is best with a lighter rim i.e. less revolving weight at the outside, if you follow...