So this winter I just got a new bike with Fulcrum 5 wheels.
From all that i have read - these wheels are ok training wheels which I am good with.
I am a high school teacher putting my wife through grad school so I am always checking out Ebay and our classifieds keeping my eye out for a set of “race wheels”
I know who the prime players are…and even used zipps and heds are usually out of my price range…could probably have some luck with some older models.
But then there are all of these generic carbon wheels that I know nothing about…sure they look cool but are these better then my training wheels simply because they have a deeper profile? From what I know there is no concrete data out there…
would I simply be better off slapping a disc cover on the back and call it good? Not nearly as fun …but practical…
The Fulcrum wheels are perfectly good wheels on par with about any other wheel on the market today. There is no reason to not race on those wheels unless you just really need to be .000001% faster to make it to the podium or Kona.
would I simply be better off slapping a disc cover on the back and call it good? Not nearly as fun …but practical…
Yes. The absolute best bang-for-the-buck rear wheel solution. Even better might be to sell your current wheel and get an inexpensive Mavic rim/Ultegra hub 32 spoke wheel instead, and get a wheel cover (not a disc cover; sorta like a hot water heater).
I would be so prudent to buy used carbon fiber wheels (and never on ebay). You never know what happened with used one’s … did they still have their integrity ? Is there any micro or invisible cracks ? How are the bearings ?
Maybe would be a good option for you to buy a pair of those “generic” wheels, but new !
What has Zipp more than others ? good brand position ?
the ones that piqued my interested were the wheels that are on the ST classifieds for $695. But on Ebay there are a bunch of new 50 mm tubulars that all seem pretty similar…in the 500ish range.
Oh…and a podium spot and kona slot aren’t quite the priority or reality.
It’s true and round, and I’ve raced time trials, sprints and half-ironman on it. I’ve seen a couple other athletes with them over the years at races I’ve done, but not a whole lot.
I think I bought mine new for under $350 from them. Don’t know what prices are now, but it was a great deal for me at the time.