Does a better set of wheels offer the biggest gain in bike performance?
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When it comes to upgrading, most people will tell you to improve your wheelset, Generally you can expect a sizeable decrease in weight and potential aerodynamic gains. These gains come at a cost though – aside maybe investing in a power meter or changing your bike altogether, wheels will usually be the most expensive upgrade you can make.
But in terms of other upgrades like tyres, groupsets or other component, how does a shiny new set of wheels match up? Well, we took to the road to find out.
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None of this has been proven by anyone.
A wheel is a wheel is a whell.
I’d say a power meter over wheels
Disliking your bike literally consumes energy, that is better spent pushing the pedals. Because negative emotions consume real energy.
Loving how the GCN editor just casually slides in a ” Simon does not own a garage ” at 06:04
Smuck prick! haha.
I agree totally on the aesthetics comments. Since I’m not looking to ride in the Tour, I’m willing to upgrade to a point, but I also want to like the looks of my bike.
I just bought an Ex-pro Movistar bike, Half price of what a new one would cost…sure its last years model but still more than enough for me.
Spoke tension is a significant factor as well. Also the heavier you are the more spokes and thicker gauge you need.
Speaking of wheel upgrades, what would be a good 700C carbon wheel set with disc brakes be? I’m struggling to find a lot of them.
get a fine bike, take care of your bike and thats it, you are the only engine when cycling unless you use e-bikes or so
Do your own thing ride on!!
Simon your advice on emotions is spot on. Keep up the vids gcn.. and stay off the roads u crazy cyclists
What wasn’t mentioned though, is that aerowheels are also stiffer because of the reduced spokelength
I love dropping people with better bikes on my 22 pound trek on the bike path and I got shitty wheels . If I had a better wheel set or better bike I’d be gone like I stole it
Simon, this brings up an interesting question which is, if you had say … 3k to spend would you buy a 1k bike and put 2k wheels on it or a 2k bike and put 1k wheels on it? And what bike would be better or faster?
Upgrade your body: Aero & riding position, body mass and clothing would significantly improves any weight & drag reduction on your already slim light bike
I’m sure your tiny biceps does more for you than upgrading wheels or any other parts of the bike!
Just joking, i love watching you guys… While eating junkfood.
Gosh. Really like their videos but this accent is quite difficult for none native english speaker. Sometimes I don’t understand a single word. 😀 But I love it anyway.
I just got Enves for my XC race bike and my road bike (specialized venge expert) and would say that it was a more noticeable improvement to the road bike than it was for XC. The combo of a larger tire (25c) and more aero wheel resulted in a more plush ride , were faster on the flats and they certainly look cool which is added motivation to go riding. Definitely happy with the upgrade!!
So is it better to upgrade wheels or frame?
Are Carbon clinchers on a rim brake bike safe These days, what do you think or what is your experiencce?
0:54 This is complete nonsense. Please explain it better next time with help from an engineer or someone who understands dynamics.
does anyone know if Oval Concept wheels are any good? a lot of new bikes them but my current bike has Mavics which have been indestructible for about 10 years now…thx
Aesthetics is what this is almost all about for amateurs because the analytics have proven that wheels like these result in very, very small incremental gains that might be meaningful to a pro. To an amateur it is farcical. No wheel will turn a Cat 5 into even a Cat 4 or a top Cat 5 if they were not one to begin with and again the analytics by guys like Damon Rinard have proven this multiple times.
If esthetics would matter… no one will ride on bikes wearing those outfits 😀 XD
Some new wheels make the bike look much nicer compared to the default wheels
<3 you simon.
I think you are right about wheels; however, good wheels are really expensive. Gerry in Calgary
haha love the Jaws/Goodfellas dolly zoom at 3:01.
also…love the channel 🙂 free bike?
HELP: I want to buy some new wheels for my Giant Tcr Advanced 1 I bought earlier this year. I do found a lot of wheels with a 10sp body but my bike has an 11sp casette. My question; Can i just replace the 10sp body on the wheels i’ll buy with an 11sp body? Or is it just not possible to fit those wheels to my 11sp casette, deraileurs, etc?
My 5000$ bike would only be 30 seconds faster over a 40kms ride if I had Enve wheels, so I think I’m stupid to spend that much for such an unnecessary purchase, but still, I know I will do it one day.
If lighter wheels make you climb faster does that also mean you will descend slower because there’s less weight when going down hill?
Purely from an investment point of view, should I upgrade to carbon wheels or should I buy a set of good power meter?
Newer wheels are definitely a good investment on vintage bicycles – especially if you are starting out with a set of chrome steel rims, an upgrade to an aluminium alloy wheel set will make a huge difference. If you are starting out on a good set of alloy or carbon rims, there isn’t much performance to be gained with a newer wheel set.
Since crank arms, front rings, cassette and chain have impact on rotational weight, shouldn’t lighter weight for those components also improve performance?
A new set of wheels can be a great upgrade, however, i personally feel that you cannot underestimate the benefits of a powermetre for increasing your performance.
A powermtre offers measurable increases in performance, and gives you the ability to set measurable goals and milestones in fitness. They also allow you to tailor a training program to suit you. Wheels cannot do this
You can also carry the wheelset on to a newer bike when you ultimately buy one.
Have a Scott Cr1, trying to decide on what to upgrade, carbon frame was a nice start but feel like it needs more!
Question:. Is a 700c road bike faster than a 26 inch road bike? (Haven’t seen an article/video on this topic.)
Thanks!
I’m a very low mileage and low frequency rider, but I love this channel.
What is the name of the song at 1:30 in this video? Thanks.
So, when the wheels are almost 3x the cost of the actual bike they’re demoing in this video, would it not have been better spending the money on a full carbon frame?
the way he talks sorta reminds me of that neckbeard on alaskan bush people
I think Eddy Merckx said it best…”don’t buy upgrades, ride up grades.”
Granny crankset onboard.
Simon is definitely the best GCN presenter when it comes to heartfelt speeches about nice looking wheels.
Yes wheels are the best upgrade. You do not have to go carbon. I upgraded to a pair of dt swiss 20s. 1500g for 400$ and they are phenomenal!!
cycle components are a rip off, especially wheels!!. Look above reynolds wheels 1300 quid, you must be fuckin joking, I paid less than that for my car. Those wheels are made in china for about 20 Quid a pair I suspect. Dont give me that crap about the cost of R&D etc etc. Carbon is now cheap as chips, Its just a round object, nothing special, If the chinese dont know how to make bikes/wheels then nobody does, after all…there are 9 million bicycles in Beijing
investing in spd’s and quality shoes will make a big difference.