General Discussion Triathlon Talk » wheel upgrades on a budget Rss Feed  
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2009-01-17 7:53 PM

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: wheel upgrades on a budget
Hi Everyone.

I am currently riding a Motobecane Nemesis and I am thinking of upgrading the wheelset. Can I do that on $400?

The wheels are Formula Xero XR-1 Aero Deep Section, Black w/ CNC sidewalls

and the specs for the bike can be found here:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/nemesis06_SPECIALpre...

So is it realistic to think that I can upgrade the wheels on $400?

Edited by mscotthall 2009-01-17 7:54 PM


2009-01-17 8:11 PM
in reply to: #1914387

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Veteran
235
10010025
Colorado Springs, CO
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
Buy a set of used wheels on eBay or Craigslist. I bought my set of Hed3's for $500 on eBay....you just to be patient and you will find a good deal.
2009-01-17 10:34 PM
in reply to: #1914387

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Extreme Veteran
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100100100100252525
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
I am curious about this. I also have the Motobecane Nemisis and same wheels. Are you unhappy with the wheels? Will other wheels make much difference? This will be my third year with this bike and I've been happy with it.

2009-01-18 7:21 AM
in reply to: #1914521

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
tritank - 2009-01-17 11:34 PM

I am curious about this. I also have the Motobecane Nemisis and same wheels. Are you unhappy with the wheels? Will other wheels make much difference? This will be my third year with this bike and I've been happy with it.



I don't know. To be honest I don't know enough about wheels to know if the ones we have are any good. What do you think? I was just thinking about things I could do to upgrade and I figured wheels would be a good place to start.

What do you think? Are ours better than what I could get for like $400
2009-01-18 8:25 AM
in reply to: #1914387

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget

One cost effective way is to get a wheel cover for your rear wheel.  You end up with a disc wheel for about a $100.  Here's a link to their website: http://www.wheelbuilder.com/store/product.php?productid=16265&cat=284&page=1  Then you only need a more aero front wheel.

Another site to check out is http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html  They've gotten some good reviews.

Not trying to beat a dead horse with another discussion on cost vs areo advantage but you might be better off spending money on an aerohelmet and get more bang for the buck. 

Ernie

2009-01-18 8:45 AM
in reply to: #1914655


8

Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget

I just upgraded to a set of neuvation wheels. Best bang for the buck by far. http://www.neuvationcycling.com/



2009-01-18 9:43 AM
in reply to: #1914655

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
ejc999 - 2009-01-18 9:25 AM

One cost effective way is to get a wheel cover for your rear wheel.  You end up with a disc wheel for about a $100.  Here's a link to their website: http://www.wheelbuilder.com/store/product.php?productid=16265&cat=284&page=1  Then you only need a more aero front wheel.

Another site to check out is http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html  They've gotten some good reviews.

Not trying to beat a dead horse with another discussion on cost vs areo advantage but you might be better off spending money on an aerohelmet and get more bang for the buck. 

Ernie



I have a wheel cover... bought it last year and I think it's great. You might be right about the helmet. Or I could just put the $400 into a savings fund for a high end bike in a couple of years.
2009-01-18 12:43 PM
in reply to: #1914387

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Master
2426
200010010010010025
Central Indiana
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget

For improving bike speed, aero bars & time-trial helmet are WAY more important than wheels. Check out this well-done est:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2008/features/jeffs_need_for_speed08 

Starting with a fast road bike & competitive cyclist, energy savings at 40kph (25mph) were- 

clip-on aerobars- 30Watts

Time Trial helmet-  10Watts

Full TT bike with full aerobar & HED 3 wheels- 20Watts (est 9-10W due to wheels)

 

Your Nemesis is a TT bike, so you already have the aerobars.   TT helmet is relatively cheap speed. Then work on your best position- most aero while still (relatively) comfortable.  Best wheels help a bit, but it's expensive.  

For $400, doubt you'll get significantly faster wheels unless you find a killer deal used.   Look at any used wheelset VERY carefully before you buy (check rims for small cracks/crash damage/excess wear, hubs for smoothness/proper adjustment, spokes, etc.).  Fixing high-end wheels can get into big $$$$.

2009-01-18 1:30 PM
in reply to: #1914387

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
You are 100% right. I think I may be shopping for an aero helmet now! Thanks for all the great insights.
2009-01-18 3:02 PM
in reply to: #1914664

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Veteran
127
10025
Indianapolis, Indiana
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
I second the comment about Neuvation wheels. They don't advertise, but I have been extremely happy with my wheels. Bought a 2nd set for my road/tri bike.
2009-01-18 3:11 PM
in reply to: #1914387

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
I checked out their website and I am interested. But, are they better than what I have now is the question I need to figure out an answer to.


2009-01-18 9:15 PM
in reply to: #1914387

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Expert
2180
2000100252525
Boise, Idaho
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
x3 on Neuvation wheels.
2009-01-18 11:15 PM
in reply to: #1914627

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Extreme Veteran
477
100100100100252525
Subject: RE: wheel upgrades on a budget
mscotthall - 2009-01-18 8:21 AM

tritank - 2009-01-17 11:34 PM

I am curious about this. I also have the Motobecane Nemisis and same wheels. Are you unhappy with the wheels? Will other wheels make much difference? This will be my third year with this bike and I've been happy with it.



I don't know. To be honest I don't know enough about wheels to know if the ones we have are any good. What do you think? I was just thinking about things I could do to upgrade and I figured wheels would be a good place to start.

What do you think? Are ours better than what I could get for like $400


To be honest I really don't know about a comparison to other wheels either...that's why I was checking out this thread. If you find out...let me know.

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