Hi all
I currently run Fulcrum 5s on my commuter (surly cross check). It started off as my road bike but has now become my commuter, pannier load carrier, Hells 500 Ol' Dirtier, trail rider, and light tourer.
The rims on the Fulcrum 5 CXs are becoming concave from the brake pads after approximately 16,000kms. I've only ever had one broken spoke (65kgs approximately, me).
I have no idea how much it costs to rebuild a wheel. Meanwhile the interwebs seem to sell Fulcrum 5s for around $350. I love these wheels. But I really don't know any better (other than not so fun Alex rims that the bike came stock with).
I'm about to take the bike to my mechanic for a full overhaul, but just curious whether anyone have any thoughts whether.
a) it's cheaper to rebuild with new rims, as the hubs are decent.
b) just buy a new set
c) there is a better wheelset you should consider given what you use the bike for.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
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Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby misterhorsey » Mon Feb 20, 2017 11:58 am
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby misterhorsey » Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:03 pm
Oh, I love the noisy hub these things have. It's very handy for commuting on trails. I do ring a bell and let peds know I am coming, but the wheelset often lets people know i'm approaching without having to do anything.
Unfortunately some peds still interpret a bell to mean 'GET OUTTA MY WAY' rather than 'I'm politely letting you know I'm passing, don't be alarmed by sudden appearance of BIKE", so having a passive way of letting them know of your approach is handy.
Unfortunately some peds still interpret a bell to mean 'GET OUTTA MY WAY' rather than 'I'm politely letting you know I'm passing, don't be alarmed by sudden appearance of BIKE", so having a passive way of letting them know of your approach is handy.
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby Abby » Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:26 pm
Just grab a new set (they really are outstanding value for money). If you can easily afford the Fulcrum 3's, get them - but otherwise stick with the 5's.
You can them use yoru current wheels as emergency replacements when you get up for your work commute and have a mystery flat or something...
You can them use yoru current wheels as emergency replacements when you get up for your work commute and have a mystery flat or something...
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby misterhorsey » Mon Feb 20, 2017 2:53 pm
Yes, that's what I was thinking. I know wheel building is an art and I can't imagine being able to get something as reliable as the fulcrums at their low cost.
Fulcrum 3s don't seem worth it to me for this bike, given the pannier loads I will take on it (i.e. Cases of Beer, and potting mix on one occasion). Perhaps for my roadie.
Hmm. I currently have another set of Fulcrum 5s on my roadie with light wear. Maybe I should downgrade them to the commuter and buy something fancier for the roadie? Hmm.
Fulcrum 3s don't seem worth it to me for this bike, given the pannier loads I will take on it (i.e. Cases of Beer, and potting mix on one occasion). Perhaps for my roadie.
Hmm. I currently have another set of Fulcrum 5s on my roadie with light wear. Maybe I should downgrade them to the commuter and buy something fancier for the roadie? Hmm.
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby rodneycc » Mon Feb 20, 2017 4:29 pm
I've got a set of brand New Fulcrum 5s (11 speed) if you are interested? Brand new Cassette and tyres as well to throw straight on if you want. PM me if you are interested. Pickup from Burwood East so not that far.misterhorsey wrote:Yes, that's what I was thinking. I know wheel building is an art and I can't imagine being able to get something as reliable as the fulcrums at their low cost.
Fulcrum 3s don't seem worth it to me for this bike, given the pannier loads I will take on it (i.e. Cases of Beer, and potting mix on one occasion). Perhaps for my roadie.
Hmm. I currently have another set of Fulcrum 5s on my roadie with light wear. Maybe I should downgrade them to the commuter and buy something fancier for the roadie? Hmm.
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby jack11 » Mon Feb 20, 2017 4:32 pm
If I were in your shoes that is exactly what I would do. Throw the other pair of Fulcrum 5s on the commute and treat yourself to a better set of wheels for your roadie!misterhorsey wrote:Hmm. I currently have another set of Fulcrum 5s on my roadie with light wear. Maybe I should downgrade them to the commuter and buy something fancier for the roadie? Hmm.
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby Abby » Mon Feb 20, 2017 5:30 pm
+1 to that!! The Fulcrum 5's are just the perfect all-rounder, and at a ridiculous good-value price. Switch them out to the commuter, and treat yourself to something a bit nicer (both wheels and tyres) for the roadie...
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby misterhorsey » Tue Feb 21, 2017 8:35 am
Thanks Rodney - if I got the way of the 5s I'll send you a message. I'm currently running 9 speed (gasp) on the commuter, so not quite sure whether the 11 speed will allow for that. The info on websites seems a little vague on the suitability of wheelsets for certain cassettes. Some are listed as '11 speed' others '9/10/11'.rodneycc wrote: I've got a set of brand New Fulcrum 5s (11 speed) if you are interested? Brand new Cassette and tyres as well to throw straight on if you want. PM me if you are interested. Pickup from Burwood East so not that far.
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby misterhorsey » Tue Feb 21, 2017 8:43 am
Thanks Jack and Abby.
I'm trying not to overthink this but I'm slightly skeptical about how much better getting a set of Fulcrum 3s would be over the 5s. It's partly because I've recently adopted a stoic/minimalist/frugal approach to life that tries to resist the lure hedonic adaption. I don't race and don't really want to. I'm also a reformed mild gadget-upgradaholic. So i'm thinking that perhaps a nicer set of wheels might be nice - however, 5s are probably fit for my purpose.
The other thing is, I've recently upped my weekly kms from around 100km per week to around 300km, and I've noticed that by doing a greater number of kms my bike has miraculously gotten lighter, the drive train seems far more powerful, the wheels spin more easily etc etc etc. Someone must have upgraded the bike while I slept, or secretly installed a motor. Anyway, I guess I'm trying to say that the difference gained from actually doing hours on the bike compared to only occasionally getting on it is night and day, and would far exceed any difference caused by 200grams less on a wheel set, and other structural factors.
Anyway, still thinking about this. But thanks for the thoughts.
I'm trying not to overthink this but I'm slightly skeptical about how much better getting a set of Fulcrum 3s would be over the 5s. It's partly because I've recently adopted a stoic/minimalist/frugal approach to life that tries to resist the lure hedonic adaption. I don't race and don't really want to. I'm also a reformed mild gadget-upgradaholic. So i'm thinking that perhaps a nicer set of wheels might be nice - however, 5s are probably fit for my purpose.
The other thing is, I've recently upped my weekly kms from around 100km per week to around 300km, and I've noticed that by doing a greater number of kms my bike has miraculously gotten lighter, the drive train seems far more powerful, the wheels spin more easily etc etc etc. Someone must have upgraded the bike while I slept, or secretly installed a motor. Anyway, I guess I'm trying to say that the difference gained from actually doing hours on the bike compared to only occasionally getting on it is night and day, and would far exceed any difference caused by 200grams less on a wheel set, and other structural factors.
Anyway, still thinking about this. But thanks for the thoughts.
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Re: Fulcrum 5s - concaving - New Wheels or New Rims?
Postby redsonic » Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:54 am
Pricelessmisterhorsey wrote: The other thing is, I've recently upped my weekly kms from around 100km per week to around 300km, and I've noticed that by doing a greater number of kms my bike has miraculously gotten lighter, the drive train seems far more powerful, the wheels spin more easily etc etc etc. Someone must have upgraded the bike while I slept, or secretly installed a motor.
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