Confessions of a Wheel Whore - now w/ Pics and my TT time (3rd page)!!!)

[velomonkey]

I never met a wheel I didn't want to ride hard. Oh I know: frames get all the love, but the wheels make the ride. I ride wheels across several genres. I’m a slut for wheels: clincher, tubular, aero, box section, aluminum, carbon, King, Campy, DT, Sapim, Mavic, Ambrosio . . . I've ridden them all. Every night they enter me like a criminal. They break into my brain, but they are no ordinary criminal. They get me crazy, I say 'Do it.' I don't care just do it. Jam me, jack me, push me, pull me -let me ride you hard!!!!

My recent tryst has been a pair of ENVE 3.4 Clinchers laced to King R45 hubs. The look says classic but understated. The sound protrudes an aura of self-confidence among a sea of flaccid wanna-be stallions popping viagra. To fund this tryst I had to sell a bevy of great wheels. Mavic Cosmic ultimate Tubulars - they were like touching the sun. So light. So fast and with tubular warmth - they always made me feel special. Joe Young built DT Swiss 415 laced to DT Swiss 240 clinchers. A wheel for a lifetime. Literally. A wheel you wanted to bring home to your mom, but also let your buddies ride - how to do that without feeling cheap was the question. Mavic Cosmic SLR - turd blossom - a wheel that was ugly as all hell in its youth, but upon it's second iteration delivered results with aplomb. Most people mistook this wheel as a set of tubular Lightweight: partly because of the new look, but also because riding it hard; you flew by them and they quickly wrote your speed off to an unattainable wheelset when in fact they where readily available at a fraction of the cost.

I love the ENVEs. I've matched them with Veloflex gumwalls and had a look that says: classic. Everyone loves classic bit not everyone can pull it off. The ENVE wheels helped me be the enve of the group - literally. I've matched them vitorria and gone all black. Timeless. The king buzz let's me know I'm not alone, but just as important it let's others know I'm a rider not to trifled with.

Given that winter is coming and that means crap roads I had to find a winter wheel. Normally this would be my long-lasting Joe Young DT Swiss wheels, but alas, they were sold last year. I found a sale on Fulcrum Racing 1s. Ha. Basically a copy of Mavic ksyrium. How pedestrian!!! They were thin rims: 21mm: what's this - the new fad is wider is better!!!! They had exposed nipples!!!! I'm a whore, not a slut: on ENVE my nipples stay enclosed like a proper lady. They had no sound when you freewhleeled - where was the Chris King buzz: the sound that you set your iphone ringer to was missing!!! It was silent for christ sake - you can't market silence unless you're Simon & Garfunkel!!!!

In short they were the perfect wheels to abuse when my ENVEs would be snuggled up in their wheel bag while I rode in conditions that would make a Park Avenue tenant stay inside and stream Netflix.

I took them out to give them some sense of good road conditions and ensure they didn't have any burs in the rim - give them a look of proper riding conditions only to ignore them for the next 4 months like the slut we all know them to be.

Except something happened. They rolled smooth - as in real smooth. Wait, I spent $500 total for these wheels and they have steel ball bearings not ceramic bearings like King ENVE wheels. For $500 they came with campy record skewers for christ sake - the ENVE wheels came with no skewers cause wheels with skewers are cheap like a 20 dollar hooker. They rode better: my ENVE rims are finely tuned carbon aero masterpieces not some box section bitch!!!!! For Christ sake; wider is better, repeat, wider is better and these wheels, my friend, are not wide!!!! I came back from my ride. . . compared data. . . HR. . . power. . . speed. I was confused. . . none of this made any sense. The Fulcrum Racing 1s performed within a fraction of the ENVE wheels and within a fraction of every top-end wheel I had save for the Ultimates (not fair - those wheels weighed 1100 grams for cripes sake). And to add to it: the aluminum braking surface worked soooooo much better than carbon!!!!!!!

I was confused and cried and drank a ton of bourbon.

***** OK, so you made it this far. This story is true: thanks for sticking it out. All I got to say is, wow: these fulcrums 1s kinda rock and maybe I should go back to tubular. I'm thinking BORA. . . . ?????

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/14666392878_d0b62ccb15_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/om26CJ)image-3 (https://flic.kr/p/om26CJ) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr - ENVE. King Vittoria

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/10930012545_652e1e50a8_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/hDRaWa)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/hDRaWa) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr - H Plus w/ King

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/11338264066_6dfd92a319_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/igVyTu)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/igVyTu) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr - Cosmic SLR

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8325774701_e19f87ef18_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dFHLKF)DSC_8028 (https://flic.kr/p/dFHLKF) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr - Joe Young DT Swiss Rims with DT 240s

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9375554043_82d687dbb3_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fhuazv)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/fhuazv) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr - Ambrosio laced to Record Hubs

[pbarry]

Love this! A well-told tale. :hello:

[Mike V]

No Lightweight?

[teleguy57]

Love this! A well-told tale. :hello:

+10. OP, you made my day -- definitely post-of-the-day craftsmanship!

[velomonkey]

Thank you pbarry!!! You get it.

Mike, alas. I had an in for the lightweights, but it was not to be. Someday . . . .

[velomonkey]

+10. OP, you made my day -- definitely post-of-the-day craftsmanship!

Teleguy, I'm here for you . . . any day you need it.

[r_mutt]

nice read. enve's do come with quick releases- at least my 67's did.
mike is right. any self-respecting wheel whore needs a set of Lightweights. i agree, your next wheel should be the new (slightly wider) Bora.

[velomonkey]

nice read. enve's do come with quick releases- at least my 67's did.
mike is right. any self-respecting wheel whore needs a set of Lightweights. i agree, your next wheel should be the new (slightly wider) Bora.

Rmutt, to be fair - I got my ENVE wheels from King and they came sans skewers. I got pewter king hubs and matched them to dura ace 9000 skewers - it was perfect.

Yes, I am thinking 2015 wide BORA.

[chiasticon]

great, now i have to do further research into fulcrum racing 1's...

[paredown]

...They rolled smooth - as in real smooth. Wait, I spent $500 total for these wheels and they have steel ball bearings not ceramic bearings like King ENVE wheels. For $500 they came with campy record skewers for christ sake...
Great post!

But to be fair, you did get a wheel with a pretty high MSRP (~$1250) for the price of an entry level set--cheapest I can find banging around is closer to $775--so I would have expected them to be decent.

But maybe not great?

[AngryScientist]

funny!

others will likely disagree, but the gap is very, very narrow these days between the ride of tubies and good clinchers with veloflex tires and thin tubes. the "magic" of the tubular ride is simply not a huge difference from a quality clincher set-up.

[tuxbailey]

Dear Penthouse....




:)

Thanks for the great read.

[oldpotatoe]

"I found a sale on Fulcrum Racing 1s. Ha. Basically a copy of Mavic ksyrium. How pedestrian!"

Nope..the rear hub on any Fulcrum is light years better than any rear hub on any mavic rear wheel....

[Mr. Squirrel]

i like wheels, and i like monkeys. monkeys and wheels remind me of a happy story...

Far away, on an isolated road, there lived Monkey. He was a happy monkey. He had a good job keeping the wheels clean that he collected by watching out for B ride stragglers. One day he was gazing out across the tarmac and he thought: "I'm happy now, but what about the future? What about when I'm old and weak, will I still be happy then and able to gather wheels?" And he began to worry.

As time passed, strange things began to happen. Sometimes when he woke up, someone had come into his hut at night, stole his nuts and tied heavy objects to his arms and legs that made him tired and slow. One night someone had even come and painted some of the hairs on his head white!
And he began to worry even more.

One day, sitting on the edge of the road, Monkey looked up at the sky and thought: "Mister Sun doesn't change. Every day he's the same, shining bright, always round. He doesn't get old." And he had an idea: "I know what, I'll go and ask Mister Sun what his secret is!"

So he set off down the road where he finally he came to the place where the biggest trees grew. There was the great grandmother of all the trees with a trunk so high it disappeared into the sky.

Monkey looked up and began to climb.

Up he went up into the mists where the air is cold and the road below disappeared. He climbed and climbed and then when he thought he could go no more he reached the very top of the great tree. He looked around. Then the squirrel hiding in the tree hit him with his nuts and knocked him silly....because he knew where the monkey lived and kept his wheels. and that is not nuts.

the end.


where do you like to ride mr. velomonkey? nuk nuk nuk!

mr. squirrel

[eippo1]

My first thought was that it was blasphemy to have a wheel thread without pics, my second thought was that there was entirely too much text, followed by my third thought that I just read the entire thing and enjoyed it. Nice work, but pictures would be appreciated.

[ColnagoFan]

True stream-of-consciousness awesomeness.

As a recovering wheel whore as well, I applaud this. I'm still looking for that pair of Lightweights that will complete my life though...

[Md3000]

Hahah amazing! I put fulcrums with vittoria latex tubes and the evo sc's on my first bike and it was like riding an entirely different beast

[oldguy00]

... All I got to say is, wow: these fulcrums 1s kinda rock and maybe I should go back to tubular. I'm thinking BORA. . . . ?????

Were the fulcrums clincher or tubular? Just wondering since you mention going back to tubular. I'm always tempted by clinchers, but every time I've given them a try in the past, I get way more flats... :(

[soulspinner]

"I found a sale on Fulcrum Racing 1s. Ha. Basically a copy of Mavic ksyrium. How pedestrian!"

Nope..the rear hub on any Fulcrum is light years better than any rear hub on any mavic rear wheel....

Not really saying much :rolleyes:

[pjmsj21]

No comments on the particulars of the post but more on the idea of being a wheel whore. While I am not quite yet out on the street, I am finding myself leaning more in the direction of focusing on wheels/tires for improvements, now that I have a frame that is pretty much of a perfect fit.

I recall a very experienced cyclist sharing with me the idea that one should spend as much of their budget on a wheelset as their frame. At first I thought this was preposterous, but having gained some modest experience with wheels/tire combinations I am not quite so sure he was off base. Thus I am getting much closer of going down the road to wheel whore status.

[velomonkey]

Were the fulcrums clincher or tubular? Just wondering since you mention going back to tubular. I'm always tempted by clinchers, but every time I've given them a try in the past, I get way more flats... :(

The fulcrum racing 1s are 2 way - clinch and tubeless (though I have yet to do tubeless). The Mavic Ultimates and Ambrosio were the only tubular - everything else is clincher.

[bigboom]

I find this thread really interesting as I have a set of 3.4C's laced to dt240's and a set of Fulcrum Zero's and I have actually found the Fulcrum Zero's to be a faster wheel than the 3.4's.

This may not be the most scientific but my strava times are all better on my fulcrums and they just seem to spin up better.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has this experience...

[velomonkey]

I find this thread really interesting as I have a set of 3.4C's laced to dt240's and a set of Fulcrum Zero's and I have actually found the Fulcrum Zero's to be a faster wheel than the 3.4's.

This may not be the most scientific but my strava times are all better on my fulcrums and they just seem to spin up better.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has this experience...

Interesting - typically I had two or more sets of wheels at a given time. I could always switch and my SLR or Ultimates would all of sudden feel fast as compared. The 3.4s I had to basically sell everything to get - so I rode them exclusively for the past 4 months. I just got the Fulcrums and they feel plenty fast. As you said, and others, they also spin and roll real, real smooth.

I do a weekly TT series and have a good amount of data - I'm gonna do it this week on the Fulcrum 1s.

[oldguy00]

Interesting to read the comments re fulcrums. A few years back a friend of mine lent me his fulcrum zero clinchers, with vittoria cx clinchers, and I too was suprised at just how smooth riding they felt. At the time I attributed it to the nice quality clincher tires. Maybe it is the hubs? I'm guessing campy Shamal Ultra's would probably be pretty darn smooth rolling as well..

[bigboom]

Interesting to read the comments re fulcrums. A few years back a friend of mine lent me his fulcrum zero clinchers, with vittoria cx clinchers, and I too was suprised at just how smooth riding they felt. At the time I attributed it to the nice quality clincher tires. Maybe it is the hubs? I'm guessing campy Shamal Ultra's would probably be pretty darn smooth rolling as well..

The 240s are steel and the Fulcrums are ceramic but is it supposed to be that noticeable? I also have a pair of Vision metron 40's with their new ceramic hubs and pra system that spin very nicely in hand but in my mind on the bike don't compare to the Fulcrums...maybe it's all in my head :banana:

[bikser]

I had a set of 4's (Specialized version, 5 hubs, with 3 rims), $200 locally, very impressive ride, ok weight. Fulcrum makes a good wheel. I think the quality is actually higher than Mavic dollar for dollar.

[MalcolmK]

Mavic, cosmic SLE, good, great braking, but harsh and noisy.
Next Ksyrium SLR, great wheel, smooth light, great braking, bit unexciting.
Then zipp 303 fc, magic, terrible braking if wet.
Now enve 34 SMS, look cool, but think I preferred the zipps.
Cielo on the way, what wheels? enve 25s ??

[fogrider]

The fulcrum racing 1s are 2 way - clinch and tubeless (though I have yet to do tubeless). The Mavic Ultimates and Ambrosio were the only tubular - everything else is clincher.

if you consider yourself a whore, you should be on tubulars...they're sweet to ride but a pain when they flat. carbon tubies are crazy light and spin up like no slut can.

[LJohnny]

This is very timely series of comments indeed. I took a pair of Fulcrum Zero for a spin over the weekend as well and my impressions mirror yours. I found them to be very smooth and "comfy." Somehow they roll very well. I was surprised to be honest.

I find this thread really interesting as I have a set of 3.4C's laced to dt240's and a set of Fulcrum Zero's and I have actually found the Fulcrum Zero's to be a faster wheel than the 3.4's.

This may not be the most scientific but my strava times are all better on my fulcrums and they just seem to spin up better.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has this experience...

Interesting to read the comments re fulcrums. A few years back a friend of mine lent me his fulcrum zero clinchers, with vittoria cx clinchers, and I too was suprised at just how smooth riding they felt. At the time I attributed it to the nice quality clincher tires. Maybe it is the hubs? I'm guessing campy Shamal Ultra's would probably be pretty darn smooth rolling as well..

[oldpotatoe]

Mavic, cosmic SLE, good, great braking, but harsh and noisy.
Next Ksyrium SLR, great wheel, smooth light, great braking, bit unexciting.
Then zipp 303 fc, magic, terrible braking if wet.
Now enve 34 SMS, look cool, but think I preferred the zipps.
Cielo on the way, what wheels? enve 25s ??

Talk to a good wheel builder.....Record/DT hubs, Ambrosio Nemesis.

[BobbyJones]

If you really want to be surprised take a pair of Fulcrum 5's for a spin!

This is very timely series of comments indeed. I took a pair of Fulcrum Zero for a spin over the weekend as well and my impressions mirror yours. I found them to be very smooth and "comfy." Somehow they roll very well. I was surprised to be honest.

[LJohnny]

Actually, I used to own Fulcrum racing 1 wheels. The Zero are on a whole different level in my opinion.

The racing 5 are probably good, not questioning that.

[velomonkey]

If you really want to be surprised take a pair of Fulcrum 5's for a spin!

I did - I took a Pinerello Marvel out for a spin - at 3k and change for the full bike with Ultegra and Racing 5s - the thing blew my mind. Even the 5s were nice.

[oldguy00]

My theory, at least for the zeros and ones, is that with the thick spokes, they build into a stiff wheel. That stiffness combined with smooth hubs makes for a fast feeling wheel.
Same reason I like carbone pro carbon wheels....they are heavy, but they are so stiff that they feel great even on climbs. No flex.
And ride is still comfy for all these wheels as long as you use proper tires and pressure..

[velomonkey]

Well, did the TT on the Fulcrum Racing 1s. A few things: the TT course is 10k and has more climbing than descending - it's not an uphill TT, but it's it's not flat. It's also on chip seal roads and just generally slower. I do it cannibal and typical come in the top ten and win the cannibal division unless some pro shows up cannibal (which Paul Lynch from BMC did and hence the BMC bottles - real great kid. Anyway, the course never really lends itself to where you get all aero tuck, but a TT bike for sure does help - so I presume aero wheels would be of benefit, but again the course is just a slog.

My worst time is 18:12 and my best time is 17:46. I had been doing it all season on the ENVE 3.4s - I don't have a time for the other wheels as the course has changed.

Did it on the Fulcrum Racing 1s with these old used veloflex tires - 17:52.

I don't know if this means the ENVEs stink - or the Fulcrums are just that good or what. I am prepared to say the Fulcrums 'feel' nicer and the 'ride' is better. How much less aero they are I'm not sure.

Here is a pic
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14807517319_2715366e8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K)photo (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr

[Marburg]

I just need a moment of silence while I take in the majesty ...

[bluesea]

Well, did the TT on the Fulcrum Racing 1s. A few things: the TT course is 10k and has more climbing than descending - it's not an uphill TT, but it's it's not flat. It's also on chip seal roads and just generally slower. I do it cannibal and typical come in the top ten and win the cannibal division unless some pro shows up cannibal (which Paul Lynch from BMC did and hence the BMC bottles - real great kid. Anyway, the course never really lends itself to where you get all aero tuck, but a TT bike for sure does help - so I presume aero wheels would be of benefit, but again the course is just a slog.

My worst time is 18:12 and my best time is 17:46. I had been doing it all season on the ENVE 3.4s - I don't have a time for the other wheels as the course has changed.

Did it on the Fulcrum Racing 1s with these old used veloflex tires - 17:52.

I don't know if this means the ENVEs stink - or the Fulcrums are just that good or what. I am prepared to say the Fulcrums 'feel' nicer and the 'ride' is better. How much less aero they are I'm not sure.

Here is a pic
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14807517319_2715366e8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K)photo (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr



Love those stylized firefly wings. :) Nice wheels too! Immaculate setup....

[makoti]

Ok. I realize I am about to get myself banned from something, but.. You do it "cannibal"? I'm lost.

[velomonkey]

Ok. I realize I am about to get myself banned from something, but.. You do it "cannibal"? I'm lost.

Cannibal: like eddy. Doing a TT with no aero equipment such as clip on aero bars or a TT specific frame.

[oldguy00]

Well, did the TT on the Fulcrum Racing 1s. A few things: the TT course is 10k and has more climbing than descending - it's not an uphill TT, but it's it's not flat. It's also on chip seal roads and just generally slower. I do it cannibal and typical come in the top ten and win the cannibal division unless some pro shows up cannibal (which Paul Lynch from BMC did and hence the BMC bottles - real great kid. Anyway, the course never really lends itself to where you get all aero tuck, but a TT bike for sure does help - so I presume aero wheels would be of benefit, but again the course is just a slog.

My worst time is 18:12 and my best time is 17:46. I had been doing it all season on the ENVE 3.4s - I don't have a time for the other wheels as the course has changed.

Did it on the Fulcrum Racing 1s with these old used veloflex tires - 17:52.

I don't know if this means the ENVEs stink - or the Fulcrums are just that good or what. I am prepared to say the Fulcrums 'feel' nicer and the 'ride' is better. How much less aero they are I'm not sure.

Here is a pic
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14807517319_2715366e8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K)photo (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr

Too many variables at play to come to any firm conclusions. Might be a bit more telling if you used a power meter.
Couple things to keep in mind though... The two wheelsets are very close in weight according to their specs, and even if they weren't, it's been shown time and time again that wheel weight has very little effect on speed. You can read tons of info about this on slowtwitch, etc.
And.....while everyone agrees that aero is wha should make a difference, those 3.4's aren't exactly an all out aero wheelset. They are a shallow wheelset. They are not going to have the same aerodynamics as a set of HED Stinger 6's or Zipp 404's. I honestly would not have expected to see much performance diff in your test. With the enve's, you got a nice quality wheelset that are pretty bling, but low ROI IMHO.
Cheers

[FlashUNC]

So wait, you're saying its not about the bike, er, wheels?

Horsefeathers and poppycock sir.

[s4life]

Thanks for the post.. pretty fun read!
Maybe a bit off topic, but anyone knows what is the relation between Fulcrum 0/1 and Campy Shamals/Neutron Ultras? I thought Fulcrums were just rebadged Campys?

[old fat man]

I'm quite fond of my Fulcrum 1 2-ways also. I've had them setup with Hutchinson tubeless 23mm tires all along and they are great. I'm eager to wear out the tires and try some Schwalbe Ones next.

I don't have any high zoot carbon wheels, but I'd put my Fulcrum 1's right up against the carbon clinchers and Mavic Cosmic Carbone Pro tubulars that I have.

[aingeru]

Well, did the TT on the Fulcrum Racing 1s. A few things: the TT course is 10k and has more climbing than descending - it's not an uphill TT, but it's it's not flat. It's also on chip seal roads and just generally slower. I do it cannibal and typical come in the top ten and win the cannibal division unless some pro shows up cannibal (which Paul Lynch from BMC did and hence the BMC bottles - real great kid. Anyway, the course never really lends itself to where you get all aero tuck, but a TT bike for sure does help - so I presume aero wheels would be of benefit, but again the course is just a slog.

My worst time is 18:12 and my best time is 17:46. I had been doing it all season on the ENVE 3.4s - I don't have a time for the other wheels as the course has changed.

Did it on the Fulcrum Racing 1s with these old used veloflex tires - 17:52.

I don't know if this means the ENVEs stink - or the Fulcrums are just that good or what. I am prepared to say the Fulcrums 'feel' nicer and the 'ride' is better. How much less aero they are I'm not sure.

Here is a pic
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14807517319_2715366e8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K)photo (https://flic.kr/p/oyup1K) by velomonkeys (https://www.flickr.com/people/88287752@N06/), on Flickr

Could it be that Fulcrums are balanced and the ENVE aren't? Most people don't believe it, but I find balanced wheels make a little difference.

[velomonkey]

Could it be that Fulcrums are balanced and the ENVE aren't? Most people don't believe it, but I find balanced wheels make a little difference.

Fair question. No the enve was balanced. I think in the end it's that a clincher ENVE isn't that great of a wheel. It's over 1500 grams, it's not all that aero but yet it's full carbon and deep with clincher. Conversly I think the Fulcrum wheel is just a good wheel. Weighs a bit under 1500 grams and has a much better ride feel. I'm now on Schwable tubeless and I gotta say the ride is sublime.

As for my whore status - I went Bora 50mm Tubular. This whore went carbon clincher and went right back.

[teleguy57]

Fair question. No the enve was balanced. I think in the end it's that a clincher ENVE isn't that great of a wheel. It's over 1500 grams, it's not all that aero but yet it's full carbon and deep with clincher. Conversly I think the Fulcrum wheel is just a good wheel. Weighs a bit under 1500 grams and has a much better ride feel. I'm now on Schwable tubeless and I gotta say the ride is sublime.

As for my whore status - I went Bora 50mm Tubular. This whore went carbon clincher and went right back.

Ok, I know it's somewhat apples and oranges,but inquring minds want to know -- comparison between the Racing 1s and the Boras???

[velomonkey]

Ok, I know it's somewhat apples and oranges,but inquring minds want to know -- comparison between the Racing 1s and the Boras???


Totally fair question. Well let me put it into 2 groups Ride Quality and Speed.

Ride Quality. Assuming you have a good tubular (I have vittoria) tubulars are top. So for the Bora 10. I don't feel it being a harsh wheel at all. The Enve Clinchers were like a 5 maybe a 6 on a good day - and I had vittoria and veloflex tires. Fulcrum with tubeless is like a 8.5. They really are that comfy.

Speed. Bora again gets the benchmark of 9.5 They are 1300 grams so they help on the uphills - relative to the others - but there are lighter. 50mm for sure helps (I'm 6'3" so taller, wider and bigger than most). ENVE was like a 7.75. For sure not as fast and at over 1500 grams slow in the uphill. Fulcrum 1s are like a 7. A bit slower uphill, not by much and if it's you and the clock the 50mm does matter, but honestly not a ton and most of ride is with groups or endurance with a buddy so I leave the Bora at home and am perfectly fine with Fulcrum 1s.

In the end I ride the Fulcrum 1s like 90% of the time. Bearings roll great, plenty stiff and ride awesome.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

"This whore went....................and went right back."

We always do.;)

[teleguy57]

In the end I ride the Fulcrum 1s like 90% of the time. Bearings roll great, plenty stiff and ride awesome.

I'm confused. Ride quality Bora gets the nod. Speed Bora gets the nod. And you ride them 10% of the time? Help me understand why.

If I know it's going to be wet I'll take off my Aeolus D3 35 tubbies and put on some aluminum-rimmed tubulars, but I've decided I'm going to enjoy what I have vs thinking of them as "special day" wheels.

[velomonkey]

Really two reasons: Price: I've tried a lot of tricks and basically a flat means I'm out $100 - even sent tires to tire alert and all 5 came back with a hop that made them unusable. Second is treating myself to a nice(r) ride: it's fun to not be on the BORAs and then get on them and you feel that extra zing they give you and it's special.


I'm confused. Ride quality Bora gets the nod. Speed Bora gets the nod. And you ride them 10% of the time? Help me understand why.

If I know it's going to be wet I'll take off my Aeolus D3 35 tubbies and put on some aluminum-rimmed tubulars, but I've decided I'm going to enjoy what I have vs thinking of them as "special day" wheels.

[EDS]

"This whore went....................and went right back."

We always do.;)

OMG. Someone is doing it right!