Fuerte Bici Wheelset
Posted: 18 Feb 2013 13:40So I have had a clear out recently. TT bike ( the beauty she is) has gone as has two carbon wheelsets - the reason - I wasn't going to use them as often as I should and I can fund a weeks worth of physio for Ewan after his operation on his legs in the summer. Gone
BUT - I was after a carbon wheelset for the road bike - I did a bit of research and found these
http://www.fuertebici.com/shop/category/carbon-wheels/
Now I've had a few wheelsets over the last couple of years, PX of in various guises and depth and pro lits Gavia's. I've been really rather happy with them and you be honest even I have never felt the need to spend more than I have on wheels. I'm not saying more expensive wheels won't be better but the ones I have seem to be absolutely spot on for me.
Anyway - I chose some 50mm tubs from Fuerte Bici - they were on sale at the time for £475. So very very well priced.
If you click on the above link you can see they do both clinchers and tubs, loads of depths, you can chose the colour of your hubs and spokes (bladed) and campag or shimano.
So far so good. The chap who owns the company , Ben, was a pleasure to deal with. His absolute number one aim is to sell quality products, at great prices and have superb relationships with his customers. I can be a bit of a pain when it comes to buying stuff... He was spot on. E mails to confirm receipt of cash, e mail to confirm shipping date and tracking number and an email to make sure everything arrived safely.
They came when he said they would in a proper wheel box, very safely packaged.
I ordered the white hubs and white spokes and in the box I thought I'd made a mistake. They looked different to black hub and black soiked wheels.
Tubs went on easily enough ( on the second attempt) and with some valve extenders required they looked IMHO superb on.
The freebie spins up to speed very ell, a reassuring clicking and the spokes all tight - build quality is excellent.
Road test
So an hours ride when I used them for the firs time and I used my regular well known route - an 8 mile "loop" taking in Epsom downs, a short climb to headley then ducking left up a 2km climb then back into a village , a flat section and then a nice descent into Tadworth village.
They hold speed very well, Sound great too. I have set the brake pads ( that come with the wheels too) close to the braking surface and even climbing there wasn't a hint of run. Then again I put out as much power as a drunk ant so that's to be expected but they certainly felt stiff. They roll well and even with a carbon braking surface that is treated with something or other (so close up its rougher than say my pro lite surface was) and cork pads it stops pretty well. Obviously not as well as alu rims but its swings and roundabouts.
They go well on the flats, climb well - they weigh not very much at all 1540g excluding the skewers ( they weigh 22 grammes each being titanium) and descend well. There isn't much more to say other than I'm very happy indeed.
Can I recommended them - of course. Without a doubt. Well worth the money, look bling and go well and have a warranty. What more could I want
BUT - I was after a carbon wheelset for the road bike - I did a bit of research and found these
http://www.fuertebici.com/shop/category/carbon-wheels/
Now I've had a few wheelsets over the last couple of years, PX of in various guises and depth and pro lits Gavia's. I've been really rather happy with them and you be honest even I have never felt the need to spend more than I have on wheels. I'm not saying more expensive wheels won't be better but the ones I have seem to be absolutely spot on for me.
Anyway - I chose some 50mm tubs from Fuerte Bici - they were on sale at the time for £475. So very very well priced.
If you click on the above link you can see they do both clinchers and tubs, loads of depths, you can chose the colour of your hubs and spokes (bladed) and campag or shimano.
So far so good. The chap who owns the company , Ben, was a pleasure to deal with. His absolute number one aim is to sell quality products, at great prices and have superb relationships with his customers. I can be a bit of a pain when it comes to buying stuff... He was spot on. E mails to confirm receipt of cash, e mail to confirm shipping date and tracking number and an email to make sure everything arrived safely.
They came when he said they would in a proper wheel box, very safely packaged.
I ordered the white hubs and white spokes and in the box I thought I'd made a mistake. They looked different to black hub and black soiked wheels.
Tubs went on easily enough ( on the second attempt) and with some valve extenders required they looked IMHO superb on.
The freebie spins up to speed very ell, a reassuring clicking and the spokes all tight - build quality is excellent.
Road test
So an hours ride when I used them for the firs time and I used my regular well known route - an 8 mile "loop" taking in Epsom downs, a short climb to headley then ducking left up a 2km climb then back into a village , a flat section and then a nice descent into Tadworth village.
They hold speed very well, Sound great too. I have set the brake pads ( that come with the wheels too) close to the braking surface and even climbing there wasn't a hint of run. Then again I put out as much power as a drunk ant so that's to be expected but they certainly felt stiff. They roll well and even with a carbon braking surface that is treated with something or other (so close up its rougher than say my pro lite surface was) and cork pads it stops pretty well. Obviously not as well as alu rims but its swings and roundabouts.
They go well on the flats, climb well - they weigh not very much at all 1540g excluding the skewers ( they weigh 22 grammes each being titanium) and descend well. There isn't much more to say other than I'm very happy indeed.
Can I recommended them - of course. Without a doubt. Well worth the money, look bling and go well and have a warranty. What more could I want
