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Planet X Wheels

I have been thinking of getting some new wheels to replace the Shimano R500s that came on my Bianchi without investing too much money (ie as little as possible while still gaining a reduction in weight and hopefully performance). I have been looking at various options and have seen the Planet X Model B wheels which are currently selling at £125 on the web. Planet X do not have any retail outlets in Norway and charge an unbelievable £75 to deliver here (but only £28 or so to deliver to Denmark...) but I will be in the UK next week and might be able to have the wheels either delivered to my hotel or office there. I would really like to know if anyone has any experience with the Model B wheels and if I can reasonably expect any noticeable improvement in performance on my current Shimano wheels - there would be about 200 - 300grms drop in weight over the wheel set.

Antony

Comments

  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Well I'll kick this off, don't have them but no doubt you have seen these links:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... b-09-34037

    http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bik ... rtive.html (although about the bike the wheels get the thumbs up and that is on a £2K bike)

    Overall opinion seems to be OK for the money but as ever I bow to anyone with experience of them
  • Thank you for the links - I had seen the bike radar one but not the other two. I always find that there are far more people writing in to forums such as Tritalk who are unhappy with a product than who are satisfied customers (human nature to complain I suppose) so it is good to get as many personal reviews as possible.
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Without wanting to get into any kind of flaming war, I did a brief foray into Tritalk and although there is a lot of technical talk I found it rather hostile if you did not fit in with the 'in crowd' and they did seem to be at the 'hyper enthusiast' end of the spectrum. Us lot here I find are more feet on the ground, more casual but there are some guys and gals here who are incredibly technically minded and knowledgeable but friendly with it.
  • That's why i'm here!
  • I've got the Model B's on my winter bike, had them 6 months or so and no problems - smooth and true. I'd recommend them, but in all honesty you'd be hard pushed to notice a difference between them and your Shimanos. If you have a look at the Planet X website today I think they're doing some crazy deals on wheels - the new RS10's would be very similar to the Model B's (on at £99 I think)...but also quite similar to your Shimano R500's. I've owned the WH550's, RS10's, Model B's and numerous other more expensive wheels at one time or another; if you really want to feel a difference on the road you should be looking at £400 wheel-sets (in my humble opinion!)
  • Will they be going on one bike or do you have a race and training/winter bike

    I've been pointed in the direction of American Classics... bomb proof, pretty light, look great and spin forever. I love them. I'd never thought I'd say that about wheels.

    You could do worse although they are a little over budget.
  • jibby26jibby26 Posts: 261
    willieverfinish wrote:


    I've been pointed in the direction of American Classics... bomb proof, pretty light, look great and spin forever. I love them. I'd never thought I'd say that about wheels.
    The 2010 ones are worthy of a porn thread of their own in my opinion, love that triple lacing star effect.
    http://www.amclassic.com/products/roadw ... 20road.php

    I shall be saving up for a set of these
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