a lighter, stiffer frame or lighter, stiffer wheels? I really want to get either a Cervelo Soloist frame, or a reynolds stratus wheelset. Which would be more noticable in terms of go-fastness? for reference, I have a trek 2300 (zr9000 alum. w/ carbon stays), WCS fork, and Neuvation R28 SL wheels. I think the soloist is about the same weight, maybe a little lighter, but probably way stiffer and definetly way more aero. the reynolds are way lighter and way stiffer. and way aero-er. period. best wheelset ever.

so, Thanks!

-S_H

a lighter, stiffer frame or lighter, stiffer wheels? I really want to get either a Cervelo Soloist frame, or a reynolds stratus wheelset. Which would be more noticable in terms of go-fastness? for reference, I have a trek 2300 (zr9000 alum. w/ carbon stays), WCS fork, and Neuvation R28 SL wheels. I think the soloist is about the same weight, maybe a little lighter, but probably way stiffer and definetly way more aero. the reynolds are way lighter and way stiffer. and way aero-er. period. best wheelset ever.

so, Thanks!

-S_H
what about choice three: ride your bike more? My recent upgrade from a 10 year old steel frame to a caad 8 sure was nice but did not really make racing any easier.
Similarly, changing from box rims to 30 mm rims surely was faster in my mind. In terms of results, not so much.
You want bling? fine buy what you like the most but don't expect noticable improvements in performance, the engine is still the same.

god, that's exactly the type of response i didn't want to get. i train. a lot. i have a coach. there is a point where technology makes a difference. yes, a small one, but it is a difference

are you looking at the Cervelo as a complete bike or just the frame? If just the frame, I'd upgrade the wheels on the 2300.

The wheels would offer you more of a gain, but don't expect much.

are you looking at the Cervelo as a complete bike or just the frame? If just the frame, I'd upgrade the wheels on the 2300.

its just the frame, but why would the complete bike make a difference? just curious

sgt_hedgehog, if, in your group of competitors, you're all at the same fitness level and under similar racing conditions you are getting beat on a regular basis by a few seconds, "then" technology plays a role (Equipment won't win you a race but it can lose it for you). But remember, soon after you upgrade and maybe start winning, the others wiil upgrade too, and you'll be back to losing. What's your coach say?

ps: if you do decide to upgrade frames/wheelsets, remember there's never a "best ever" and all the high-end stuff is good enough to win on. Good luck.

The wheels will give you the best increase in performance. The frame is important in terms of comfort & fit, but the rim & tire combo weight is the most important factor for acceleration.

You know the answer to this, but if it's for races, the wheels will make the most difference in seconds.

IF you are a Cat 3 or higher racer looking to go from top-10 to the podium, or whatever, then the wheels for races will give you more seconds / km.

Otherwise, I'd say the Soloist. Why? You'll ride it and like it every day, it will FEEL and LOOK fast and it might last you several seasons if you don't wreck hard.

rather than 'parting it out' as we say. Cheaper to buy a complete bike instead of frame plus parts plus wheels, etc.

If you could afford a soloist as a complete bike, then it should come with some very nice wheels. plus probably nicer drivetrain, etc.

but a reynolds wheel upgrade to the 2300 will be very nice, plus you have the old wheels for training or to put in the pits.

not only with the reynolds wheels be stiffer, they will be more effiecient in the hubs - 2007 reynolds wheels come with DT Swiss hubs.

The wheels will give you the best increase in performance. The frame is important in terms of comfort & fit, but the rim & tire combo weight is the most important factor for acceleration.
I guess the flip side to this is that changing the frame could cause a situation of less comfort and poorer performance, whereas a quality (upgrade) wheelset would be less likely to do the same. I'm pretty new to all this stuff, but this conclusion is based on a lot of discussion about frame fit and such. Possible? Probable?

I'd go with the wheels...
Quite frankly your frame is most likely even a bit more stiff then i prefer. Cervelo has done great marketing on their stiffness, but every frame welder under the sun will tell you that stiffness isn't the paramount design goal. Ride quality is.

Ignoring the frame comments... You will feel the wheel diffrence better. Just be sure to get sewups not clinchers...

In road races you'll notice the ease in responding to acclearations. It's not much but the first two pedal strokes on your jump make you feel a bit fresher then you are... Kinda nice when you're at the end of the rope...

The wheels will give you the best increase in performance. The frame is important in terms of comfort & fit, but the rim & tire combo weight is the most important factor for acceleration.
There are (virtually) no accelerations in road cycling. http://www.biketechreview.com/archive/appd.pdf

I'm not a purist on such but rotational mass is more important that static mass.
good bearings mean less friction in spinning things thus more juice to making you go forward.
work on position as well, most aerodynamic loss is the rider.
if you are doing TTs buy an aero helmet over aero wheelsm makes way more of a difference for far less dough. (MIT bike team proved it)

I
if you are doing TTs buy an aero helmet over aero wheelsm makes way more of a difference for far less dough. (MIT bike team proved it)
Search through some other threads, this claim is false. MIT only tested at 0 yaw. For any other condition, the wheels make a much greater difference.

With the answer you don't want to get...

Also regarding aero dynamics:

the three most important improvements (the rest being marginal, if not only of "marketing value") are actually 3 things you have to do, not buy, namely:
1) ride with hands on the drops
2) carry water bottles to limit air flow at the low-center area (void between feet)
3) zip up your jersey.

Now: to answer your specific question: wheels. Go with the best wheels for the specific purpose. Save old wheels for training.

No frame with your old wheels will beat your old frame with new wheels.

I agree with most of the others and say that some good quality light wheels that are laterally stiff would definately acheive the most noticeable difference,with out a doubt. That is probably the single most important upgrade you could make on a bike.

Although, the racing season is coming to a close and those dreaded cold winter training rides are just around the corner,you have to ask yourself what's going to make me ride more?My bets on the new steed,cause it would me.

not only with the reynolds wheels be stiffer, they will be more effiecient in the hubs - 2007 reynolds wheels come with DT Swiss hubs.

Anyone care to guess the time advantage in a 40k TT for DT hubs over say, Ultegra? Assume both are well maintained and properly adjusted. I don't have the data to do the calcs, but my guess is somewhere around unmeasurable, or BDL as the chemists say.

i have a coach.

What did your coach say?

DT over Ultegra but DT over anonymous Chinese hubs on his current Neuvation wheelset.