CAMPAGNOLO ZONDA
BEST RACE WHEEL
£376.99 › For those who favour rush over plush SPECIFICATION WEIGHT F/R 665/915g SPOKES F/R 18/21 RIM 15/21x26mm (F) 30mm (R) ENGAGEMENT LAG 12 degrees
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ampagnolo’s light and super-tight Zondas are great if you rate speed over comfort. Though not toeing the ‘fatter is better’ line, the rim isn’t super-thin so won’t unduly pinch fatter tyres. The front rim is slightly shallower than the rear, for more responsive, windproof steering. The Mega G3 lacing clumps the bladed spokes together in two driveside/single offside batches, and it’s not just cosmetic – the rear wheel is seriously stiff with great power transfer. The Zondas put punch into acceleration and maintain momentum on steep climbs, though the ride is on the firm side. The bearings are smooth and the bombproof steel freehub is available in Campag and Shimano/SRAM formats. www.chickencycles.co.uk HIGHS Stiff, fast, smoothly reliable LOWS Might be too stiff for some
WE SAY...
Light, semi-aero wheels with good power transfer but a very firm feel
INSIDE INFO
Are inner tubes out of date? Tubeless wheels and tyres swap the inner tube for airtight tyres and rims. The tyre deforms more easily over lumps and bumps for a potentially smoother, faster ride. No inner tube also means no ‘pinch’ puncture, while liquid sealants can ‘heal’ small
punctures, or slow down the leaking of bigger punctures. The rim and tyre edges need to be shaped to lock securely in place without a tube. There also aren’t many tubeless tyre options available yet either, and while they’re all expensive
some are surprisingly heavy. You can still split the tyre too badly for it to seal, and trying to squeeze a tube into a tubeless setup can be really tricky. The jury is out on tubeless tyres, but a tubeless rim is a useful future-proofing feature.
RATING ★★★★★
HALO MERCURY 6D £349.98
HOPE HOOPS MONO RS £355
MAVIC KSYRIUM EQUIPE S WTS £390
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SPECIFICATION WEIGHT F/R 710/902g SPOKES F/R 20/24 RIM 14/19x30mm ENGAGEMENT LAG 20 degrees alo’s UK designers have been evolving their cost-effective wheels for years and the latest Mercury benefits from 2013 test feedback. They’ve stuck with a narrow and deep rim that cuts through straight-line drag situations with a clean, efficient feel. Steering is slightly stubborn at higher speeds and the skinny tyre footprint leaves them feeling sharp on rough sections, though an extra four spokes in the front makes them much more obedient and consistent in corners than the previous model. There’s still some softness in the rear if you’re sprinting out of the saddle, but they’re light for the money, which makes them a lively upgrade for lighter racers. www.ison-distribution.com
SPECIFICATION WEIGHT F/R 796/941g SPOKES F/R 32/32 RIM 15/20x24mm ENGAGEMENT LAG 15 degrees
avic’s eyelet-reinforced Open Pro rims have a reputation for toughness. Hope handbuilds them into wheels using 32 Sapim double-butted spokes and brass nipples and its own Mono RS hubs. These hide quality stainless steel cartridge bearings behind effective seals, and the latest models are Shimano/SRAM 11-speed compatible, while the new four-pawl, 24-tooth pick-up freehub is faster-reacting and quieter. The wheels handle relentless all-weather training, ’cross or light touring and we’ve got older sets that have survived years of use. If the Mavic rims are a little heavy and narrow, you can choose Stan’s 100g lighter tubeless-ready Alpha 400s. www.hopetech.com
SPECIFICATION WEIGHT F/R 789/952g SPOKES F/R 20/20 RIM 15/20x24mm ENGAGEMENT LAG 20 degrees
avic’s Wheel Tyre System matches wheel, tyre and tube (all included in your £390). The Ksyrium Equipes don’t get the machined cutouts of more expensive Mavic wheels, leaving them slightly lardy for the price, but once the slow-reacting freehub has picked up, the taut, bladed spokes keep them feeling sharp and responsive. Handling is equally precise, though the flat spokes are noticeable in crosswinds. Structural durability is good, and Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo versions are 11-speed ready. The Mavic Yksion Comp tyres are okay, and the narrowish rim gives an occasionally harsh feel – but they look great. www.mavic.com
148 | May 2014 | CYCLING PLUS
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3/18/14 12:35 PM