Fulcrum Racing 7

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Giant TCX frame, Richey WCS fork, Tektro brakes, Campy chorus/record components

Summary:
Got these used from e-bay to use as a set of cross wheels. I have been racing/training on them for about 4 months and have had no problems. Still true and spinning smoothly. While these wheels are not designated as cross specific, for the price ($200 with a campy cassette included) I thought if I can get 1 season from them, I would be money ahead. I anticipate being able to use them for several seasons. This says quite a bit about their sturdiness and build quality.

Strengths:
Tough, light for a cross wheel, cheap, red

Weaknesses:
None so far..........

Similar Products Used:
Mavic CX cross wheel set, Campy Zhonda wheels

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Competitive Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Rim to Rim - Palo Duro Canyon

Bike Setup:
2008 Ridley Damocles

Summary:
These wheels came stock of the Ridley I bought. I have about 2000 training mile on them now with no complaints. They ride smooth. Even though they are a little on the hefty side, they still spin up pretty well. The best thing is they are stiff and I detect little flex in them at all. That helps make up for the slight heaviness. Bomb proof so far and as true as the first ride. The wheel seam is a little rough but no real issue. Braking surface provides good grab and even braking. Loud free hub may keep you from secretly wheel sucking. A decent daily banger wheel.

Strengths:
Strong, stiff, decent looks, not bad weight for the price

Weaknesses:
Wheel seam is rough, loud hub.

Similar Products Used:
Reynolds, Campy, Mavic, Easton

Price Paid:  $300.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anything will hills (I mean that)

Bike Setup:
Ultegra shifters, 105 everything else but the crank, which still stock.

Summary:
Strong and stiff wheels, you'll notice improvement immediately. I tried them yesterday and during a short sprint, I managed to get 32 mph and I feel a could have done better. Avg. mileage improved as well. If it only had a noise-less freewheel, it would be perfect. I'm not a pro road racer so this set suits me perfectly.

Strengths:
This is a wheelset for begginers or training wheels. They're strong, rigid and bombproof for what I can tell so far.

Weaknesses:
Noisy freewheel but my ipod will take care of that.

Similar Products Used:
Giepemme that came with my R600

Price Paid:  $200.00 at togoparts

Bike Setup:
2006 Jamis Elite, 105 components, 10 spd ultegra cassette

Summary:
Good strong wheels, in the 3 months the freehub sound when coasting is growing on me. Never having to warn the front rider that I am coming up from behind. Effortless pedaling upon hitting 40 kmh. solid breaking surface.

Strengths:
no flex, decent coasting speeds, good value for money, abit heavy, I wud definitely consider buying this again or a pair of Racing 3.

Weaknesses:
not very well jointed.

Price Paid:  $180.00 at Wiggle.co.uk

Favorite Ride:
Anything out in the countryside

Bike Setup:
Cervelo S1, Sram Red, Easton EA90 SL.
1980's steel-frame, modern Shimano drive train, Fulcrum Racing 7.

Summary:
The Fulcrum Racing 7's are pretty solid training wheels. Stiff enough, though they're heavy. The red anodised hubs and rims look good. The spokes look a little bit cheap, but so is the price tag. The rims appear not to have been joined that well, as you can see and feel one distinct line on each rim / braking surface (perpendicular to the rim). The freewheel is very loud when coasting. The front wheel came a little bit out of true, which was disappointing, but fixable. I would probably go for Mavic Aksiums again next time instead of these.

Strengths:
24-spoke rear wheel (instead of 20 on the Aksiums), price, red anodised hubs and rims look good IF it suits your frame.

Weaknesses:
Rims not well joined, front wheel came slightly out of true, loud freewheel.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Aksium, Easton EA90 SL.