[Van Staal]

I have a change to buy a slightly used '03 Zonda wheelset. I feel, at 6'5 / 210lbs I should stay away from low spoke count wheels. But I really like the Zondas and other Campy wheelsets. Also, when I went to the LBS last week to ask for Chorus/CXP33 wheels, the shop owner suggested Sciroccos! He said they would be a good choice for me, better bang for the buck too.

I have read quite a few reports, here on the forums and in the review section, by other guys who are about the same weight or heavier and very happy with wheelsets like Scirocco, Zonda and Eurus. But which would be stronger, Zonda or Scirocco? The Sciroccos have more spokes (24R/24F) than the Zondas (21R/20F in the '03 version), but the Zondas probably have stronger spokes, and also have better hubs. The rims look the same, though.

And how about the new Zondas (16F radial) vs. the old ones? How should we weigh G3 and G4 spoke patterns against radial lacing? Any of you heavy weights using Protons or Neurons?

 

[weiwentg]

I have a change to buy a slightly used '03 Zonda wheelset. I feel, at 6'5 / 210lbs I should stay away from low spoke count wheels. But I really like the Zondas and other Campy wheelsets. Also, when I went to the LBS last week to ask for Chorus/CXP33 wheels, the shop owner suggested Sciroccos! He said they would be a good choice for me, better bang for the buck too.

I have read quite a few reports, here on the forums and in the review section, by other guys who are about the same weight or heavier and very happy with wheelsets like Scirocco, Zonda and Eurus. But which would be stronger, Zonda or Scirocco? The Sciroccos have more spokes (24R/24F) than the Zondas (21R/20F in the '03 version), but the Zondas probably have stronger spokes, and also have better hubs. The rims look the same, though.

And how about the new Zondas (16F radial) vs. the old ones? How should we weigh G3 and G4 spoke patterns against radial lacing? Any of you heavy weights using Protons or Neurons?

using G3 and G4 lacing patterns on the front wheel is a gimmick, nothing more. it doesn't even look good to me. I would either get your Chorus/CXPs, or I would get the Neutrons or Eurus. other posters on this forum around weight have reported that they are OK. if you want to get fancy wheels, get the top of the line ones.

 

[crestlinefarm]

A strong thumbs up for Scirocco

At 220, I've put about 1,000 miles on my Sciroccos. They're strong, relatively lightweight, and built on the durable Veloce hub. The G3 spoking pattern is what initially brought me to these wheels, I didn't even realize that in the Zonda/Eurus that the front wheels were radial laced. I love the look, and they've get lots of looks:
To quote Campy "The Scirocco wheel was created to offer a larger number of enthusiasts the performance of the G3 spoke system used for Campagnolo’s medium-profile wheels.
Scirocco wheels are exceptionally good value for money because they provide all the technical benefits of top-of-the-range wheels at a slightly higher but still competitive weight.
These wheels are ideal for both racing and daily training with very ‘racing’ black-satin finishing on the rims, hubs and spokes."
Two things I'll warn you about;
1. if some bonehead loudmouth rolls into you at a stopsign and then falls on your back wheel, because of the low spoke count if the wobble is between spokes you can't get it back true (this would be true of any low-spoke count wheel vs standard 32/36 spoke OpenPro/blah blah blah wheels.)
2. I think the Scirocco's are the only wheels (maybe the Zonda's too) that you can true with a standard spoke wrench. I know the Eurus require you to take the tire, tube & rimstrip off to true--YIKES!

I have a change to buy a slightly used '03 Zonda wheelset. I feel, at 6'5 / 210lbs I should stay away from low spoke count wheels. But I really like the Zondas and other Campy wheelsets. Also, when I went to the LBS last week to ask for Chorus/CXP33 wheels, the shop owner suggested Sciroccos! He said they would be a good choice for me, better bang for the buck too.

I have read quite a few reports, here on the forums and in the review section, by other guys who are about the same weight or heavier and very happy with wheelsets like Scirocco, Zonda and Eurus. But which would be stronger, Zonda or Scirocco? The Sciroccos have more spokes (24R/24F) than the Zondas (21R/20F in the '03 version), but the Zondas probably have stronger spokes, and also have better hubs. The rims look the same, though.

And how about the new Zondas (16F radial) vs. the old ones? How should we weigh G3 and G4 spoke patterns against radial lacing? Any of you heavy weights using Protons or Neurons?

 

[Cat 3 boy]

Listen to weiwentg, G3 G4 spoking is a gimmick. Please show me the "performance benefits" of a wheel that will go majorly out of true after one spoke failure.

Get Protons, tough, reasonably light, even spoke distribution & nipples are exposed so you can true it up by the roadside if the worse were to happen and replacement spokes are widely available. My Neutrons are great, but hidden spoke nipples make them a liability for roadside repairs (which they've never needed in 4 years).

I love campag kit, but the G3/G4 thing seems only hype.

 

[divve]

Come spring/summer everyone into system wheels is going to want them:
http://www.fulcrumwheels.com

(they're owned by Campagnolo)

 

[lyleseven]

At 215 the Neutrons have been fabulous...

I'd be careful with a Proton if over 200 lbs.

 

[spudmike]

I'd be careful with a Proton if over 200 lbs.

Lyle, why are you cautious of a 200lb + rider on the Protons? I weigh around 215lbs and Protons were recommended from the bike shop when I built up my new bike as a very durable wheelset for someone my size...

sm

 

[lyleseven]

I was told by a Campy dealer to go for the Neutrons if....

Lyle, why are you cautious of a 200lb + rider on the Protons? I weigh around 215lbs and Protons were recommended from the bike shop when I built up my new bike as a very durable wheelset for someone my size...

sm

over 200. I have no personal experience with them, only what I have heard. How many miles do you have on the Protons? Any issues with them?

 

[spudmike]

over 200. I have no personal experience with them, only what I have heard. How many miles do you have on the Protons? Any issues with them?

I have about 1000 miles on them and the only issue I had was a broken rear spoke about 42 miles into my first ride on the bike. I think this was due to damage done during shipping when UPS bent the rear derailure hanger and dinged up the frame (that's another story...). sm

 

[AJS]

I have '03 Zondas (20F/21R), 195-205 lbs., close to 2k miles, no problems. Gimmick? I don't know, but they work. I've cyclocrossed on these wheels believe it or not. A wheel can look decent besides a boring 2x/3x pattern & 32H and still be strong.

I've also owned 22/24 Nucleons & 16/18 Shamals and never a truing, bad spoke, or bent rim.

 

[Van Staal]

I have about 1000 miles on them and the only issue I had was a broken rear spoke about 42 miles into my first ride on the bike. I think this was due to damage done during shipping when UPS bent the rear derailure hanger and dinged up the frame (that's another story...). sm

Spoke breakage is a thing I worry about. Can you ride home with one spoke missing?
What worries me even more is what could happen if a spoke breaks when I'm going fast.

 

[Juanmoretime]

I pulled a bonehead.

I threw my chain into my rear Eurus wheel, I didn't have the rear derailleur adjusted correctly, while spinting and broke four spokes. All that happened was I stopped very quickly plus I did walk home. I had to have the wheel respoked. I've put on about 2,500 miles since having it respoked and it's still true.

 

[Cat 3 boy]

I wouldn't worry too much about spoke breakage at speed, in my experience they only break when under a lot of torque, ie climbing a steep grade out of the saddle at under 10 mph I have had breakages. Nothing dramatic, just a "ping" & the tell tale feel of the brake blocks rubbing the rim ;-)

I would imagine the chance of a breakage at speed to be very low as there must be less torque exerted on the spokes of a fast rotating back wheel?

It seems Campag wheels are getting very good reviews in this thread. I'd still recommend protons as replacing a spoke by the roadside is much easier than with neutrons whose spoke nipples are concealed in the rim. Just tape a couple of spokes to your chainstay, carry a spoke key....and a cassette tool..........and a wrench & chainwhip......just incase

 

[spudmike]

I wouldn't worry too much about spoke breakage at speed, in my experience they only break when under a lot of torque, ie climbing a steep grade out of the saddle at under 10 mph I have had breakages. Nothing dramatic, just a "ping" & the tell tale feel of the brake blocks rubbing the rim ;-)

I would imagine the chance of a breakage at speed to be very low as there must be less torque exerted on the spokes of a fast rotating back wheel?

It seems Campag wheels are getting very good reviews in this thread. I'd still recommend protons as replacing a spoke by the roadside is much easier than with neutrons whose spoke nipples are concealed in the rim. Just tape a couple of spokes to your chainstay, carry a spoke key....and a cassette tool..........and a wrench & chainwhip......just incase

The strange thing was the spoke broke on a nice flat section while going about 22mph. I was only able to continue about 1/2 mile before the rim was warped and rubbing against the brakes. Good thing I was on a supported ride, the sag truck picked me up and at the next rest stop a mechainic was able to adjust the wheel enough to allow me to finish the last 20 miles. Like I said before I think the spokes were stressed during shipping, the box the bike came in was crushed. UPS replaced the frame and compensated me for the repairs.

 

[conrad gardner]

Come spring/summer everyone into system wheels is going to want them:
http://www.fulcrumwheels.com

(they're owned by Campagnolo)

Their Racing 1 wheelset looks like a heavier and slightly modified knockoff imitation of a Ksyrium SL design. Maybe their pricing will make it appealing, but if they are owned by Campy I doubt it?

 

[AJS]

Spoke breakage is a thing I worry about. Can you ride home with one spoke missing?
What worries me even more is what could happen if a spoke breaks when I'm going fast.

I understand your concern, but I can't answer that for you because I don't know. In thousands of miles of riding Campy wheels since 1999 I haven't had to find out. Not saying you can't break a spoke with them, (re: Juan, etc.) but it hasn't happened to me yet with the 3 models I've had.

YMMV!

 

[Cat 3 boy]

" Like I said before I think the spokes were stressed during shipping, the box the bike came in was crushed. UPS replaced the frame and compensated me for the repairs"

spudmike, I reckon the damage was done by UPS rather than Campagnolo, don't let it worry you, unless UPS are shadowing you on your rides you should be safe in future!

 

[weiwentg]

I have '03 Zondas (20F/21R), 195-205 lbs., close to 2k miles, no problems. Gimmick? I don't know, but they work. I've cyclocrossed on these wheels believe it or not. A wheel can look decent besides a boring 2x/3x pattern & 32H and still be strong.

I've also owned 22/24 Nucleons & 16/18 Shamals and never a truing, bad spoke, or bent rim.

let me clarify my statement. the reason Campy introduced the G3 spoke system on the rear wheels (they aren't the first to do this, btw) was to even out the tension differential between drive and non-drive. it certainly works on the rear wheel, both sets of spokes are quite close in tension (not equal). on the front, there is simply no reason for it, even though it may be adequately strong for cyclocross at 200lbs. there's no technical advantage in lacing a front wheel in a G3 or G4 pattern that I know of. they might as well have laced it radial (like they did with the 2004 Zondas).

 

[AJS]

" Like I said before I think the spokes were stressed during shipping, the box the bike came in was crushed. UPS replaced the frame and compensated me for the repairs"

spudmike, I reckon the damage was done by UPS rather than Campagnolo, don't let it worry you, unless UPS are shadowing you on your rides you should be safe in future!

Hell, he's lucky he got those bums to pay up for the damage. Took me over 5 months and a whole lotta hassle one time to get a damage claim paid from UPS. (Not bike related)

 

[AJS]

let me clarify my statement. the reason Campy introduced the G3 spoke system on the rear wheels (they aren't the first to do this, btw) was to even out the tension differential between drive and non-drive. it certainly works on the rear wheel, both sets of spokes are quite close in tension (not equal). on the front, there is simply no reason for it, even though it may be adequately strong for cyclocross at 200lbs. there's no technical advantage in lacing a front wheel in a G3 or G4 pattern that I know of. they might as well have laced it radial (like they did with the 2004 Zondas).

There may not have been any technical reason for the G4 pattern, but then again there might have been. My point is that probably mainly for aesthetic reasons, they made the pattern the way they did for the front '03 Zonda. However, "in theory" at least, that front wheel should be slightly stronger than the all-radial version, because the '03 is half radial-spoked and half 1x-spoked, and has 2 more spokes (20 vs. 18).

So, if you can get a wheel at least as strong and light with a different spoking pattern, why not design for aesthetics? No harm, no foul. If someone wants to call it a "gimmick" that's fine, but you could say there are a lot of gimmicks on many high-zoot bikes, not just the wheels.