Wheelset

[Cycling Addict]

Hi Guys

Is there a vast difference between DT Swiss vs Fulcrum Racing 5 Road wheels?

Thanks in advance

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by Cycling Addict

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Which DT Swiss wheels are you referring to?

Fulcrum wheels tend to be very good value for money to buy.

The main difference is that many Fulcrum (and Mavic, Shimano, Campy) wheels use proprietary parts, making repairs and servicing potentially difficult in a few years.

The rims, hubs and spokes that DT Swiss uses are much more "standard", meaning you can get parts like replacement rims, spokes and nipples anywhere, anytime.

Here are the Fulcrum specs:
https://www.fulcrumwheels.com/en/wheels/road-bike-wheels/racing-5

South African retail price is about R9000 for a set of Racing 5's, if you can find stock.

Approx 1650g for the set.

At the moment you can't buy new factory-built DT Swiss alloy rim-brake road wheels in SA as nobody has imported any.

You could have a set built by someone like myself.

- DT 350 hub set: R7500

- DT RR411 rims: R2250 each

- Bladed Spokes & brass nipples: R1800

- Labour: R750 per wheel

Total: R15 300 excluding delivery. Approx 1500g for the set.

(Add R10k and you can get an incredible set of carbon aero wheels)

The DT Swiss set, while being hand-built and lighter, also uses widely available spokes and nipples, in common lengths, and can be serviced by any decent bike shop.

 

[Cycling Addict]

Thanks

 

[splat]

On 10/9/2023 at 8:56 AM, Cycling Addict said:

Hi Guys

Is there a vast difference between DT Swiss vs Fulcrum Racing 5 Road wheels?

Thanks in advance

 

Which DT Swiss wheels are you looking at ?

[Eugene]

On 10/16/2023 at 8:43 AM, nick_the_wheelbuilder said:

Which DT Swiss wheels are you referring to?

Fulcrum wheels tend to be very good value for money to buy.

The main difference is that many Fulcrum (and Mavic, Shimano, Campy) wheels use proprietary parts, making repairs and servicing potentially difficult in a few years.

The rims, hubs and spokes that DT Swiss uses are much more "standard", meaning you can get parts like replacement rims, spokes and nipples anywhere, anytime.

Here are the Fulcrum specs:
https://www.fulcrumwheels.com/en/wheels/road-bike-wheels/racing-5

South African retail price is about R9000 for a set of Racing 5's, if you can find stock.

Approx 1650g for the set.

At the moment you can't buy new factory-built DT Swiss alloy rim-brake road wheels in SA as nobody has imported any.

You could have a set built by someone like myself.

- DT 350 hub set: R7500

- DT RR411 rims: R2250 each

- Bladed Spokes & brass nipples: R1800

- Labour: R750 per wheel

Total: R15 300 excluding delivery. Approx 1500g for the set.

(Add R10k and you can get an incredible set of carbon aero wheels)

The DT Swiss set, while being hand-built and lighter, also uses widely available spokes and nipples, in common lengths, and can be serviced by any decent bike shop.

 

R9000 for Racing 5? Jeez, there was a time that you would get 2 sets of Racing 3 for that price plus some spare change for tyres. 

Cycling prices are killing us. 

[Eddy Gordo]

On 10/9/2023 at 8:56 AM, Cycling Addict said:

Hi Guys

Is there a vast difference between DT Swiss vs Fulcrum Racing 5 Road wheels?

Thanks in advance

 

Check the weight restrictions of the wheels. It may or may not be relevant. 

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

18 hours ago, Eugene said:

R9000 for Racing 5? Jeez, there was a time that you would get 2 sets of Racing 3 for that price plus some spare change for tyres. 

Cycling prices are killing us. 

I know... back when petrol was under R20/l

In 2017/8 I used to be able to build a set of wheels with Stan's rims and Hope hubs for under R10k - now it's closer to R15k.