Cycling UK Forum

I have a 2003 Saracen Skyline. This bike was made by Dawes for Saracen. So its a Galaxy in all but name. I use it a lot with Shimano R500 wheels [£70 a set new] and 23c Schwalbe Lugano tyres. £11 each.
It is used for local 25 mile curcuit that I use to keep me fit for longer runs. It also does the longer runs. I don't use the heavier mavic wheels and tyres it came with unless I intend to tour with it.
Delight to ride, fast and comfy. Don't have any particular p problems. It's a large frame and I'm 15 stone. Shod with lightweight wheels [not the R500s] and tyres in this pic.

I agree,however some improvement can be gained both in comfort and puncture protection with P/racer RiBmo's over Schwalbe Marathons IMO.

+1 I started getting punctures in a Schwalbe Marathons after about 2500 miles. My LBS suggested RiBMos and I've been very happy with them. For comfort don't over inflate: Touring with a loaded bike I inflate to 80 psi rear, 60 psi front. The one in the pic above had been run at 80. According to Bicycle Quarterly lower pressure does not increase rolling resistance (within reason)

BigJim : I found R501 wheels on Merlin Cycles for £78 for set, though notice weight is about 1.9kg for both wheels.
My own 2 wheels + cassette weighs 2.7kg. Don't know hou heavy the 9 speed cassette is , but would imagine 500g? which would mean (if I am right about cassette) 2.2kg versus 1.9kg - a difference, but worth the upgrade ? Alastair

AlastairS wrote:BigJim : I found R501 wheels on Merlin Cycles for £78 for set, though notice weight is about 1.9kg for both wheels.
My own 2 wheels + cassette weighs 2.7kg. Don't know hou heavy the 9 speed cassette is , but would imagine 500g? which would mean (if I am right about cassette) 2.2kg versus 1.9kg - a difference, but worth the upgrade ? Alastair

No,in a word.
Not as durable as touring wheels and with a saving of say 300g just not worth the hassle.
Save your money and buy a pair of handbuilt 36 spoke wheels such as these:- http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s178p2235 with Chrina or LX17 rims.

One can only go off ones own experience.
My bike with the lighter wheels and tyres is faster and more nimble. It feels a more lively and involved ride.
Why would I keep heavy touring wheels and tyres on the bike when I'm not touring?
For local unweighted rides surely the wheels don't need to be that durable?
I actually tour loaded these days with a light front wheel and a 25c tyre. As there is only a bar bag on the front I've never had any wheel related problems. If not camping I'll go for a 23c tyre on the front.
But as they say. Everybody to their own.

bigjim wrote:One can only go off ones own experience.
My bike with the lighter wheels and tyres is faster and more nimble. It feels a more lively and involved ride.
Why would I keep heavy touring wheels and tyres on the bike when I'm not touring?
For local unweighted rides surely the wheels don't need to be that durable?
I actually tour loaded these days with a light front wheel and a 25c tyre. As there is only a bar bag on the front I've never had any wheel related problems. If not camping I'll go for a 23c tyre on the front.
But as they say. Everybody to their own.

Just for clarity are you also running a 25 on the rear?

No.
28c on the rear when touring.

Save your money and buy a pair of handbuilt 36 spoke wheels such as these:- http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s178p2235 with Chrina or LX17 rims.

John from Spa recomended I buy a lighter bike (Audax) from him rather than spend £150 on upgrading wheels so I don't think I will go this way. How heavy are they , do you know?Alastair

John from Spa recomended I buy a lighter bike (Audax) from him

Mmmm...

BigJim wrote:

Save your money and buy a pair of handbuilt 36 spoke wheels such as these:- http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s178p2235 with Chrina or LX17 rims.

Are these lighter than the R500 wheels suggested previously ? Over twice the price at £171 I think.

AlastairS wrote:

Save your money and buy a pair of handbuilt 36 spoke wheels such as these:- http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s178p2235 with Chrina or LX17 rims.

John from Spa recomended I buy a lighter bike (Audax) from him rather than spend £150 on upgrading wheels so I don't think I will go this way. How heavy are they , do you know?Alastair

I don't know what they weigh,but I do know they'd be durable,I think it was mentioned up thread more than once that should a spoke break whilst riding lightweight minimum spoke wheels,you're to put it mildly "goosed" and will unable to ride the bike.
I'm a durable/reliable equipment type of cyclist and have never owned a pair of wheels with less than 32 spokes,in the knowledge that should I break a spoke I can tweak a few others and ride on without too much delay,but it's entirely upto you,you pays yer money.......... as the saying goes .

Alistair first asked this question in March and he's still not decided on the tyres or the hoops.

It seems, like Horizon says, that there is nothing notable to change on his Galaxy for a 12 mile round commute. I suggest he leaves the Marathons until they wear out.

On a freezing evening the winter before last I was slowly climbing a long hill on my hybrid with 1.75 inch marathon pluses. A roadie with a lightweight bike flew past and disappeared up the hill. Two miles later, at the crest of the hill (exposed and windy) I saw a man with his bike upside down and rummaging through his tool bag. It was the said roadie with a puncture. He was by now getting cold fast.

After my offers of help were declined (he had it covered), I ride on smugly knowing that my m+ had not let me down in four consecutive winters.

When the sweat on your eyebrow turns to mini icicles due to the cold air, you don't want a puncture in those conditions.

Moodyman1 wrote:Alistair first asked this question in March and he's still not decided on the tyres or the hoops.

It seems, like Horizon says, that there is nothing notable to change on his Galaxy for a 12 mile round commute. I suggest he leaves the Marathons until they wear out.................

As he is talking about riding a railway line/cyclepath, I agree......http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=80744

Unfortunately, owing to change in circumstances, cycling on the disused railway line is unlikely, but I will be on the road for my 6 miles each way commute 2 or 3 times per week.Alastair

Moodyman1 wrote: A roadie with a lightweight bike flew past and disappeared up the hill.

I think it only takes this to happen once and everyone goes scurrying off in search of the latest lightweight confection without first checking with the rider about his/her riding ability (and what he cannot carry on the bike). Recently, especially if heavily laden, if I get overtaken by something light and fast I give chase and usually pass him at the next traffic lights. I cannot keep up the pace but it gives me the satisfaction of knowing that the difference isn't that great between either bike or rider.

Back to the OP: six miles is a very easy commute. Had it been 12 miles each way, I would have gracefully bowed out from the discussion as it gets a bit more complicated IMV (i.e. speed starts to matter as you have a job to get to and it starts to add up over 12 miles). Having said that, winter is still winter, and the longer distance calls for more reliability, mudguards etc. The Galaxy still seems to be a good choice.