Jun
19
How do I know which bicycle components are quality components?
I am mechanically inclined, and have recently begun making upgrades to my old bicycle, which I hope eventually to culminate in a new frame and wheelset, etc. Lots of web-pages have bicycle parts for sale, but seldom give enough information about the parts to determine if they are compatible with other parts you might order. Also there seems to be extremely wide price differences among (for example) carbon forks that weigh about the same depending on either website or brand. I live in a rural area with no real bike shops, so online shopping is really my only choice. What I really want to know is how to tell what components are quality components, and which are not. Surely there is some publication, online or otherwise that does more than just review a few out of the hundreds of products available? I haven’t managed to find comprehensive reviews of anything I’m looking at anywhere online, and customer reviews are totally useless to me.
The 3 major manufacturers of road bike components are Shimano, Sram and Campagnolo. Each one makes several levels of quality components for bicycles. Check out their websites for information concerning the parts they make. In general, if you buy one brand, it is best to stick with it until you learn more concerning compatibility. Even within the same brand, some levels of quality have some parts that don’t work with other levels. When you look at frames and forks, there are many levels of quality as well. Just because a fork is made of carbon fiber, it does not mean that it is the same quality of material as another carbon fiber fork, there are different grades of carbon, as well as different levels of quality control and fabrication. Carbon fiber is not a generic material. There is no single publication that will tell you everything you need to know about bicycles. Sheldon Brown’s website has a wealth of articles about bicycles and cycling, but since his death a couple of years ago, some of the material there is getting a little dated. If you want to become truly knowledgeable about the subject, you are going to have to take the time to read through everything you can find, there are no shortcuts
Campagnolo Bora One carbon aero wheel set at twohubs.com
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Zipp 404 Clydesdale Wheel Set // 700c Cyclocross Road Bike Shimano 2010 Carbon $0.99 |
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2011 Zipp 808 Firecrest Wheel Set // 700c Road Bike Shimano Carbon Tubular Tri $0.99 |
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SHIMANO WH-RS80 700c Road Bike Carbon Ultegra Wheelset Clincher RS Eighty NEW $508.97 |
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Hed Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 Carbon Wheelset-50mm Aero Wheels-Road Bike Wheel-2009 $499.99 |
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HED C 9 / 6 Carbon Fiber Road Wheelset Wheels $0.99 |
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Neuvation C50 Carbon Wheelset Campagnolo Freehub Tufo Tires $400.00 |
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Fulcrum Racing Light Carbon Wheelset $1,599.00 |
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New Profile Design Altair Full Carbon Clincher Wheelset 52 $1,390.00 |
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2012 Bontrager Aeolus 6.5 Clincher Carbon Wheelset $2,300.00 |
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2011 Bontrager Aeolus 9.0 Clincher Carbon Wheelset $2,200.00 |
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Zipp 303 Carbon Tubular Wheelset Campagnolo w/ Continental Grand Prix 4000 $1,010.10 |
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2012 SRAM S60 RED WHEELSET 700C WHEEL SET FRONT AND REAR CARBON CLINCHER 60MM $1,129.00 |
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Shimano Dura-Ace 10 Speed Road Carbon Wheel set WH-7900-C35 Tubular 700c/35mm $1,795.00 |
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HED S5 S6 Stinger Tubular Carbon Road Bike Wheelset Wheels Triathlon Time Trial $1,999.99 |
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HED Stinger S6 S5 Tubular Carbon Road Bike Wheelset Wheels Triathlon Time Trial $1,999.99 |
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New Shimano Dura Ace 7900 WH-7900-C24CL FRCC Carbon Clincher Wheelset W Bags $999.00 |
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Slightly Used 2011 Reynolds Attack Carbon Clincher Wheelset (700c, Shimano/SRAM) $0.99 |
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Vuelta Corsa Carbon 50A 700c Clincher Black Bicycle Wheelset New $849.99 |
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Orbea Occam Carbon Full Suspension Team Bike-Full XTR,Crossmax SLR wheelset,MED $3,000.00 |
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Reynolds MTN 33-T 26in Tubular Carbon Mountain Bike Wheelset With Geax Tires $374.99 |
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Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher – SRAM/Shimano – Bike Wheelset – New $1,369.99 |
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Reynolds 2012 Attack 700c Carbon Road Clincher Wheelset/Shimano/32mm/1405g/Black $1,249.99 |
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NEW 2011 SRAM S60 Carbon Clincher Wheelset Cycling 700c Wheels BLACK/SILVER $930.00 |
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SRAM RISE 60 WHEELSET, CARBON RIMS, BRAND NEW, 26′ $1,000.00 |
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2010 Zipp 404 Tubular Wheelset (Aero Carbon Road Bike Wheels) $1,200.00 |
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Bontrager Race XXX Lite Carbon 26″ Mountain Bike Wheelset Centerlock Disc TLR $1,829.99 |
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HED Stinger S5 S6 Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheels Wheelset Time Trial Triathlon $1,999.99 |
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Bontrager Race XXX Lite Powertap SL+ Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheelset $1,399.99 |
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REAL DESIGN ULTRASONIC 50 CARBON WHEELSET TUBULAR WITH TUBULAR TIRES NEW! 700C $599.99 |
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Carbon wheel/best offer for 20mm tubular wheelset $345.00 |
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88mm deep carbon fiber bike wheelset 700C road tubular wheels $459.00 |
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Brand New Full Carbon Clincher 700C Rim 60mm , Spokes, hub Brake Pads – Wheelset $389.00 |
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Brand New Full Carbon Clincher 700C Rim Spokes hub , Brake Pads – Wheelset 50mm $389.00 |
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Brand New Full Carbon Tubular 700C Rim 38mm ,Spokes ,hub , Brake Pads – Wheelset $299.00 |
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Brand New Full Carbon Tubular 700C Rim Spokes ,hub , Brake Pads – Wheelset 50mm $299.00 |
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CW01 Full Carbon MTB Bike Clincher Wheelset 26″ – Rim 22mm , Spokes , Hub , Pad $429.00 |
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CW03 New Full Carbon Road Bike Clincher Wheelset – Rim 38mm , Spokes , Hub , Pad $429.00 |
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Full Carbon 12K Road Bike 700C Tubular Wheelset Rim 38mm Brake Pads H20,20 – T03 $239.00 |
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Full Carbon 3K Matt Matte Road Bike Tubular Wheel Set Rim 700C – 38mm Rim – MT03 $249.00 |
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Full Carbon 3K Matt Matte Road Bike Tubular Wheel Set Rim 700C – 50mm Rim – MT05 $259.00 |
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Full Carbon 3K Matt Matte Road Bike Tubular Wheel Set Rim 700C – 60mm Rim – MT06 $259.00 |
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Full Carbon 3K Matt Matte Road Bike Tubular Wheel Set Rim 700C – 88mm Rim – MT08 $349.00 |
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Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Tubular Wheelset Rim 38mm Brake Pads H28,32 – T03 $239.00 |
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Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Tubular Wheelset Rim 88mm Brake Pads H28,32 – T08 $359.00 |
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Full Carbon Clincher 26″ Rim 22mm ,Spokes ,hub , Brake Pads – MTB Bike Wheelset $299.00 |
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New Alloy Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Clincher Wheelset Rim 42mm H28, 32 – C04 $169.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Clincher Wheelset Rim 20mm Brake Pads – C02 $319.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Clincher Wheelset Rim 38mm Brake Pads – C03 $319.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Clincher Wheelset Rim 50mm Brake Pads – C05 $329.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Clincher Wheelset Rim 60mm Brake Pads – C06 $329.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Clincher Wheelset Rim 88mm Brake Pads – C08 $389.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Tubular Wheelset Rim 20mm Brake Pads – T02 $239.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Tubular Wheelset Rim 38mm Brake Pads – T03 $239.00 |
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New Full Carbon 3K Road Bike 700C Tubular Wheelset Rim 88mm Brake Pads – T08 $359.00 |
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Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR 2011 Carbon Tubular Wheelset $2,200.00 |
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2012 Reynolds R2 Carbon Tubular Wheelset Shimano 20/24 $1,199.95 |
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2012 Reynolds R2 Carbon Tubular Wheelset Shimano 20/24 $799.95 |
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HED3 Tri-spoke Wheelset 700c, Carbon Shimano Tubular HED 3 trispoke wheel TT/tri $775.00 |
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Promotion carbon wheelset , bicycle wheels , 60mm wheels carbon clincher $510.00 |
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Reynolds Thirty Two Carbon Tubular Wheelset Shimano $500.00 |
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Fulcrum Racing Speed HG Carbon Tubular Wheel Set $2,138.85 |
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REYNOLDS AM CARBON 26″ MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEELSET 6 BOLT DISC TUBELESS SHIMANO NEW $599.00 |
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Mavic Cosmic Carbone Premium Wheelset Wheels W/Titanium Skewers and Shimano Cass $500.00 |
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Mavic Cosmic carbone SL road racing bicycle bike wheel wheels wheelset 700 shim $859.00 |
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Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 Carbon Clincher Wheelset HED DT Swiss $214.01 |
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700C 50mm road bike carbon wheelset clincher carbon wheels w/t wheels bag free $640.95 |
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Vintage Old School Spin Mag Carbon Tri-Spoke 26″ BMX ,Mountain Bike Wheel Set $449.99 |
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Zipp 404 Carbon Tubular Wheelset, Climbing, Triathlon $201.50 |
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Bontrager: Race XXX Lite TLR 29er Carbon Wheelset $400.00 |
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2012 Zipp 303 Carbon tubular wheelset w/ Tires and Beyond Black Decals $1,200.00 |
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Reynolds Strike Carbon Clincher Wheelset New Takeoffs Corsa Evo Tires Shimano $700.00 |
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SHIMANO WH-RS80 700c Road Bike Carbon Ultegra Wheelset Clincher RS Eighty NEW $479.97 |
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SHIMANO WH-RS80 C50 700c Rd Bike Carbon Ultegra Wheelset Clincher RS Eighty NEW $749.97 |
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ZIPP 404 SPEED WEAPONRY CARBON FIBER DEEP V TUBULAR WHEELSET 700C $102.50 |
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MAVIC Cosmic Carbone Ultimate Wheel Set $2,000.00 |
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NEW ZIPP 2011 404 Carbon Clincher FireCrest Wheelset 700c $1,950.00 |
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Bontrager Race XXX Lite Powertap SL+ Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheelset $949.99 |
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Bontrager Race XXX Lite Powertap SL+ Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheelset $949.99 |
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Bontrager Race XXX Lite Powertap SL+ Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheelset $949.99 |
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Reynolds DV3K Carbon Tubular Wheelset Shimano 20/24 $1,709.95 |
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Reynolds MV32 UL Carbon Clincher Wheelset Shimano 20/24 $2,799.95 |
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Profile Altair 52 Semi-Carbon Clincher Wheelset $1,591.20 |
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Zipp 404 Firecrest FULL CARBON Clincher Wheelset $876.00 |
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Rossetti Leopard 52,TT Bike,Full Carbon,Di2 Dura-Ace,Rossetti Suba Wheelset $3,995.00 |
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Zipp Chris King Alchemy Elf Carbon Tubular race wheelset 1400g Sapim cx ray $650.00 |
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Brand New Campagnolo Bora One Dark Label Tubular Wheelset Carbon Campagnolo $1,327.03 |
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Williams Carbon Tubular Wheelset $112.50 |
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HED Stinger S9 9 Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheels Wheelset Time Trial Triathlon $1,299.99 |
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Shimano Dura Ace 50mm Hed Stinger S6 60mm Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheelset 7850 $949.99 |
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Zipp 404 808 Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheels Wheelset TT Triathlon Time Trial $1,299.99 |
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HED Stinger S5 Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheels Wheelset Time Trial Triathlon $1,049.99 |
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HED Stinger S5 S6 Carbon Tubular Road Bike Wheels Wheelset Time Trial Triathlon $1,099.99 |
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Reynolds XC Carbon Rim 26″ Mountain Bike DT 15mm Thru Wheelset Tubeless Wheels $849.99 |
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Easton EC90 SL R4SL Ceramic Carbon Tubular SRAM Shimano Road Bike Wheelset 38mm $1,699.99 |
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Bontrager Aeolus 50mm full carbon clincher wheelset w/pads,skewers,bags,&more!! $875.00 |
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60mm carbon wheelset carbon fiber bike wheels 700C Road Bike Wheel clincher $480.00 |
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2012 New 88mm clincher carbon wheelset carbon fiber bike wheels 700C Road racing $538.00 |
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50mm Clincher Carbon Wheelset 700C Road Bike Wheels Carbon Fiber Wheel set $465.00 |
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2012 ROADFOX – 50mm Carbon Wheelset – Clincher – NEW $449.00 |
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REYNOLDS XC CARBON 26″ MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEELSET 6 BOLT DISC TUBELESS SHIMANO NEW $599.00 |
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Reynolds Assault Wheelset – Clincher Ditch your heavy aluminum wheels for the light, stiff, and aero Reynolds Assault Clincher Wheelset. A deep profile rim slices through the air, and dampens road vibrations, while fast spinning cartridge bearings and a quick engaging freehub drives you to the front of the pack. Reynolds knows all that speedAAAs dangerous, so they added the CTg braking system for smooth, powerful and consistent stops… |
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Reynolds Forty Six Tubular Wheelset (700c, Carbon) $2,750.00 The Forty-Six features a blistering top end, incomparable lateral stiffness, strength and light weight, while the super deep profile The Forty-Six incorporates Reynolds’ high modulus carbon and refined resin system. That makes them among the lightest on the market, yet still tough enough to command respect on the cobbles of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. And for 2011, the Forty-Six includes our p… |
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Reynolds Attack Carbon Clincher Road Wheelset (700c, Carbon) $1,099.99 This beauty represents the first family of world-class, yet affordable, carbon wheel performance. From the moment we premiered the Attack, it was a winner. And It’s easy to see why. The Attack is a versatile, 32mm all-carbon clincher that can rise to any challenge: climbing, cornering, and cruising. For 2011 we’ve improved the layup composition and added our proprietary new CTg braking syste… |
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The Bicycle Wheel 3rd Edition $19.99 … |
