Although wheels are slower to succumb than some components, every revolution brings them closer to the day they’ll reach the end of the line and need to be shuffled off into retirement. If your bike is due a new set and you fancy upgrading to something nippy, here are six of our favourite options for £400 or less – a mid-range point where it should be possible to achieve a genuine performance upgrade.
When choosing wheels at any price point, you’ll have a range of attributes to navigate. Should you go with something light, for haring up the climbs, or a set with a deeper profile that will be heavier but can make up time on the flatter sections thanks to improved aerodynamics? Read on and find out.
Jra Jawbone Lite
What the makers say
Named after Jawbone Hill, our local 3rd category Tour de France climb, these are light enough for the toughest climbs and offer confidence-inspiring braking on the descents. The hubs are six- pawl, 48-point engagement Bitex models with premium stainless bearings. Built onto Pacenti tubeless ready rims, they’re wide, stiff and aerodynamic.
What we say
A hand-built wheelset made of components of unimpeachable quality at an equally unimpeachable price. The attraction of hand-builts, other than the ability to have them customised, is their durability and ease of servicing. The downside is that they can sometimes be heavy and old fashioned compared to system-built alternatives, but that’s not the case here. Combining modern, wide, tubeless-ready rims, quality Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes and fast engaging, lightweight hubs, the whole package weighs just 1,345g, putting them right in the mix with sets from the big manufacturers.
Verdict: All the benefits of great hand-built wheels at the weight and price of factory alternatives.
£380, justridingalong.com
Novatec Jetfly Alloy
What the makers say
The perfect wheel for training, their 32mm-deep section rim feels like riding on a knife-edge. Rigid like your carbon race-day wheels but built for everyday use. A micro-peened finish with machined braking surface is built to take a beating with minimal weight penalty over pricier carbon wheels.
What we say
These recently overhauled wheels manage to pack in deep enough rims to create a little extra aerodynamic snap without adding significant extra weight or becoming a handful when the wind starts whipping about. Deeper rims tend to be stiffer too, meaning power transfer is more direct – although potentially the ride can be a little harsher. An average width means these pair best with medium-to-narrow tyres and are ideally suited to fast riding on smooth paved roads. Although with tubeless compatibility, setting them up to venture off the beaten track is also easy.
Verdict: Narrower than some modern wheels but stiff and fast, and tubeless-compatible too.
£369, extrauk.co.uk
Cero AR22
What the makers say
Lightweight and strong, with a modern 24mm width, the Cero AR22 is also tubeless compatible. The 280g hubset offers a superb balance of weight and performance, and features high-quality sealed bearings throughout along with a fast-engaging aluminium hub body.
What we say
Light, low-profile and tubeless compatible these hoops have all the hallmarks of a very practical wheelset. Their broad stance suits high volume tyres, lending them a gently rounded, stable curve and reducing the chance of pinch flats should you choose to run them tubed. In their 24/28 spoke variety, they’d be a great for mixed terrain. Or opt for 20/24 spokes and save a few grams. Either way, their low weight means they’re unlikely to be a drag when the tarmac heads upwards.
Verdict: Quality hubs, low overall weight and tubeless compatibility make these a versatile option.
£400, cycledivision.co.uk
Shimano WH-6800 Ultegra
What the makers say
Offering proven technology based on the top-end Dura-Ace models. Compatible with tubed and tubeless tyres. Wide-flanged hubs and an asymmetrical rims result in additional stiffness and stability. Low-friction labyrinth and contact seals shut out water and dirt without affecting rotational smoothness.
What we say
Cup-and-cone hubs with loose bearings would be familiar to a mechanic working at the beginning of the last century. However, they're more durable than cartridge-based alternatives, easier to service and can be built to run with extremely low drag. The rest of the components are thoroughly modern, with wide tubeless-ready rims. Opposite the valve-stem is a small lump on the rim which helps balance the wheel when spinning, resulting in greater stability.
Verdict: A well-balanced, high-performance wheelset based on proven technology.
£400, madison.co.uk
Miche Altur
What the makers say
High-profile wheels ideal for long, flowing stretches but also stiff and responsive enough for excellent race performance. Rims, hubs and nipples are all light alloy to ensure minimum weight, while the double section and flat profile stainless steel spokes provide maximum air penetration.
What we say
Unless you’re heading into the high mountains it makes sense to trade a few grammes for extra stiffness and improved aerodynamics. These will suit cash-strapped racers who like to get their head down. Stiff and responsive, they’re happy to be stamped upon in a sprint. With a minimal number of flat-bladed spokes and 35mm rims, these should cling tenaciously onto each watt of effort you generate compared to less aerodynamic alternatives.
Verdict: A genuinely race-worthy option for those who want to ride fast on a tighter budget.
£248, chickencyclekit.co.uk
Campagnolo Zonda
What the makers say
The benchmark wheel, greater stiffness means more energy transmitted to the road. Milled rims reduce the peripheral weight making these wheels extremely reactive. Every point of the rim is counter-balanced by an equal weight on the opposite side for maximum stability of the wheel at high speeds.
What we say
If you’ve got a bike decked out with Campagnolo components, you’ll want to get the matching wheels. Just like when you get your car serviced and the mechanics place weights around the rims, these deep-section wheels come perfectly balanced, meaning you should be able to bomb any hill as fast as you dare without having to worry about getting the dreaded speed wobble.
Verdict: Worth looking at if you want something a bit different from the ubiquitous Shimano.
£379, chickencycles.co.uk