Under Performing New Wheels (I think)

[Elegant Degenerate]

Just bought (online via wiggle) and installed a pair of campagnolo shamal ultras and, while they are very steady in corners and generally reduce vibration, I'm pretty sure they are not rolling as well as they should. They are by no means horrible but are noticeably worse than the mavic kysirium equipes they replaced.

Though I'm not totall sure (it was down hill/ high speed, windy and noisy), they (campags) may have even given a bit of a death rattle that the mavics have done post 35,000kms when they needed a clean out.

I read one review which stated that the hub bearings had been overtightened and needed to be replaced by their LBS. (this would also exceed my mechanical know-how). I light googling suggests this might be the cause to me.

I've also read somewhere the ceramic bearings "wear in" somewhat (I've only ridden a couple hundred kms). This seems a bit unlikely.

I have a wiggle service point relatively nearby so I can take it in and/or contact wiggle easily enough, but was just wondering whether there was something else I'd overlooked, before I go in and be told I did/ missed something stupid/ obvious.

 

[Master50]

Both my wife and I are riding Shamal wheels and your description is not normal. If anything Shamal wheels should spin better than any wheel with cartridge bearings with contact seals. In their Cult variation the bearings are so free that the wheel can take a 1/2 hour to spin down from 500 rpm (advertised) further they are very easy to adjust on the bike. Perhaps if you go to a service centre they can show you that. You can literally adjust the preload to just eliminate side play and call it done. adjusted like that the wheels should turn very free.
After about 7 years of use these are still some of the finest all round wheels I have ever used. About as light an aluminum rim as is made. Pretty aero for a non specifically designed aero wheel. Stiff as any sprinter would ask for and in the cult option there is no wheel that has better bearings. In this option you don't even use grease but oil to lube these.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Just bought (online via wiggle) and installed a pair of campagnolo shamal ultras and, while they are very steady in corners and generally reduce vibration, I'm pretty sure they are not rolling as well as they should. They are by no means horrible but are noticeably worse than the mavic kysirium equipes they replaced.

Though I'm not totall sure (it was down hill/ high speed, windy and noisy), they (campags) may have even given a bit of a death rattle that the mavics have done post 35,000kms when they needed a clean out.

I read one review which stated that the hub bearings had been overtightened and needed to be replaced by their LBS. (this would also exceed my mechanical know-how). I light googling suggests this might be the cause to me.

I've also read somewhere the ceramic bearings "wear in" somewhat (I've only ridden a couple hundred kms). This seems a bit unlikely.

I have a wiggle service point relatively nearby so I can take it in and/or contact wiggle easily enough, but was just wondering whether there was something else I'd overlooked, before I go in and be told I did/ missed something stupid/ obvious.

Grab the axle and wiggle or turn in your fingers. Seem bindy, tight, or loose? Have a bike shop take apart, clean, LUBE with a decent grease, re assemble and adjust well.

 

[Elegant Degenerate]

your description is not normal. If anything Shamal wheels should spin better than any wheel with cartridge bearings with contact seals.

hmm, yeah that's pretty much what I wanted to hear (i.e. that I'm not crazy/ didn't have unrealistic expectations)

After about 7 years of use these are still some of the finest all round wheels I have ever used. About as light an aluminum rim as is made. Pretty aero for a non specifically designed aero wheel. Stiff as any sprinter would ask for and in the cult option there is no wheel that has better bearings. In this option you don't even use grease but oil to lube these.

yes - It's these sort of comments that helped me select them... But I generally take reviews with a grain of salt; you don't know the experience of the reviewer and it's human nature for people to convince themselves they made the right decision -after- they have committed to the cost and can no longer change it; and professional reviews can often be little more than thinly veiled ads... but I certainly did hear and read a lot of good stuff about shamals - and I'd expect them to be at least as good as the mavics.

I'll take them out for one more spin today, and give BK's test a go, and if I have any remaining doubt I'll take 'em in to the LBS. Worst case scenario there is they find I am crazy and I pay for an unnecessary hub service - but given their price that's not such a big deal.

 

[Volderke]

So I guess now they are overtightened, from what you say.

In that case: take them to your Wiggle service point as soon as possible. Don't ride them. If they are overtightened, you risk that your ceramic bearings will damage your cups.

 

[JayKosta]

The axle should turn easily and without binding or looseness.

With wheels in the fork/frame try to jiggle the rim sideways to test for movement - there shouldn't be more movement than just a tiny bit, if any.

Also test for whether the wheel / tire is off-balance.
With bike held with wheels above the floor, remove the chain from the cassette, and test whether the wheels slowly rock back-n-forth to a stop, or if there appears to be an overly heavy section that quickly slows the rocking - could be wheel, tire, reflector, etc.

Spin the wheels and look to see that the wheel and tire is running smoothly without side-to-side or up-n-down movement.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA