Bike Nirvana
Yet another cycling blog
Campagnolo Neutron Ultra
April 4, 2017
Why Campagnolo? Nothing. I just wanted to experience something from the brand that has gained fans and has solid professional and consumer reputation.
It was long ago when my interest in Campagnolo wheelset increased leading to communications with YKK Bikes in Cebu where I was offered the Shamal Mille model for around 60K. At that time I am not willing to cough out that much money for the wheelset which that led to the purchase of the Shimano WH-6800 instead.
Failed attempts to acquire the Campagnolo Zonda dampened my interest although I had my sights set on another model, the Neutron Ultra which is one of only two low-profile wheelsets offered by the Italian company (who also owns Fulcrum). I negotiated with FL Bikes, also based in Cebu (and Hong Kong) after a friend was able to purchase his Campagnolo wheelset for his Lynskey. Today, I received a big box from Frankfurt.
The Neutron Ultra is my top pick from the aluminum offerings of Campagnolo due to the following:
- Lighter in weight than the Zonda (1,470 g vs. 1,540) medium profile aluminum
- Nearly half the price of the Shamal Mille (1,459 g) full carbon
- Carbon fiber hub body
It came with a rim "tape" that I nearly messed up, but I was able to properly install it.
Aside from the rim tape, it comes with skewers for the front and rear weighing 60 g and 65 g, respectively. Documentation and 10-speed spacer completes the packaging.
As I was inspecting the wheels, I noticed this marking that says "Made in Italy."
I would like to assume that the final assembly took place at their Romanian factory as indicated in the box but the hubs were fabricated in Italy.
Disappointment
When I got home, I weighed the wheels and I was shocked with the results, in grams.
| Campagnolo says | Actual weight | |
| front | 630 | 655 |
| rear | 830 | 960 |
That's 145 g over the manufacturer claimed weight!
I wrote Campagnolo about it and as expected, there is no human reply other than the automated email response.
Because of this, I christened this wheelset "my Italian biatch."
Tire fitting
I learned how not to use tire levers when mounting a tire when I was still using the WH-6800 wheelset as it clearly states that no tire lever should be used. Using gloves, I am confident I will be able to mount a tire, as difficult it may seem.
My first attempt to mount my favorite tires, the IRC Aspite Pro was a failure. These tires were already a tight fit with the WH-6800 but simply impossible on the Neutron Ultra.
Even the usually easy Continental GP 4000S II is also tighter, but not impossible.
I had to settle for a really old and worn, not to mention punctured GP 4000S II for the first ride of about 30 kms. The internally patched sidewall on the rear tire does not give me confidence to go father so I decided to try the IRC tires again.
Using tire levers, I was finally able to mount them on the Neutron Ultra, but I punctured the inner tube, damn it.
With a patched inner tube, I finally have the tires I want and went on to log another 30 kms.
Post-ride thoughts
Honestly, I can't feel the difference using the following combination with the Colnago C59.
- Continental Ultra Sport II on Carbon Nation Cycling wheelset
- Continental GP 4000S II on Neutron Ultra wheelset
- IRC Aspite Pro on Neutron Ultra wheelset
The Colnago C59 simply rides very smooth and that pleases me a lot. I would like to opine that the ride feel is attributed largely to the frameset.