Understanding $ difference between new Bora Ultra & Bora One

[ScottK]

I am looking for an all purpose clincher wheel that is good for climbing as well as flatter rides and based on what I read the new wider Bora 35 clinchers seem like a great choice. As the weight difference between the Ultra and the One models is only 36 grams I am trying to understand how much better the Ultra's are to justify a $1,000 difference? It seems that the rims and spokes are identical and I can only identify two differences: One - that the hub on the ultra is made of carbon fiber (slightly lighter and more bling) and 2 the bearings in the zone are regular ceramic (still better than most) while in the ultra they are the top of the line CULT ceramic version. Is the ride that much better? do they spin up faster because of the CULT bearings? Am I missing other differences? It would seem those two upgrades shouldn't come,to $1,000. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[em3]

Scott, welcome to the forum. Use the search bar, type in "bora" and u will find MULTIPLE threads that have already discussed these issues at length....no need to start a new thread.
EM3

[ScottK]

Thanks for the feedback. Before posting I read through about 40 pages of search engine posts on the Boras from prior posts on the board. I could have missed something but the one thing I couldn't find is any direct comparison from someone who has ridden both versions about the performance/feel difference between the New Ultras and the One's thus I posted my question.

[Calnago]

@ScottK: You are correct... the price differential does not really reflect the difference in performance. In fact, I think you would be hard pressed to notice any real performance difference. The CULT bearing system is nice, for sure, and it seems impervious to water, and I haven't seen any better bearing system out there. But as with most of the very top tier stuff from manufacturers of anything really, they will charge what the market will bear. No exception here.

If you are concerned that your friend with the Ultras will be faster than you on your Bora Ones, don't be. That won't be the reason if he is.

[ScottK]

Calnago, thanks for the feedback. I turn 50 next year and I am going to build up a "Dream Bike" this winter as a 50th birthday present to myself but I would be lying if I said money doesn't matter, so as of now I am leaning towards the One. No expectation to become appreciably faster, mostly just want to get something I love to ride and to look at too!

[Calnago]

Your 50th? Dream bike? Birthday present to yourself?
Well that changes everything. Kids college can wait. Get the Ultras. On your 51st birthday you don't want to look back and have any regrets.

[fogman]

I could not justify the price difference so I purchased two sets of Bora Ones (50 tubular and 35 clincher) for the price of one set of Ultras. Both are Dark Label so the wife thinks I only bought one set.

[Timujin]

I could not justify the price difference so I purchased two sets of Bora Ones (50 tubular and 35 clincher) for the price of one set of Ultras. Both are Dark Label so the wife thinks I only bought one set.

Hahahaha I'm doing this next time.... Incredible


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[meeRoad]

Fogman, LOL!
This is ingenious - I should have though of that too.
I ended up getting Bora One 50 tubular in bright for racing and 35 clincher in dark for training.

What tires do you use on your tubulars?

[fogman]

Using Vittoria Corsa CX Isogrip 700 x 25c tubulars on the Bora One 50.

[mrgray]

Surely Bora One's are the best value wheelset available for the heavier rider. I had the tubs and they rolled so smooth it was incredible. I bought them for $1600 AUD from starbike and I still can't believe that price. Amazing. And as I understand it braking is industry leading! What a great wheelset. I think it is exactly as @Calnago says, there is no justifying the price differential to the Ultra, it is "what the market will bear".

Great birthday present! Hope you post the build. What frame?

[ferrarista]

The new bora one still comes with ceramic bearings called USB. ceramic balls with regular cup and cones. You could easily buy the CULT bearing kit and swap them later if you want.

Unless someone wants the bling of carbon, the Ultra carbon hubs only saves around 40 grams on the pair. The Bora one are the best bang for your buck.

One other thing about the clinchers is that they don't state a maximum pressure for the rim. In the manual they say not to exceed the manufacturer max pressure of the tire you are using.

[Timujin]

Yea, I was surprised to see my mates ones with USB balls... Hindsight maybe ones would have been ok.. But I have the ultras and they are incredible...


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[ronderman]

I've posted this before, but . . I had a "Bro" deal on some ENVE 3.4 King ceramic wheels - clinchers.

I just couldn't get into that wheel. Not aero enough and rode like junk. It made the bike feel harsher than it really was. So I traded them for a set of brand new Bora One 50mm Tubular - the 2014 model. That wheel is a better wheel in every regard. Zero chance the bearings made any difference - but, if you want, upgrade. I race once a week and through on the Bora wheels.

I'm now saving my scratch for some Bora 35mm Ones in clincher.

Had I used my head I could have gotten both Bora wheels for the same price as the ENVE wheels.

I think the Bora One wheel is the best wheel for dollar to performance currently in the market.

[ScottK]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. mrgray as far as frames. Work will take me to NYC and LA soon so I can hopefully see more frames in person as we are limited in Detroit as far a the less common brands. and obviously fit/geometry will be the main factor but I want something a bit less common than Trek, Specialized etc...and I love the look of the Italian brands. I was leaning toward the Matt black C60 with the italian tricolore on the seat post but I like climbing and the Bianchi Specialissima in the Fluro Celeste is now pulled into the lead.