Forum home› Road cycling forum› Workshop

Carbon wheels

GF22GF22 Posts: 67
edited November 2007 in Workshop
I am considering getting a pair of Zipp 303's. Can anyone advise me what the pros and cons of carbon wheels are. I currently ride either Race X Lite aeros or Krysium SL's on my road bikes and weigh about 80kg.

I am not looking for deep rim carbon wheels as I already have some Cosmic carbons on my tt bike but am keen to understand whether I am going to see the benefit of upgrading to the 303's on my road bike. Am I just getting lighter wheels with carbon? Am I sacrificing strength by getting them? I am a little worried that my weight may be an issue.

Basically, I will be using them for road riding (both flats and climbing) and want to know if I will feel the benefit of carbon wheels (clinchers only) against my current Race X Lite Aeros or Krysium SLs?

Many thanks

PS. At the risk of repeating what everyone else posts about wheels, can we ignore the hand builds for this question

Posts

  • wildmoustachewildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    GF22 wrote:
    I am considering getting a pair of Zipp 303's. Can anyone advise me what the pros and cons of carbon wheels are. I currently ride either Race X Lite aeros or Krysium SL's on my road bikes and weigh about 80kg.

    I am not looking for deep rim carbon wheels as I already have some Cosmic carbons on my tt bike but am keen to understand whether I am going to see the benefit of upgrading to the 303's on my road bike. Am I just getting lighter wheels with carbon? Am I sacrificing strength by getting them? I am a little worried that my weight may be an issue.

    Basically, I will be using them for road riding (both flats and climbing) and want to know if I will feel the benefit of carbon wheels (clinchers only) against my current Race X Lite Aeros or Krysium SLs?

    Many thanks

    PS. At the risk of repeating what everyone else posts about wheels, can we ignore the hand builds for this question

    the 303s in clincher form are not really any lighter than your ksyriums or x-lites ... i think about 1550g for the lot of them?

    But they are somewhat more aerodynamic, so will cut down drag a bit and help you at higher speeds.

    Strength wise, Zipp has had issues with the reliability of their wheels, though it has to be said that lots of people don't have any issues and that it appears from 2007 onwards the build quality might have improved. I would personally not regard 303 clinchers as everyday wheels, but if they are just for sportifs or racing then they should be fine.

    The other thing is that you will almost certain notice they are more comfortable than your ksyriums.
  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Are you looking at the clincher or tub versons? Zipp wheels don't have the greatest reputation for build quality or durability and unless buying from the US are over-priced in comparison to some others. The advantages of all-carbon rims is weight - they are noticeably easier to 'spin-up' in comparison to heavier wheels. The downside is braking - the surface is not as flat and can be 'grabbier' than an aluminium rim which means you have to use a specific brake pad compound. You also have to brake earlier in the wet to wipe the rims clean before you get the full braking effect. For 'race wheels' carbon wheels are ideal, but their durability and longevity makes them less suited to everyday use
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • wildmoustachewildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Are you looking at the clincher or tub versons? Zipp wheels don't have the greatest reputation for build quality or durability and unless buying from the US are over-priced in comparison to some others. The advantages of all-carbon rims is weight - they are noticeably easier to 'spin-up' in comparison to heavier wheels. The downside is braking - the surface is not as flat and can be 'grabbier' than an aluminium rim which means you have to use a specific brake pad compound. You also have to brake earlier in the wet to wipe the rims clean before you get the full braking effect. For 'race wheels' carbon wheels are ideal, but their durability and longevity makes them less suited to everyday use

    to OP, if clincher, forget about the faster spin-up. weight saving is true only for carbon tubulars ... and then it is significant yes.

    IME you don't have to use a specific compound with carbon rims, normal brake pads work fine, but should only be used for your carbon rims to avoid damaging carbon surface with alu swarf emdedded in pad. the really big issue is brakeing in the wet - IME it is far worse than with an alu rim, and I would never ride carbon rims in wet conditions on hilly rides.
  • richardjallenrichardjallen Posts: 691
    How durable is a carbon braking surface?
  • portuguese mikeportuguese mike Posts: 695
    I'm pretty sure Zipp 303's have a bonded aluminuim braking surface on their rims.

    andthere's a big difference in weght between their clinchers and tubs (1580g v 1106g) don't know about the aerodynamics compared with other wheels but Team CSC seem to rate them.
    pm
  • eheh Posts: 4,854
    For general riding I wouldn't go near carbon wheels with a barge pole stick with what you've got. Racing is a different matter.

    Have a look at the pros all ride "standard" hangbuilts or kryserium types for training and often to be fair racing. They'll only ever use carbon for racing.
  • dcjdcj Posts: 395
    hi GF22

    The clincher version probably isn't going to make much noticeable performance difference compared to what you ride now.

    The only carbon clinchers that don't seem to take two steps backwards on weight are the Campag Hyperon (stiff but not very aero) and the new CarbonSports Lightweights (stiff, clincher, aero, and only 1081 gms a pair). However, the latter is nearly twice the price of the Zipp.
  • dennisndennisn Posts: 10,601
    All carbon wheels make a really nice cracking noise when they break.

    Dennis Noward
  • pcd993pcd993 Posts: 74
    I have recently tested extensively the Reynolds MV32 carbon clincher. They are very stiff. The weight is not a huge saving over Aluminium clinchers, but they spin up really fast - noticeably so. Braking was OK, although not quite as predictable as having an aluminium rim strip.

    I would not buy them because of price and, for me, they just became too uncomfortable on longer rides of 3 hours plus.
  • markmwmarkmw Posts: 131
    GF22 - can't comment about the technical side of things but you might want to give Sigma Sport in Kingston a call. They had a pair of 303s (old, unsold stock so don't know how old) for sale in their eBay shop a few weeks ago. Starting price £550. Don't think they went but I may be wrong.

    You need to speak to Jim who runs their eBay side of things. You never know - you might get a bargain.
Sign In or Register to comment.