Carbon Rims and wet.....

akkers

Reading mixed articles on using carbon wheels (with tubs) in the wet. Something about the water getting inside the rim and staying there potentially.

Anyone else use carbon wheels in wet weather or not? If so, have you encountered any issues?

James_London

Depends entirely on the wheel and to some extent tubulars you're using. What combination are you using or planning on using?

You can get water in between the base tape on the tubular and the rim if you try hard enough and that takes a very long time to dry and isn't good for the adhesion of the tubular. To do this though you'd need to be in really torrential rain for a few hours or riding through water on flooded roads - conditions I wouldn't generally ride in and that can load clinchers with water too.

Some rims are hollow and can allow water into the cavity of the rim via the spoke holes as well.

In theory it could be an issue but not something to worry about much more than you would with clinchers or something like a Cosmic Carbone with a fairing that can take on water.

The bigger issue is braking with carbon rims which is poor in the wet and you get more grit and debris on the brake track which will wear it faster just like an alloy rim. Wet braking is very dependent on the rim/pad combination - generally SwissStop yellow are very good but worth experimenting or asking who use the same wheels.

akkers

Im using Zipp 303 tubs with Evo CX tubulars, fwiw and Zipp carbon pads

James_London

It'll be fine if you get them wet but I'd avoid riding in torrential downpours to avoid excessive water penetration into the rims. If you do end up getting really soaked, just check the tubs are still well glued before riding them again. I'd only ride carbon tubs in the wet for a race where it might make a difference, otherwise it's not worth the maintenance hassle. You can obviously be caught out by the weather (and it hasn't been a problem the few times I have been ) but if it's that wet I would be on the turbo anyhow...

Try the SwissStop yellows when your pads need replacing if you want to experiment.

Monty Dog

Depending on the rim and pad combination, braking can be 'interesting' so wheel choice should depend on both the course, road conditions and the weather - one of the reasons why carbon wheels aren't suitable for all round use. Never had a problem with tubs coming unstuck in the wet - generally use Tufo Extreme tape these days. I know a few people who've had problems with both deep rim wheels and come carbon frames filling up with water in very wet conditions too - but usually can be drained out safely with no lasting effect.