Aero or lightweight wheels

Lou_m

At what point do aero wheels "work" at? All the pros are riding them these days but is there an advantage for your average club cyclist. Companies like Zipp state that a given wheel is faster by x seconds over y distance but is that going to work for all speed ranges?

I am riding Roval Fusee SL's which are quite light but not sure whether to go for some really light clinchers or go down the aero carbon route. I weigh 67 kg so lightweight wheels shouldn't be a problem.

Any thoughts?

Garry H

Lou_m wrote:

At what point do aero wheels "work" at? All the pros are riding them these days but is there an advantage for your average club cyclist. Companies like Zipp state that a given wheel is faster by x seconds over y distance but is that going to work for all speed ranges?

I am riding Roval Fusee SL's which are quite light but not sure whether to go for some really light clinchers or go down the aero carbon route. I weigh 67 kg so lightweight wheels shouldn't be a problem.

Any thoughts?

Suppose it could all depend on the terrain you ride on. Hilly or flat? I've ridden through Fife a few times and if memory serves me correctly, the roads are somewhat shocking

jibberjim

Lou_m wrote:

At what point do aero wheels "work" at? All the pros are riding them these days but is there an advantage for your average club cyclist. Companies like Zipp state that a given wheel is faster by x seconds over y distance but is that going to work for all speed ranges?

I am riding Roval Fusee SL's which are quite light but not sure whether to go for some really light clinchers or go down the aero carbon route. I weigh 67 kg so lightweight wheels shouldn't be a problem.

They work at all speeds, your question is really about at what speed does the weight become a penalty on a particular gradient. Because aerodynamic drag is proportionate to the square of the speed, whereas weight not. If you're going downhill or on the flat, the aerodynamics will be working from the very slowest speeds you can reasonably cycle, so it's only on the uphill parts when it's even a question.

And remember 500grams is only worth 30seconds or so on the entire hour of an Alp d'Huez climb, and that's all you're really talking on wheel weight savings.

Aero will win.

Lou_m

Roads aren't too bad, working down in Lincoln for about 8 months and its a mixture of very flat or short sharp steep climbs.

Lou_m

jibberjim wrote:

Lou_m wrote:

At what point do aero wheels "work" at? All the pros are riding them these days but is there an advantage for your average club cyclist. Companies like Zipp state that a given wheel is faster by x seconds over y distance but is that going to work for all speed ranges?

I am riding Roval Fusee SL's which are quite light but not sure whether to go for some really light clinchers or go down the aero carbon route. I weigh 67 kg so lightweight wheels shouldn't be a problem.

They work at all speeds, your question is really about at what speed does the weight become a penalty on a particular gradient. Because aerodynamic drag is proportionate to the square of the speed, whereas weight not. If you're going downhill or on the flat, the aerodynamics will be working from the very slowest speeds you can reasonably cycle, so it's only on the uphill parts when it's even a question.

And remember 500grams is only worth 30seconds or so on the entire hour of an Alp d'Huez climb, and that's all you're really talking on wheel weight savings.

Aero will win.

As little as that? Thought it would be more. I guess the next question would be what sort of depth of rim. As im a lightweight I guess I would get blown about with deep section rims?

markos1963

Lou_m wrote:

jibberjim wrote:

Lou_m wrote:

At what point do aero wheels "work" at? All the pros are riding them these days but is there an advantage for your average club cyclist. Companies like Zipp state that a given wheel is faster by x seconds over y distance but is that going to work for all speed ranges?

I am riding Roval Fusee SL's which are quite light but not sure whether to go for some really light clinchers or go down the aero carbon route. I weigh 67 kg so lightweight wheels shouldn't be a problem.

They work at all speeds, your question is really about at what speed does the weight become a penalty on a particular gradient. Because aerodynamic drag is proportionate to the square of the speed, whereas weight not. If you're going downhill or on the flat, the aerodynamics will be working from the very slowest speeds you can reasonably cycle, so it's only on the uphill parts when it's even a question.

And remember 500grams is only worth 30seconds or so on the entire hour of an Alp d'Huez climb, and that's all you're really talking on wheel weight savings.

Aero will win.

As little as that? Thought it would be more. I guess the next question would be what sort of depth of rim. As im a lightweight I guess I would get blown about with deep section rims?

The general opinion is that a rim of 30mm or more will be aero, 50mm being the best balence for weight, aerodymanics and handling.