The beginners guide to chinese carbon wheels

kingrollo

Yishun have just come back with a price of $690 for a 50mm carbon wheelset - not that cheap !

Or is everyone quoting £300 for the rims only - and Ive been getting all excited about nothing ?

kfinlay

kingrollo wrote:

Yishun have just come back with a price of $690 for a 50mm carbon wheelset - not that cheap !

Or is everyone quoting £300 for the rims only - and Ive been getting all excited about nothing ?

contact carbonzone - $490 or £310 approx.
Also been looking at Farsports site and their wheels look good - light and use Sapim CX-Rays spokes! Don't know the price though

kingrollo

kfinlay wrote:

kingrollo wrote:

Yishun have just come back with a price of $690 for a 50mm carbon wheelset - not that cheap !

Or is everyone quoting £300 for the rims only - and Ive been getting all excited about nothing ?

contact carbonzone - $490 or £310 approx.
Also been looking at Farsports site and their wheels look good - light and use Sapim CX-Rays spokes! Don't know the price though

Carbonzone don't seem to do clinchers though ?

amaferanga

kingrollo wrote:

Yishun have just come back with a price of $690 for a 50mm carbon wheelset - not that cheap !

Or is everyone quoting £300 for the rims only - and Ive been getting all excited about nothing ?

There's a lot of variation in price. Some of the rims are superlight and so cost more. Depends which hubs they use as well. Clinchers are more expensive as well.

Here are the prices I got from Yishun recently:

1) YS-CP CHOSEN PILLAR (white, red or black hub) (black Pillar spokes) (red or black nipples)
http://www.yishunstefano.com/cp.html

Price for 24mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 509.00$. Weight 1110 more or less
Price for 38mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 509.00$. Weight 1230 more or less
Price for 44mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 529.00$. Weight 1270 more or less
Price for 50mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 529.00$. Weight 1315 more or less
Price for 60mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 539.00$. Weight 1425 more or less
Price for 88mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 579.00$. Weight 1555 more or less
Price for 38mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 599.00$. Weight 1375 more or less
Price for 50mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 609.00$. Weight 1435 more or less
Price for 60mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 629.00$. Weight 1580 more or less
Price for 88mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 649.00$. Weight 1780 more or less

2) YS-NP NOVATEC PILLAR STRAIGHT PULL (carbon color hub) (black Pillar spokes) (red or black nipples)
http://www.yishunstefano.com/np.html

Price for 24mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 589.00$. Weight 1099 more or less
Price for 38mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 599.00$. Weight 1210 more or less
Price for 44mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 609.00$. Weight 1262 more or less
Price for 50mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 609.00$. Weight 1310 more or less
Price for 60mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 619.00$. Weight 1457 more or less
Price for 88mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 659.00$. Weight 1577 more or less

3) YS-CC CHOSEN CNspoke (white, red or black hub) (white CNspokes) (red or black nipples)

Price for 24mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 459.00$. Weight is about 1237 g.
Price for 38mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 459.00$. Weight is about 1340 g.
Price for 44mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 479.00$. Weight is about 1459 g.
Price for 50mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 479.00$. Weight is about 1459 g.
Price for 60mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 499.00$. Weight is about 1510 g.
Price for 88mm tubular (shimano or campagnolo) is 529.00$. Weight is about 1650 g.
Price for 38mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 549.00$. Weight is about 1495 g.
Price for 50mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 559.00$. Weight is about 1559 g.
Price for 60mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 579.00$. Weight is about 1660 g.
Price for 88mm clincher (shimano or campagnolo) is 599.00$. Weight is about 1860 g.

bcss

how do these compare to ie Cosmics in terms of stiffness, anybody rode both?

also wondering whether there are quality differences between the different manufacturers and whether some of them are ie more aero while others stiffer/ lighter etc

kingrollo

bcss wrote:

how do these compare to ie Cosmics in terms of stiffness, anybody rode both?

also wondering whether there are quality differences between the different manufacturers and whether some of them are ie more aero while others stiffer/ lighter etc

If your talking mavic cosmic carbones - they are not actually a carbon wheel - its an alloy wheel - with a carbon fairing. It makes it more durable - and you don't need specific brake blocks - the chinese wheels are probably lighter - and cost almost 50% less than the cosmics.

Money no object - I would have mavic cosmic .....but at twice the price - and for a few weeks summer riding the chines look better value (for me)

kfinlay

kingrollo wrote:

kfinlay wrote:

kingrollo wrote:

Yishun have just come back with a price of $690 for a 50mm carbon wheelset - not that cheap !

Or is everyone quoting £300 for the rims only - and Ive been getting all excited about nothing ?

contact carbonzone - $490 or £310 approx.
Also been looking at Farsports site and their wheels look good - light and use Sapim CX-Rays spokes! Don't know the price though

Carbonzone don't seem to do clinchers though ?

They do but just don't always have them listed on ebay.
I enquired about a frame, 50mm clincher wheels, seat post, stem and handlebars.
They do all of these except the stems. I'll probably go ahead with the frame and wheels.
Just go onto one of their ebay listings and contact the seller - they will get back to you quickly.

kfinlay

Just had this back from Xiamen Far Sports

Hello Kevin,

Thanks for your kind inquiry.

FSC50-CP and FSC50-C wheelsets are both clincher type.
Different of them is the weight.
FSC50-CP US$616 / one pair Weight is about 1300g
Specification as below.
Full carbon rim 20/24H external(light weight )
Bitex light weight hubs (black, white and red color for option)
Sapim CX-RAY spoke black
Sapim nipple red or black for option
Including two pairs of brake pads, quick release and 2 extra spokes

FSC50-C US$ 493/ one pair Weight is about 1480g
Specification as below.
Full carbon rim 20/24H external
Bitex light weight hubs (black, white and red color for option)
Sapim race spoke black
Sapim nipple red or black for option
Including two pairs of brake pads, quick release and 2 extra spokes

Minimum Order Quantity is 5pairs
Shipping cost to UK is about US$85 for one pair wheelset.

bcss

kingrollo wrote:

If your talking mavic cosmic carbones - they are not actually a carbon wheel - its an alloy wheel - with a carbon fairing. It makes it more durable - and you don't need specific brake blocks - the chinese wheels are probably lighter - and cost almost 50% less than the cosmics.

Money no object - I would have mavic cosmic .....but at twice the price - and for a few weeks summer riding the chines look better value (for me)

I know it's not comparing apples to apples, have the cosmics and use them all year round, was thinking of maybe getting a 60/80 tubi combo from the chinese for 'the few weeks in the summer' to have a fast/ light set of wheels, though don't want to compromise on stiffness (ie felt quite an increase in stiffness from my previous openpro s)...since there are some, even if small, climbs on my usual runs

pjm300

kfinlay wrote:

Just had this back from Xiamen Far Sports

Hello Kevin,

Thanks for your kind inquiry.

FSC50-CP and FSC50-C wheelsets are both clincher type.
Different of them is the weight.
FSC50-CP US$616 / one pair Weight is about 1300g
Specification as below.
Full carbon rim 20/24H external(light weight )
Bitex light weight hubs (black, white and red color for option)
Sapim CX-RAY spoke black
Sapim nipple red or black for option
Including two pairs of brake pads, quick release and 2 extra spokes

FSC50-C US$ 493/ one pair Weight is about 1480g
Specification as below.
Full carbon rim 20/24H external
Bitex light weight hubs (black, white and red color for option)
Sapim race spoke black
Sapim nipple red or black for option
Including two pairs of brake pads, quick release and 2 extra spokes

Minimum Order Quantity is 5pairs
Shipping cost to UK is about US$85 for one pair wheelset.

including brake pads, thats not a bad price at all. however the 5 pairs minimum isnt too good

amaferanga

Pretty sure you can buy a single pair of wheels from Xiamen Far Sport. You can certainly buy a single pair of rims cos that's what I've just done. You'd struggle to put either of those builds together for much less than they quote though even if you did just buy the rims.

kfinlay

Here's Carbonzone's Photobucket gallery

http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af110/carbonzone/

Gingerflash

Yishun have told me: -

"The best price for one pair 38mm clincher wheel is USD539/pair, including shipment.
We use chosen hubs, mac aer0 494 cnspokes, alloy cn nipples ,
ti skewers and shimao/campy carbon braking pads.
you could make choices on hubs, spokes and nipples.
black spokes, black nipples and white hub are all available.

Paypal is ok.
Lead time: 10-15days after order."

They then emailed to say the weight is 1450g exc skewers.

I reckon that's £330.

Fogliettaz

Thats what I paid for mine although I put the order in at the end of Feb and they were delivered the beginning of last week. Stefano said I would be pleased with them and they were worth the wait, he was right!

kfinlay

amaferanga wrote:

Pretty sure you can buy a single pair of wheels from Xiamen Far Sport. You can certainly buy a single pair of rims cos that's what I've just done. You'd struggle to put either of those builds together for much less than they quote though even if you did just buy the rims.

asked about single pairs and was told yes it is possible as a 'sample' pair

amaferanga

kfinlay wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

Pretty sure you can buy a single pair of wheels from Xiamen Far Sport. You can certainly buy a single pair of rims cos that's what I've just done. You'd struggle to put either of those builds together for much less than they quote though even if you did just buy the rims.

asked about single pairs and was told yes it is possible as a 'sample' pair

What's the name of your contact with Xiamen? Mine is Mae and she has always been very quick to respond to emails and answered all my questions.

kfinlay

Yup Mae has been responding to me too

dbb

i wish i didn't start reading this thread! :twisted:
i'll convince myself that there is a weight limit on those wheels

NWLondoner

dbb wrote:

i wish I didn't start reading this thread! :twisted:
i'll convince myself that there is a weight limit on those wheels

This was a dangerous thread to click on.

I have been tempted by a wheel smith build but these may be a good test at half the price to see if carbon wheels are worth the weightless in gold.

kingrollo

dengfu have come back with a price of £330 + $45 shipping + $45 for a matt finish - aint bad is it

NWLondoner

kingrollo wrote:

dengfu have come back with a price of £330 + $45 shipping + $45 for a matt finish - aint bad is it

what weight are they claiming??

NWLondoner

Now i'm confused

50mm Clinchers

CarbonZone have come back with

$490 plus $55 shipping. (Total £ 335) Weight is 1625+/-30g. with Novatec Hubs

Xiamen Sports have qouted

$616 plus $85 EMS Shipping. (Total £431) Weight is appx 1300

Bitex Hubs with Sapim CX-Ray spokes and nipples.

Including two pairs of brake pads, quick release, and 2 exta spokes



Yishun are

$697 plus $30 DHL express shipping (Total £448)

Still awaiting weight confirmation.


Am well and truly confused :?

amaferanga

Confused about what?

NWLondoner

amaferanga wrote:

Confused about what?

which to go for

was almost set on a handbuilt gigantex set from wheel smith but after yesterdays bloody crash i may have to spilt my budget, the chinese imports are back in play.

gmb

After singing the praises of tubs on this site for the last few months I'm going to be a total hypocrite and get a set of carbon clinchers from Carbonzone :oops: (£336 ish including delivery).

At that price it's well worth a gamble in my view. If they're not for me they can always be sold on.

Anyone been running the Chinese carbon clinchers for long on here? If so how are you finding them?

NWLondoner

GMB wrote:

After singing the praises of tubs on this site for the last few months I'm going to be a total hypocrite and get a set of carbon clinchers from Carbonzone :oops: (£336 ish including delivery).

At that price it's well worth a gamble in my view. If they're not for me they can always be sold on.

Anyone been running the Chinese carbon clinchers for long on here? If so how are you finding them?

carbon zones come in quite heavy compared to others 1625 v Xiamen 1300.

milese

I got Yishun 50mm carbon tubulars for $510 inc postage and paypal fees.

Arrived in good time and really pleased with them. Weigh in at 1426g exc skewers with chosen hubs.

Yishun have now slowed down in replying to my emails - I want to buy more brake pads from them. Were really quick before I ordered!

Xiamen 1300g for clinchers? Sounds optimistic?

If I were to buy carbon wheels again I'd get these from china (or maybe the newer yishun straight pull ones), but i doubt they actually make you any faster, and if you will switch the wheels on the same bike changing the pads gets annoying.

I've also eaten a pair of corks pads fairly quickly. I'd ask for another 3 or 4 sets when you buy the wheels.

My Soul 2.0 clinchers were about the same money, and are lighter and more practical to own than a set of carbon clinchers.

firetone

Has anyone got any comments on Novatec vs Chosen vs Bitex vs PMP hubs?
Thanks,

gmb

Milese wrote:

My Soul 2.0 clinchers were about the same money, and are lighter and more practical to own than a set of carbon clinchers.

Are carbon clinchers not practical? What problems do they present?

I was thinking they would be pretty much the same as running carbon tubs but with the benefits of cheaper puncture repairs etc.

gmb

I've bitten the bullet and ordered from Carbonzone.

I'll post pics etc. as soon as the wheels arrive,