Braking on carbon rims

RowCycle

Hello,

I've heard people mention regarding the crashes in the tour de france, that braking is not so good with carbon rims - namely that they are un-consistent, not providing a lot of force then locking up - particularly in the hot sun.

Does anyone who has experience of carbon rims have experience of poor braking compared to alloy rims?

Thanks

cougie

They arent as good. I have carbon rims for my race bike when i do long triathlons - roads are closed so i dont need as much braking. You can get carbon rims with alu braking surfaces - which kind of prove the point that carbon isnt as good ?

Kona21

Carbon rims provide good enough stopping power for normal riding. If your going down moutains perhaps not. Its in the wet they are a little unpredictable, in the dry they are fine.

markos1963

My carbon rims on my TT bike are a bit 'grabby' and squeel like a stuck pig under hard braking but are ok for general use. Not sure how I'd feel about coming down off Ventoux on them though! Never had to use them in the wet yet.

Monty Dog

Depends on road conditions and even makes of wheels, brake pads etc. Quite what the previous posted means by 'general riding' isn't very clear - I consider carbon wheels are 'race wheels' and therefore you are often riding at your limit in a big pack, on the edge in terms of cornering grip and will encounter unfavourable road conditions which are unavoidable e.g. surface water, potholes, gravel. They all conspire to make handling 'challenging' at times.

markos1963

Sorry Monty I wasn't very clear was I? What I meant by general use was braking wise, ie not hammering down a long mountain descent for 15 miles constantly braking for hairpins and such. My carbon wheels only get used for TT's,triathlons and crit racing and tbh I don't get to use the brakes very much as I'm always trying to keep up!!

RowCycle

Thanks

Zoomer37

RowCycle - Im assuming your looking into buying a set of aero wheels? If your worried about possible braking issues with carbon, then why not look into some with alloy rims?

Arghyrou

I have carbon rims and there fine, again I am on the long quiet roads so little braking, but if you get a good gripping set of tyres (so your rear doesn't go sliding out) then you should be fine. Aero rims with alloy braking surfaces are usually heavier and more expensive aswell.

Zoomer37

Arghyrou wrote:

Aero rims with alloy braking surfaces are usually heavier and more expensive aswell.

Honestly, unless your riding in the alps all day or have legs like a girl the extra bit of weight is nothing.

Arghyrou

Woww, easy now zoomer, just stating some facts, legs like a girl..... how dare he...

amaferanga

Zoomer37 wrote:

Arghyrou wrote:

Aero rims with alloy braking surfaces are usually heavier and more expensive aswell.

Honestly, unless your riding in the alps all day or have legs like a girl the extra bit of weight is nothing.

More importantly rims with alloy breaking surfaces look much less cool

Zoomer37

amaferanga wrote:

Zoomer37 wrote:

Arghyrou wrote:

Aero rims with alloy braking surfaces are usually heavier and more expensive aswell.

Honestly, unless your riding in the alps all day or have legs like a girl the extra bit of weight is nothing.

More importantly rims with alloy breaking surfaces look much less cool

Your not going to drop the 'un-cool' bit about my alloy rims are you :twisted:

Arghyrou

Zoomer your a goon, you know the carbon rims look better, are lighter and go faster in everyway. Alloy rims are for the women

RowCycle

Zoomer37 wrote:

RowCycle - Im assuming your looking into buying a set of aero wheels? If your worried about possible braking issues with carbon, then why not look into some with alloy rims?

Thinking about it. Haven't got the money at the moment so currently dreaming...