Advantages of carbon wheels
stigma
Posts: 51
Exactly what are the advantages of using carbon wheels???
Are they lighter, faster? climb better?
Is the "feeling" of the ride different ??
Are they lighter, faster? climb better?
Is the "feeling" of the ride different ??
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Comments
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More Aero - this means once you get to certain speed they are faster.
Much more importantly they look the dogs nads !
Disavantages
Very expensive
you need dedicated brake blocks - unless you go for those with an alloy rim - but then you tend to get heavier wheels
the better ones - use tubs - ie glue on tyres. these are supposed to give a much better ride - but I wory about getting a puncture (i don't have a team van carrying a spare !)
Durability is for debate - but if you trash one - its likley to be more expensive to replace.
Deep section carbons - not great in cross winds
All that said - if I had £750 knocking about - I would get myself a pair of mavic cosmic carbones......pronto !0 -
Pseudonym wrote:kingrollo wrote:More Aero - this means once you get to certain speed they are faster.
aerodynamics is down to the profile of the rim - it has nothing to do with the material...
ok fair point.
Maybe its just me - but when some says carbon wheels - i just sp*nk my pants and think deep section zipps ! - I was asuuming everyone was the same ......!
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The advantage is that carbon allows you to build a deep section aero rim while keeping the total weight of the wheel low. Deep section alloy wheels are heavy. Deep section carbon rims are also generally stiffer and so a little more efficient at power transfer.
The aero advantages only really kick in at about 25mph though, so if you can't spin them up to those speeds there is little point.0 -
Are there any brakepads that is suitable for both carbon and alloy wheels? Swisstop maybe ?0
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Problem is that if the blocks pick up alloy fragments off the metal wheels - they will damage the carbon fibre surface.0
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I've just replaced my MOst Chall alloy clinchers with a pair of handbuilt 50mm carbon clinchers, with Sapim CX Ray spokes and Novatec Superlight hubs.
The original wheels on my bike were not 'great' according to an ex-pro who did my bikefit and would be the first thing he would change. Well, over a year later I decided to take the plunge. Looking at the various options available I came to a choice between factory built Mavics, Campagnolo or Fulcrums within my £700 budget. Zipps et al were just too expensive.
I could not get any of the factory wheels through my local bike store without a significant lead time, so I started looking at handbuilt wheels as an option. 2-3 weeks for handbuilts and you get many, many options of rim/ hub/ spoke combinations. Add this to the experience and advice from a highly recommended wheel builder and my decision was made.
So, differences/advantages/ disadvantages.
MOst Chall are Pinarello's house brand of wheels. I have no idea if they manufacture or build them themselves or if they just get an outside firm's wheels and badge them. They are a 30mm alloy clincher on MOst hubs (same again, not sure if they are re-branded). 20 spokes front, 24 rear. All black with MOst branding, obviously styled to compliment the bike.
I found them ok, but with little to compare due no other experience. What I did find annoying though was the amount of flex I would get from the back wheel when climbing. It really wasn't very stiff and would catch the brake blocks with each pedal stroke, despite them being adjusted as far away as I could get them whilst still allowing for them to work! The wheels weight about 1500g without skewers.
I was interested to be advised by the wheelbuilder that he would recommend a higher spoke count in wheels such as those for someone my weight (82kg). Perhaps that had something to do with the amount of flex? Obviously they are a more 'budget' oriented wheel.
On to my new Carbon Clinchers. Gigantex 50mm carbon rims, Sapim CX Ray spokes, count 20/24, on Novatec Superlight hubs. Total weight without skewers 1385g. Cost £680 delivered including rim tape, skewers and set of carbon suitable pads for my Campagnolo brakes. Great value considering the factory options and lead times.
First ride was a revelation. They have transformed my Pinarello FP3. This is not just me wanting to believe it because I have spent the money, it is a reasoned, honest, critical judgement from someone who makes such judgements for a living...
They spin up to speed faster, the bike handling feels 'lighter' (the gyroscopic effect of the spinning mass lent into corners). The ride feels smoother with road imperfections being absorbed more, which makes me feel like they are really complimenting the frame and bringing out it's true potential. Bumps before were definitely harsher.
Maintaining a high speed feels much easier, which must be the aero advantage. On the flats and downhill this is really noticeable, probably the most marked difference. Having said that, climbing feels no different to me. Perhaps there is a small advantage, or even a disadvantage, I cannot tell. However, there is very little flex like the MOst wheels, so that is a plus.
Braking for the first couple of corners felt 'interesting', but I think that was just a bit of bedding in being required. Did a hundred miles at the weekend and boy do they stop in the dry! Not tried in the wet yet.....supossedly these are good though according to Derek at Wheelsmith who built them. It was blustery up on the hills and you do feel this through the deep section rims. I had visions of it being really bad before trying a set of these wheels, but it is more a case of you just need to be aware of it rather than feeling you will lose control. I vowed to change hand positions one at a time as the only real adaptation. Like I said, it is noticeable, but not overly concerning.
They have a interesting mechanical 'hum' to them when you get them spinning, I guess a result of the aerodynamics of the rim/ spokes, which sounds quite pleasing.
So overall I am very pleased with them. They are a big improvement on the flats and downhill, and my climbing was already reasonable and these don't seem to have hindered that so I am happy. With this recommended spoke count they should prove strong too, and the bearings are super smooth.
PP
Oh, forgot to add that they do look the mutts nuts as well!0
