Gigantex 38 or 50mm Carbon Wheel Choice
Sergeant Rock
Posts: 56
Hi
I am after buying a set of new ‘super do it all’ wheels and can’t afford Zipps etc. I have been looking at some handbuilt wheels from The Wheelsmith. My preference is for 38 or 50mm Gigantex carbon tubular rims on Royce Hubs with silver CX-Ray spokes.
I would really welcome some advice about whether to go with the Gigantex 38mm or 50mm tubular rims. As indicated these wheels should ideally be ‘do it all’ and I would want to be able to use them on hilly sportives, road races and TTs. I think there will not be much weight difference between the 38mm and 50mm ultralight rims, both around 360g per rim, I believe, so there shouldn’t be an issue with climbing feel but I am unsure how much difference the rim height will make in cross winds etc.?
For reference my current best wheels are Shimano Dura-Ace 7850 CL 24 Clinchers converted for tubeless duty. I ride a Look 566 which is pretty compliant so the stiffer wheel a 50mm rim will build up over a 38mm rim shouldn’t be a issue with overall ride feel. Weight wise I’m 76 kg give of take a bit.
Also can anyone comment on the braking performance of Gigantex carbon rims and or their general quality / longevity.
Would really appreciate any advice out there - many thanks.
I am after buying a set of new ‘super do it all’ wheels and can’t afford Zipps etc. I have been looking at some handbuilt wheels from The Wheelsmith. My preference is for 38 or 50mm Gigantex carbon tubular rims on Royce Hubs with silver CX-Ray spokes.
I would really welcome some advice about whether to go with the Gigantex 38mm or 50mm tubular rims. As indicated these wheels should ideally be ‘do it all’ and I would want to be able to use them on hilly sportives, road races and TTs. I think there will not be much weight difference between the 38mm and 50mm ultralight rims, both around 360g per rim, I believe, so there shouldn’t be an issue with climbing feel but I am unsure how much difference the rim height will make in cross winds etc.?
For reference my current best wheels are Shimano Dura-Ace 7850 CL 24 Clinchers converted for tubeless duty. I ride a Look 566 which is pretty compliant so the stiffer wheel a 50mm rim will build up over a 38mm rim shouldn’t be a issue with overall ride feel. Weight wise I’m 76 kg give of take a bit.
Also can anyone comment on the braking performance of Gigantex carbon rims and or their general quality / longevity.
Would really appreciate any advice out there - many thanks.
0
Posts
Since you already have a great set of low profile wheels (the DA CL24's) I'd go for the 50mm rims so that you can maximise the benefit and on windy days stick with the DA wheels.
It's difficult to say how windy it needs to be before you will find deeper wheels worry you, everybody is different.
I've TT'd on mine for 2 season and they're really robust. If you go for some Swiss Stop yellow pads the braking is OK. Although with dual carriageway TTs you don't have to brake!
I weigh 80kg and have found the front wheel a little twitchy on very windy days, but nothing brown trouser enducing!
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PP
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Thanks.