Wheelsmith Carbon Clinchers

Brian1
Brian1 Posts: 595
edited August 2012 in Road buying advice
Thinking of buying a set of 50 mm Gigantex clinchers from this guy who gets rave reviews.One worry I have is that I have read horror stories about carbon clinchers melting on heavy braking.I dont Intend to use these on any long descents only on a fairly rolling course.Anyone riding any of his carbon clinchers and what are your thoughts.Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I don't have the Gigantex carbon clinchers, but I do have some Chinese carbon clinchers that'll be quite similar. My experience over the past 2 seasons of racing and training and commuting are wholly positive. Carbon rims may be an issue on alpine descents, but here in the UK I just can't see how you could generate anywhere near enough heat to melt the rims.
    More problems but still living....
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    They certainly won't melt... neither carbon fibre nor epoxy resin can melt at any temperature. heavy braking could cause overheating with consequent tyre bursting out of the rim... generally speaking they are not the strongest rims in the world... if you crash, you have great chances of writing them off at hefty cost. I would consider them only for TT, high level racing or general riding on smooth silky roads.
    Besr in mind braking performance is significantly worse than for alloy rims, especially in wet conditions
    left the forum March 2023
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    My rims cost less than £100 each. Not exactly hefty cost. And while any rim may be written off in a crash, my carbon clinchers have been plenty strong enough for general riding on far from silky smooth roads. Braking when the rims are properly wet (i.e. lots of standing water on the road and/or heavy rain) is really bad though so you're right there. In the dry braking is ok.
    More problems but still living....
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    amaferanga wrote:
    My rims cost less than £100 each. Not exactly hefty cost. And while any rim may be written off in a crash, my carbon clinchers have been plenty strong enough for general riding on far from silky smooth roads. Braking when the rims are properly wet (i.e. lots of standing water on the road and/or heavy rain) is really bad though so you're right there. In the dry braking is ok.

    Was talking about gigantix rims being expensive to replace
    left the forum March 2023
  • themogulman
    themogulman Posts: 167
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    They certainly won't melt... neither carbon fibre nor epoxy resin can melt at any temperature. heavy braking could cause overheating with consequent tyre bursting out of the rim... generally speaking they are not the strongest rims in the world... if you crash, you have great chances of writing them off at hefty cost. I would consider them only for TT, high level racing or general riding on smooth silky roads.
    Besr in mind braking performance is significantly worse than for alloy rims, especially in wet conditions

    I was looking at these wheels also as an alternative to factory built deep section wheels.

    I will probably be using them in cat3/4 races and on fast rides on my "best" bike. Is it overkill then? I was going to go tubular as they will not be a training/high mileage wheelset.

    Thoughts gents?

    1. On the wheels themselves
    2. Is it overkill for my needs.

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