Need help choosing aero rim depth
nilla
Posts: 13
Okay Bike Radar crew,
I've have been mulling over buying a new wheel set for some time and i have finally got to where i think i am close to pulling the trigger but i am not so sure on the rim depth to get.
I have been doing quite a bit of research on the topic and trying to arrive at a consensus. A lot of concern regarding the depth seems to come from cross wind. For example a quote from a post on this very forum on the subject:
Additionally, I saw quite a few people saying to ride a slightly deeper rim depth on the back wheel, such as 38mm/50mm or 50mm/60mm and was wondering if anyone can espouse on the pros and cons of this advice.
It should be noted that i live in central Florida so climbing and descents are of no concern here at all save going over the occasional bridge here and there.
Your opinions and experience are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I've have been mulling over buying a new wheel set for some time and i have finally got to where i think i am close to pulling the trigger but i am not so sure on the rim depth to get.
I have been doing quite a bit of research on the topic and trying to arrive at a consensus. A lot of concern regarding the depth seems to come from cross wind. For example a quote from a post on this very forum on the subject:
However, i have yet to come across anyone quantifying what they consider 'windy' or high wind. 15mph? Greater than 20mph? I need rider experience on the topic of wind to help me determine how much i should be concerned with the topic of cross wind.riding across the moor when it's windy even with a 38mm rim is not fun, 50mm would be scary.
Additionally, I saw quite a few people saying to ride a slightly deeper rim depth on the back wheel, such as 38mm/50mm or 50mm/60mm and was wondering if anyone can espouse on the pros and cons of this advice.
It should be noted that i live in central Florida so climbing and descents are of no concern here at all save going over the occasional bridge here and there.
Your opinions and experience are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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route, rider weight and experience make a big difference to what is rideable under different conditions
a flat open route is a lot safer/easier than a fast twisty descent
a heavier rider will be more stable than a lighter one
i'm c. 77kg, i've got some lightweight obermayers, v profile 47.5mm, they can really catch the air at some yaw angles, but i've done thousands of km on them in windy conditions (lanzarote, island, great roads, can be awful windy though), by 40km descents need real care on bends, in stronger winds i avoid routes with fast+twisty descents, but flat/rolling routes 50km is ok
you need to stay aware, read the conditions ahead, look for gaps in buildings or hedges where wind blows through, understand the effect of passing vehicles, especially large ones, and make sure you have enough room to cope
only been in florida a few times, don't recall it being windy unless there's a storm, can't see why 50mm should be an issuemy bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny0 -
I run the following - all tubs are Conti Sprinters, so no variables there.
Chinarello 60 carbon tubs: never had a problem anywhere under any conditions
P/X 50 carbon tubs: as above and used I the Abriuzzo mountains - no braking problems, ever.
P/X 80 carbon tubs: oh my God, I'm going to die in anything over a breeze, but v fast when you get going
Supra 58 Ali clinchers with carbon deep rim: hmmm, perfect until you get a fairly hefty wind
I'm 75kg, 6'1 and run a large frame, loads of seat post, 110mm stem, with a loooong seat/bar drop, no nothing major to affect handling.
The 80s require a tad more effort to turn as well.
I'd say that a 50 is the perfect depth for an all rounder wheel - nice turn in, no affect from wind, light.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
a heavier rider will be more stable than a lighter one
I neglected to mention that i am 185 lbs (84 kilos). I don't know if that is considered light, medium, or heavy.only been in florida a few times, don't recall it being windy unless there's a storm, can't see why 50mm should be an issue
It really isn't windy unless there's a hurricane. Seriously, typically winds don't get much over 15mph but are usually less than that. 0 -
a heavier rider will be more stable than a lighter one
I neglected to mention that i am 185 lbs (84 kilos). I don't know if that is considered light, medium, or heavy.only been in florida a few times, don't recall it being windy unless there's a storm, can't see why 50mm should be an issue
It really isn't windy unless there's a hurricane. Seriously, typically winds don't get much over 15mph but are usually less than that.
Heavy.0 -
a heavier rider will be more stable than a lighter one
I neglected to mention that i am 185 lbs (84 kilos). I don't know if that is considered light, medium, or heavy.
If you are 5'1" then that would be considered heavy
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a heavier rider will be more stable than a lighter one
I neglected to mention that i am 185 lbs (84 kilos). I don't know if that is considered light, medium, or heavy.
If you are 5'1" then that would be considered heavy
Oops. I also neglected to mention that i'm 6'1. I'm riding a 61cm frame.0 -
Frame sounds big for 6'1 but hey, if it works.
Weight doesn't sound like a massive problem unless you're looking at something like those £4k Reynolds or similar.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
I think you'll be fine with 50mm's or less.
I'm 63kg and run Lightweights (48mm). I hardly ever have issues and it gets pretty windy where I live (NW France).
With your extra 20kg, you're good to go!0 -
a heavier rider will be more stable than a lighter one
I neglected to mention that i am 185 lbs (84 kilos). I don't know if that is considered light, medium, or heavy.
If you are 5'1" then that would be considered heavy
At 5,1 and 84 kilos he cant be far off his Schwarzschild radius.0 -
I'd say you could ride any depth if it's flat and less than 15mph winds. I use 60mm U shaped rims up to low 20's mph winds with no problems (5-10 and 160lbs). Over that I use a different bike with low profile wheels.0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19760373#p19760373]ShimanoBottomBracket[/url] wrote:At 5,1 and 84 kilos he cant be far off his Schwarzschild radius.
Please read.If you are 5'1" then that would be considered heavyOops. I also neglected to mention that i'm 6'1. I'm riding a 61cm frame.0 -
ok, so not dense enough to reach the schwarzchild radius, but that called to mind this from 2 seconds in...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa-LSJBraXE my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny0 -
Tbh I'm 68KG and raced 60mm rims in some horrendous winds last year.0
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I am 84kg and ride Smart Enve 4.5 (56 and 48mm deep). No issues with with wind up to 50kph. Above that I cannot say, but I suspect body windage is just as important as wheel windage by then.0
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As some have said 50mm or less should be fine - I have 80mm wheels and they are definitely an issue with strong winds. I don't use them when it is windy as it feels quite dangerous with gusts - the front especially can be physically moved and twitched in this situation. I don't remember this with my zipp 404.0
