Deep section carbon Clincher opinions please.

volvo_fatboy

I'm looking to buy some Deep section Clinchers around the 50mm mark and up to approx £1000.

About me:

73kg / 161lb
Average riding speed between 19-21mph over 60 miles.
I currently ride American Classic 58 Tubulars weighing in at c1145 grams (2060 grams inc cassette and tufo tyres)
Also have Dura Ace C24 7800 weighing in at c1460 grams (2380 grams inc cassette, tubes & tyres) for the Mountains.

I have used both tape and glue to fix Tubulars and use sealant too. I love how they ride but, I don't like the difficulty I have removing the tubs and the time it takes to clean the wheels of residue glue/tape in order to put new tubs on (unless I'm doing something wrong) :roll: :roll:

So I have had a look about for wheels around the same weight as the Durac Ace C24s at c1500 grams, as I think it's unrealistic to get clinchers at tubular weight!

Clinchers to be used on Sunday rides for 50+ miles in good weather, May -September only.

So I'm looking for opinions/reviews on the following ( or suggestions for other wheels):

Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbone Exalith 23c £899 @ Westbrook cycles
c1620 grams https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/mavic-cosmic-pro-carbone-exalith-clincher-wheelset-23c-2016-p292911

Wheelsmith Aero Dimpled 45mm £850 @ Wheelsmith
c1458 grams http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/#!powertap/c10at/5253dfac-668f-3774-3d1d-60a9c2f4a70b

DCR Green Jersey 50mm U clincher £710 @ DCR
c1510 grams http://dcrwheels.co.uk/product/dcr-carbon-wheelset/

Your thoughts welcome, thanks.

Paul

PTestTeam

I've been riding a pair of Miche SWR RC wheels (38mm) for two years now and they've been superb. Still like new and most importantly the braking performance with Swiss Stop Black Prince pads isn't far off the performance of alu rims.

Weight is around 1550-1590gr

Miche have a Test Programme on their wheels. You can demo the wheels before you buy. Check this link for your nearest stockist

https://micheuk.com/52/en/wheel-test-program

http://www.vanillabikes.com/products/mi ... Atsq8P8HAQ

http://road.cc/content/review/122172-mi ... her-wheels

scott_w1987

I'm riding a team mates canyon ultimate at the minute while my bike is broken and he swears by wheelsfarr wheels - he has about 30 pairs of them in all different formats. I've got the wide rimmed clinchers, not sure what hubs and they seem very good for the money. Tempted to buy a pair for training on! Although they might not be as cheap anymore after the effects of the dollar...

bendertherobot

I'm having some BAX Carbon next week. 60mm! Decent wide rims, novatec hubs, pillar spokes. UK Seller, crash replacement, 21 day exchange. Not light (they are 60mm!) but really looking forward to setting some records.

tomisitt

Don't have any experience with the wheels you've listed, but you might take a look here:

http://ridefullgas.com/wheels/#

I've got the DMX440s, which are lovely

gaffer_slow

you wont be disappointed with Wheelsmith.

Flambes

Cero RC45?

https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/cero-rc ... 0-r24-7327

Flambes

And although a bit of a cheat (carbon fairing), and >1600gm, I am currently riding Swiss Side Hadron 625s:

http://www.swissside.com/shop/category/ ... ollection/

I'd like to say because of the good reviews, but mainly because they make an awesome noise :-)

mallorcajeff

Reynolds 50s work very well for me

cycleclinic

first of all why are you removing the glue to fit new tubs. Just put a new layer of glue on the rim and one layer on the tub leave for a few hours and mount. People make tub fitting out to be harder than it really is.

Also aero trumps weight every time so getting hung up over a couple of hundred grams (i.e picking a 1500g vs a 1700g) wheelset will not make any difference to how fast you go up a hill even a steep one).

Keep your tubular wheels you will not gain by buying a clincher set unless you buy some that take tubeless tyres but then you might as well forget about light weight as tubeless tyre system add a bit weight but again they don't slow you down quite the reverse.

I think your criteria for picking wheels is all wrong. Stick with what you have stop faffing about with tape. also pop a preglued tub folded up on the base tape in your back pocket or strapped to the back of your saddle and a can of pitstop to get you out of trouble.

I also sell wide deep carbon rimmed wheels but I think buy mine or any other set is a mistake given what you currently have. Also ditch the tufo tyres and fit some conti's, schwable one's, any thing but tufo's.

defride

Just been through a similar process, riding carbon 32mm clinchers and considered deeper clinchers, something around 50mm.

Having cast around I'd settled on Bora 50's, reasonable weight, reputation for decent build quality and not stupidly priced online, had seen them as low as around £1150. Something nagged though and in the end I plumped for a pair of s/h Vision 55 tubs, a chance to try and cheap enough to sell on without losing much if the move to tubs doesn't work out.

They're slightly heavier than the shallower clinchers and noticeably faster on the flats and descending. They came with Tufo's which I thought pretty dreadful. Shakedown ride and the wheels felt heavy which I'd attribute to rolling resistance, they punctured and cut up noticeably, all in the grand total distance of 5 miles! Not a great start.

I put some Veloflex G+ on as a couple of guys I know have been pleased with them. Huge difference, the wheels went from feeling heavy to light and lively and in 250 miles since no cuts at all. So far very pleased with them.

May be worth trying a better set of tyres on the tubs if you've not already?

rokt

BAX Carbon wheels, are you sure you've given this purchase sufficient thought ? BAX wheels are exactly the same as Zuus wheels just different graphics and I'm sorry to say you won't be setting any records on them. They catch the wind something terrible and the braking on them is simply dangerous. Take my advice save your money, you will thank me.

bendertherobot

Rokt wrote:

BAX Carbon wheels, are you sure you've given this purchase sufficient thought ? BAX wheels are exactly the same as Zuus wheels just different graphics and I'm sorry to say you won't be setting any records on them. They catch the wind something terrible and the braking on them is simply dangerous. Take my advice save your money, you will thank me.

I've given it virtually no thought. I'm reviewing them mostly with a view to ascertaining whether the hyperbole attached to comments such as that is true or not.

All weights being equal, on flat sections with no wind, why do you suspect they won't let me set any records??

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

Rokt wrote:

BAX Carbon wheels, are you sure you've given this purchase sufficient thought ? BAX wheels are exactly the same as Zuus wheels just different graphics and I'm sorry to say you won't be setting any records on them. They catch the wind something terrible and the braking on them is simply dangerous. Take my advice save your money, you will thank me.

I've given it virtually no thought. I'm reviewing them mostly with a view to ascertaining whether the hyperbole attached to comments such as that is true or not.

All weights being equal, on flat sections with no wind, why do you suspect they won't let me set any records??

Maybe you should also advise them on the joy of good grammar

"Basalt braking surface for consistant solid braking"

Besides, I thought basalt as a selling point had done its time in 2009

bendertherobot

ugo.santalucia wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Rokt wrote:

BAX Carbon wheels, are you sure you've given this purchase sufficient thought ? BAX wheels are exactly the same as Zuus wheels just different graphics and I'm sorry to say you won't be setting any records on them. They catch the wind something terrible and the braking on them is simply dangerous. Take my advice save your money, you will thank me.

I've given it virtually no thought. I'm reviewing them mostly with a view to ascertaining whether the hyperbole attached to comments such as that is true or not.

All weights being equal, on flat sections with no wind, why do you suspect they won't let me set any records??

Maybe you should also advise them on the joy of good grammar

"Basalt braking surface for consistant solid braking"

Besides, I thought basalt as a selling point had done its time in 2009

Drop them a line on facebook.

volvo_fatboy

Firstly, Thanks for the ideas guys.

thecycleclinic wrote:

first of all why are you removing the glue to fit new tubs. Just put a new layer of glue on the rim and one layer on the tub leave for a few hours and mount. People make tub fitting out to be harder than it really is.

Also ditch the tufo tyres and fit some conti's, schwable one's, any thing but tufo's.

I ditched the tufo's for Vittoria Corsa CXIII Isogrip, and they were shockingly bad. One tub punctured in less than 10 miles on good quality roads and was un-repairable. The other tub lasted a little longer but suffered so many knicks in a short space of time until it gave out. Quality was awful, so I went back to tufo as they lasted well.

I will try Continental Tubs and Veloflex G+ then, I use GP 4000SII clinchers and they are superb. Made the mistake of trying several pairs of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX HD, never again!

I had been using tufo tape which was bloody hard to remove from the wheel, once I managed to prise the tub off. I've been advised Jantex tape is less sticky, but may go back to glue.

Once again thanks for the comments

mamba80

Veloflex Carbons are fantastic tubs as are the fatter versions, Cont competitions are good too, esp if dont like having to top up psi everyday.

To remove glue (if you need too) use petrol and a scourer, take about 5mins per rim, wear suitable gloves and Acetone, from a hair dresser supply shop, to clean up the rim afterwards.

rokt

Exaggeration ! I was only offering friendly advice based on facts but if that's your attitude...and may I ask, what makes you more qualified than me ?

bendertherobot

Rokt wrote:

Exaggeration ! I was only offering friendly advice based on facts but if that's your attitude...and may I ask, what makes you more qualified than me ?

I have no idea. What are your qualifications? I'm approaching it from the basis of never having used any wheel over 38mm or a carbon one. So treat this as a beginners guide to using deep section wheels with all the relevant pitfalls etc. In relation to the price there are plenty of competitors out there, so that's something the review will no doubt have to deal with. I won't be able to compare them to your clubmates Zuus wheels because I don't have them as a reference point.

volvo_fatboy

mamba80 wrote:

Veloflex Carbons are fantastic tubs as are the fatter versions, Cont competitions are good too, esp if dont like having to top up psi everyday.

To remove glue (if you need too) use petrol and a scourer, take about 5mins per rim, wear suitable gloves and Acetone, from a hair dresser supply shop, to clean up the rim afterwards.

Thanks mamba80! Topping up psi is negligible really, have to do it at some time and it doesn't take long!

Removing the residue tufo tape is a PITA, having tried Acetone, Lighter fluid, Ispropyl Alcohol & a hairdryer to soften it. I have resisted the use of a scourer as I didn't want to damage the carbon/resin etc.

Can I ask what sort of pressure you run in Veloflex and Conti's?

As a reference point I love my current deep section wheels from the point of view of quick spin up and ability to hold 20+mph with ease. Yes cross-winds do affect them but you quickly learn to handle them. They don't flex too badly and I can climb well on them.

Midlands Grimpeur

I have used both the Conti and Veloflex tubs for a while. I run 90psi in front and 95 in rear which seems to keep them rolling nicely but also comfortable enough for crappy roads. If it is a choice between the two, Veloflex are slightly grippier in my opinion, especially in the heat (not that there is much in the UK at the mo!) and just have a nicer road feel, but again that's my opinion.

If you ever go back to the clincher idea, the wheelsmith aero dimpled are great. Have them on DA hubs, very good build quality and the weight is as described. At 30kmh they save me around 30 watts over shallow rims (campag neutron).