Low profile wheels - Prime alu or carbon?

nicklong
nicklong Posts: 231
edited November 2017 in Road buying advice
Ok, the benefits of carbon rims when it comes to deep section (40mm+) wheels is obvious as the weight and flex of an equivalent aluminium rim is much higher than that of a carbon one.

However, what about at the lower profile end?

Eg. Prime Pro clinchers - 27mm depth, 21.8mm width, aluminium, 1470g, £244.
Vs.
Prime RR-28 carbon clinchers - 28mm depth, 25mm width, carbon fibre, 1414g, £474

56g, 3mm of width and £200 in it. Thoughts?

Comments

  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    Well, I guess it depends what you want the wheels for.

    I mean, the carbon wheels are faster, sure. You'll have lower rolling resistance, probably a bit of aero benefit, but it's a marginal improvement like everything else.

    But the alloy ones almost certainly brake better. And if you do crash, you're talking £30 for a new rim instead of £200. And lets face it - you could buy two of the alloy wheelsets for the price of one carbon, near enough.

    I wouldn't really recommend either wheelset for someone over 80kg - 20-24 spoke counts and shallow rims are not a strong combination.
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,833
    May as well go alu if you're not going deep.
  • nicklong
    nicklong Posts: 231
    Sod it, you only live/crash once. Silly low profile carbon wheels it is.
  • mike1-2
    mike1-2 Posts: 456
    Best thread ever, asks advice. Gets it, then does the complete opposite :lol:
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    TimothyW wrote:

    I wouldn't really recommend either wheelset for someone over 80kg - 20-24 spoke counts and shallow rims are not a strong combination.

    Would personally not buy them at 70kg, never mind 80. But good advice.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Worth it just for the wide 25mm rim
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • chadders81
    chadders81 Posts: 744
    TimothyW wrote:
    You'll have lower rolling resistance

    Nope.
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    Chadders81 wrote:
    TimothyW wrote:
    You'll have lower rolling resistance

    Nope.
    Good point, badly made.

    The internal width of the carbon rims is quoted as very slightly less (16.5mm) than the alloy ones (17mm) so the alloy's should have very slightly better rolling resistance.
  • chadders81
    chadders81 Posts: 744
    Ahh okay. Remember in school when you were told to show your workings?
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    TimothyW wrote:
    Chadders81 wrote:
    TimothyW wrote:
    You'll have lower rolling resistance

    Nope.
    Good point, badly made.

    The internal width of the carbon rims is quoted as very slightly less (16.5mm) than the alloy ones (17mm) so the alloy's should have very slightly better rolling resistance.

    0.5mm on the rim width does not automatically translate into 'better rolling resistance' - where are you getting this info from?
  • Tiesetrotter
    Tiesetrotter Posts: 432
    Here you go if you are going Carbon:
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbonal-20m ... 25bcdd9745
  • Tiesetrotter
    Tiesetrotter Posts: 432
    Or for those with more money than they know what to do with:
    https://www.spadabike.com/en-en/134/spillo/

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