Disc brake wheels and confusion over standards

dstev55

Now im pretty up to date with the latest trends and standards when it comes to cycling - that is until it comes to disc brake wheels!

There seems to be so many different standards and sizes it makes it all rather confusing.

I currently have these wheels on my PX London Road (which incidentally are the worst set of wheels you could ever put on your road bike).

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPGIROEQ/ ... c-wheelset

Now I'm looking to buy a new set, I don't won't to pay a lot, I just want a set that means it doesn't feel like I'm dragging a 10kg weight behind when I'm going up hills. Something like this would do lovely:

https://www.merlincycles.com/pro-build- ... 98436.html

Now I know I'd need to buy the QR adapters which is fine, but what about everything else? It seems like on paper at least every wheelset I find that meets my requirements won't fit my bike.

cycleclinic

Can you buy Qr adapter s for those Merlin wheels though. Don't assume.

ctp046

dstev55 wrote:

Now I know I'd need to buy the QR adapters which is fine, but what about everything else? It seems like on paper at least every wheelset I find that meets my requirements won't fit my bike.

Whats problems are you running into that make it so they won't be compatible? There isn't that much that needs to be matched.

Compatibility issues:
Hub - If you're 11 speed you need an 11 speed hub, if you're on SRAM xd you need an XD hub, same as with rim brakes.
Tire Type - Clinchers if you're running clinchers, tubular if you're running tubulars. Same as with rim brakes.
Axle Size - If you're on QR you need a QR hub, if you have 12mm TA, you need 12mm hub, 15mm front you need 15mm front hub, sometimes adapters are available, sometimes they aren't. Shimano hubs don't have adapters. Look into it before you buy.
Rotor mount - There's 6 bolt and Centerlock, if you match them with your old wheels you can swap rotors over, if not just buy new compatible rotors, they're not crazy expensive.
Rotor size - might be an issue if your new wheels come with rotors (unlikely but who knows), but you can get adapters for to make your current brakes compatible with different rotor sizes for like $15 (road only seems to use 140mm rotors and 160mm rotors).

So as long as the wheelset has the proper hubs and the proper axle size you shouldn't have problems.

dstev55

CTP046 wrote:

dstev55 wrote:

Now I know I'd need to buy the QR adapters which is fine, but what about everything else? It seems like on paper at least every wheelset I find that meets my requirements won't fit my bike.

Whats problems are you running into that make it so they won't be compatible? There isn't that much that needs to be matched.

Compatibility issues:
Hub - If you're 11 speed you need an 11 speed hub, if you're on SRAM xd you need an XD hub, same as with rim brakes.
Tire Type - Clinchers if you're running clinchers, tubular if you're running tubulars. Same as with rim brakes.
Axle Size - If you're on QR you need a QR hub, if you have 12mm TA, you need 12mm hub, 15mm front you need 15mm front hub, sometimes adapters are available, sometimes they aren't. Shimano hubs don't have adapters. Look into it before you buy.
Rotor mount - There's 6 bolt and Centerlock, if you match them with your old wheels you can swap rotors over, if not just buy new compatible rotors, they're not crazy expensive.
Rotor size - might be an issue if your new wheels come with rotors (unlikely but who knows), but you can get adapters for to make your current brakes compatible with different rotor sizes for like $15 (road only seems to use 140mm rotors and 160mm rotors).

So as long as the wheelset has the proper hubs and the proper axle size you shouldn't have problems.

Quite possibly the most contradictory post I've ever read!

Still none the wiser to be fair. Lots of coulds and shoulds.

me-109

Did you forget to mention the different OLD dimensions?

dstev55

Me-109 wrote:

Did you forget to mention the different OLD dimensions?

The new one only states a 12 x 142mm thru axle.

The old one states 100mm front and 135mm rear. They're hardly comparable measurements. But I'm GUESSING (hence why I'm posting on here because my knowledge of disc wheels is very limited and I don't know) they won't fit.

me-109

That was targeted more at CTP's response than your original post. :-)

tincaman

dstev55 wrote:

Now im pretty up to date with the latest trends and standards when it comes to cycling - that is until it comes to disc brake wheels!

There seems to be so many different standards and sizes it makes it all rather confusing.

I currently have these wheels on my PX London Road (which incidentally are the worst set of wheels you could ever put on your road bike).

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPGIROEQ/ ... c-wheelset

Now I'm looking to buy a new set, I don't won't to pay a lot, I just want a set that means it doesn't feel like I'm dragging a 10kg weight behind when I'm going up hills. Something like this would do lovely:

https://www.merlincycles.com/pro-build- ... 98436.html

Now I know I'd need to buy the QR adapters which is fine, but what about everything else? It seems like on paper at least every wheelset I find that meets my requirements won't fit my bike.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/prime-race-disc-road-wheelset/

Just under £200, QR and thru axle adapters included

cycleclinic

Or get wheels built with Shimano Rs505 hubs and reasonably priced rims. You get wheels with longer spoke life that way.

mike1-2

PX London Road has a 100mm front hub fitting and a 135mm Rear. Both QR and the standard disc size is 160mm.
Find something that matches that and you’re good, you have loads of choice.