Carbon vs Alu wheels

wruds

Hi, seeking some advice on wheel upgrade.

I have a Kuota Kharma Race - Carbon. Currently running the stock Shimano R500 wheels, I have been looking for an upgrade to these for a couple of years. I have finally decided on a couple of options;

1 - selcoff carbon wheels 40mm profile
2 - Pro Lite Bracciano A42 Alloy

I do general riding most days, roads are verbally quite well surfaced. I weigh about 16.5st so I am not too fussed about wheel weight, no actual racing, however I have been keen on a carbon set of wheels for a while

Can anyone offer any advice on best option?

there is a cost difference of about £100 between the carbon and all, I was wondering if there is much between the two.

all advice appreciated

imposter2.0

If you're not fussed about weight, then there's no particular reason to go carbon..

wruds

is there any riding benefit of one over the other besides weight. `longevity, durability or other

DeVlaeminck

Yes alloy generally have better braking at least unless you buy really top end carbon wheels with fancy brake tracks and even then you need special brake blocks.

Not sure about longevity of carbon rims brake tracks vs alloy.

timothyw

Speaking generally, aluminium rims have the benefit that braking is meant to be better with them than carbon rims (which also require special carbon pads, which might make it a faff to transfer the carbon wheels between bikes etc).

Assuming that the wheels you are talking about are:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPSELD40/ ... r-wheelset
and
http://www.pro-lite.net/road-wheels/bracciano-a42

The A42 wheels are quite an old fashioned design - the rim is narrow (13.5mm internal width) so unless you are using it with similarly narrow (20mm) tyres they won't be very aero, despite their depth. Such small tyres will be uncomfortable, and it is generally acknowledged that narrow rims don't handle quite so nicely - as the tyre is more inclined to roll from side to side when turning.

The selcof wheels have a wider and so more modern rim, with 17mm internal width, and a toroidal shape which should mean they handle better in crosswinds (and are a bit more aero overall, particularly though if used with 25mm or bigger tyres). They are also tubeless compatible, which might bring rolling resistance benefits/puncture resistance at the cost of a bit of extra expense/set up faff.

In terms of reliability, they both have 20 spoke front wheel, 24 spoke rear wheel, so they're likely to be pretty similar for longevity there - and are likely a bit underspecced for someone of your weight (no judgement here, I'm even heavier) and so you might sooner or later find the spokes failing.

I don't have any direct experience of rim wear on carbon vs alu - assuming you don't usually ride in wet conditions though I'm sure you'd find it satisfactory.

Given you say you are keen to own a set of carbon wheels you might as well spend the extra on them.

cycleclinic

Look at the profile of the wheels. Deep v shapes are not that aero and a bit wobbly in cross winds.

Also the wider rim is probably the better wheel.

You don't need expensive carbon to have good braking. It is rim pad dependent. With the right carbon wheels the braking is alloy like. I know mine and the new Campagnolo bora's are in that category. I did it 4 years ago though. Campagnolo red pads are the best I have found too not for every rim though. It a shame when cycling weekly reviewed mine they used Swiss stop. The reviewer said he does with every wheel that to keep the pads the same. I said I supply campag pads for a good reason because the wet braking is crap with them and they overheat the rims more quickly.

20000km from my prototype set and they only wore because I kept using through winter and a very wet strada bianca.

Alot of the generalisation about carbon wheels are not that true. They apply to some wheels but not all.

Specialised roval wheels I think a good on the braking front too. I suspect brontrager rims will work better with Campagnolo red pads. The prolites are worth ignoring.

StillGoing

thecycleclinic wrote:

Look at the profile of the wheels. Deep v shapes are not that aero and a bit wobbly in cross winds.

Also the wider rim is probably the better wheel.

You don't need expensive carbon to have good braking. It is rim pad dependent. With the right carbon wheels the braking is alloy like. I know mine and the new Campagnolo bora's are in that category. I did it 4 years ago though. Campagnolo red pads are the best I have found too not for every rim though. It a shame when cycling weekly reviewed mine they used Swiss stop. The reviewer said he does with every wheel that to keep the pads the same. I said I supply campag pads for a good reason because the wet braking is crap with them and they overheat the rims more quickly.

20000km from my prototype set and they only wore because I kept using through winter and a very wet strada bianca.

Alot of the generalisation about carbon wheels are not that true. They apply to some wheels but not all.

Specialised roval wheels I think a good on the braking front too. I suspect brontrager rims will work better with Campagnolo red pads. The prolites are worth ignoring.

Indeed, my Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon SL UST stop as rapidly as any aluminium rim I’ve owned in wet and dry.

DeVlaeminck

Yes but Boras and Cosmic Pro Carbons are both very expensive wheels - is the braking on cheaper carbons really as good as alloy these days?

svetty

My LB rims are on a par with alloy in the dry. I've not used them in the wet as it hasn't rained for months

wruds

in my quest for a decent set of carbons, i have come across the VCYCLE brand on Amazon. Am I correct to presume these are far eastern imports. Anybody had any experience of the brand, I have not heard of them however there are a few reviews on site - generally positive. They do also appear to be well priced too

shirley_basso

Malcolm - what's your verdict on using campag red blocks on zipps? I am using the 2 quid ones from planet X and they're pretty good after a short bedding in period. Always keen to try something new

cycleclinic

I don't know how those pads work with zipps. One way to find out. You've invalidated your warranty anyway but using planet x pads so why not try.

Matthewfalle

DeVlaeminck wrote:

is the braking on cheaper carbons really as good as alloy these days?

yes.