Ally vs carbon wheels for the winter

Jam29

Is it best to run aluminium wheels over carbon now autumn is setting in? Asking as I only have the one bike and have a set of Mavic Aksium wheels that came with it as well as a set of carbon Hollowgram wheels. My bikes frame is carbon so seems daft putting the carbon wheels away for the winter when the frame is still going to take abuse from the elements. I don't have disc brakes however and have read that callipers and carbon wheels are not a great combination when its wet? So will I be better off fitting the Aksium wheels and run my carbon wheels if we get the odd dry day? Thanks

dannbodge

I'll be going back to aluminium wheels for winter.
Carbon rim brakes aren't good in the wet and the wet grit destroys the resin brake tracks.
Plus aluminium wheels are cheaper to replace

Matthewfalle

its fine to use either pair but you may as well use the Aksiums as they are bog billy basic.

i intend to carry on using my carbon tubs as always and so do a few of the people I ride with (all non disc).

there is no problem at all in using carbon wheels in the winter.

joe_totale-2

Winter kills brake tracks whether alloy or carbon. If you've got the money to replace carbon rims then sure, go ahead and use them in the winter.

cougie

If you ride throughout the winter change to cheaper alu wheels.

Grit mud and road salt make a lovely abrasive paste. That why most of us put the nice bikes away and ride cheaper bikes with mudguards and fatter tyres.

There's more chance of coming off in the winter so why risk it.

Also n+1....

svetty

Surely it depends where you are riding. Winter in Majorca isn't winter in Dumfries!

Assuming we're talking rim brakes if I was riding clean wet roads I might stick to the carbon but if mud and grit are likely then alloy every time.

SJH76

I would say that a carbon bike in all seasons isn't a problem. But if you're riding in the wet, you're more likely to hit a pothole in the road that's hidden by a puddle which could easily crack a carbon rim. This is why I'd use cheap wheels. Another reason is the salt can corrode aluminium spoke nipples and on expensive carbon rims it's a costly repair. Some cheap winter rims are a much better choice.

Vino'sGhost

Alu rims and its a good excuse to build some yourself. Theres no fun in cheap factory wheels. (other than the great price! )

pianoman

Honestly it's not worth it. Unless you're doing nothing but chain gang rides on somewhere like the Pimbo industrial estate where you won't need to brake use your Aksiums. If you have the money to replace carbon wheels every winter then I've got a business card I can send to you