Do different wheels of the same depth handle differently?

spredy

Can different wheels of the same rim depth vary much in how they handle?

I used to ride a battered pair of 50mm rims in all weathers, the wheels were somewhat out of true but they felt fine and only on the sorts of days where an actual weather warning was given would they feel sketchy.

Anyway, after binning them and riding box rims for a year or so, I bought a brand new set of 50s and for the life of me can't feel comfortable on them, even in modest winds I'm getting thrown all over the road.

This makes me wonder, despite the same rim depth, is that where the similarities between wheels can end?

webboo

Different profiles will handle differently in the wind. This is why some cost more than others.

Alejandrosdog

spredy wrote:

Can different wheels of the same rim depth vary much in how they handle?

I used to ride a battered pair of 50mm rims in all weathers, the wheels were somewhat out of true but they felt fine and only on the sorts of days where an actual weather warning was given would they feel sketchy.

Anyway, after binning them and riding box rims for a year or so, I bought a brand new set of 50s and for the life of me can't feel comfortable on them, even in modest winds I'm getting thrown all over the road.

This makes me wonder, despite the same rim depth, is that where the similarities between wheels can end?

It might just be that you’re used to the shallow rims now, they handle better, run up to speed etc but if you used deep section wheels before you’ll get used to them again.

step83

Alejandrosdog wrote:

It might just be that you’re used to the shallow rims now, they handle better, run up to speed etc but if you used deep section wheels before you’ll get used to them again.

Pretty much this, also with a deep section wheel when you turn you get the added kick of the wind deflecting off the wheel like a ships rudder, much less so on shallow rims so the handling feel changes as a result as your not carving through the wind so to speak. Unless its a side wind an your screwed either way.

joey54321

Yes, different wheels will handle differently (IMO). My current 68mm rims handle better than my previous 50mm rims

poptart242

100%, was shocked at how much the 50mm Mavic V-shape rims I had on a hire bike kicked me all over the road in comparison to my 60mm U-shaped Prime wheels last week.

cougie

I think it's getting windier year on year as well. Unless I'm getting more tired as the decades go by.

sungod

aside from rim size/profile, the front tyre can also make a significant difference to handling on a deep rim...

with my wheels if the front tyre is more than 2 mm wider than the rim then the wheel tends to 'catch' as the yaw angle changes, with a strong wind it can get very twitchy on descents, but if the tyre-rim widths match the handling is fine

spredy

Hmm, interesting. Do you have any idea what other variables come into play? Are u shaped rims generally better than v ones? Any standout wheelsets, even if only anecdotal?

alanyu

Yes. In my own experience, I have two wheelsets: 45mm depth V-shaped with 22mm width 50mm depth U-shaped 27mm width. I need to take more care and power to deal with crosswind when riding on V-shaped wheel although it's 5mm shallower. Thus I only have U-shaped one now.

cycleclinic

Yes rim profile make a difference as does tyre width relative to the rim. A tertiary factor is sidewall texture.

It's in that order.

Matthewfalle

Yes. They are from different manufacturers with different ideas, designs, production methods etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

zest28

My 60mm carbon wheels (on my aero bike) are more stable than the 45mm i had on my climbing / lightweight bike. So there is definetly variation between manufactures (as you would expect that the 45mm would be more stable).