That is the question. Are carbon wheels a viable option for everyday riding? Should carbon wheels be your go-to wheels rather than your just-for-racing wheels? I don’t really race and I don’t own any carbon wheels and I wonder. Granted, every professional is and has been on carbon wheels for many years so it’s easy to think we should be on them too. Brett’s review of ENVE wheels certainly made a case for them, who dosen’t want to go faster, all the time? Frank has raved about how fast his Zipp 303s are since he first put them on his Cervelo. I hefted his Café Roubaix Haleakala climbing wheels and one dosen’t need to heft them as much as hold them down, they are unbelievably light, sub-1000 grams light.
Those wheels are too light for the rigors of the East Maui Loop pavé and potholes, or so I thought. I talked Frank out of using them and he did the Cogal on Zipp 404s and 25mm clinchers. In retrospect, with bigger tires I think he would have been OK doing the Cogal on his climbing wheels. If ultralight carbon wheels are tough enough for that ride then when are they inappropriate? Ambrosio golden ticket aluminum box section rims versus Zipp 303s, let’s see, Boonen just won Paris-Roubaix on the Zipp 404s. That is the end of the discussion. It should be the beginning of the end for three-cross box section aluminum wheels. If Zipp 303s win Paris-Roubaix then when wouldn’t one use carbon wheels?
@chiasticon-
Surprised to see so much talk of carbon wheels for a Cogal; which is, essentially, not much different than a club run. I understand Frank wanting to run them for his climb up Haleakala, since he was going for a PR up a huge friggin’ volcano and I’m sure they certainly helped. But as an every day wheel for a club/social/training ride? At least within the circles I ride in, that’s a good reason to get laughed off the ride (comments would especially come from the local racers). It’s like saying “I can’t keep up with you guys without these wheels!” Or at least that’s how people generally take it.
…but how common is it among Velominati to use carbon wheels on an everyday basis?
On the Cogal ride, out of seven riders there were two people on carbon wheels. On our Sunday club ride there is maybe one user. I see a lot of bikes on the site with drool-worthy carbon wheels. Are aluminum rims old school? Are we being played here or are we all just a little behind the times or are we saving our money for better bike investments?
Strong, light, cheap. Pick two – I’m going to attribute this to Keith Bontrager as it was etched on my Bontrager’s stem cap. I’d like to add a fourth adjective, aerodynamic, but my tiny brain can’t compute how picking two or three might work so cleverly.
Strong
There are not many high end frames made from aluminum anymore. Could the same case be made for wheels? The aluminum box rim may be light but it is not strong unless you lace a lot of crossed spokes on it. I have some 80s Campagnolo Vento deep wheels, aero maybe, not light and the ride is a bit harsh. An unlaced carbon rim may not be lighter than a light weight aluminum rim but it is much stronger.
Light
I’m afraid carbon is going to win here. While a case could have been made for the Ambrosio golden ticket being strong, it is not light. There are some semi-aero aluminum wheels out there that are light but they make me nervous with their low weight limit.
Cheap
Boing! There it is. Strong and cheap is aluminum’s territory. One pays $1100US more for Easton’s Carbon EC90 SLX wheels than the aluminum EA 90 SLX wheelset. 200 grams is the only difference between the two models. If that was the end of the comparisons I wouldn’t lose any sleep over my lack of carbone wheels but there is still one other factor.
Aerodynamic
Carbon wins this easily. The carbon can be a fairing or integral to the wheel’s strength but carbon’s moldability is the future. Formula 1 cars are no longer made of aluminum. Boonen must have saved significant energy on the long paved run-in to the pavé sectors using his Zipps, maybe enough energy to help burn everyone off his wheel later on. @Tommy Tubulare’s Cervelo with Campagnolo Bora deep carbon wheels makes my heart skip a beat. Carbon wheels look badass.
Conclusion
Once again I have no informed opinion having never ridden carbon wheels. Would I love to see my bike looking extremely pro with some deep section carbon wheels? Yes. Would it be very bad to be shelled out the back end of a group ride while riding said wheels? Yes, it would be very bad.
Should my wheels be worth more than the rest of the bike? Who cares. Let’s address @chiasticon’s question, who’s riding carbon and when?
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/j.andrews3@comcast.net/carbone wheels/”/]
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View Comments
@Velosophe
That's what I'm talkin' about! Go carbone or go home. I knew someone out there was using their beautiful deep carbone wheels for every day, nice weather riding. Nice.
@Sluggo
Sluggo! A few of us were surprised (and disappointed) when we started to outfit our bikes with >23mm tires for the 2012 Keepers Tour. Many frames just aren't designed for it. I could get 27mm tires on my bike but if it was muddy I would have been doomed. No extra clearance at all. Regarding wheels, I don't know what the pros would get, less bearings? The tires are special enough though Frank managed to buy some.
@piwakawaka
Another Fred her.
Fuck yuz all. I have Carbon Clinchers and I love em. I race on em, I train on em, I * on em.
I'll put the alu clinchers back on when the winter rains come, but in the mean time, havving a beautiful set of wheels on the bike makes me look that much more forward to getting on it.
You all can have your box section aluminium tubbies based on your misplaced sentimentality. Don't get me wrong, I raced on exactly that 20 years ago, and thought they were awesome (still do.They were). I however live in 2013 now and am in the fortunate position to ride on good gear.
Carbon wheels hold no allure for me at this time. I will stay with aluminum box rims for the time being. Heck, I sometimes miss the old down tube friction shifters ala Campagnolo, but that's just me. I am currently looking into acquiring a high quality steel frame. It's still the frame material of reference.
@gregorio
My brotha from anotha motha!
@mouse
Good man. I agree that the old tubbies and box section mavic gp4 aluminum rims were pretty exciting in 1980. But really. Let's move forward. I just saw some ebay Enve 3.4 carbone clinchers with the mango chris king hubs. humuna humuna! Luckily they were shimano so I could not get in too much of a frenzy.
@Gianni
They're still too good to leave behind. And they're awesome!
How do I get into this conversation without looking like I am a self serving marketing COTHO?
Carbon and Alloy, not Carbon vs. Alloy. I sell and build both for a reason. Alloy is significantly less expensive, my Cafe Roubaix alloy builds (KinLin) are about half the price as the carbon. G'Rilla hits the issue on the head. Spokes and spoke count and cross patterns are way more important to a wheel's dynamics. They are the soul of the wheel set. While I build to lower spoke counts for custom jobs, my regular wheel offerings are 3x where ever I can do it. And 28 spokes on the rear wheel is my standard for road. In studio, I carry all the brands I like - Ambrosio, Enve, stock Zipp wheels, Campagnolo (& Fulcrum). I can get Reynolds, but why would I? Same goes for Mavic.
Rim depth is an environment/wind thing. I get tossed around on my 1900g Cosmic Elites, just as easily as on my own carbon 38s. I like to go lower (20-24mm) for the windy days and deeper if I am heading into the wind. For CX, I don't need the deep rims as it is dryer than a popcorn fart where I live and race, but in the PNW, deeper=gooder. Width is marketing hoohaa to get back R&D money. But I can make great 23 width wheels for those that want 'em!
PS--Ride carbon, mine are awesome. If not, my alloy rocks the body too! Go Café Roubaix!
@mouse Have I got a carbon clincher for YOU!
I just bought a new set (2005's but never used) of Zipp 303 on Craigslist. Dirt cheap. Cheaper than a decent set of aluminum wheels. It's my first foray into carbon. Figured I'd try them out this season. All season. Racing or not. If I break them I break them. If these 8 year old carbon Zipps can last a season then they pass any test I have. They're going on a steel frame which is a little wacky. Whatever. Deal with it.
Circumstances dictating the ride!!
Living in Dubai I dont even have a set of steel rims. Why? Well not many people do. The roads are great, no pot holes or cobble stones, and it's flat, very flat. So my local circumstances kind of dictate what I use, maybe sad, yes, but then it appears this is the case for most of us, to some extent or other.
At the end of the day, surely you ride what feels good to you, and helps you to enjoy your riding to the fullest, and if your are worried about being accused of using them to aid your speed, do more work on the front!