Bicycle Mechanics - Aero Wheels

I am interested in getting a pair of deep rim wheels, and I looking at the following:

Mavic Cosmic Carbone
Bontrager Carbon Aero
Zipp404

Secondly, I wouldn't mind being able to ride these wheels on weekends too, so I was thinking of getting clinchers instead of tubulars. I've heard that the Mavic Cosmic Carbone is built more durably, so I am leaning on this one.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

If your into aero

Try a rim with nice cross section like Velocity Deep V
Bladed spokes or Sapim CXray if your spendyt
and shiny hubs, like DT 240

If your into aero

Try a rim with nice cross section like Velocity Deep V
Bladed spokes or Sapim CXray if your spendyt
and shiny hubs, like DT 240

You've built a few wheels so far. How do the deep Vs compare to the other stuff.

How stiff does the rim seem when all the spokes are at max tension.

I'm probably going to build up a fixed gear wheel using an ENO hub and a deep V rim, so I'm leaning for a road set too just so I can use the same front wheel.

P.S. I'm thinking 36 revolutions on the front and the rear will get 36 competition spokes.

Well PWRDbyTRD is using Deep V's right now and as far as I know he is happy. I personally have not ridden the Deep V rims. I am quite happy with my dinky wheelset i have now. But when i was prestressing those wheels with the Deep V's, it took much more strength to "flex" (by that i mean the the pre stressing method). The shape allows for higher spoke tension, Velocity said around 110kgf but i think you can go moire

You've built a few wheels so far. How do the deep Vs compare to the other stuff.

How stiff does the rim seem when all the spokes are at max tension.

I'm probably going to build up a fixed gear wheel using an ENO hub and a deep V rim, so I'm leaning for a road set too just so I can use the same front wheel.

P.S. I'm thinking 36 revolutions on the front and the rear will get 36 competition spokes.



How heavy are you? Deep V rims are incredibly strong due to their cross section so chances are, you wont need 36h. And for a rear you might look at Wheelsmith spokes too, the 2.0/1.7/2.0mm ones. I am running those for my driveside rear on my XC rig, so far i have been satisfied

How heavy are you? Deep V rims are incredibly strong due to their cross section so chances are, you wont need 36h. And for a rear you might look at Wheelsmith spokes too, the 2.0/1.7/2.0mm ones. I am running those for my driveside rear on my XC rig, so far i have been satisfied

202 lbs.

I got the Black 105 hubs on sale at performance ($54) so I'm stuck with 36 hole both hubs.

I figured the revolution spokes will counteract this somewhat while being more aero.

Deep Vs look cool on track bikes so I figure why not. I'd have 3 wheels. One front deep V, a road Deep V rear and a track deep V rear.

Let's put it this way, would you rather carry the extra 4 spoke weight around or would you like a wheel to blow up on you 60miles into a century. Let's ponder that for a moment.

Deep Vees are sweet... they come from Velocity which is right down the street from me practically. I have their prebuilt "spartacus" wheelset which has been flawless under some crappy conditions for 2,000mi under my use and probably 1,500 under the previous owner. I true them once a season, but only because I am anal about tolerances.

Let's put it this way, would you rather carry the extra 4 spoke weight around or would you like a wheel to blow up on you 60miles into a century. Let's ponder that for a moment.

I agree with you. I don't understand why 36 hole rear wheel is less popular since it starts off as a bastard step child to the stronger front wheel to begin with and has harsher conditions to deal with. You can always use thinner spokes and the wheel will be stronger overall.

32 thin spokes on a deep V in the front is plenty though, but you are right what's an extra ounce of weight really....nothing.

How about niobium rims? They have a 30mm profile (deep rim) and a set will weight just over 1500 grams. Plus, they're hand built, and cost under $400 for the set...

www.oddsandendos.com

Many people will vouch for this builder (Garcias).

Wow none of you guys are talking about his REAL question I guess :lol:

You can tell by my sig what I am favored too... and I am not a light rider (225 lbs) but I am very very agressive. The carbones are the most durable of the 3, but the heavist at a shade over 1700 grams. The ZIPPs are great wheels for race day but I personally do not like the idea of a "full" carbon wheel now, but I am sure they are great, same with the bontragers.

I have riden all 3 wheelsets and I fell in love with the carbones. I have riden them mostly for racing, a few 70+ mile rides in training (to get used to the 50 mm deep dish, takes to getting used to... and have had no problems. I torture my race x lite aeros in training and they are low spoke count also.

It is really your choice. After seeing a ZIPP 404 self distruct during a crit crash this weekend I would have second thoughts about that wheel choice... but a lot of pros use them. I am not quite sure how the rebuild goes on those in case of a crash either. I know on the carbones you buy the rim (300+) and just relace the old hub if you have that bad or a crash...

They are a wold of difference from the 30mm or the regular wheels in aerodynamics... and the sound is awsome... just be prepared to shell out at least 1100 for them discounted or 1450 retail...

Let's put it this way, would you rather carry the extra 4 spoke weight around or would you like a wheel to blow up on you 60miles into a century. Let's ponder that for a moment.
I promise, at 202 pounds your wheel will not blow up with Deep V's.

I know on the carbones you buy the rim (300+) and just relace the old hub if you have that bad or a crash...

...

When my Cosmic Carbone rear rim cracked MAVIC would not rebuild it or sell me a new rim. They did sell me a new wheel for $400, about half of new. My Carbones are older and have 57mm profiles.
Carbones have good aerodynamics but the clinchers are heavy, so good on flat time trials, not good for climbing. MAVIC has built some all carbon tubular Carbones, don't know if those are available yet.

Al

The clinchers in the SLs are only abour 40 grams more than the tubulars... a little over 1700 grams. I would not call them heavy, just not "super"lite...

The clinchers in the SLs are only abour 40 grams more than the tubulars... a little over 1700 grams. I would not call them heavy, just not "super"lite...

Yes, those (SL's) are the newer Carbones with aluminum rims, lighter than my wheels but the profiles are not as deep. My comment about the lighter tubulers was in reference to the all carbon tubulars that were used at the TdF last year. Someone here posted a picture of those recently. I suspect they are quite a bit lighter.

Al