Road Cycling - Wheel Weight - Tires, Tubes, Rims, Spokes, Hubs

I know wheel weight makes a difference in performance. Also the more outward the weight the more difference it makes.

While I don't doubt people can feel the loss of weight in tires, tubes, and rims can anyone actually tell the difference in a 40g loss in hub weight?

Would you take a 40g heavier hub for $90 less?

Just wondering were the $ should be spent.

40 grams for $90 isn't a lot of weight savings for the money spent, but hubs are the longest-lived component of the wheel too, so the investment pays dividends for a long time to come.

I don't think I could notice the missing weight, but all those tenths of a pound add up if you take them off of everything that you can. Personally, I would get a Chris King partly for low weight but also for the nice bearings and ease of bearing adjustment. Plus they look great! :)

Hi,
the debbil is in the details......What you'll be doing, how much you weigh, what sort of roads, it all makes a difference. I just got some wheels as part of my wife's new bike, Ultegra hubs, Open Pro rims, nice wheels.

Another major factor would be the aerodynamics of the wheels, a heavier hub would play less of a factor then a heavier rim, since the rim is rotating weight. But the heavier rims normaly are aero rims so they have a advantage in aerodynamics so that balances out alot of the time.

I was looking at a Speed Dream rear wheel with the White Ind Racer X Rear Hub vs Novatech.

Same rims, same spokes.

The Novatech is $90 less and 40g heavier.

I have a set of speed dream wheels, I love them! Check out the reviews at roadbikereview and mtbr his customer service is excellent also.

At 40g for the hub, I don't think it would be worth it unless there was a difference in quality to go along with it.

Also got to wonder if strength was sacrificed to save the 40g.

I don't think I would EVER consider 40 grams. 40 grams is less than the weight of a hand watch... Would ou consider weight of coupple of spoons of extra food????

By the way, I used to live in Cullman and work in Hartselle :D
Went to Decatur to shop ever week! :)

First off Gene you did not give us enough info. What hubs are you comparing? If you were comparing Campy Record VS Hugi or Chris King then I would say NO it's not worth it. If you were comparing Campy Record to Shimano Sora then YES it would be worth it. Now whats the difference between these two comparisons? The Record comes with a grease port that will enable you to maintain the hub yourself with little effort, and the cleaner you maintain the grease the longer the hub will last-Hugi or King do not have this feature. Sora is a just a inexpensive hub that cost about $18 and weighs more than the Record and it will not last a long time.

So in essence DanR is correct in that quality could be worth it, but also MechBgon is correct because hubs are the probably the most durable component on the bike. So knowing that both of these posters are right why pay for a King or a Hugi and pay twice as much as a Record, but then why get something so cheap that you have a weight penalty and the durability may be in question?

Did I confuse you beyond all hope now? If not lets move on to the other stuff.

Rim weight is important but so is strength and then also comes cost. There are plenty of good rims on the market for a reasonable price. The bike boutique Mavic brand makes the Open Pro and the CXP-33 both are good strong light rims that have been around for years. But there are a few brands that are not so boutiqueish that are just as good for less money. Torelli Master Series rims are just like the Mavic Open Pro in looks, weight and durablity for about $20 less per rim; and likewise with the Sun Assualt VS the Mavic CXP-33.

Depending on your weight you can also go with lighter spokes such as the DT Revolution (probably use these on the front only if your under 180pds) or DT Competition. There is also a strong aero bladed spoke called Sapim CX-Ray (but you have to use their nipples called Polyax).

Tires and tubes is a tough question to nail down. Depending on your riding and where your riding could depend on what you use. I commute in an area that has natural thistles and goatheads plus streets that are not kept very clean so glass and debris were killing my lighter tires, so I went with Specialize Armadillos-but they are heavy at 380grms each-but I no longer have flats! If your racing you may want ultralight tires like Veloflex that weighs only 150grms that offer little in flat protection; or maybe something between those two extremes such as Conti 3000 4-Seasons that offers lightweight (240grms) plus some flat protection in the tread and sidewall.

So there, I have completed my task of confusing you to death, rest in peace!

40g times 2=80,close to quarter pound.Wouldnt bother if i were not racing but if i had to replace them anyhow,yea,why not.