Track Cycling - hairsplitting wheel question of the day

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crummyrider
11-23-07, 08:26 PM
I've been thinking about my wheels lately, mainly looking for an excuse to get some tubulars. I've been good lately about talking myself out of spending cash on bike stuff lately but I can't convince myself that the wheels I have are just fine.

Basically I don't like the rims on my current wheelset. They are basic box clincher rims but are a little wider than your run of the mill Open Pros, Aeroheads, etc which makes mounting road tires a real pain and they are a bit heavy.

I could swap the rims to Velocity Escapes with no problem as they share the same ERD. I know I gain no aerodynamic advantage. I would save about 300 grams which I know probably means very little in a race. I would get to try tubulars next year so I can run higher pressure, experience the magic carpet ride, etc.

OK, talk me into or out of spending the cash...

Yue Tao
11-23-07, 09:38 PM
A wheelset upgrade will be one of the most noticeable changes in performance that you can make.
Yoshi
11-23-07, 09:56 PM
Keep in mind that rotational weight is the most important weight to reduce. In other words, a 300 gram difference at the rims is much better than reducing the frame or components by 300 grams.

piwonka
11-24-07, 12:56 PM
and the tires are lighter too.

you can find inexpensiv tubular rims on ebay every once in a while.
The Carpenter
11-25-07, 10:51 PM
If you have been "good" lately about spending money, then this is your reward. Go for some new wheels, you'll be glad you did.
crummyrider
11-26-07, 08:26 PM
If you have been "good" lately about spending money, then this is your reward. Go for some new wheels, you'll be glad you did.

I did put a check in the mail last week for team clothes so I guess I haven't been too well-behaved.

I'm nearly sold on the idea. I'm not a big believer in low weight = high performance but, darn, light wheels feel nice and fast.

Maybe I'll pop some phil woods bearings into my IRO hubs while I'm at it. The SSFG hipsters seem to think they're the cat's meow and the tenth of a watt savings is probably worth it!:rolleyes:
Yoshi
11-27-07, 11:47 AM
I'm not a big believer in low weight = high performance but, darn, light wheels feel nice and fast.

For track racing, weight is pretty meaningless, except when it comes to wheels. Lighter rims are going to accelerate faster. There is some evidence to suggest that heavier wheels give you a flywheel affect (ask Ondrej Sosenka) but that seems kind of dubious.