50 mm or 38 mm carbon clinchers?
05-21-13, 02:34 PM
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50 mm or 38 mm carbon clinchers?
Looking for a bit of group wisdom, looking at two sets of wheels at the moment:
https://www.novemberbicycles.com/rfsc-50s/
https://www.novemberbicycles.com/rfsc-wheelset/
My leaning is towards the 50s, simply to save a couple bucks, as they're on sale. The weight difference looks to be negligible. I'm currently using the factory Fulcrum Racing T (functionally equivalent to Fulcrum Racing 7), so almost anything is going to feel like a nice upgrade for me, as well as adding some bling. I'm a pretty new rider and the only competitive events I have any plans on entering on duathlons and triathlons for the forseeable future (blasphemy on the 41, I know).
Any thoughts?
https://www.novemberbicycles.com/rfsc-50s/
https://www.novemberbicycles.com/rfsc-wheelset/
My leaning is towards the 50s, simply to save a couple bucks, as they're on sale. The weight difference looks to be negligible. I'm currently using the factory Fulcrum Racing T (functionally equivalent to Fulcrum Racing 7), so almost anything is going to feel like a nice upgrade for me, as well as adding some bling. I'm a pretty new rider and the only competitive events I have any plans on entering on duathlons and triathlons for the forseeable future (blasphemy on the 41, I know).
Any thoughts?
05-21-13, 03:15 PM
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Coming from the resident triathlete, go 50. In a tri you want all the aero you can get. Unless you're really worried about wind.
05-21-13, 03:22 PM
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Well couple things to think of.
The RFSC 38's are the newer design with wider rim and brake track (if that's important to you). the 50's are the previous model to make room for the new proprietary Rail (52mm) which are slightly more expensive and also have the wider track.
Either way you'll have incredible and exceptionally well built wheels, I have the previous generation 38's (sounds odd since they're only a few months old) and use them as my day in and day out wheelset. I was torn between the two as well and went with the 38's due to the amount of climbing around here, I figured every bit of weight savings helps.
good luck
The RFSC 38's are the newer design with wider rim and brake track (if that's important to you). the 50's are the previous model to make room for the new proprietary Rail (52mm) which are slightly more expensive and also have the wider track.
Either way you'll have incredible and exceptionally well built wheels, I have the previous generation 38's (sounds odd since they're only a few months old) and use them as my day in and day out wheelset. I was torn between the two as well and went with the 38's due to the amount of climbing around here, I figured every bit of weight savings helps.
good luck
05-21-13, 03:23 PM
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Get the 50 and keep the Fulcrum for windy days.
05-21-13, 03:23 PM
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50mm is the sweet spot for aero and weight for me.
05-21-13, 04:43 PM
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38s are the sweet spot for me, having tried 24-38-50 in the last few years, and so i agree with mr yacht...if you don't need 50s for racing aero purposes, they tend to buffet me around on the really windy days, more than i prefer...but they do look cool...and maintain speed a little better once you get it going fast....but i especially like the fact that i can get ultralightweight wheels at 38 depth
05-21-13, 04:47 PM
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38s are the sweet spot for me, having tried 24-38-50 in the last few years, and so i agree with mr yacht...if you don't need 50s for racing aero purposes, they tend to buffet me around on the really windy days, more than i prefer...but they do look cool...and maintain speed a little better once you get it going fast....but i especially like the fact that i can get ultralightweight wheels at 38 depth
50/38 would be my choice.
05-21-13, 05:59 PM
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05-21-13, 06:55 PM
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I also wrestled with this decision.
I ended up going with 38, rationale is that I am very light (135 pounds) and was concerned about crosswinds...also a closet weight weenie and the 38s are lighter.
That said, if you are mostly riding flats and are a little heavier than me, the 50 is certainly a reasonable choice.
I ended up going with 38, rationale is that I am very light (135 pounds) and was concerned about crosswinds...also a closet weight weenie and the 38s are lighter.
That said, if you are mostly riding flats and are a little heavier than me, the 50 is certainly a reasonable choice.
05-21-13, 07:11 PM
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Both are rebranded generic wheelsets at roughly twice the price of someone like Farsports. Go with Farsports, they're great.
05-21-13, 08:14 PM
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05-21-13, 08:20 PM
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I used to be worried about wind and decided on Zipp 303s. Last year I also got 404s and ride them all the time even with strong winds. The sensation from wind is just that - a sensation that takes a little getting used to. It doesn't push you over and also doesn't make you turn. If fact, you sitting on the bike is a profile much, much larger than wheels.
So much advice is definately go with the 50s
So much advice is definately go with the 50s
05-21-13, 08:23 PM
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05-21-13, 08:24 PM
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Don't rub it in! I wish I'd become aware of November a couple weeks ago, I would have preordered Rails. Now I'd be waiting till July, and I want to get some nice wheels on before we're that deep into summer. Gorgeous look though.
05-21-13, 08:29 PM
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Hey, I'm waiting until July anyway. There's always Soul C5.0 or C6.0 for a couple hundred more.