edavidson99

Hello all I am 14 weigh 125lbs 5 foot 8 ride in mildly hill areas occasionally go to whiteface mountain to trail I would like to use these rims mainly for races but also a bit in long training rides I don't want them to be heavy but I want aero benefits too I don't know what rim depth would be the best for me. Also I ride a 2013 Cervelo R3 Ultegra 6700 10 speed any input would help thanks

SpeshulEd 

This is a bit of a loaded question and there are tons of wheel threads to look through where people ask very similar questions.

I suggest you come up with a budget and scroll through the next 3-5 pages of this forum and click on every wheel thread you can find.

Not to be mean, but at age 14, I'm guessing you don't have $2000 to drop on wheels - thats ok, there are tons of options out there and if you do have 2g's to drop, then you have even more options.

xjustice09x

I don't think there is one ideal depth. Most wheel manufacturers make wheels with rims in a few general depth ranges. For example if you are looking at carbon rims Zipp has 32, 45, 58. Reynolds has 29, 41, 46, 58, 62. I would probably recommend something 50mm or shallower for a good balance of weight to aerodynamics. If you are looking at aluminum rims you can find some around 30mm deep.

If you commonly encounter strong cross winds I would consider rims on the shallower side of the range. If you do lots of climbing I would also look at the shallower rims. I have a set of reynolds that are 46mm deep that dont seem to get blown around too much by cross winds, but I also am also quite a bit heavier than you at around 180lbs. If its windy or I will be doing significant climbing I prefer my 32mm deep rims.

If you do alot of long descents that require extended braking I would consider an aluminum brake treack. If you want something deeper for aerodynamics there are quite a few aluminum rims with carbon fairings. I melted a carbon brake track going down an extended twisty descent. Reynolds replaced it under warranty for free, but I'd rather use aluminum brake tracks and avoid the problem all together.

As far as brands go any of the major brands should be fine, zipp, reynolds, shimano, HED, ENVE....There are alot of reputable wheel manufacturers.

edavidson99

I have a job and I am making $11 a hour so im not doing that bad but I will spend $2000 for a good set a wheels plus my dad said he will give me a loan but my problem is I don't know what rim depth!!!

edavidson99

I know there I not a ideal rim depth but what do you think I should get I would really like your opion it sounds like you know what your talking about. I MUST HAVE A ALUMINUM BREAKING SURFACE!!! so that nerows down the amount of options. What I was thinking is a Dura Ace C35 front wheel and Dura Ace C50 rear wheel. What are your thoughts about Reynolds wheels good or bad?

kleng

Reynolds make excellent wheels IMHO, they mostly use DT hub internals which are one of the top hub manufacturers, I would look at the 46 profile rims, find them the most versatile.

https://www.reynoldscycling.com/index...m&p_itm_pk=698

the tubular version are 1.2kg, but I guess you would be riding clinchers.

edavidson99

Yes really like those rims but they are all carbon breaking surface

bigfred 

Where does the alloy braking surface requirement come from? You, parents, school race oranizers?

edavidson99

Partially me but mostly my parents

kleng

Reynolds Cyro blue pads are excellent in most conditions except for super wet. but then most pads and rims under those conditions would also loose a lot of efficiency.
Have ridden carbon rims for 6 year without any braking problems.

Not to be a fan boy, but Reynolds do have some braking tech features

https://www.reynoldscycling.com/technology/braking/

xjustice09x

I have no problems with reynolds wheels. They make good wheels, and they stand behind their product. When I melted the brake track within the 2 year warranty period they only asked for my purchase receipt, and replaced the rim for free. After I sent my wheel in they had my hub relaced to a new rim in a few days. The brake track I melted is an older type of brake track I think they used in 2010 and earlier. For 2011 they changed the brake track material so it would run cooler under heavy braking. They replaced my rim with a slightly heavier one with the newer brake track. The newer rims are probably have better braking performance and heat management than the ones I own, If I was racing I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set. Since I ride for fitness and my own enjoyment I can live with shallower less aero aluminum rims. They don't offer any aluminum brake track rims with carbon fairings, so if aerodynamics is a high priority you may want to look at other brands.

Carbon rims are fine under most conditions. They dont brake very well when wet, and I dont recommend them for long steep descents. The hill I damaged mine on was probably 3-4 miles long most of it was 10+% grade with a few sections close to 20%. I dont consider that normal condtions. I wouldn't hesitate to ride my carbon rims on 90% of my rides. But when I do alot of long descents I will not be riding them.

There are relatively few choices for deep rims with an aluminum braking surface. Look at the 3T Accelero 40, Shimano C35 or C50, and HED Jet4. Zipp has the 101 (30mm all aluminum), and the 60 but thats probably too deep for you. Sram (sram owns zipp) used to make the S40. They all seem pretty similar in weight (1600-1700 grams). I dont know too much about the 3T wheels, they are relatively new. I don't think you could go wrong with the shimano or HED offerings. Just pick the one that meets your budget and weight requirements. I think any rim under 50mm would probably suit your needs. A C35/C50 combo would work good. I have used my reynolds 32 front and 46 rear together and they worked good.

If you are willing to give up a little aerodynamics there are plenty of all aluminum rims that will be lighter in weight than the deeper aluminum/carbon rims. There are plenty of nice aluminum wheels in the 1400-1500g range. If you are considering this option there are many many options. My everyday wheelset is a set of HED Ardennes SL wheels.

Personally I prefer the ride quality of wider rims (23mm or wider) like the HED's, shimano C50, zipp firecrest... So if I was wheel shopping that would factor into my decision. I don't know the width of the C35's, but the C50's are supposed to be 23mm.

edavidson99

Does anybody have any experience with Dura Ace Rims?

StanSeven

Lots of good things said here and other places about Dura Ace. You can't go wrong with them.

SpeshulEd 

Aluminum braking surfaces add weight (and look silly on deep aero wheels in my opinion.) If it's something your parents are demanding, than you might be SOL but a good set of carbon pads can be had for cheap if you buy them online and do a fine job with stopping. In the extreme wet, it'll take more time to stop but it's something you get used to quickly.

Personally, I'd buy the Zipp 303's in the for sale section if you have the cash. @LowCel (the seller) is mod and good guy, he wouldn't screw you over. That's a decent price for those wheels. Take them to a shop and get them trued (or do it yourself) and you're set.

gus6464

There's the Bontrager Aura 5 which have good reviews online.

ThermionicScott 

The ideal rim height is 24.37mm. Hope this helps.

pdedes

There is no right answer to your question.

LowCel 

Thank you sir, I appreciate it.

edavidson99

I like the zipp wheels a little expensive and the reviews say not to get them due do problems in the rim

edavidson99

Why Is this the ideal rim height?

StanSeven

He's joking. Ideal height depends on a lot of factors but I agree Zipp 303s are a good all around choice. They are 45. I also have carbon and aluminum barking surfaces and notice very little difference except in the rain. Even then CF stops okay but you have to adjust some for stopping in advance

edavidson99

aha but I just cant get zipps to many problems

SpeshulEd 

Maybe check out Boyd (Boyd is also a board member here and lots of people run his wheels):
https://www.boydcycling.com/carbon-clinchers/

I have an older version of the Reynolds Assaults and love them:
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...06950000023650

And then if you still want aluminum braking surfaces, there's the 3T wheels but they're kind of heavy. Reviews say they roll well though.
https://www.artscyclery.com/3T_Accele...FRSVfgodCHQA-A

ss600

Hey OP, if you debadge them, a set of Giant PSLR1 Aero wheels are about 1700grams, and are carbon with an aluminum brake track. They can also be found as new take-offs for about $800. I have ridden both the Dura Ace C50's and the Giant's. They are very similar, but I find the Giant's to be a bit stiffer (But I am 180 pounds). I run these wheels now with Gp4000s and latex tubes, they roll awesome and make that sweet whump whump sound when you hammer it! Good luck.

LowCel 

Problems? I've had five or six pairs of Zipps and never had the first problem. Keep in mind there are a lot of Zipps out there. I'm sure there are some negative reviews but any company with that many wheels out there will have some negative reviews.