Aero-X

Hi guys,

Sorry if this question has been asked before. I don't visit this forum very often.

I'm a weekend fitness rider who never races. I've been using non-aero metal wheelsets all my life. A lot of my bike buddies have suggested aero wheels for faster organized group rides. It seems that 40~45mm aero clincher wheels are the best all around choices. There're difference between full carbon rims and carbon rims with alloy brake surfaces. Full carbon ones are lighter, the half/half ones can use conventional brake pads. I like the conventional brake pads because I like the flexibility to switch to other metal wheels I have, but sub 1500g weight on the full carbon clinchers are very tempting. I think $1200 is about the max I want to spend on a set of aero wheels.

My current bike set up is a 2008 Specialized Roubaix with D/A 7800 groups. I intend to keep using them because they have been serving me very well. So the new wheels will need to work with my old 10spd set up.

There are so many wheel manufacturers out there. Can anyone suggest a few best buys?

Thanks.

AX

datlas 

November Rail, Williams 38.

achoo

Offhand, I don't know of any CF wheels with AL brake tracks in the $1,200 or less range.

This is also a good place:

Carbon Wheels

I'm assuming that's John Neugent of late Neuvation Cycling. If so, I can guarantee you the customer service will be excellent.

pdedes

bike soul has a 40mm alloy option. it's not unreasonably heavy

spdntrxi

slightly used set of Roval CLX40s

veloboy971

Boyd has a set of 44mm carbon clinchers...would highly recommend those!

coppercook62

^
This i have a set they are very nice

gc3

I recommend we dredge up the generic chinese carbon wheel debate again, it's been a couple of months....

metalheart44

Checkout Racerim, he is a racer/builder inSutter Creek (not too far from you). RaceRim, Quality Carbon Clinchers Wheels, Triathlon, Road, TT

He uses Reynolds rims and there is a Sacramento racing contingent that has high praise for his wheel builds. The other usual suspects have ben mentioned, but Flo is worth adding to the list of carbon rims. FLO Cycling Home - Aerodynamic Cycling Wheels

hueyhoolihan

sounds good to me. i'm in...

Silvercivic27

Mavic cosmic sls is probably the closest in something new. There's probably lots of used stuff out there that will meet criteria.

mr645

Shimano C50, either Dura Ace around $1400 or RS80/81 which will be less. Not really that light, but excellent aero properties and great riding wheels. I know many people here will say unless your moving 25mph, deep aero wheels don;t really matter, but I needed new wheels, went from Oval 330 to the Shimano RS80 C50 wheels and after 6-8 rides, I am finishing these rides consistently faster then I ever have. The only thing I feel is a somewhat smoother ride, especially over small bumps or rough pavement, but one some routes I have ridden 20+ times, I suddenly am finishing several minutes faster then I ever have.

gc3

You can buy generic Chinese carbon rims or wheels that mimic (or ape) the most recent proprietary aero designs and use quality hubs and spokes for well under $1000. What you get is unknown reliability, some might say hit or miss (although my personal experience was good). Many have chosen this path and lived to tell of it, but you can find hours and pages of debate on the merits.

GamecockTaco

changing the brake pads isn't a difficult option. hex wrench, slide pads out, slide new in, hex wrench. Done.

So, don't get hung up on the metal tracks so much. Newer carbon will have a higher tg resin to resist heat buildup and the stopping power is pretty good.

I have November Rail 52s and love them. But, I'll admit that they do not stop as well as my mavics with alum track. But they sound a lot cooler.

seymour1910

I agree with these guy's https://www.boydcycling.com/products/...wheel-set.html

TexMac

+1

TexMac

Boyds/Williams

Yoleo. I don't ride these but i've seen 3 people with them racing on crits and they claim to love them.

I <3 Robots

They are all over Ebay for under 500...shipped...

jeff@work

My $0.02... unless you've got money to burn... this is a waste of money. I recently picked up some 45mm carbon rims and I can't really tell a difference in speed between them and my old aluminum rims... maybe a tiny bit but i think that would be mostly a placebo effect and that's riding solo. If you're riding in a group the aero benefits of carbon wheels will be even lower since you're already getting the aero advantage of being in the draft.

They look cool and sound cool but if you're getting them to try and make a noticeable difference in keeping up on group rides... I doubt it's going to help.

That said... swapping brake pads is just a couple minute job so as long as the rim widths are similar between the wheels you buy swapping wheels isn't that big of a deal unless you were going to be doing it daily. Performance bike has had some good deals on the older style reynolds carbon clinchers (under $1000 today)