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Old 03-23-11 | 07:45 AM
  #14  
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ericm979
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Santa Cruz Mountains
Originally Posted by sparks_219

The carbon wheelset should make the ride a bit smoother
No, it won't. If anything my Reynolds carbon wheels ride harsher than the various aluminum wheels I own. But the difference is so small that I may be imagining it.

The problems of braking on carbon rims, especially clinchers, make them race-only for me, and only for races without steep technical descents with a lot of braking. I ride a lot of those in training, and I have had the tire blow off a carbon rim due to brake heat.

Deeper carbon wheels are slightly more aero but the difference is small, and not worth it unless you're racing. Even then I've been beaten by a lot of guys with regular aluminum wheels. It's not the wheels (or frame) that makes someone fast.
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