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Old 09-10-19 | 01:56 AM
  #808  
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SethAZ
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Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R260, 2005 Diamondback 29er, 2003 Trek 2300

Originally Posted by igs417
Hi guys, I'm trying to decide between AR46 and AR56, disc brake, DT 350 hubs, CX rays.

Doing mostly solo 80+ mile rides. Rolling terrain, max. 5000 ft elevation gain over 80 mile ride. Not particularly windy, and I don't ride if there is morevthan 25 mph wind anyway. Heavier rider, 83 kg. Endurance bike (Canyon Endurace CF SL). Want to run GP5000 25mm with tubes. Never rode carbon/deep wheels. Currently riding aluminum Ksyrium Elite UST Disc.

AR46 (46mm deep, 21/28mm inner/outer width): depth is closer to general all around definition, GP5000 25mm will be slighty over 105% rule.

AR56 (56mm deep, 23/30mm inner/outer width): spot on 105% rule, but 56 mm depth seems a bit too much.

46 mm depth with 23/30 mm width would be ideal, but no such wheels from Light Bicycle.

What wheelset would you choose and why?
Have you considered the WR50? They are 30mm wide and 50mm deep. If the 105% "rule" is really important to you, that would still allow you to ride a 28mm tire. I'm actually currently riding 34mm tires on Lightbicycle rims that are only 28 or 29mm wide and it never occurs to me during a ride to wonder how much faster I'd be if only I'd stuck to the 105% rule. Fact is a fatter tire will change your ride way more than the couple watts you'll save by sticking right at the 105% rule. Especially for a long endurance ride, if you haven't tried fatter tires I'd say it will rock your world if you ever do.

If we assume that a tire/rim combo that sticks to the 105% rule will save you a couple watts due to aerodynamic benefits over one that doesn't, you still have to ask yourself how many watts you'd save riding a wider tire due to reducing suspension losses. It might just be a wash, and you're still left riding a much more comfortable tire. I rode 23mm tires and noticed a benefit going to 25mm, then noticed another benefit going to 28mm, and now these 34mm tires are the most comfortable I've ever ridden, and on my 46mm deep 28-29mm wide carbon rims I doubt I've given up a thing that I'd ever notice in terms of performance. Given there's an option that would both give you wider, more comfortable tires, and also stick to the 105% rule since that seems to be important to you, I'd say you've got a perfect solution in front of you.
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