Alias530

240lbs here, spoke count/weight worries me...

Up North

215# here, on C35's, no issues so far 2000kms+.

TJClay

I have at least 8000 miles on mine at about 230 lbs and no problems whatsoever. A couple retrues and that's it. I was worried about spoke count too but Shimano has no rider weight limit and a 3 year unconditional warranty sold me on them.

Up North

I think if you are a careful rider, in other words avoids potholes and do not bunny hop curbs etc. these wheels will be fine. My dealer has several guys on his race team in the 220 range that put out some big power numbers and he says they have never wrecked their DA wheels.

Alias530

Did you do something to knock them out of true (pothole) or just normal riding?

TJClay

Just normal riding. They weren't way out of true. No more than any other wheel would be with that many miles

Alias530

Do you have a habit of knocking wheels out of true? I've only knocked one wheel out of true ever and it was from trail riding my CX bike with the cheap junky set that came with it.

The wheels I'm on now that the C24's would potentially replace are 18 spokes front, 24 spokes rear, with DT comp spokes. So CX rays and a further machined hub could account for quite a bit of the weight gap between the C24's and these...

Alias530

Anyone on C35's? Might be a nice compromise between aero and weight?

volosong

I've been riding C24s for several years now and have only had one issue with them. My own stupid fault; happened when I had my head down and was powering pretty hard in an effort to keep up with the rider in front of me. He stopped at an intersection . . . I didn't. Only needed a minor truing of the front wheel. My other bikes have Ultegra wheels. Same 16/20 spoke count. They too have been flawless. During the time I've been riding with these wheels, by weight has varied between 215 and 225.

Briefly considered C35s, but they are just too expensive for what little advantage they give, as are the C50s. It's also too windy in my usual riding area too. C24s handle better in 'windy' conditions.

Alias530

I'm actually leaning towards the 35's... I've read a few "too flexy" comments about the 24's. The 35's will give a bit of aero advantage and hopefully be a little stiffer, while still losing weight off my current setup. The 50's are tempting but they weigh the same as what I have and I don't really have an aero theme going on.

jsigone

going aero isn't about weight....it does help but there's more to it.

Mavic carbones are about 150 grams heavier than typical 32mm deep alum wheels. And pretty bomb proof with good sounding hubs.
Aero wheel - Cosmic Carbone SLS : lighter road bike wheels | Mavic

If you want to go full weight weenieizm, older set of Zipp 303 or 404 tubulars from ebay would get you sub 1200 grams and aero. Downside are excellent ride quality with tubulars but hence the more expensive tires. Major down side if flats. I use tubs w/ removable valve cores so I can inject a lil under 1 oz of Stans latex sealant. Never had a flat in the 3k+ miles on those rims. I still carry a cheap $30 tub pre glued Just in case I'm outside of call/walking distance from civilization.

But I'd still look at some carbones for full all around wheelset.

Alias530

Oh I know, I just don't want to ADD weight to bike with aero wheels when no other aspect of the bike had aero in its design (Emonda SL8). If I had a Venge or some other aero frame, I'd probably go with the C50's.

jsigone

The Emonda is a designed race bike and is such very much at home to any aero wheelset under 70mm, just because it's not a aero tin foil doesn't mean it won't look and perform very well. But hey, not everyone wants to ride their bike faster or enjoy the ride of an all carbon dampened wheelset. Carry on

Alias530

The c50's are the same thing as the c35, just deeper. Both are carbon with an alloy brake track. only the tubulars are full carbon.

I'm sold on the benefits of carbon and have carbon wheels on both of my other bikes (cross and MTB). This is the last bike left to upgrade. I just don't know what depth to get.

jsigone

What type of riding do you do more often???? Hilly, mountains, flat, sprinty, group rides?

My buddy has the C50 tubs, I got to use them for a bit before I got a set of cheap tubs for myself. Great wheelset, super light, flashy logo. But were/are expensive. Can get some ENVE 6/7 for that $$ and I'd trust the bead holding for long decents.

For me, it would be tough to get C35s, I wouldn't be able to spend $1500 on alum wheelset with average 1550grams that a $500 set can't do. You can go full custom or power tap/cranks and 32mm for that price.

I'd more inclined to ride quality and aero. Full carbons are great if you're not having to decend 5000ft mountian every weekend ride.

Easton EC90 Aero Carbon Wheel - Clincher | Competitive Cyclist

Another really slick wheelset. Slightly heavier, but they are 23mm wide profiles, and tubeless as well.
Aura 5 TLR - | Bontrager

Ask to try some buddies wheels out. They all handle/ride differently. I'm lucky enough t have a best friend working for Trek, and he's a wheel snob so easy to try nice stuff out

Alias530

Mostly flat, but that's not from where I need help. I am a very strong rider (20 minute power in the 350w range), but my watts/kg is not as strong. I can sprint up to 40mph on the hoods with a non-aero bike and stock shallow wheels on flat ground. I already have a power meter so that base is covered (Stages). What I struggle with is hills and comfort. So I want the carbon wheels partially for comfort on century rides and such. I don't race so aero is really only for keeping up with faster friends. Comfort is what I want to improve upon, and I just like nice things and spending less time getting to the top of a hill is always nice.


I've contemplated the Aura 5 TLR but I'm not as confident in the hub quality as I am with Dura Ace hubs and they're about the same price as the C35's and C50's. Unless I'm missing how you can get a discount on them... I've found the C35's/C50's for $1,200 new online so that's my basis for comparison.

jsigone

IMO, the C24s are climbing wheels or great crit wheel where faster accelerations trumps aero advantages to a certain MPH. Problem may be sprinting on 24mm's. I have Spinergy xaeros which are 24mm deep as well. Bit noodly sprinting above 40 plus the fat PBO doesn't help that part either. But the PBO do dampen the road feel quite a bit. While I love the way they rode, they are slower wheels for club rides and racing.


Those Aura are priced right there with Carbones at $1200, but newer wider profile, means wider tire contact, and more aero. Zipp and Enve moved to 23mm wide carbon profiles as well so must be good HAHA
Bontrager Aura 5 TLR Wheel Set(Clincher) - Trek Bicycle Superstore

TrojanHorse

Holy cats, those Easton wheels are $2800 if you actually want a front AND a rear. At those prices, why wouldn't you just get Enve or Zipp?

The bontrager Auras say 23mm rim width but not really what the internal dimension is... so they're probably normal width compared to regular aluminum clinchers.

jsigone

damnit I thought those eastons were for a set.....

Alias530

I've heard of hub issues with Easton and Zipp too. Pretty much only want Dura Ace, DT240, or CK R45 hubs...

jsigone

that's the great part of Enve, they come on CK ort DT hubs, which are very serviceable. My club is sponsored by them, I wish I can get a set of smarts 6/7s, but I'm caught up in other hobby expenses right now....

TrojanHorse

If you want specific hubs, go custom and have somebody build up whatever you want. I agree with you that C50 wheels seem relatively heavy, but that's the alunimum frame / carbon fairing price you pay (for great braking)

Alias530

Yeah ENVE is just too much money for me, don't care THAT much. I'll never race this bike... just want comfort for centuries and speed (fun) for training.

With the C24's available at under $700 and the C35's at $1,200, anything ENVE is a hard sell.

Dura Ace hubs and CX Rays alone would cost more than $700 if I went custom... and I'd still need rims, nipples, and pay someone to build it (I've built wheels, I'm just slow and I hate it)

jsigone

700 is a good price for the C24s, I'd get those, and see if there is a need for the stiffer wheelset in the 35's.

If there is, than sell the C24s for a small loss and get the 35s.

Alias530

No love for the 50's? I want a little aero aspect of the 35's if not 50's...