According to "Bicycle Science" by David Gordon Wilson (MIT Press, 3rd edition, 2004), bladed spokes will be 8% more aero than non bladed spokes.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...ycling_Science



8% refers to the spokes alone and does not mean that the bike as a whole will be 8% more aero or use 8% fewer watts.

That number is a generalization of bladed vs round. I don't know what specific brand and models were used to test.


-Tim-

Working on a LB build, trying to decide between DT Swiss 240S and Industry 9. LB tells me I9 hubs are louder than DT. I actually prefer a quieter, though the I9 technology for the freehub appeals to me. Can anyone shed light on this?

DT240 hubs are quiet when using the 18t star ratchet, but if you like instant engagement you might not like this setup. With the 54t star ratchet, the engagement is quick, but it's much louder.

I9 hubs engage quickly, but they are pretty loud.

I’ve had both and my current LB wheels are with the I9’s. Second set of these hubs. They are very loud, as loud as a Chris King, people always know when I’m around with these and I do love the performance. The 240’s are a more neutral decibel level similar to any Shimano. Both great quality hubs though, the I9’s have a noticeably faster engagement but not sure that truly is needed by the majority of us.

I own I9 Torch and can confirm. They are really loud, annoyingly so at times.

Everyone will know when you are coasting and dogs will definitely hear you coming.

I think they intimidated a dog once or twice. The dogs didn't seem to know what to make of the sound and backed away.



-Tim-

What are you guys specifying for wheel cosmetics -- finish (glossy or matte), weave (12k, 3k or UD) and decal appearance? What color is your bike?

UD matte is what pretty much everyone is going for. The weaves would have looked cool about a decade ago but now it’s a bit much.

My bike is matte black and red but I would have gotten the matte UD with almost any conceivable color combo. Although I could be wrong - my wheels aren’t here yet.

RRU35C02 rims with grooved brake track in 3K UD are not in stock at the North American warehouse.

The order was discussed over the phone and I wasn't informed at the time but via email four days after the order was placed.

Light Bicycle is manufacturing and shipping the parts from China.

I'm not terribly upset but this is the kind of stuff that gives me pause. Maybe I'm a spoiled brat in the internet age of free two day shipping.

Anyway, I'm blaming you guys and your nonsensical demand for cartoonish 55 mm cross section wheels for lack of stock in more realistic sizes.


-Tim-

FYI, None of the 25mm width rims (ie. at any depth) are carried by the North American outfit. Easily apparent from LB's online stores.

What about the logo -- stealth or a color?

I went UD matte, with three logos in white and the valve decal in stealth (gray). If you don't specify three logos, you'll only get two, personally I think they look more balanced with three. I've also done a bit of polishing on the matte finish to give it more of a satin sheen, which I like, not full gloss but just a bit of shine. I don't have any good pics of it, but it makes the carbon look good in the sun.

UD matte with stealth logos

Somehow though it looks like you ended up with white valve logos (not stealth).. did you specify that?

They are stealth(not white). It's probably just the lighting.

blue bike. I went with UD matte and stealth logos...

Nice. What depth are those wheels?

Yet another question for the group. If you had aluminium wheels before getting LB, how much firmer (harsher) is the ride with LB, and how deep are your rims?

45 deep, 25 wide (these: https://www.lightbicycle.com/U-shape...ompatible.html )

They feel a little firmer than previous wheels, but I think I'm running the tires too hard (25mm tires at 90psi) and the most recent wheelset has 32mm slicks. So a couple variables at play.

I have a CAAD12 (aluminum frame) and I'm riding on 28c. I ride mixed hills and flats. LB is encouraging me to get 35-deep wheels for ride quality.

Do 45s. If you were debating between 35 and 60, I'd say yeah, there's probably a difference. Between 35 and 45? Any appreciable difference will be because of tire choice.

If you can clear 28s, you can clear a wide rim. The 35 deep is last-gen. The newer one is 36 deep and 28 wide.

LB has the WG922, which is only 28mm deep, but it doesn’t seem to have a brake track. I’d ask if that’s set in stone.

I'd go for 28mm wide rims but Cannondale specifically told me they weren't compatable, and could compromise safety.

The guy at LB says he's mounted and ridden all the rim-depths on his bike and said there is a noticeable difference between 35 and 45, but less so between 45 and 55. I know "harash" because that's how my CAAD felt with stock tires. Moving to better and wider tires solved it. I just don't want to compromise too much ride comfort when going to carbon wheels.

aero > comfort

I guess I lost the meaning of this thread. Are there really 500+ posts about a brand of wheel (minus my OT posts)?
What is the question?

I was asking about the tradeoff between ride comfort and aero qualities of a LB wheel on 35mm and 45mm deep rims. I have a CAAD12 and don't want to take on too much harshness from an over-stiff wheel.