new 50mm carbon clinchers (blackwell research)
05-14-08 | 05:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Trying to keep up
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 136
From: Fort Worth
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, Orbea Onix, Ridley Fenix
new 50mm carbon clinchers (blackwell research)
With these wheels, I have gained a sustained 3mph...
My FTP has grown 10%...
The weather is always sunny when I ride them...
Women swoon at the sight of me while men wish they were me...
In short, I am the envy of all!
I'll let you know more once I actually ride them
.Oh yeah, they aren't mine, but rather are demos from the bike shop.
05-14-08 | 06:05 PM
#2
Have bike. Will travel.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: -=Toronto=-
Bikes: '06 Orbea Orca, '03 Rocky Mountain Vertex 70, '05 Surly Steamroller, '06 Fetish Fixation
Nice. I just picked up a set of deep carbon wheels for my Orbea Orca today too. We are two happy (orbea) fellas
05-14-08 | 06:09 PM
#3
How much does it weigh?
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 1
From: Weight Weenie on a budget.
Bikes: Lotus Fixed, Bianchi Virata 2004
In addition to your anticipated review:
1. Are the decals removable?
2. What is the 'model'? Or can you provide the weight to us?
3. How much is your LBS offering them to you for?
Thanks
1. Are the decals removable?
2. What is the 'model'? Or can you provide the weight to us?
3. How much is your LBS offering them to you for?
Thanks
05-14-08 | 07:40 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Trying to keep up
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,137
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From: Fort Worth
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, Orbea Onix, Ridley Fenix
The demo wheels are the clinchers, not the tubulars. As you can see, the tubulars are about 1540 (claimed) for the set; the clinchers are a bit heavier. I didn't weigh them, but the bike feels a bit heavier with them on than it does with my usual Ksyrium Equipes, which aren't that light anyway.
As for the decals, I'll have to look in the morning. My initial impression when I looked at them was yes.
Price: my LBS is in line with the MSRP on the site, or about $1600 for tubulars.
They are less expensive than Zipps, but are a bit heavier. The construction seems good, however.
I'll demo them tomorrow, weather permitting, doing a measured flat route I have and my hill repeats.
My guess is that given my speeds, I'll see little difference. From a quick spin, I can tell you they are stiffer than the Ksyriums, but that's about it. I am a bit nervous in that the shop keeps my credit card info until they are returned -- I will avoid some of my usual shortcuts so as not to risk damage unnecessarily.
05-14-08 | 07:42 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Trying to keep up
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,137
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From: Fort Worth
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, Orbea Onix, Ridley Fenix
One of the two things I had in mind when I did the post.
05-14-08 | 08:08 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
See here: https://www.blackwellresearch.com/p_wheels_rr.htm.
The demo wheels are the clinchers, not the tubulars. As you can see, the tubulars are about 1540 (claimed) for the set; the clinchers are a bit heavier. I didn't weigh them, but the bike feels a bit heavier with them on than it does with my usual Ksyrium Equipes, which aren't that light anyway.
As for the decals, I'll have to look in the morning. My initial impression when I looked at them was yes.
Price: my LBS is in line with the MSRP on the site, or about $1600 for tubulars.
They are less expensive than Zipps, but are a bit heavier. The construction seems good, however.
I'll demo them tomorrow, weather permitting, doing a measured flat route I have and my hill repeats.
My guess is that given my speeds, I'll see little difference. From a quick spin, I can tell you they are stiffer than the Ksyriums, but that's about it. I am a bit nervous in that the shop keeps my credit card info until they are returned -- I will avoid some of my usual shortcuts so as not to risk damage unnecessarily.
The demo wheels are the clinchers, not the tubulars. As you can see, the tubulars are about 1540 (claimed) for the set; the clinchers are a bit heavier. I didn't weigh them, but the bike feels a bit heavier with them on than it does with my usual Ksyrium Equipes, which aren't that light anyway.
As for the decals, I'll have to look in the morning. My initial impression when I looked at them was yes.
Price: my LBS is in line with the MSRP on the site, or about $1600 for tubulars.
They are less expensive than Zipps, but are a bit heavier. The construction seems good, however.
I'll demo them tomorrow, weather permitting, doing a measured flat route I have and my hill repeats.
My guess is that given my speeds, I'll see little difference. From a quick spin, I can tell you they are stiffer than the Ksyriums, but that's about it. I am a bit nervous in that the shop keeps my credit card info until they are returned -- I will avoid some of my usual shortcuts so as not to risk damage unnecessarily.
There was a groupbuy that never got off the ground not too long ago on these forums for these EXACT wheels without the logo. Price was 699 shipped..... Shame it never got off the ground.
05-14-08 | 08:11 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: Road, MTB, Folding, Commuting bikes...
05-14-08 | 08:33 PM
#14
Its funny how people market the same carbon rim from Taiwanese factories, just re-badged, and make it sound like its military grade technology. "Blackwell Research knows the time and wattage advantage of great race wheels." Now that is great copy.
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Last edited by orcanova; 05-14-08 at 08:36 PM.
05-14-08 | 08:41 PM
#15
Ride it like you stole it
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,996
Likes: 21
From: Union County, NC
Bikes: 2012 Cannondale EVO Ultegra Di2, Pedal Force Aeroblade, Rue Tandem
Blackwell Research relabels Gigantex rims, these are the same as Planet-X, Karbona, Vuelta, Token and many others. There might be a difference in a spoke or hub but for the most part these are all built by the same factory. If you do a little research you can find several versions of these wheels below $1000 for the pair.
Planet-X tubular
Karbona clincher or tubular
Token clincher or tubular
Just a few examples.
Planet-X tubular
Karbona clincher or tubular
Token clincher or tubular
Just a few examples.
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"Never use your face as a brake pad" - Jake Watson
The Reloutionaries @ Shapeways
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The Reloutionaries @ Shapeways
05-14-08 | 08:42 PM
#16
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
Likes: 5
From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
50? I don't understand why you didn't get the 200mm wheels.
05-14-08 | 08:54 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Trying to keep up
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 136
From: Fort Worth
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, Orbea Onix, Ridley Fenix
^^ Sweet. They actually have 100mm demos, but I thought they were a bit much for me.
To WW -- I didn't realize they were gigantex rims. I do not know what the hubs are (the mechanic wasn't sure either). My guess is nothing special. I'm not planning on buying them -- to those saying I should demo with no intention of buying, the owner knows I am not plopping down money for these anytime soon.
To WW -- I didn't realize they were gigantex rims. I do not know what the hubs are (the mechanic wasn't sure either). My guess is nothing special. I'm not planning on buying them -- to those saying I should demo with no intention of buying, the owner knows I am not plopping down money for these anytime soon.
05-14-08 | 09:00 PM
#18
Blackwell Research relabels Gigantex rims, these are the same as Planet-X, Karbona, Vuelta, Token and many others. There might be a difference in a spoke or hub but for the most part these are all built by the same factory. If you do a little research you can find several versions of these wheels below $1000 for the pair.
Planet-X tubular
Karbona clincher or tubular
Token clincher or tubular
Just a few examples.
Planet-X tubular
Karbona clincher or tubular
Token clincher or tubular
Just a few examples.
What the hell are they "researching" anyway...?
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05-14-08 | 09:03 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Trying to keep up
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,137
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From: Fort Worth
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, Orbea Onix, Ridley Fenix
05-14-08 | 09:10 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
