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new 50mm carbon clinchers (blackwell research)

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new 50mm carbon clinchers (blackwell research)

Old 05-14-08, 05:59 PM
  #1  
ericcox
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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.
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Old 05-14-08, 06:05 PM
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Nice. I just picked up a set of deep carbon wheels for my Orbea Orca today too. We are two happy (orbea) fellas
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Old 05-14-08, 06:09 PM
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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
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Old 05-14-08, 06:11 PM
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Everything is better with those wheels. Everything!
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Old 05-14-08, 06:17 PM
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Those wheels don't do Zipp for me.
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Old 05-14-08, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by prendrefeu
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
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.
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Old 05-14-08, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jimbud
Everything is better with those wheels. Everything!
One of the two things I had in mind when I did the post.
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Old 05-14-08, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by patentcad
Those wheels don't do Zipp for me.
Zipp it old man.

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Old 05-14-08, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by ericcox
Zipp it old man.

But of course.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ericcox
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.

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.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Amen
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.
Do it now. I bet it gets off the ground.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Bontrager
Do it now. I bet it gets off the ground.
Even my cheap ass would probably go for that.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ericcox
Even my cheap ass would probably go for that.
O.K. that makes at least 2.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:33 PM
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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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Old 05-14-08, 08:41 PM
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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.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:42 PM
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50? I don't understand why you didn't get the 200mm wheels.
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Old 05-14-08, 08:54 PM
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^^ 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.
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Old 05-14-08, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by WheresWaldo
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.

What the hell are they "researching" anyway...?
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Old 05-14-08, 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by ericcox
Zipp it old man.

ok



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Old 05-14-08, 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by orcanova
What the hell are they "researching" anyway...?
You know, stuff...

But seriously, it is John Cobb's company, so the research bit makes some sense. Not sure where the Blackwell comes from.
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Old 05-14-08, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by slvoid
50? I don't understand why you didn't get the 200mm wheels.

that's funny...
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Old 05-14-08, 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Bontrager
O.K. that makes at least 2.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/387411-group-buy-full-carbon-wheelsets-699-a.html

Lets try it again!
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