Carbon wheels - experiences
 

What are the experiences on the forum with carbon wheels? I've heard a few suggest since going carbon, they'll never go back to conventional aluminum wheels. Personally, I don't like the deep-dish style of Zipps, but rather the Easton EC-90 (I think that's what they are) style. Does anyone have any experience with those particular wheels, the Eastons I mean?

Thanks.

they make wheels out of carbon? now i've heard everything

Everyone in rides with carbon wheels is always watching the heat buildup on the 50 mph+ descents.

This post though is really beating a dead horse, well more a hard ridden one. Other than the page after page of reviews and info that google provides, is there something specific about the EC-90 you are looking for.

My Cinqo is in the mail and I got a set of 404 aluminum clinchers and they weigh the same as my custom DT Swiss RR1.2 (30mm depth) with PowerTap wheelset. There'll be roads I don't know and won't want to experiment with the 404's so I'll ride the alums (after I sell the PT and get a 240S hub built one). Once I know where all the potholes are I'll switch. So, I consider my aluminum wheels my seek and destroy set. GL

Makes no sense. Zipp makes wheels of varying depths from shallow (e.g. 101) to super-deep (e.g. 1080) and discs. EC-90 were, at one point, just old Zipp 58mm rims. I believe that they aren't anymore, but are basically the same "style".

I've done Six Gap, which includes a 60mph plus descent down Hogpen, and Brasstown Bald (with a 21% grade) with Zipp 303 tubulars.

I didn't give one thought to the heat of the rims. Perhaps if you did a really technical descent where you were riding your brakes a lot it could be an issue, but the mere speed of the descent isn't a problem.

I ride Carbon wheels full time, I only switch to Aluminum wheels during the winter on rollers and when the roads at still salt covered in the spring. IMO, they are fine for everyday riding, you just need to be careful when riding in the rain.

I didn't have any problems running clinchers when I was in Colorado, but the descents out there are not very technical.

Thanks for that information.

To whomever asked about why I like Easton? Because the ones I've seen do not have the ugly black carbon sidewalls I've seen on Zipps. Whether or not there are varying depths of sidewalls with either Easton or Zipp wheels, I don't know. I haven't yet been on either manufacturer's website.

wtf?

http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/easton.ec90-carbon-med.jpg

http://musicofpeterkay.com/cycling/i...7/Zipp404b.jpg

Thanks for the photos and...

...charming. :thumb:

Thanks for the photos and...

...and for being so charming. :thumb:

wtf because you make no sense. Black carbon sidewalls? They are exactly the same...

this

I'm gonna go ahead and give a wtf to this too...and maybe a "you're doing it wrong" for good measure.

What is your question?

Are low profile carbon wheels any good?
Are Eastons any good?
Are Easton EC90s any good?
What are peoples experiences with carbon wheels in general?

Maybe going to the manufacturers websites may clear your thinking.

Not trying to be an ass but I'm really not sure what you're asking.

FWIW - I love my Zipp 404s. Initially I found braking on them sketchy in the wet but discovered the joys of Swiss Stop pads.

The wheels pictured above are the Easton EC90 Aero. I think these are the ones he has in mind:
http://www.eastoncycling.com/media/c...r_pk_set_9.jpg
Of course, Zipp has an equivalent for those too.

There really is no singlular "EC90", that refers to their entire product range of carbon products. There is the SL 38mm (tubular or clincher), SLX 24 mm (tubular), Aero 58mm (tubular or clincher), and the TKO for the track.

And of course Zipp and most other companies have equivalent depths.

carbon wheels will eventually fail catastrophically and kill you. there, i said what everyone is thinking.

boom.

No experience with Easton carbon wheels.

But there is one aspect of carbon wheels that isn't mentioned very often -- they are a lot noisier than aluminum wheels.

And by everyone do you mean you? I will say it's actually easy to crush carbon wheels. Just stand really far away from them, squint and crush them with your fingers. Done.

What benefit were you looking to get from carbon wheels, lower weight, better aero properties, bling factor?

I have wheels that have carbon and kevlar spokes with aluminum rims. What I wanted from these wheels was a better ride quality and I like an aluminum braking surface. They do exactly what I wanted.

Thanks for the "help." You guys have been fabulous. I'm off to my LBS for some direct advice (and a lot less vitriol). ;)

http://integra-concepts.ca/phpbb/ima...s/facepalm.gif

We're trying to help you. A bunch of people have asked you some good questions, if you would answer them and help us help you, you would get far better answers.

Something else to consider before you drop money down on a new set of wheels. With aluminum clinchers, replacing a rim is relatively inexpensive. Replacing a carbon rim will cost you more. You may want to look into the cost of replacing a rim before you buy a set of wheels.

As UMD said, we are trying to help you. Some times on the BF there can be sarcasm but it is usually just people having fun. I wouldn't take it personal