That's exactly right.

Since I started this thread, my worry of rim failure has gotten smaller, but my worry about lack of technology or poor aero has increased much more. I am worried that the wheel will have aero technology that is compareable to a basic stock wheel. Another question I guess- how poor is the aero technology of these rims. And how compareable are they to 1200$ wheelsets

That was a Zipp 404, and after that happened the wheel straightened out enough to ride across the finish line on. Here is a pic of the wheel after the fact.

http://velonews.competitor.com/files...1/IMG_7809.JPG
This being said, I recently bought a pair of Easton EC90TT wheels for crit racing. The front rim was cracked and destroyed. I bought the pair for $300, and the back was mint. At the time a local shop that is an Easton dealer told me for $350 I could get the wheel crash replaced through Easton. I figured $650 total would be a nice set of crit wheels. Well the priced changed once I bought the wheels to $550 for the replacement, so now I am thinking of going Novatec/China 50mm tubie front for $180+shipping on ebay. For a crit wheel I don't really care. I can alway change the bearings if I need to, and having a good Easton hub in the back is always good. I am seriously considering it now.

Well, there is the real leap of faith. While much of the money on high priced wheels goes to advertising and mark up, with some companies it also goes to testing and development. Not so much with import carbon which at best may copy the shape of a brand name wheel.

But for what it is worth, and I have no experience with them, these guys claim to split the price difference and do some testing: http://www.flocycling.com/index.php

Here is footage of the actual crash. I don't think Cav rode that particular bike anywhere after that crash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RNAYR3KPIg

Then you aren't talking to the right people. Everything fails.

I've watched that before, but this time it really stood out to me between 0:50 and 1:05 that helmets are good.

"With so many victories to their name, it's often the crashes that interest Zipp engineers more. This is the wheel that Mark Cavendish broke in his crash with Heinrich Haussler at this year's Tour de Suisse. Amazingly, Cav rode the wheel across the finish line."

• By Nick Legan
• Published Jan. 3, 2011
• Updated Jan. 19, 2011 at 6:21 PM EDT

Agree everything fails, but I haven't seen reports of these failing, honestly. If you've got info on these failing, and especially if there are threads suggesting that they are failing more than the name-brand wheels and should thus be avoided, please share them with us.

See post #19.

That's pretty much all have have for this thread.

I have had a set for about 18 months now. 50mm carbon clinchers. They have been great except for two things.

1) The freewheel is LOUD (I tolerate it as one of my MTBs has loud I9s)
2) The spoke tension gets lost far too easily.

This is a product of the surrounding parts and NOT the rim. If I were to do it again, I would probably buy the Chinese Carbon rims only and have them laced up to the hub and spokes of my choice.

Wouldn't hesitate to buy them again though if a complete wheel was the only choice.

Not helpful at all, thanks.

In contrast, here's a 73 page thread from actual users commenting on their wheels from china. The overwhelming majority of comments are favorable, with small critiques here and there. This is the first hit from google search.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/whe...241788-73.html

What hubs did your wheelset come with?? You can always add some lubrication or thicker oil to the hub to quite this down a tad

I was unaware that it was my responsibilty to be of help to you.

If that link was even remotely germaine to my post I might respond. I was commenting on a point regarding testing and then expanded on that.

I'm not interested in discussing anything else.

You're the one who's not reading.

This is exactly what you wrote in response to my post commenting on how the vast majority of actual Chinese carbon wheel owners and users have posted favorable reviews, with nary a single post about early failure:

"Then you aren't talking to the right people."

My response to that was a honest inquiry as to whether you could point out those exact hypothetical people who are experiencing those carbon failures that you're clearing inferring. But no, you don't have any to point out as expected. No surprise there.

In contrast, I've already posted a link to a 73 page thread with many owners and users commenting pretty candidly on the pros and cons of their wheels, and there's not a reported failure in there.


General comments like "everything fails" are totally useless. They don't add any value whatsoever to the conversation because they're so general that they have no value. If you're going to imply that these carbon wheels are manufactured in such an inferior way that they are prone to early failure, provide examples or GTFO.

Some model of Novatec hubs. They spin smooth and fast, but they're loud. My riding buddies know where I am all the time. ;)

Novatec. The sonar of the cycling world. :P how do you like the aero of your chinas

Nice... :)

I like them a lot. Even in cross winds they are solid, but I am a heavier rider so I am not easily blown around. :)

1. I have posted info in COUNTLESS previous threads and don't think BF needs another one.

2. I'm really not interested in engaging you.

The plural of anecdote is not data, whether it's two or seventy three pages worth.

Not many people who drop a handful of benjamins on no-name wheels are going to brag about cracked nipple holes or downright asplosions or otherwise getting a substandard product.

Have you looked at November wheels? I have a pair of 38's and 50's on the way. Customer service is top notch and the wheels are grate.

you two......

Awesome thanks for the insight:) I'm going to have to email a company later this month for some info and decide whether or not I order

I have looked at them- Boyd, november, and a couple others are on my list for when I shop for carbon wheels later this summer, granted I don't go china