rpenmanparker 

I want to build up another set of 50 mm carbon wheels for a friend who has expressed appreciation for the ones I am riding. My Taiwanese rims were a great buy that I obtained from a friend, but I can't go to that well again. I know many of you are riding Chinese carbon rims/wheels, but I don't know which are the reputable sources. I would appreciate some leads (names, links) to the best carbon rim and wheel web sites that offer economically priced rims with a good reputation especially in the area of resistance softening from heat buildup on the brake track. Of course, Taiwanese and other sources that you have confidence in are similarly welcome providing the price is reasonable. Thanks for any help you can offer.

MingusDew

I've heard Gigantex makes decent wheels, but I haven't used them. I am going to subscribe to this thread, I'm eager to see people's suggestions. I'd love some Enve's, but I can't really justify spending that much on a set of wheels for a bike that cost me $1300 ... but perhaps I can justify building up some taiwanese/chinese carbons. I just don't know how they perform, and if I'd be better off with something else.

rpenmanparker 

Thanks. Gigantex are made in Taiwan, not China, and are crème de la crème. Quite pricey.

gc3

I have Farsports (chinese mainland reseller) rims and they have held up fine for me. Their most recent models claim to use higher heat resins, but still nit to the level of Zipp, Enve et al...if you let them build the wheel and just clean it up upon receipt, then you can get all in for $600...

...but you're likely to call down the wrath of cheap chinese generic carbon product haters just by posting your request for help...

rpenmanparker 

Thanks, I have visited their site(s) before but can't figure out where the prices are and how to order. Also when I go to the "shop" site, I can't find the rims that are on the main site, only fully built wheels. What am I doing wrong?

gc3

You need to email them directly...I'll PM you the points of contact I've used...

mkadam68

I just recently got some 25mm wide, 50mm clincher rims from https://www.ebay.com/usr/speedcarbon11 for about $330. They've been very solid, although I don't use them on any hills remotely resembling steep and/or twisty.

I also have some 23mm wide, 50mm tubular rims from https://www.ebay.com/usr/a_baygoods for about $250. I use them mostly during criterium races (about 35+ miles per week, from January through August for the past two years). I also have a set of 88mm tubular rims by the same seller.

Both sets have been solid with no problems of any kind (other than finding quiet brakepads), but I think it's due to the superb build-job done by my local mechanic. I also don't for a minute think that the eBay seller will stand behind their products should something happen, and as a result, I probably won't even waste my time trying should something happen.

And, FWIW, I'm a 250-lb clydesdale. I run 32-spokes in the rear with 28 up front on both wheelsets.

If I feel the need for another pair, I might try the farsports mentioned by gc3, just to try.

rpenmanparker 

Thanks. I see A_Baygoods on ebay quite a bit. I will keep them in mind for a competitive comparison with Far Sports and some other sources I am looking at. Ordering from them is certainly easy enough.

canam73

I've ordered rims direct from Yishun. Worked out fine, fast shipping.

itrsteve

Spend a little bit more, get quality, customer service and a unbeatable replacement policy to boot.

https://www.novemberbicycles.com/rail

upup

Far Sports worked for me. There are not many people that climb more than me (e.g., 9,000 ft today). I'm a climbing fool and have had no issues with carbon 1250 gram wheels. Another guy on this forum bought the same wheels twice and both delaminated because of heat during the first few rides. I don't get it - after a 4000 ft descent, mine are not even warm. I weigh 165 lbs.

Two friends also had bow-outs in the last year. Both were riding non-Chinese carbons. It must be breaking style. Also had a friend have a blowout last month on aluminum wheels and he definitely rides his breaks harder than most.

mr645

I think the biggest issue with the Chinese carbon wheels is consistency. And if there is a problem, support can be difficult. With 2013 Reynolds carbon wheels selling complete for under $900, it's probably worth it to go with a well known brand with solid support.

Hiro11

I have a set of 50MM alloy braking Farsports with Novatec hubs, they're pretty damned good. They came in at 1540g for the set and look nice (matte finish). Two minor issues: the rear went slightly out of true when I first got it and slight pulsing in one of the rims on hard braking. I live in a flat area and weigh less than 150lbs but I still wanted alloy braking. I'm not sure what else I could ask for from these wheels. I paid $600 exactly shipped. Also, the shipping, communication and packaging were all very professional.

They definitely sell just rims, just email them for a pricelist.

Hiro11

These are very good points. Probably 95%+ of the time, you'll be fine with Chinese generics, however if there's a major issue you'll usually be responsible for shipping back to China (about $90), it's a pain. Given the increasing number of discount domestic resellers with good reputations like November or Planet X, going mainland Chinese is becoming less and less attractive. Having said that, a larger reseller with their own website like Farsports or Yushin will likely be a lot easier to deal with than a random Ebay seller.

Hiro11

The Rail (with rebadged Novatec hubs) is $1,300, the very similar Farsports FSC50-CM-23 (23MM wide, full carbon, Novatec optional hubs) is significantly lighter and about $650 - $700. Double the price for a domestic distributor. Also, Farsports isn't exactly a fly-by-night Ebayer. It might be worth it, but it's certainly a tough call..

jsigone

I've been on PlanetX 50mm Team Tubulars for the past 2 yrs, now on the second set of rubber on them w/ around 2000 miles on the wheels and a large handful of centuries. I was 220lbs when I got them and now 190. Wheels are very stiff, very light and spin up fast, comes with sapim CXray spokes that I never broke (20/24) and have been well worth the $610 I paid for them shipped to me. Going the china custom build route might have saved me $100 at most, the PX wheel comes with Chosen hubs which are still flawless.

itrsteve

Certainly, the push over the cliff for November is the $300 no-questions crash replacement policy coupled with the awesome customer service/rapid email replies.

LAJ

The only thing similar in the two would likely be the hubs. I don't know what spokes those Farsports have, but the rim profile sounds nowhere close to what the Rail is.

ultraman6970

Havent read all the replies ok? All depends of how much money you want to spend. The situation with carbon rims for me is the following. Good brands (no matter who really built the rim) will ask you a lot of dough, then you have the asian compadres that sell rims all over the internet.

From the builder standing point of view, they have to go with the best reputation and warranty, is not funny to build a carbon rim and that sucker cracks in a spoke hole because of poor quality, that's why some wheel builders use the super expensive ones, they call and the guy will send them a replacement rim right away. You can't do that with the chinese dude at all, you did not know what you were doing or the rim came bad and you might need to get another rim because I assure you they won't send you a replacement rim for free at all, then wait like 3 weeks for that rim to arrive, if they have one in stock aswell.

There is a guy in NC that sells asian rims at ebay for a good price the problem is the warranty, no idea if they stand up behind the product and stuff.

To finish, if you need carbon stuff just go to the i-net and buy a set of wheels already laced for 500 bucks or less, the wheel will work fine and you will be sure that the rim at least did not exploded while being built.

Good luck.

Bob Dopolina 

The first problem is a build issue (no biggie) the second means the brake tracks are not flat or parallel and is a QC FAIL.