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Advantages of Carbon Wheels?

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Advantages of Carbon Wheels?

Old 09-28-14, 09:59 AM
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They look cool!
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Old 09-28-14, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by soonerrebel
They look cool!
Not really. They look like the wheels you see on a big-wheel trikes than toddlers rod around on
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Old 09-28-14, 10:15 AM
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If I ever got carbon rims, they'd be the low profile type like dura ace c24s. They're light, very stiff, and don't have any of the crosswind wobble of deep wheels. For me, they're perfect. That said, like any wheels, I'd never buy them if I couldn't afford to replace them after a wreck, and currently I cannot.
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Old 09-28-14, 10:20 AM
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I've had two sets of Zipps. One has at least 20,000 miles and never been touched except for rear wheel bearings once. The other has 10,000 miles and has been perfect. I compare that to Open Pros with cracked eyelets. I've also broken spokes several times on both factory and custom built box rims. Maybe I've been lucky but I couldn't be happier.
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Old 09-28-14, 03:13 PM
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Thanks for the feedback folks. I am impressed you have 20,000 miles on a set. I think this may be one of those items I wait until I see a smoking deal on. Then I may go ahead and pull the trigger.
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Old 09-28-14, 05:55 PM
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I dunno - i'm using the zipp brake pads on my zipp firecrest carbon clinchers and the braking is a little grabby and unpredictable in the dry and next to non-existent in the wet.

Originally Posted by gc3
This whole concept of "bad braking" and "over heating brake tracks" is utterly ridiculous with current carbon wheels. I've ridden them for about 8000 miles in 2013-2014, including some halfway serious descents where I grabbed hard for short periods (isn't that what you're supposed to do?), and as far as I'm concerned there is literally no issue with braking provided you use appropriate brake pads.

I'll defer to anyone who has actually personally experienced an exploding or deforming rim, but otherwise its all conjecture.

Too expensive? Wait for the end-of-year sales and shop around hard.
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Old 09-28-14, 06:12 PM
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pick up a pair on EBay from theproscloset. Theyre closing out a lot of Reynolds sets. I got one for $775 and it's money well spent.
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Old 09-28-14, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by bbattle
There's been a ton of threads on aero rims; the speed most often used was ~20mph.
The speed for what?

Aerodynamics don't suddenly "kick in".
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Old 09-28-14, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by valygrl
I dunno - i'm using the zipp brake pads on my zipp firecrest carbon clinchers and the braking is a little grabby and unpredictable in the dry and next to non-existent in the wet.
+1 I have a set of Zipp firecrest 303's and find that braking in dry conditions is predictable, but I'm not doing major descents. However, when wet, the first 10 seconds or so until the brake sheds the water, there's almost nothing at all, even on flat terrain. It will get your attention when you grab hard and nothing is there.

I've had friends training for 6 gap in Dahlonega, GA destroy a set of carbon wheels when braking during the long descents. So overheating a carbon wheel is a concern for very long descents where frequent braking is necessary.

My 303 zips are currently en route from having the hubs replaced a second time. The rear hub failed on the drive side at a spoke attachment point. It is still under warranty, but I thought they fixed their problems with the rear hubs. I weigh about 185 lbs, so I don't think weight is an issue. Another friend (much lighter) had the same problem.
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Old 09-28-14, 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Not really. They look like the wheels you see on a big-wheel trikes than toddlers rod around on
My toddler is cooler than you.
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Old 09-28-14, 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by valygrl
I dunno - i'm using the zipp brake pads on my zipp firecrest carbon clinchers and the braking is a little grabby and unpredictable in the dry and next to non-existent in the wet.
You need to have someone check everything then. I've got two pairs and they stop in the dry almost as well as my aluminum rims. They are predictable and never grab. I rarely ride in the rain but when it happen, lightly touching the levers dries off the rims enough to make a reasonable stop.
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Old 09-29-14, 01:15 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by valygrl
I dunno - i'm using the zipp brake pads on my zipp firecrest carbon clinchers and the braking is a little grabby and unpredictable in the dry and next to non-existent in the wet.
From what I've read, the Reynolds Cryo blue pads are the best carbon pads out there. I'm still too new to carbon wheels to have an opinion myself.
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Old 09-29-14, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Not really. They look like the wheels you see on a big-wheel trikes than toddlers rod around on
They make people who cannot afford/and or have never ridden on them, say bad things about them.
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Old 10-02-14, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by FLvector

I've had friends training for 6 gap in Dahlonega, GA destroy a set of carbon wheels when braking during the long descents. So overheating a carbon wheel is a concern for very long descents where frequent braking is necessary.
This is no longer much of an issue according to the most recent VeloNews test. They cited their own carbon clincher failure from heat buildup during a test three years ago. Now they mention due to new resin technology and better design, that's no longer a problem. What's interesting is they mention the latest wheels are fine even for occasional off road dirt riding and are okay even in wet conditions.
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Old 10-02-14, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
Just edit the post, double click on one of the photos, and a menu box will appear. Choose the size you want and save. Done and done. On adjustment will fix both photos.
OT, but good to know
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Old 10-02-14, 05:06 PM
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Carbon faired aluminum FTW
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Old 10-02-14, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by jimc101
You are aware that they are the same thing? All tubeless rims are clinchers, and all clinchers rims can be tubeless with the correct use of rim strips & sealants.
Unless you are talking to a Tufo user. They like to point out they are tubeless too and glue on.
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Old 10-02-14, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by revchuck
From what I've read, the Reynolds Cryo blue pads are the best carbon pads out there. I'm still too new to carbon wheels to have an opinion myself.
Had yellow pads on Eastons. They mad the brake track yellow. Went to Mercury wheels - great wheels - have to use their pads and on the 3rd set this year. Black on black - just dust. EQUAQUE brand.
Just bought Reynolds Blue for Zipp 404 rear and old Shimano front. Brake tracks are blue.
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Old 10-11-14, 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by canam73
The speed for what?

Aerodynamics don't suddenly "kick in".
the speed at which "they" don't think it's silly to ride carbon. As you go faster, you do save more watts, but you theoretically get a benefit at any speed.

I know someone with a high end bike with carbon wheels who rides with the slow group at 15-16 mph. Some people think it's silly, but she loves her bike and she's got the money. A cat 1 or pro racer might look at me thinking it's just as silly to ride carbon wheels for a TT averaging 25 miles an hour. They would be right.

With few exceptions, we buy all the cool stuff because it's a hobby and we like nice gear. I love my 404's and I ride them all the time. I know they provide significant aero benefits at speed, but my favorite thing about them is the sound carbon makes. The sound of a big pack of guys riding carbon wheels is pretty awesome.
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Old 10-11-14, 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by grwoolf
the speed at which "they" don't think it's silly to ride carbon. As you go faster, you do save more watts, but you theoretically get a benefit at any speed.

I know someone with a high end bike with carbon wheels who rides with the slow group at 15-16 mph. Some people think it's silly, but she loves her bike and she's got the money. A cat 1 or pro racer might look at me thinking it's just as silly to ride carbon wheels for a TT averaging 25 miles an hour. They would be right.

With few exceptions, we buy all the cool stuff because it's a hobby and we like nice gear. I love my 404's and I ride them all the time. I know they provide significant aero benefits at speed, but my favorite thing about them is the sound carbon makes. The sound of a big pack of guys riding carbon wheels is pretty awesome.
Sure. I just wanted to point out that it is a sliding scale of benefit so that people can make their own informed judgment based on their individual needs, wants and financial situation.

It sounds like that is what you did.
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