tomato coupe

When I hear "cheap" or "low-cost" I visualize some of the sketchy stuff that you find on eBay or Alibaba.

aclinjury

bingo. Americans are so used to Zipp and Enve exhorbitant prices that when they see something significantly cheaper, they're so befuddle by the prices that they conclude the products must be cheap.

At this point, people who are intuned to Chinese brands are asking why are there still suckers out there payinng Zipp and Enve prices?
In the case of Winspace, they're not only cheaper but outperforms all of the big brands like Zipp Enve etc.

Winspace Hyper wheels vs. Lightweight Milenstein:

Testing Winspace Hyper wheels for stiffness:

Winspace Hyper 50mm wheels aerodynamic performance beats the big brands, including the deeper Enve 7.8:

Granted, these Winspace Hyper wheels are listed at $1100 usd (which with a 10% discount makes them $980, that's shipped and without tax), so they are not the typical really cheap "$500 Aliexpress Chinese wheels", but they are certainly a better buy than any of the big brands.

aclinjury

well then you're ignorant and should really stop spreading your ignorance!

Reflector Guy

Yes, avoiding a broken rim would be a priority.

aclinjury

Speedercycling is another Chinese brand that can build you a set of wheels using the same rims as the Winspace Hyper series, sapim CX rays, latest DT 240 EXP hubs, for about $930 usd shipped and without tax. And if you go with the less expensive DT 350 hubs (which are still great hubs), you'll save about $180 which brings the price down to $750. That's pretty damn impressive, that's a lot of quality and performance. At $750, why would anyone NOT consider these wheels over alloy wheels, especially expensive alloy wheels costing in the $1000 range??

The ONLY thing the Chinese sellers lack at this point is the big budget marketing.
Carbon Bicycle Wheels, Carbon Bicycle Rims, Carbon Bicycle Framesets, Carbon Bicycle Forks

People are starting to take note of these Chinese brands and buying these wheels like crazy that these manufacturers are starting to have problem keeping up with demands, wait time could be 2 weeks out. I just hope they don't start to jack their prices up in the near future!

WhyFi

Zipp 303S are $1300 MSRP and Reynolds and Bontrager have options in the same price point.

Also, is that the Hambini test that's pretty divisive in its legitimacy/authenticity?

aclinjury

Don't even bring the weaksauce Zipp 303s. Don't even man. I have ridden both their 303s and even 454 NWS. I'll take the Hyper 38mm over their 303s and the Hyper 50 over their 454 NSW anyday! ANYDAY!
The Hyper acclerate faster than the Zipps, period.

I also have the Reynolds Aero 65 Black label 65mm (which are comparable in components to Hyper) and the Reynolds cost almost double after tax. Compared to the Hyper 50, the Reynolds Aero 65 feels about the same at STEADY state at 25 mph. But when it comes to accleration, again the Hyper 50 leaves the Reynolds in the dust. The Reynolds also flex considerably more (rear brake rub) when pushing out of the saddle high wattage too. I've owned about 15 sets of high-end wheels, tub and clinch, over the past 10+ years, and I own 5 highend sets from the big brands (Bontrager, Easton, Reynolds, Shimano), so I think I know a little bit about value, quality, and performance when it comes to assessing Chinese brands like Winspace and Speedercycling.

Hambini rubs a lot of people and manufacturers the wrong way. So effin what dude, that's just his personality. I have yet to see anyone dispute his physics in any in-depth way. And Hambini is respected buy guys like Luescher Teknic.

But if anyone wants to dispute Hambini's testing methodology, then let them bring their physics A game presentation to the table. I don't need to hear so and so says this and that about him. I'll judge for myself

WhyFi

Lol - take care.

aclinjury

take care not to pay for overpriced marketing fluff!

WhyFi

Judging from your rantmode, you prolly shouldn't be talking about people drinkin' Kool-aid. Jus sayin'.

TTFN.

aclinjury

aw christ did I hurt ya feelings??
your "base model" Zipp 303s is still $400 more then the Hyper 50 after tax, weighs close to 200g more, slower, and used an inferior rim construction technique.
Zipp Firecrest and NWS series will cost significantly more and still underperform compared to the Hyper 50.
I will give you that Zipp warranty will probably be easier to deal with, but warranty alone shouldn't be enough to keep going back for the Zipp koolaid, right amigo?

WhyFi

I would be terribly hurt if you gave any indication that you were objective and knowledgeable. Thankfully, you're displaying neither, so I can keep feeling good about myself.

With that, on to 'Ignore' you go.

Atlas Shrugged

In this case there is a clear reason for the the cheapness, factory direct to consumer, virtually no marketing costs, reduced profit expectations. The irony is, Zipp for example is manufactured in Asia the only difference you have at least 4 levels of markups built into those wheels. Manufacturer, Zipp themselves, Distributer and finally Bike Shop.

But to each their own. Over the years I have become very cynical about all the marketing hype around many cycling products. For example an Asian made Pinnarello owners raving about the Italian feel of the bicycle when they are mass produced like a WinSpace with similar quality issues. Or the vintage steel guys waxing poetically about the ride of their 70’s era Masi when it was bulk welded with the same tubing and geometry as other bikes of the time period.

tomato coupe

There will always be a market for low cost stuff, and there will always be manufacturers willing to meet the this demand. Some of these products are decent quality, but some are not. For every manufacturer that simply cuts out distributor and marketing costs, there are several that cut corners on materials, production techniques, and QC.

Danhedonia

There will also be people who need to create imaginary worlds in which they are 10x smarter than everyone else.

Anhow, Ksyrium Elites are $500 sets in my world (a few times a year, dependably enough that you know you can wait for and receive that price). Probably would help to mention specific price points for comparing value.

Atlas Shrugged

The great equalizer here is the very tool we are using, the internet and it’s ability to share experiences in an unbiased way across many people. Since manufacturers such as Light Bicycle and Carbonda use the web for marketing and distribution if the product was inferior this would quickly become evident to prospective purchasers. I particularly chose those two as they have excellent reputations and very good pricing. I personally have a Carbonda Gravel bike and it’s quality is every bit as good as my Diverge.

Troul 

have a set of mid grade, no name, locally built aluminum wheels & the lowest price I could find for a carbon wheel set.
So far, I'm impressed with the sub $325 carbon set. The only problem I have had is that, the tires that are known to be a struggle to slip on/off an aluminum rim, are much more difficult with the carbon set.