cycle man

wanting to purchase a top of the line carbon clincher wheel. My weight is around 225 -230 lbs. Looking for the best wheel for my needs
Thanks,
cycle man

AngryScientist 

hey cycle man - why do you want carbon?

cycle man

I guess it's like why do I want a carbon bike verses aluminum, titanium, ect. No paticular reason other than it seems to be the best there is to buy today.

ruskko

november rims are extremely strong and cheap 900 a set

Commodus

I don't think carbon clinchers are so great myself, but if I were a heavier guy and wanted some I'd buy Zipps. I read recently an article suggesting they have done the best job of making a rim able to stand up to high braking temperatures.

Perhaps have a search for the article, the information within may be useful for you.

cycle man

my first choice is zipp 404 firecrest based on what I have read about the wheel. Max weight 250 lbs they say

wkg

i'm not saying you shouldn't spend a whole bunch of money on something you don't need but unless you're racing (at 225 lbs??) and want the aero benefit of a deep dish wheel it seems like aluminum would better suit your needs. an aluminum w/ carbon fairing might be a good compromise.

if i were you though i would just go all aluminum with a high spoke count. i can't say from experience because i've never been even close to that heavy but i would imagine (and i've heard such) that a rim with a carbon braking surface will brake poorly for you. so if you plan on doing a lot of descending or are riding steep hills and hit 40 every ride that's definitely something to think about.

AngryScientist 

my only advice is that there is no wheel, or bike, or whatever that is the "best" at everything. you havent mentioned what you want these wheels for, racing, every day wheels, touring, etc, so its hard to say what's best.

at your weight, there are a lot of scenarios where carbon wheels would certainly not be the "best"

HokuLoa

+1 on "the best" being a relative term that depends heavily on the rider and the intended use. I'd be very surprised if CF is the "best" choice for you and your needs unless your "need" is to feed the image rather than the functional reality. Not trying to size you up but why go to the expense of CF if aluminum would function better and longer for you?

rkwaki

Spending more time over here than I thought. Quick history I am a beast.
I am a Cat 1 and race between 199-206 (5'11" tall) and put down a bunch of power.
Check https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-One-Mad-Fiber for some thoughts.
I listed all that I have access to ride and all stand up well though I put most miles on a set of 32H handbuilts.

abstractform20

Madfiber; no weight limit (i believe)...

or, get something with carbon fairrings, check out Boydcycling.com

or HED, Zipp, Enve, etc.

you will have a million people here tell you what you do and dont need.

however, if you are an adult and want to spend money on something that will make the activity you enjoy, more enjoyable (i.e., not chasing pure performance advantages) then just do it.

the people that argue with you about "what you should really be doing" are the same people that would have debated the advantages of single Cd player vs a 6 disc Cd player for the car.

enjoy what you will enjoy.

Drag

This.

MPress

I'm 205lbs and find my 404's to flexy to run on my road bike. Not sure if its the weight, my awesome power output , or the low clearance between the wheel and the chainstay. Granted they are 2010 404 hybrids (aluminum brake track) and I hear the FireCrest wheels are stiffer. Check with the LBS and see if they have a demo program to make sure they are going to work for you. My Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL wheels are plenty stiff... also tested the Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels with the same results. HTH.

rangerdavid

mavic cosmic carbone SL

Silvercivic27

Zipp 404 FC CC.

JayC

I have a set of HEDs and I weigh way more than 225. Theyve been great. I rode them last year pretty much exclusively once I got back in the 250 range. They never missed a beat. The fairings can get a little noisy rubbing on the spokes but thats about the only complaint I had with them.

cycle man

Thank each one of you for your input. I am not a racer,but I like a quality bike and components. I ride mostly in small groups or by my self. I think what I will do
is to purchase a set of zipp 404 clincher firecrest for nice days and a set of Mavic kyrsium SL's for the rest of the time.
225 lb on my way down!! Who knows, Lance SR. in the making.

Thanks again,
cycle man

tony2v

You WANT these:
https://pelotonmagazine.com/Tested-Go...rbone-Ultimate

wkg

you're going to be the next lance

MikeyBoyAz

Mavic Cosmic Carbone SR or SLR; at 250 (I'm Fat, I know) they are plenty stiff.

WarLordZ

The best are Lightweight but they are not cheap. $5,795.00 USD per set. If 1700g range is ok then Campy makes a new wheel called the Bullet Ultra 50 which I had the pleasure to test, and are very comfortable and smooth. They also offer a standard Bullet 50 and there are a couple sets floating around currently at $1,400.00 USD. Mavic also makes a wonderful wheel in the Carbone SLR, and Zipp Firecrest has a large following in Europe and in the USA. The Mad Fiber clincher will not be available until June, and will need a bit of time under riders before it can be considered imho. Hope this helps!

dwhitlow

I'm at 250lbs and riding on some Reynolds DV3Ks that I got from Bonktown. I've been seeing those pretty regularly there for $849.99 plus shipping. I think I paid $899.00.

I've been really happy with them. They ride great, they're comfortable, and I don't notice any real flex, even when standing on the pedals and climbing or "sprinting".

Reynolds wheels don't have an effective rider weight limit, and this was a relatively low-cost way for me to get in the carbon wheel game. I don't race, I'm not fast enough to really notice an aero advantage, and the braking isn't as reassuring as a good aluminum brake track, but they sure look cool on my bike.

I'd recommend these, especially at that price point.