ppg677

I recently bought a Canyon Endurace CF 7 Di2, which has the stock Fulcrum 900 DB wheels (1950g). Now I saved a lot of money by going with Canyon rather than buying a Specialized/Trek/etc (note I'm also battling seatpost creaking issues but that's another matter in itself that I think I've maybe...just maybe resolved).

In any case, I'm riding about 100 miles a week. One solo ride of 50-60 miles/week. Two group rides a week that are go hard, go fast for an hour. Those go-hard/go-fast rides are at an average speed of 18mph or so. My riding companions rave about their carbon wheels.

I have an opportunity to buy some Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51s for $900. Seller says they've been ridden ~500 miles. No tires/rotors included so I would move those over from the OEM Fulcrums.

Should I go for it? Note I weight 205 lbs if that is any indication of my susceptibility to crosswind.

Iride01 

Weight wise I don't think you get much of a difference. Aero wise you probably will get a difference. So maybe it depends more on how far and fast you tend to ride. 18 mph average, assuming it's hilly or rolling terrain isn't shabby though if you aren't the one slowing the group. Carbon to me is more about how well you feel the road under you for handling. Maybe I'm wrong.

ppg677

I would shave off about 325grams. But yeah, I think the advantage would be in feel and aero.

My riding buddies ride shallower carbon wheels and claim they like how it feels to accelerate.

I guess the question is-- if I want to improve the riding experience of my bike, should I get shallow/light carbon wheels or something more aero like the 51s. Or just not bother. I don't know.

I do weekend rides of 50+ miles at ~15mph and ~3k elevation gain. Then a couple go-fast/go-hard rides of one hour, 18mph average. Where I'm often battling to not get dropped...

Iride01 

Two rides a week? You need to add a third in there somewhere. A solo ride or maybe with one or two other friends that you can tailor segments to working on your own individual needs for improvement. Just doing group rides will always have you trying to keep up and no time for working on the parts you do poor at.

90 minutes more would probably do wonders.

ppg677

Ooops...I'm currently done one weekend ride of 30-60 miles that is me and my spouse. (recently has been 50-60 miles...we're going to attempt a century ride this Sunday). And then two group go-fast/go-hard rides a week (18 miles each). After riding 70 miles at 15mph, I'm cooked!

SoSmellyAir

First, these are pretty good wheels: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review - FeedTheHabit.com.

Second, a 325 g difference is noticeable, especially when accelerating from standstill or slow speeds.

The conventional wisdom is that aero is generally more important than very low weight unless you are climbing steep slopes all the time. These wheels are nice and wide (23 mm internal, 31 mm external) and would match well with 28 mm tires for a more aero profile and increased comfort compared to the Fulcrum 900DB, which has an internal width of 19 mm. And 1,615 g is not so heavy that it would really hurt you on climbs. That said, you may still get dropped, but that's OK, as long as you have nice wheels.

surak

Those Bontragers seem to be a solid choice. I only weigh 148 lbs and ride 50/56mm F/R Light Bicycle wheels with similar internal and external rim widths that only give me crosswind trouble when bombing down an exposed bridge across Lake Washington. You will definitely notice the speed difference. Slap a 28mm tire in the front, wider in the rear if you want more comfort, and you'll be cruising.

FrankTuna

If you don't mind spending the money, these are great wheels. I've been running them for a couple years and they're bombproof.

As mentioned, they're reasonably wide and pretty light. They're super easy to set up tubelestubelessve been rock solid (I'm 230 lbs and have been heavier on them).

jadmt

you could throw on a set of 28mm tires like Pirelli p zero's and some aerothan tpu tubes and shave over 200 grams and see how that feels. I recently got endurace cf8 and it eats up the miles at a decent solo clip. I have done a few 100+ miles and a lot of 75-80 mile rides. For a while I was thinking I needed new wheels but seems like the fulcrums are pretty bomb proof and cruising at 18-20mph not sure I would really feel a difference. I am not doing sprints so at just a steady speed not sure I would feel much of difference. my rear tire is almost done so I will be putting some lighter tires and tubes in shortly.

jaxgtr

I have these wheels on my Domane and they are really nice as I ride in a lot of wind where I am at, I've never been pushed or pulled from wind with them. I also like that the rear hub is fairly quiet compare to others, as I am not a huge fan of the really noisy hubs. I have tried a few versions of TLR and Non-TLR tires on them and they are so simple to mount by hand and seat with just a floor pump. I currently run the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR in 30's on them. Have also used the 28's, but found like like the 30's better. Ride is very comfy, pretty darn stiff, and as a rider that floats between 195 and 210, I do not get any massive amounts of flex when I put some power into them. I also use the Bontrager tubeless rim strip versus taping them and it has been fantastic. I also have a set of the Aeolus Pro 5's on my rim brake bike since I liked the Pro 51's so well.

eduskator

700$ for a set of brand new HUNT wheels. I'd consider that instead. The 30mm are 1300g I believe.

surak

Are you talking about these? https://us.huntbikewheels.com/produc...eep-27wide-999 on sale for $764.15.

If so, no way would I consider those anywhere near as good a value as the Bontragers for $900. 27mm outer rim width, 30mm depth are both worse. Hunt's hubs are significantly worse than DT Swiss 350s, and their wheels also have a reputation for being flexy.

wheelreason

No.

eduskator

Well, you fear crosswind and ride 18MPH in average, which isn't ''hard and fast''. I don't see the need for deep wheels at that speed so might as well save on weight by going shallower (that's just my two cent).

merlinextraligh

Aerodynamics cN be more important at slower speeds. Obviously, a given aero improvement generates more speed difference at 30 mph, than it does at 18mph. However, the total time saved ends up being more at 18mph than 30 mph because you’re riding longer for the same distance.

and there is also the question of what the OP means by “18 mph average speed”. If he means the ride typically cruise’s at 18 mph, that’s not all that fast, but an average of 18mph for the entire ride can be pretty quick.

If the terrain is hilly or even rolling, you’re likely spending time in the mid to high 20’s to get an 18mph average, and even on flat ground, many group rides that average 18mph, particularly including warm up and cool down, go much above 20mph for good portions.

TMonk

I have two sets of the Aeolus Pro TLR 3's, one in rim ad one in disc. If/when it comes time to replace a different pair of deeper wheels I have, I would absolutely consider going or the 5's/51's. They've been great wheels.

biker128pedal

I too have a pair of 51s I my Domane. Also have rim brake 5s. The 51s are sooo much better in the wind. Really I have no movement with gusts of wind like the 5s. But I weigh 210 lbs. Ridden them on gravel with 28mm Conti 5000 non tubeless. They have stay true. Solid wheel.

On the wheels you are looking at. Do they come set up for tubeless with valves? The Bontrager rim strips of you want them are $20 each. Rim tape is lighter and cheaper. Not sure which is easier to seat a tire. I’ve tried rim tape and will try the Bontrager rim strips next to see if the are easier. Tape for me has needed a blast of air and do not stay on and seal when deflated.

If I did it again I get 37s RSLs for the extra weight savings. Not that it would help me much but they’d look just as cool.