Narhay

I am considering some aero profile carbon rims. My rides are generally fairly flat and I ride almost exclusively alone. I am using C17 Zondas now but would like to see if aero wheels can improve my overall speed. Toronto can be a bit windy at times.

I am thinking of getting some 88mm depth rims. I understand 50mm seems to be the all-around depth recommended but in my solo rider situation I do not see a significant issue with crosswinds and slightly higher weight for my mostly non-existent climbing.

Any other reason to skip out on the deeper rims for shallower ones?

bikebreak

deeper is faster, but yes, you will feel the wind. a modern, rounder wider rim will have less problems with crosswinds than old skinny V shape rims. a longer stem putting more weight on the front wheel will also reduce the steering input of side winds

I really like the Easton EC90 55mm, very rounded shape 28-30mm wide, or the Bontrager Aeolus, 50 70 or 90 deep and 27 wide.

Personally I run a 50 or 55mm deep front and 35mm Aeolus 3 rear. No wind problems. If I was going to go deeper in front I would want a deeper rear to offset some of the sail effect.

merlinextraligh

bike break is right that cross winds are less of an issue with modern rim shapes. That said, 88mm is pretty deep and will be affected by cross winds.

Also, how much speed are you hoping to pick up? At 20 mph, we're talking about a speed increase of a tenth or two of a mph. Not sure that its very significant to ride along solo at 20.3 mph as oppossed to 20.1mph.

Bah Humbug

Per the aero geeks on ST, you would be anywhere from 5s-15s faster per 40k with going from 50mm to 88mm. That's specifically for going from a Jet 6 to a Jet 9, but the numbers should be in that ballpark for other models. Potentially a big deal at the front end of a TT or triathlon bike split, but for general riding it's meaningless. Even the jump from a Belgium (or C17) to carbon wheels makes almost no difference on a training or social ride, and no difference that you can feel.

Cam Wurf set the Kona bike record last year with a 30mm front, for what it's worth.

datlas 

Dean V

Being blown around in cross winds is not enjoyable. Modern rim profiles have helped but it is still significant with a 90mm rim.

woodcraft

You should be able to get some hardly used wheels of that depth

from a triathlon type for a bargain price.

Bah Humbug

Even in triathlon I've moved towards not recommending anything deeper than 50-60mm. That handful of theoretical seconds disappears in a moment if a single sidewind gust makes you come up out of aero. Running a Jet 6, 9, or Disc in the rear with a Belgium front will be faster if it means the rider stays in aero instead of coming onto the brake levers. Even if that only happens once.

noodle soup

Exactly.

Where is this magical land with no crosswinds? I need to move there.

colnago62

I bought a pair of Zipp 808. Rarely used them. Ended up having them laced with track hubs and now I use them at the velodrome. They work great at the track because there are no sharp corners and the average speed is higher than what one would typically ride solo on the road.

tFUnK

Had a set of 60/88s. Looked really cool and not super heavy at 1700g. Still, the extra weight on the rear made the bike slow to kick into speed and the crosswinds were more noticeable, even for a 190lb rider. You mentioned no hills but descending on them in windy conditions came close frightening on a couple of occasions.

Vegasclimber

I would recommend borrowing a set and trying them out on a windy day before committing to buying them. I love deep rims, but man they are a pain in crosswinds. I run Assaults on my Evo, and even at 42mm they can be a handful in desert winds. If I came across a good deal I might buy some deeper wheels, but they wouldn't be for everyday riding.

Racing Dan

If you want to go faster get a clip on tri bar.

Abe_Froman

I've thought about getting a set for really long rides on trails; going from Chicago into Wisconsin or Indiana/Michigan. I've heard they're quite comfortable as well...moreso than a normal bar for long distances.

Seattle Forrest

Imagine if he used aero wheels and aero bars! And then painted his frame red.

Bah Humbug

And TriRig brakes, and eTap or fully-internal Di2...

datlas 

And tubeless, definitely go tubeless.

Seattle Forrest

That sounds like a better world than one where you can only do one thing to make your bike faster.

Racing Dan

Sure, but no one suggested going with a tri bar, etap, red paint and aero bottles to go with the wheels ;-)

woodcraft

Plus train on rollers to go faster with less effort.

topflightpro

Given the winds you describe, I'd suggest something in the 55-60 range, like Zipp 404s.

There was a study many years ago, so it may be a bit outdated, but the marginal aero gains from rim depth start diminishing at 30mm and the slope really levels out around 50.

WhyFi

I never thought that it would have affected me like this, but seeing a completely wire-free bar/stem/HT just makes me lust.

Dean V

No brakes!

noodle soup

The 2019 Madone is ridiculous

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...slr-8/p/24122/

WhyFi

I like my brakes and gears.

Yup. Want one. Can't justify one at all, but still want one.