FlashBazbo

Hear me out. I'm a long-time competitive cyclist. I've ridden several generations of both aero and non-aero wheels over the years. And I've enjoyed most of them. My current aero wheelset -- ENVE 4.5 -- are, far and away, the best aero wheels I've ever ridden. I like them a lot. But knowing what I know now . . . and given that "non-aero" wheels are a lot more aero than they used to be . . . would I shell out the big bucks for aero wheels again?

If I have to be honest, I have to say that the benefits of aero wheels in the real world, are not as great as the hype would have you believe. On the plus side, at certain specific yaw angles, my ENVEs are rockets -- there is a speed benefit that you can feel when they are on the sail. But that yaw angle and the ability to take advantage of it (i.e., out on your own, away from even a small pack) is pretty rare. Rare enough that I specifically remember every time it has happened. On the negative side, even with the latest profile rims, aero wheels don't like strong or unpredictable crosswinds. Even with the ENVEs, I've been blown sideways a couple of feet more than once. In an unpredictable crosswind situation, this causes me to give other riders and the edge of the road an extra foot or so of space -- which usually means I'm not drafting as well as I could be. Like the ideal yaw angle, this situation is also relatively unusual, but not as unusual as the perfect yaw is. In this situation -- and especially on steep descents with a crosswind -- the aero wheelset actually costs me watts and time. And, if we're going by perceived effort? Riding straight into the wind is a loser for the aero wheels, too.

And most of the time (let's be honest here, aero wheel owners), in the real world there is no perceptible difference between riding an aero wheel and a non-aero wheel. Speeds are within the margin of error of being exactly the same between today's (40mm to 60mm) aero wheels and today's rounded section rim non-aero (25mm) wheels. Riding in a group cancels everything out. Carbon clinchers don't brake QUITE as well and they aren't as stiff as a good set of aluminum clinchers, but those aren't as big a factor as they used to be. Also, my ENVEs weigh almost exactly the same as my non-aero aluminum wheels -- so that's not a factor at all, anymore.

Why the public reflection/confession? I'm planning my racing season -- all the way down to gearing and wheel choices at each event -- and I realized that the aero wheels may not make the cut. If the wind is from the right direction at the right places on the course -- and if I think I might be trying to break away or catch the break in that area -- I will want the aero wheels on the bike. But what are the chances?

It's cool to have a choice of wheel types through the season. But if I had only one wheelset? It comes from the current crop of rounded-profile low-profile wheels.

I know this will be an extremely controversial post. I know that my manhood, cycling ability, and morality will be challenged. But I thought it might be good to have an honest assessment out there.

gsindela

Well written and well said. The marketing gods are not going to be happy with you.

wphamilton

Have you used aero shaped bladed spokes on non-aero wheels?

12strings

A friend of mine who has deep aero wheels was recently complaining about how they weren't sure how effective they were, and how they catch cross-winds.

I had and immediate, irrefutable response:

"BUT THEY LOOK COOL!"

Seattle Forrest

I just bought a set of Enve 4.5 ARs. I'm loving them, but I'm not riding them nearly enough, I also just bought another pair or skis, and I'm trying to get out the door with them now.

I've felt that "like a sail" thing you described a few times. These are really easy to control in gusty cross winds. I've almost crashed descending around a corner on the North Cascades highway, and that's pretty important to me. They feel very stable when they roll. They're bombproof strong, and I do a lot of unpaved roads with very little traffic, so this is huge - I don't want to get stranded 20 miles from the nearest anything. My phone doesn't work in the mountains. They're wide as hell, stretch a 28 mm tire out to 32 mm. I run them tubeless, it's a soft ride with fantastic grip.

woodcraft

Early warning sign of retro-grouch nihilism?

gregf83 

Depends what kind of racing you're doing. If you aren't contending for a podium then it might not be worth it. But if you already have the wheels I can't see any reason not to use them.

You can use less expensive 30mm aluminum wheels that get you 90% of the benefits of you Enve wheels but they'll have similar issues in the wind.

One comment on riding in a group. It's not correct that you lose the benefits of a deep wheel when drafting.

Roman Vintfeld

I have to agree with this. Most of my riding involves hiding from the wind inside the pack and then unleashing my five minute power when the road points up. Sure, aero wheels might be faster when riding alone, but when I do that I am training, and in that situation all I care about is my power output. So training, don't care so much. Racing, not so much either. All that is left is time trialling but I do too few of those to justify the expense.

I do agree that if you already have them might as well use them, except if handling is compromised. I'll take a good/easy-to-handle bike any day over saving ten watts.

OldTryGuy

With the aero's on my bike, the bike looks fast and so....I am.

BTW, nice post and good luck.

Roman Vintfeld

They do look cool (well, some of them) and the whooshing sounds they make sometimes is sweet.

woodcraft

The OP was talking about losing drafting benefit because of leaving more room in gusty winds. This is true- especially on fast descents.

TMonk

@Flashbozo what kind of racing have you been doing?

the more time you spend going fast, the more it's worth it. I ride box rims on my training bike and deep carbons when racing.

rpenmanparker 

Dear Abby,

I hate the whooshing sound of aero wheels and I don't think they look particularly cool. What should I do?

Conflicted in Houston.

Roman Vintfeld

You should build yourself a sub-1300g wheelset.

Roman Vintfeld

Watching Vuelta de Andalucia, I don't think I saw any of the contenders on anything deeper than 40mms, TT excluded, and they were going pretty darn fast.

rpenmanparker 

You talkin' to me? If so, I already have three. Two 1,250 g Al clincher sets and a 999 g (I swear) low profile carbon tubular set. Now those are wheels!

Roman Vintfeld

Good man.

thenewjs

Living in DC crosswinds are the reason I stay far away from aero wheels, especially when it gets to whipping through the buildings. Its not so bad out on the trail but its still a gamble. I have a CAAD12 and i've damn near been blown over multiple times.

himespau 

Hiro11

Aero wheels offer among the worst dollars/watt saved ratios and yet its the first thing magazines, forums and other riders recommend upgrading. Also, deep section wheels are a pain in a strong crosswind and wheels with carbon braking tracks still don't brake as well as aluminum.

Caymandiver1

swapped my Dura Ace carbon very low profile clinchers for some 50mm aero wheels w/tubulars. have not noticed any increase in avg speed but I am still trying them out so that may change. I'm thinking about just using the dura ace on the road bike and save the aeros for the cervelo.

Succhia Ruota

Ah, the fickle finger of fashion.

Racing Dan

"And most of the time (let's be honest here, aero wheel owners), in the real world there is no perceptible difference between riding an aero wheel and a non-aero wheel. Speeds are within the margin of error of being exactly the same between today's (40mm to 60mm) aero wheels and today's rounded section rim non-aero (25mm) wheels."

There is a reason aero wheels are always tested against the most boxy rim they can find. Im betting the difference against something like a Fulcrum quattro or similar, is very close to nil.

Thanks for posting. Much appreciated.

joejack951

So are we back to lower weight meaning more than aero? Or now is it that neither matters? If that's the case many of us will be crying ourselves to sleep tonight. How the hell are we supposed to justify new gear with this newfound wisdom?

Roman Vintfeld

That. Well, both matter, but good enough is good enough.