Wheels: high profile vs. low profile
09-20-11, 01:14 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 121
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wheels: high profile vs. low profile
Can someone explain to me the difference here? I used Google but I couldn't find an answer.
Comparing weights it's evident that the higher profile wheels are heavier. I'm assuming the advantage is a more aerodynamic wheel, but I don't understand how that works.
Comparing weights it's evident that the higher profile wheels are heavier. I'm assuming the advantage is a more aerodynamic wheel, but I don't understand how that works.
09-20-11, 05:11 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Vlaamse Ardennen, Belgium
Posts: 3,898
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
It's all about being smooth through the air.
A wheel with spokes that is turning around will constantly cut the wind with it's spokes and so it will cause a lot of turbulence.
Turbulence means that you have lost energy by moving the air and is therefore directly related to drag.
A disc wheel does not have spokes and so it does not cut in such a weird way, making it to cause a lot less turbulence ... in that way a disc wheel is faster than any other wheel.
A high profile rim is the middle ground between a full disc and a normal wheel ... having better aero but not optimal.
A wheel with spokes that is turning around will constantly cut the wind with it's spokes and so it will cause a lot of turbulence.
Turbulence means that you have lost energy by moving the air and is therefore directly related to drag.
A disc wheel does not have spokes and so it does not cut in such a weird way, making it to cause a lot less turbulence ... in that way a disc wheel is faster than any other wheel.
A high profile rim is the middle ground between a full disc and a normal wheel ... having better aero but not optimal.
09-20-11, 05:18 AM
#3
shedding fat
Low profile = used more for climbing and high winds as aerodynamics play a much lower role.
High profile = used for more flatter rides and less winds where aero plays a much bigger role. Still need the legs to make it count though.
High profile = used for more flatter rides and less winds where aero plays a much bigger role. Still need the legs to make it count though.
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-20-11, 05:54 AM
#4
Senior Member
09-20-11, 05:59 AM
#5
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,056
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22600 Post(s)
Liked 8,927 Times
in
4,160 Posts
09-20-11, 08:30 AM
#7
of Clan Nrubso
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kitsap
Posts: 376
Bikes: Cannondale F400, Surly LHT,Motobecane Le Champion Ti, Novara Veloce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-20-11, 12:00 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 121
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-20-11, 12:07 PM
#10
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,056
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22600 Post(s)
Liked 8,927 Times
in
4,160 Posts
09-20-11, 12:09 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
I like high profile rims because it looks way cool (at least up to about 50mm, and after that, not so much)
Different rationalization for different folks, so get what you think is best for you and your application.
Let's face it, we can all wax endlessly about pros and cons and whatnot...unless you are a professional, it doesn't really matter much.
Different rationalization for different folks, so get what you think is best for you and your application.
Let's face it, we can all wax endlessly about pros and cons and whatnot...unless you are a professional, it doesn't really matter much.
