When will carbon wheels become the norm?
07-21-10, 03:18 PM
#26
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07-21-10, 03:19 PM
#27
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Not until a lot of things change. Way too many things that keep aluminum perfect for certain applications.
Price and durability are the biggest factors preventing it from happening.
Price and durability are the biggest factors preventing it from happening.
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07-21-10, 05:18 PM
#28
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Like carbon frames, isn't the ride quality of carbon rims nicer than aluminum rims? So, to me, the changeover is inevitable.
For the naysayers, what are the real negatives of carbon wheels? If productions costs bring carbon wheels more inline with good aluminum wheels, then why not go carbon?
For the naysayers, what are the real negatives of carbon wheels? If productions costs bring carbon wheels more inline with good aluminum wheels, then why not go carbon?
07-21-10, 05:25 PM
#29
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Carbon fiber can't be extruded in unlimited quantities. End of story. Cost for an aluminum rim will always be an order of magnitude less expensive than carbon fiber composite.
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07-21-10, 05:35 PM
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I don't get the retro-grouch obsession with handbuilts. There are plenty of decent, cheap 'factory' wheels that stay plenty true, look good, and aren't crazy heavy. What do handbuilts offer that they don't?
07-21-10, 06:58 PM
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07-21-10, 07:52 PM
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Anyways, I think a Zipp rep is coming to my LBS. I'll have to do it then. I was talking to the rep, and even he said that people just need to try them, and they'll be amazed. I guess I SHOULD try them.
07-21-10, 07:55 PM
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I've gotten a chance to ride quite a few "nice" wheelsets, but Bora 2's remain my favorite. If I ever win the lottery I'll pick up a set of those.
07-21-10, 08:47 PM
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I'll stick with Aluminium.
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07-21-10, 09:34 PM
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I ride Zipp 808 clinchers all the time. They have about 12,000 miles on them so far. They are a straight as the day I got them and haven't had a spoke tightened.
They are not a problem in the wind. I ride them on gravel roads and have hit many potholes. Keeping the decals clean is the only problem I have with them.
When can I expect them to explode ?
They are not a problem in the wind. I ride them on gravel roads and have hit many potholes. Keeping the decals clean is the only problem I have with them.
When can I expect them to explode ?
07-21-10, 09:45 PM
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it didn't look like much of a crash on the video. it almost looked like the wheel just folded
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07-21-10, 09:51 PM
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07-21-10, 09:58 PM
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The wheels was already under tremendous stress because Cav was sprinting. His collision with Haussler caused him to fall to his side. As he was falling, the wheel gave in and folded because the lateral forces grew to be too much. That would have bent an aluminum race rim just as easily.
07-21-10, 10:08 PM
#42
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I see it as more likely to happen if the UCI rule change for 'cross leads to road disc development and large-scale adoption. Not a lot more likely, though.
07-21-10, 10:20 PM
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The only benefit to carbon wheelsets is aero. If aero is not a concern why would you pay for a less durable wheelset. If you like the look, but not the price, and don't care about weight. Your answer is AeroSpoke. They've been around forever. They are Velocity alloy rims reinforced and spoked with a pile of carbon.
07-21-10, 10:27 PM
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The only benefit to carbon wheelsets is aero. If aero is not a concern why would you pay for a less durable wheelset. If you like the look, but not the price, and don't care about weight. Your answer is AeroSpoke. They've been around forever. They are Velocity alloy rims reinforced and spoked with a pile of carbon.
07-21-10, 11:24 PM
#46
Get back to me if your factory built wheels are still true after 20 years.
07-22-10, 12:01 AM
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Much as I love Shimano wheels (mostly because the hubs are outstanding) these wheels are basically an aluminium clincher decorated with a strip of carbon fiber. Not very durable, not easily to replace just the rim when like my friend you do trash one, and not as light as my GEL 280 handbuilts. I wouldn't consider these as carbon wheels.
07-22-10, 12:07 AM
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if you live on the flats, go aero. if you climb hills or want to improve your sprint, light weight is the key, and carbon tubulars will get you to sub 1200 grams for a wheelset. I train on aluminum wheels and when I get on my carbon wheels, it feels like I've got someone pushing me!
07-22-10, 01:51 AM
#50
Much as I love Shimano wheels (mostly because the hubs are outstanding) these wheels are basically an aluminium clincher decorated with a strip of carbon fiber. Not very durable, not easily to replace just the rim when like my friend you do trash one, and not as light as my GEL 280 handbuilts. I wouldn't consider these as carbon wheels.
