Got my first set of carbon wheels
#1
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Got my first set of carbon wheels
Bought a pair of Reynolds 80mm carbon fiber wheels for my tri bike and finally got them mounted and all sorted on the bike today. I took it for a fairly short ride, only about four miles, but the one thing I noticed is that I hear and feel so much stuff through these wheels. Like every little pebble, every bump, every expansion joint. Pothole, twig, dead bug, everyting. It's like the sound and the feeling is amplified. Is this normal for carbon fiber wheels?
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#2
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Carbon wheels can be harsh, but they don't have to be. They all have one thing in common, though - they don't have much "give" compared to traditional alloy spoke & rim wheels, and it can be a jolt the first time you ride them.
The greater surface area from the carbon fairings reflects sound and vibration a lot more than traditional alloy spoke & rim wheels. It's like they resonate briefly and not in a good way. That's why you're hearing and feeling more than before.
You're starting off in the deep end with 80mm section wheels. You might find a better compromise with a less severe section. I have a set of Bontrager Aeolus 5's (50mm depth) and I like the ride - stiff, but not overly so, and not transmitting every road imperfection.
The greater surface area from the carbon fairings reflects sound and vibration a lot more than traditional alloy spoke & rim wheels. It's like they resonate briefly and not in a good way. That's why you're hearing and feeling more than before.
You're starting off in the deep end with 80mm section wheels. You might find a better compromise with a less severe section. I have a set of Bontrager Aeolus 5's (50mm depth) and I like the ride - stiff, but not overly so, and not transmitting every road imperfection.
#3
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I've noticed riding near people with 80mm wheels there tends to be a lot of transmitted noise, but with shorter profile wheels that noise isn't there. I think its something you just have to cope with and get used to.
#4
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What kind of pressure are you running? Be very careful in crosswinds and on fast descents with trucks displacing a lot of air. I have issues in those circumstances with 60mm but yours are in a different, and more vulnerable, league.
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#5
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Bought a pair of Reynolds 80mm carbon fiber wheels for my tri bike and finally got them mounted and all sorted on the bike today. I took it for a fairly short ride, only about four miles, but the one thing I noticed is that I hear and feel so much stuff through these wheels. Like every little pebble, every bump, every expansion joint. Pothole, twig, dead bug, everyting. It's like the sound and the feeling is amplified. Is this normal for carbon fiber wheels?
#6
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Thread Starter
Carbon wheels can be harsh, but they don't have to be. They all have one thing in common, though - they don't have much "give" compared to traditional alloy spoke & rim wheels, and it can be a jolt the first time you ride them.
The greater surface area from the carbon fairings reflects sound and vibration a lot more than traditional alloy spoke & rim wheels. It's like they resonate briefly and not in a good way. That's why you're hearing and feeling more than before.
You're starting off in the deep end with 80mm section wheels. You might find a better compromise with a less severe section. I have a set of Bontrager Aeolus 5's (50mm depth) and I like the ride - stiff, but not overly so, and not transmitting every road imperfection.
The greater surface area from the carbon fairings reflects sound and vibration a lot more than traditional alloy spoke & rim wheels. It's like they resonate briefly and not in a good way. That's why you're hearing and feeling more than before.
You're starting off in the deep end with 80mm section wheels. You might find a better compromise with a less severe section. I have a set of Bontrager Aeolus 5's (50mm depth) and I like the ride - stiff, but not overly so, and not transmitting every road imperfection.
These wheels are very specifically and only for my tri bike. I may go with carbon wheels for one or two of my road bikes in the future (or not) but if I do they will definitely be a much more shallow wheel.
#7
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I’d come down to 85psi.
Then I’d go to bicycle rolling resistance and compare your chosen tire to a 5000 S TR for performance.
Barry
Then I’d go to bicycle rolling resistance and compare your chosen tire to a 5000 S TR for performance.
Barry
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Yeah, deep carbon wheels are noisy, but I find they make noise rather than transmit road vibrations, though it's often difficult to discern the difference. I ride fairly shallow aluminum rims most days, and as I go by folks, I'll mouth a rythmic "wuff, wuff, wuff", and when asked why, I say "404s..."
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This thread needs photos.
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#11
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Never go by the max pressure on the tire sidewall. (Yeah this is SO controversial). Instead go to rolling resistance.com or Silca and look up your tire type, weight, road type/s, etc and get the correct pressure
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#13
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As requested…… photo
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Donkeys don't like that "Big Wheel" sound.
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Hey,....wait a minute, .... those are our Renton bozos! No carbon experts here, only bolt inspectors.
Bigly disclaimer: not affiliated
i just run the pot shop around the block from the assembly plant. Lunchtime prerolls put a smile on one's face.
(not really)
Bigly disclaimer: not affiliated
i just run the pot shop around the block from the assembly plant. Lunchtime prerolls put a smile on one's face.
(not really)
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Last edited by Wildwood; 01-27-24 at 09:02 PM.
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95 psi on 80mm deep rims? I’m surprised you have teeth left
I’m guessing as a female you’re on the lighter side, isn’t that insanely high? silca’s calculator says 75 psi at 28mm with tubes on pavement for 160lb total load.
I’m guessing as a female you’re on the lighter side, isn’t that insanely high? silca’s calculator says 75 psi at 28mm with tubes on pavement for 160lb total load.
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Oooops. You know what they say about assume....
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I'm more of a vintage guy and therefore have no use for carbon wheels, but that doesn't mean that I'm down on them. I think they're fine if you can afford them.