upgraded front wheel
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 702
Bikes: '23 Poseidon Redwood, '07 Specialized Roubaix Comp Triple, '12 Gravity Fixie, '21 Liv Rove 4, '06? Giant EB Spirit
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 345 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
151 Posts
upgraded front wheel
Lately I have been working on my wheels. I had heard that wheel upgrades are some of best "bang for the buck" and was interested in learning - its been a fun and satisfying project. I had already done the rear wheel myself weeks ago. It did improve the bike.
Today I got to ride with the new front wheel on my favorite route with lots of hills. I changed the wheel to a wider flange, lighter hub and used lighter and stronger double butted spokes. I measured a 70 grams of weight saving in the front wheel - no big deal I thought. Well half way through the climb I realized I wasn't getting as tired as I usually do, I was climbing faster than normal and was accelerating easier. "Nah", I thought,, "it couldn't be the wheel, its just my imagination."
Then I remembered reading how rotational weight can make a big difference. For some reason I wasn't expecting this from the front wheel.
(I also noticed that I was hearing more of the tire on the road, not sure why that would be - the thinner butted spokes .)
I am very happy with my upgrade and just had to share I can vouch for lowering rotational weight improving the ride quality, at least on my bicycle.
Today I got to ride with the new front wheel on my favorite route with lots of hills. I changed the wheel to a wider flange, lighter hub and used lighter and stronger double butted spokes. I measured a 70 grams of weight saving in the front wheel - no big deal I thought. Well half way through the climb I realized I wasn't getting as tired as I usually do, I was climbing faster than normal and was accelerating easier. "Nah", I thought,, "it couldn't be the wheel, its just my imagination."
Then I remembered reading how rotational weight can make a big difference. For some reason I wasn't expecting this from the front wheel.
(I also noticed that I was hearing more of the tire on the road, not sure why that would be - the thinner butted spokes .)
I am very happy with my upgrade and just had to share I can vouch for lowering rotational weight improving the ride quality, at least on my bicycle.
#2
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,641
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1939 Post(s)
Liked 1,463 Times
in
1,012 Posts
Lately I have been working on my wheels. I had heard that wheel upgrades are some of best "bang for the buck" and was interested in learning - its been a fun and satisfying project. I had already done the rear wheel myself weeks ago. It did improve the bike.
Today I got to ride with the new front wheel on my favorite route with lots of hills. I changed the wheel to a wider flange, lighter hub and used lighter and stronger double butted spokes. I measured a 70 grams of weight saving in the front wheel - no big deal I thought. Well half way through the climb I realized I wasn't getting as tired as I usually do, I was climbing faster than normal and was accelerating easier. "Nah", I thought,, "it couldn't be the wheel, its just my imagination."
Then I remembered reading how rotational weight can make a big difference. For some reason I wasn't expecting this from the front wheel.
(I also noticed that I was hearing more of the tire on the road, not sure why that would be - the thinner butted spokes .)
I am very happy with my upgrade and just had to share I can vouch for lowering rotational weight improving the ride quality, at least on my bicycle.
Today I got to ride with the new front wheel on my favorite route with lots of hills. I changed the wheel to a wider flange, lighter hub and used lighter and stronger double butted spokes. I measured a 70 grams of weight saving in the front wheel - no big deal I thought. Well half way through the climb I realized I wasn't getting as tired as I usually do, I was climbing faster than normal and was accelerating easier. "Nah", I thought,, "it couldn't be the wheel, its just my imagination."
Then I remembered reading how rotational weight can make a big difference. For some reason I wasn't expecting this from the front wheel.
(I also noticed that I was hearing more of the tire on the road, not sure why that would be - the thinner butted spokes .)
I am very happy with my upgrade and just had to share I can vouch for lowering rotational weight improving the ride quality, at least on my bicycle.
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,848
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6939 Post(s)
Liked 10,944 Times
in
4,677 Posts
Placebo effect.
#5
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,641
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1939 Post(s)
Liked 1,463 Times
in
1,012 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 702
Bikes: '23 Poseidon Redwood, '07 Specialized Roubaix Comp Triple, '12 Gravity Fixie, '21 Liv Rove 4, '06? Giant EB Spirit
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 345 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
151 Posts
one thing that isn't placebo effect - it absolutely feels better to ride on wheels you successfully built yourself
Likes For Symox: