Aero aluminum rim, worth it?
07-24-22, 08:13 AM
#1
Aero aluminum rim, worth it?
I was offered a pair of Mavic Cosmic Elite 40mm wheels. I am now still using the factory TCR wheels that is 28mm deep and are like 10 years old. Can I expect notably better performance with the deeper wheel?
I learned that carbon rims don't work well with rim brake and in any case carbon wheels are too expensive, so that is probably the only sensible upgrade... or you guys just talk me out of it
I learned that carbon rims don't work well with rim brake and in any case carbon wheels are too expensive, so that is probably the only sensible upgrade... or you guys just talk me out of it
07-24-22, 08:55 AM
#2
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,351
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Liked 3,837 Times
in
1,905 Posts
Those wheels are noticeably h-e-a-v-y.
If you ride fast on flat terrain, and you've already optimized your aero setup (especially your body), you may notice a slightly better performance.
For an experienced cyclist, there is nothing wrong with carbon rim braking. I descend long mountain roads at high speed using carbon wheels and rim brakes, no problem.
If you'll consider lightweight carbon wheels, take a look at the offerings from Light Bicycle. Their Falcon Wheelset AR36 costs around $500.
If you ride fast on flat terrain, and you've already optimized your aero setup (especially your body), you may notice a slightly better performance.
For an experienced cyclist, there is nothing wrong with carbon rim braking. I descend long mountain roads at high speed using carbon wheels and rim brakes, no problem.
If you'll consider lightweight carbon wheels, take a look at the offerings from Light Bicycle. Their Falcon Wheelset AR36 costs around $500.
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Likes For terrymorse:
07-24-22, 07:05 PM
#3
Banned
It will gain you about .0001 mph. The only really effective performance gains are from training or body position on the bike, nothing else really matters unless you are a pro, and the pros don't have to spend money on their bikes, so they are the only ones that fancy equipment is "worth it" for. Ride more, ride harder, or ride lower if you want to go faster.
07-24-22, 07:28 PM
#4
Senior Member
07-24-22, 07:49 PM
#5
OM boy
Very H-E-A-V-Y ! I have a set which came with a bike I had for a while... Remember them being like 1925 g without skewers...
Used them for a year as weekday 'training wheels'. Made my HEDs at 1625g feel like I had wings... and they were 27mm profile... (the HEDs)
Can't say I ever felt I had an 'aero' advantage... Don;t remember the internal width, but was NOT 21mm.
I re-sold the bike - and of course included the cosmic wheels... happy day...
... I still have those HEDs (along with 2 other HED sets), they are awesome.
For any wheelset I might buy now, I would not consider anything less than 21, and 23 internal is preferred. Profile of 28-30mm is fine for me in alloy...
Ride On
Yuri
Used them for a year as weekday 'training wheels'. Made my HEDs at 1625g feel like I had wings... and they were 27mm profile... (the HEDs)
Can't say I ever felt I had an 'aero' advantage... Don;t remember the internal width, but was NOT 21mm.
I re-sold the bike - and of course included the cosmic wheels... happy day...
... I still have those HEDs (along with 2 other HED sets), they are awesome.
For any wheelset I might buy now, I would not consider anything less than 21, and 23 internal is preferred. Profile of 28-30mm is fine for me in alloy...
Ride On
Yuri
Likes For cyclezen:
