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Advice on really really good carbon wheels?

Mike

Maximum Pace
Sep 24, 2007
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I am thinking of purchasing some new deep rim carbon racing wheels and would love some advice. I am thinking of getting the EASTON TEMPEST II CARBON WHEELSET but they only come in tubular, which I'm not a big fan of.

So this is my question. What are the best clincher carbon wheels at a respectable price? What do you guys and girls recommend?

Anyone?
 
So this is my question. What are the best clincher carbon wheels at a respectable price? What do you guys and girls recommend?

Anyone?

Two questions why only carbon? How cheap is cheap? like they say you can get: light, strong or cheap but never three together. How heavy are you and whats you riding style and what bike are they to go on?
OKay that was more than two.
 
My only experience with good wheels is my pair of MAVIC COSMIC Carbons.
I hope they last forever. Would be too scared to buy something else again without testing. I love my Cosmics.

BUT... :confused:

If I was looking for something similar at a cheaper price I'd probably want to try the Bontrager....

Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 HED

http://rbikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=13933
 
Came across the same dilemma when specifying components for my new frame which is awaiting the new DA 7900.

My final choices were two sets by Shimano
WH-7850-C24-CL
WH-7850-C50-CL

They are both clinchers, a composite of 'carbon' over aluminium as my specs are a balance of durability, weight, perceived performance and value for money amongst many others.

For wheely, wheely good off the shelf bling factor (current medication makes me slur and see double) also consider

Hed Jet 50 or 60 (clinchers 700c and 650c)
http://www.hedcycling.com/

Reynolds SDV66 C
http://www.reynoldscycling.com/index.php

The biggest bragging rights would be handbuilt wheels specified with your rims, hubs and spokes. Before investing in expensive dishy deep 'carbons', take a look at this
http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html

Shimano is my one of first choices because, at least where cycling is concerned, the local product is very good value compared to the imported competition.
 
You might also consider

The new Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR

http://bikehugger.com/2008/06/mavics_new_cosmic_carbone_slr.htm

Not out yet though. And speaking of that, I'm not sure if the Shimanos are available yet either. Competitive Cyclist has them listed on their site but last time I checked with them, the wheels still weren't available.

Actually, I reckon you need some seriously bomb-heavy wheels with no aerodynamic features, which you must buy and install before Hotaka :p
 
Cheers

Thanks for the advice guys. Some very nice wheels. Those HED C2's look really sweet, esp in the all black. Any idea where to buy them Phillip? Oh and will I have to use different brake pads when I use these wheels? I really have no idea!

Alan, you've got nothing to worry about because I had a month off the bike and have only just started training again. You should still be able to leave me in your dust. Looking forward to seeing you again at Hotaka.:)
 
I'm also thinking about some new wheels...
although not carbon, does anyone have any comments on these two:

a) Campagnolo Shamal Ultra
b) Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium

in particular the Shamal Ultra, as that was the set I was leaning towards, but I don't seem to see many people using Campagnolo wheels...

Polymer Head,
thanks for your thoughts on the Shimano wheels. those two have now been added to the above set of choices.
did you make a decision yet?

I guess for a climb, the WH-7850-C24-CL should be the goods, and for a time trial, the WH-7850-C50-CL the go.
but how about those typical weekend rides, longish with several climbs... I guess it's one of those typical trade offs...
 
I'm also thinking about some new wheels...
although not carbon, does anyone have any comments on these two:

a) Campagnolo Shamal Ultra
b) Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium

in particular the Shamal Ultra, as that was the set I was leaning towards, but I don't seem to see many people using Campagnolo wheels...

Polymer Head,
thanks for your thoughts on the Shimano wheels. those two have now been added to the above set of choices.
did you make a decision yet?

I guess for a climb, the WH-7850-C24-CL should be the goods, and for a time trial, the WH-7850-C50-CL the go.
but how about those typical weekend rides, longish with several climbs... I guess it's one of those typical trade offs...
I rode shamals about 13 years ago. they were expensive but rolled very smooth, seemed almost frictionless which the top range campy gear had over Dura-Ace back then. now I don't know but if I had the money and was inclined to go for bling wheels the campys would be on top of the list. interesting how the profile of the shamals has become shallower over time. saves weight i guess but at my riding weight wheels aren't really an issue. Typically campys aren't the lightest and that is what a lot of people get fixed on. Odd the number of people carrying 10-20 extra pounds that go on about saving 8oo grams on wheels.
 
Those HED C2's look really sweet, esp in the all black. Any idea where to buy them Phillip? Oh and will I have to use different brake pads when I use these wheels? I really have no idea!

Hi Mike,

I bought mine direct from the HED website. Excellent service. They will reply to all your questions via email. Shipping was quick (4 days). Anne Hed (Steve Hed's wife) shipped my wheels :D

On these wheels you use standard brake pads. You only need non-standard pads if the brake surface is carbon fiber.

Philip
 
Heds are great

I can back Philip up on Hed wheelsets. I have the Hed Jet 60/90 combo on my tri-bike and they are light and practically bomb proof as they are aluminum rims with carbon flarings. The Jet 50s are good, all round wheels for road racing.

http://www.hedcycling.com/wheels/jet60.php
http://www.hedcycling.com/wheels/jet90.php

At the same time I bought mine (in Singapore), a friend bought the Stingers which are all carbon, tubular and need carbon brake pads. He regrets that he didn't buy the Jets instead due to them being more durable. The C2s are the latest models of the same wheels.

I buy my gear online from the states from Trisports. Great customer service and good prices and they often have sales of up to 20% off.
http://trisports.com/wheels.html

Another, more expensive option is to buy them on line from the Bike Boutique in Singapore.
http://www.thebikeboutique.com/index.php?cPath=7_78&osCsid=ec44e528b7663ac61cac4f1027e1a073

Keren
 
Thanks again for all the advice guys. The dilemna I'm still having is the difference in weight between tubular and clincher wheels. The Eastons I quite fancy are 1370g a pair
http://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/WHEELS/08/wheel_ec90_aero_'08.html

while the JET C2 clinchers are 1656g (60mm) and 1795g (90mm).
http://www.hedcycling.com/wheels/c2jet.php

That's a big difference in weight! Man I wish the clinchers were lighter.....I'm just not sure what to do here. I might be forced to swing over to tubulars....although those C2's do look good
 
That 400 grams is half a drink bottle of water. sure you aren't carrying more than 400 extra grams around your middle? There is always a trade off. Remember. Clinchers heavier but faster changes, easier repairs. Cheaper to maintain.
 
That's a big difference in weight! Man I wish the clinchers were lighter.....I'm just not sure what to do here. I might be forced to swing over to tubulars....

For me, the decision came down to how I would use them. I wanted to be able to train and race on the wheels. I want to enjoy them every ride, not just 4 times a year. Therefore I wanted 1) a braking surface that would perform in the wet and 2) clinchers for their convenience on 200km training rides.

If I raced more I would have training wheels and racing wheels. But I don't and I don't :)

Philip
 
Simon and Philip, you make very good points and I really appreciate your input. I'll keep researching and make a decision pretty soon I think. I'll be sure to let you guys know what I bought! Thanks again.

p.s. Philip, did you get the 60mm C2's?
 
p.s. Philip, did you get the 60mm C2's?

Yes. Again for everyday wheels I did not want anything deeper due to the potential for strong winds and their effect on handling on certain days in the year.

Of course, if it was windy I could always have put on my old wheels for the day? However, whilst you need 50/60mm of depth to realize the aerodynamic benefits, beyond this (90mm, disc) the marginal aero benefit decreases dramatically. Therefore, as I did not want pure race wheels that delivered every last millisecond of advantage, I chose the 60mm as a better everyday trade-off. Also remember, the deeper the front wheel the more compromised the handling will be. A 90mm or tri-spoke will not be much fun to ride down mountain switch backs - may even slow you down.

Philip
 
Polymer Head,
thanks for your thoughts on the Shimano wheels. those two have now been added to the above set of choices.
did you make a decision yet?

I guess for a climb, the WH-7850-C24-CL should be the goods, and for a time trial, the WH-7850-C50-CL the go.
but how about those typical weekend rides, longish with several climbs... I guess it's one of those typical trade offs...

The first set will be the C24s to be getting on with and when I save enough pennies then the C50s.

Your idea is how I would use them but being curious I would try a climb with the C50s. For long rides with several climbs my preference would be the C24s, at least in theory for now.

As for availability and price guide
http://www.net-bicycle.jp/SHOP/7850-c24-cl.html

Bicinet Sana (very good prices but need to sign up)
http://bici-sana.com/
DA 7900 (8 components) bundled with WH-7850-C24-CL - JPY 225 120 tentatively. They had the C24s and C50s in stock but are not listed anymore.
 
kiwisimon,
thanks for your input. I guess most wheels costing X dollars from respected companies are going to be pretty good and close to one another in performance. and if so, it comes down to what your happy seeing on your bike :)

Polymer Head,
thanks for your input and links.
I think I'll agree with your theory :) and go low/medium profiles at first.
then if penny savings ;) allow in the future, think about getting some deeper rims :D

for me it's probably down to Shamal Ultra vs. WH-7850-C24-CL, which have a similar price on Competitive Cyclist, but as you said earlier, maybe the Shimano's are a better choice here...
 
Thanks for all your input guys. Just to let you all know I've ordered a pair of Jet 50's in black. With my new Luquigas kit, new Polar CS400 and now the new wheels coming, I can't wait to get out on the road. So disappointed about this crappy Typhoon that never really amounted to anything. I so wanted to ride today...:mad: Perhaps I can get out this afternoon for a short spin:)
 
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