This carbon wheel issue has been burning a hole in my soul for so long. The twin headed snake of thrift and indecision (not such an impressive snake as far as twin headed snakes go) held me at the impasse for years. Having @mauibike commit to all carbon for his lifetime wheelset needs got me hot. Seeing Fabs winning Paris-Roubaix and the Ronde on his Aeolius 5.0 wheels made the fever burn higher.
Maui is a very gusty place to ride and I was loath to own some deep section rims that would be the death of me. Looking pro while getting blown off the road at speed, uncool. Bontrager has the budget to blow on high speed computing and wind tunnels to make sure Gianni is not buffeted unduly. They also use Alpina spokes with plastic inserts so the the wheel should be truable for years.
Ebay is full of people who buy tubular wheels then sell them after very light use (or their first flat tire). Voila, Gianni finally owns Fabooo’s tubular wheels.
The first impression on the first ride was holy smokes, these float uphill. The weight difference was what impressed me immediately. I take off the front wheel when transporting the bike and I still marvel at its lightness. This lightness is also noticeable when cornering and not in a good way. The flywheel effect of a heavier aluminum rim is diminished making the steering, for lack of a better term, whippy. I’m used to it now but for the first few weeks the front end felt less stable.
My wife was quite vexed that I was undroppable on climbs; these wheels were feeling better and better. The improved climbing alone was enough to make me embrace the benefit of carbon construction.
It was during the first descent of Haleakala volcano where the other lightbulb switched on in my dim brain. Unintentionally I was going into every corner faster than usual. My V-meter does not give me data to substantiate the feeling but these wheels are more impressive going down than they are going up. They are fast. When you get off the brakes on a descent the bike just hauls more ass. To add to their list of wonders, they are very stable in gusty crosswinds too. The windtunnel testing was money well spent. Score one for the boffins.
I have not done enough riding in wet weather to have an opinion on rainy day braking. This is my number one bike after all and I’ve avoided the real steep descents if I have a choice.
To address the original question in the original article; can carbon wheels be one’s everyday, go-to wheels? I now say absolutely. These aero wheels are faster in all directions, why would you deny yourself that pleasure everyday. They do cost a huge amount to money new. That is their one massive downside. They can be had reasonably if one looks at slightly used tubulars, what is not to love about that? If one buys the premise that wheels are the most important upgrade to a bike, then buying light, aero, carbon wheels is the way to go.
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I suppose I'll go carbon wheel set when I'm also going road disc... that's a ways a way for me but can we safely assume someone's gonna some day soon bomb down a rainy, wet Pyrenees Mtn stage to take yellow using disc's and that'll be that for timing of a complete peloton conversion? That's exactly the conversation my buddy and I were having today on our ride.
My mtn bike has carbon wheels and disc brakes. And they work very, very well.
@wilburrox
Yes, that is the perfect combo. I was not ready to scrap my present bike to go disc and carbon wheel. I'm glad I didn't wait but yes, if and when a new #1 comes down, it will have to have some carbon aero disc wheels.
@Gianni
I love mango, as yet unrequited, but there's time. The sour apple is what's tempted me to go low spoke count and carbone.
The [off-topic] question that remains is: should I go all-in and switch to tubulars? I really like your thinking regarding picking up some lightly used ones on ebay, as the savings will pay for a lot of nice tyres, and maybe a few taxis home (or treats for the vmh for rescues) if I get t+1 punctures.
Your article might have dragged me not one step along The Path, but two. I thank you, sensei.
@Gianni
Neither MotoGP nor World Superbike use carbon wheels. Not for performance reasons, but for safety and durability. From what I understand, magnesium can be repaired more easily, and carbon MC wheels can be damaged but appear fine. As the stakes are higher at 210 miles per hour, I can understand the reasoning.
All of this is pushing my buttons. Rain/dirt wear. Descents. Cross winds. Braking. This makes me think carbon would be dry-only wheels for me. I've been looking at what's on ebay and it's really tempting tho.
Once I have a rain/CX bike with discs, it will be moot and I can put a set on #1. Until then I don't think I'd run them in the rain.
Congrats gianni! i think anyone that has ridden a carbon set on a complimentary frame should find themselves in love
heck of the north and as much as i love my r45/hed plus build, the enves shine and were the perfect wheelset today
Mo carbone!!!!!
This is what I'm talking about.
@roger
Well done Roger. The bike looks like it had fun.
I only race with my dancing shoes on. Train with traditional aluminum 3 cross wheels. The switch is so great from heavy wheels to super fast light tubular carbon wheels. Its the mental and physical advantage I like to give myself. Although more carbon is always good.
@Gianni Veloflex FTW.
@roger wicked rad!
@Gianni I was very tempted to pick up a used pair of Boras recently.
Yes, you should. You won't regret it.
The key is to eschew ultralight racing/TT tubs unless you're 1) racing and 2) have neutral wheel support and 3) have a legion of domestiques ready to fall on their swords and hand you a wheel/bike if you puncture.
Don't let the mess and frustration of the first couple of glue jobs dishearten you. Stick with it. Once you've got the technique down, it's every bit as easy as mounting a clincher.
Get yourself some Vittoria Pave Evo CGs and let it rip. No clincher on earth will ever match them.