38mm Front 60mm Rear Clinchers Pros and Cons

Asked by: Brandon Mills

Are 38mm wheels Aero?

There are a few customers like to know the benefit of 38mm vs 50mm carbon road bike rims. The shape is almost the same for carbon tubular/clincher 38mm rims & 50mm rims . They are both aero wheels/rims. The 38mm is lighter, but the 50mm is stiffer.

What depth wheels do pros ride?

Despite the name, the rims on these are actually 37mm deep. They’re a little lighter at 637g (front) and 747g (rear).

Does rim depth matter?

The stability of a wheel is affected primarily by rim depth and profile. The deeper the rim profile, the more aerodynamic the wheel will be, however, the trade-off is that the deeper the profile, the more it will be subject to getting knocked around by crosswinds.

How deep do aero wheels need to be?

How Deep? Rim depth is broadly speaking a trade off between weight and flat speed. Shallow 25 – 40mm Can be lighter, great for hill climbing and accelerating. Mid depth 40 – 60mm – Is often the best all-round option – relatively light for climbing, whilst still fast on the flat – best of both worlds.

Why are deeper wheels faster?

On an elementary level, the deeper your rim’s profile is the more aerodynamic it will be. To create a deep section wheel requires a bit more carbon-fibre material. This will increase its weight, but research has proven that over most racing and training distances, the reduction in drag offsets any increase in mass.

Are deeper wheels stiffer?

All else being equal, deeper section rims will be stiffer than shallower rims. Just remember why it is you need stiffness. If it’s because your wheels flex too much for them to fit between brakes and stays, then you obviously need stiffer wheels.

Are 50mm wheels faster?

50mm is going to be a bit faster for a novice rider, wanting to get up a group in chaingangs etc. Average speeds can increase 2-3mph over box-section wheels. Good for bunch riding and fast stage racing for all levels. 60mm is the way to go for smooth rolling roads where outright speed is paramount.

How much faster are deep rim wheels?

At gradients of less than 5%, deeper wheels are definitely faster. And at gradients of greater than 5% — at least at our amateur speeds — lighter wheels will be faster. For this average of 5% and an average speed of 10.5mph, the deeper wheels were slightly faster.

What size wheels do pro cyclists use?

Racing bikes use the 700c size, which has a tire bead set diameter of 622 millimeters. This wheel size is the largest available for conventional bicycles, giving a racing bike more stability at high speeds.

Do carbon wheels make a big difference?

There’s also a big change in ride feel. Carbon rims are generally stiffer. Stiffer wheels feel more energetic, give you more support in corner and tend to make your ride feel more lively. Some wheels can be too stiff though.

Will carbon wheels make me faster?

At any level it really should be something that riders consider seriously. After interviewing a few friends, colleagues, and even some amateurs in the college racing scene, I am here to inform you that yes, every single one of them said carbon is faster, more responsive, and better in every way compared to alloy rims.

Do carbon wheels make a bike faster?

A carbon wheelset is a great solution for most cyclists. The benefits included more speed at less power, a lighter weight at rim depth, better handling, less vibration, stiffer for better power transfer, and a more comfortable ride.

What size wheels do riders in Tour de France use?

Most teams opted for the 30mm wide S TR, but we spotted at least one B&B Hotels rider roll out on 32mm wide tyres. Movistar is a Continental-supported squad and chose to race on 28mm Competition ProLtd tubulars. Movistar saved the tubeless GP 5000 for the spare bikes on the roof of the car.

Why are deep rims more aero?

The tyre is the leading edge and splits the air. Behind it, a deep rim controls the airflow, helping it to come together again smoothly. A shallow box-section rim can’t do this, so air behind it is turbulent, causing more drag.

Are 35mm wheels Aero?

2) Speed thrills!



A quality set of deep section aero wheels (we’re talking 35mm or more) absolutely make a difference. It can be anywhere from seconds to minutes depending on your ability, riding terrain and ride length. It’s their ability to hold onto speed once you spin them up that makes the difference.

What is rim depth MTB?

You’ll see XC riders on 25 and 30mm width rims, and many gravity wheel sets are still sub 30mm as the benefit of lower pressure isn’t always a huge benefit due to rim strikes, so 27-28mm are popular there. But in general, most rims are 25mm internal or 30mm internal.

Are 50mm wheels faster?

50mm is going to be a bit faster for a novice rider, wanting to get up a group in chaingangs etc. Average speeds can increase 2-3mph over box-section wheels. Good for bunch riding and fast stage racing for all levels. 60mm is the way to go for smooth rolling roads where outright speed is paramount.

Are wider rims faster MTB?

Narrower rims and tires provide faster rolling performance but often sacrifice the smoother ride of wider rims and tires. As rim and tire widths increase, the bike may feel more confidence-inspiring. Wider rims and lower tire pressures help absorb trail chatter, improve climbing traction and increase cornering grip.