Carbon wheels set or new groupset?

Asked by: Nikki Chan

Do carbon wheels stay true better?

Carbon is particularly good at staying true and round because unlike aluminum, carbon structures have no memory; rims don’t strain to keep a circular shape because they have been laid up as circles from the beginning.

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 I need carbon road wheels?

Ride quality and performance.



Good carbon fibre wheels can transform the ride of a bike. Stiffness is greater than an aluminium wheelset so for powerful riders, sprinting and out-of-the-saddle climbing, this attribute can make a clear difference to how the bike feels, with a more responsive nature.

Should I upgrade my bike wheels?

Upgrading your wheels will significantly improve the performance of most bikes, and if you started with an entry level bike it is a great place to start your upgrades.

How long can a carbon wheelset last?

From ENVE:



This is a good question and one that merits explanation, given that many of us grew up on a 3-5 year lifespan expectation from alloy. The short answer is that a carbon rim is expected to last until it is damaged in a way that compromises the bond between resin and carbon fibers.

Should I get carbon wheels on my bike?

A carbon wheel is often much lighter and stiffer than a comparable aluminum wheel. This makes carbon a popular option for high-performance wheels. Many competitive riders and racers choose carbon because the weight and stiffness improve a bike’s acceleration and handling.

How big of a difference do carbon wheels make?

They are 398 grams lighter than the Zipp wheels and 333 grams lighter than the alloy DT Swiss. The difference in weight is noticeable enough to be felt on trail by most people. The wheels accelerate quicker and feel way more lively on the climbs.

How much faster are 50mm wheels?

2-3mph

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 weight do carbon wheels save?

By contrast, the composite version of that wheelets benefitted immediately from a weight saving of 300g. Twenty years on, carbon wheelsets now feature taller rims and can weigh less than 1,500g (especially those with tubular rims) while the lightest wheelsets are well below 1,000g.

Is upgrading to carbon wheels worth it?

Well, it all depends. If you value durability and braking performance above all else, then we’d stick with alloy wheels which are robust and economical. However, if you want to boost performance beyond all recognition out on the roads and trails, then a carbon wheelset could be the best next upgrade.

What are the benefits of carbon wheels?

Aerodynamics



Because they are lighter, carbon wheels reduce the effort you need to make to reach higher speeds on straights, whether on road cycling or even in MTB. Being more aerodynamic, they are able to provide better performance, less effort and friction while achieving better results and less energy spent by you.

How much faster is a carbon road bike?

However, a small experiment conducted recently by Cycling Weekly demonstrated that a cyclist generating 200w of pedalling power on an aero carbon bike was 1.7kph faster than on a lightweight carbon bike – extrapolated over four hours riding they claimed this would translate into an extra 6.6km distance travelled.

Are carbon wheels fragile?

Carbon is fragile! Carbon shatters! You can’t repair it! Carbon wheels will melt when they’re hot!

Do rim brakes wear out carbon wheels?

During normal use, the carbon on the brake surface will wear. This typically takes longer than with aluminum if the correct pads are used, however weather has a big effect on the duration. There is no process for resurfacing the braking area of a carbon tubular or clincher rim.

Can you repair the brake track on carbon wheels?

Carbon wheels are certainly a lot more subjective in terms of whether a repair is viable, but we can effect repairs to some areas. The areas that we generally can’t repair are fracturing to the brake track (on a rim brake wheel), the bead area and spoke hole areas.

How much better are carbon wheels?

Carbon fiber possesses a very high strength-to-weight ratio. It has almost half the density of aluminum; it’s more than five times less dense than steel, but it is stronger than either metal. This is especially important for bicycle wheels.

How much weight do carbon wheels save?

By contrast, the composite version of that wheelets benefitted immediately from a weight saving of 300g. Twenty years on, carbon wheelsets now feature taller rims and can weigh less than 1,500g (especially those with tubular rims) while the lightest wheelsets are well below 1,000g.

Are carbon fiber wheels worth it?

Are carbon wheels worth it? To a lot of people, yes. A common misconception is the difference in price is all about weight. If you look at it from a weight savings perspective alone, you’re spending about $5.25/gram of weight difference (using our premium carbon test wheels vs the stock alloy wheels.)

Are carbon wheels worth it gravel bike?

Quote from video: These definitely have an advantage. And generally they feel really responsive. They feel fast they feel rugged and durable the free hub engages.

Can I use carbon wheels on gravel?

Mavic’s carbon wheels are seriously expensive, but they’re a premium product that’s ideal for gravel. The internal width is suited to fat rubber and their low weight and stiff rims make them feel fast and responsive.

Do carbon wheels make a difference gravel bike?

Carbon wheels can only get “stiff and harsh” for gravel with deeper section and narrower road specific aero rims. Ideal depth for carbon wheels on gravel is 25-35mm. Beyond that is road racing territory. That being said I have used 45mm deep carbon at some races, depends on the road conditions, and the wind of course.