Carbon wheel comparison/advice?: Triathlon Forum: Slowtwitch Forums

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Carbon wheel comparison/advice?

giorgitd

Jul 18, 12 11:02

Post #1 of 11 (1649 views)

Carbon wheel comparison/advice?	Quote \| Reply

There are a number of ways to acquire a set of carbon clincher wheels manufactured in China. Is there any difference among the vendors? For example, through eBay Carbonbike2011, Speedcarbon2011, Carbonspeedcycle all can provide a wheelset in the $500 range (depends on rim width). BladeX (on aliexpress.com) is similar.

Are there any real differences among these? I know of the strengths/weaknesses as a group, but is there a $500 wheelset that stands out, positively or negatively, in practice?

The next level is the $800-$1000 wheelset (2Quik, November, J2velosport, Vuelta, others). Are these the same wheels (or same rims) as the direct-from-China choices?

There are others choices and considerations, of course, and this could be a long discussion - but here's the bottom line - are there any functional differences among the $500 wheelsets or between a $500 wheelset direct from China or a $800-$1000 wheelset shipped from the US?

modernmonkey

Jul 18, 12 13:43

Post #2 of 11 (1548 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [giorgitd] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I haven't seen a breakdown of the current ebay sellers in a while with most of the "know" sellers not being on Ebay any more as far as I know. I'd be interested to hear people's experience as well.

Barry S.

Jul 19, 12 6:55

Post #3 of 11 (1492 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [giorgitd] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I'll give a bump to this since I'm curious. I got a quote last week for a set of 60mm front/88mm carbon clinchers from a Chinese seller, wheels were 450, shipping was 65. I'm not going to get a set, but just for kicks I thought I'd ask for a price. It is tempting though.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Ferris Bueller

Sweeney

Jul 19, 12 10:10

Post #4 of 11 (1440 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [giorgitd] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

This is a lot of reading, but when you're finished you will know everything there is to know about buying carbon wheels from China:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/...ad-2-0-a-241788.html
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Gentlemen: We can rebuild him. We have the technology.

SharkFM

Jul 21, 12 15:23

Post #5 of 11 (1367 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [Sweeney] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I just did back to back on the following:

Carbonspeedcycle - Chinese Carbon Tubular 88mm EVO TT Vittoria tires F&R
http://www.ebay.com/...d9f89#ht_4742wt_1163
versus Zipp 999 Combination 808 & 900 Disc with Tangente front/ Vittoria Corsa EVO CX rear

Weight +/- 20 grams they are identical F & R
Hubs: Spinning free both feel smooth but the Zipp bearings are noticeably smoother underway with the rider's weight applied. Novatec hubs are decent & sturdy but not near the level of the CNC Zipps, in looks too!
Spoke: Zipp 808 has less spokes, high tension and wider stance at the hub
Aero/Handling: The Chinese are flat rims and while not completely dangerous, are very unnerving on descents and in cross winds. I put the Zipps on and it felt like a regular bike. Transitioning from aero to the grips @ speed on the Zipps did not give me white knuckles like the Chinese carbons did. It is conceivable that you could get "stuck" in aero on a fast descent with the Chinese, having to make the jump to one brake lever to knock off speed. Like I said a white knuckle ride.

Speed: The Zipps seem slightly faster but have twice the handling. The Chinese carbons are fast too, best in a window of not too slow or too fast.

Rim Construction: Chinese rims are well built, tough & crash tested they held up fine. I think they are about equal there.

Tires: The EVO TT Triathlon tires I think are butter, the two others much less so. Plus the TT's hold pressure for days on end.

Conclusion: Chinese carbon is a solid deal, just not a savoury shape. I think these would be best applied to a road bike. In aero you'd want better more linear handling profile. Bottom line, the Zipps are safer and if you can score some used, worth the premium.

http://www.jagersport.com/

(This post was edited by SharkFM on Jul 21, 12 15:26)

Sweeney

Jul 21, 12 17:24

Post #6 of 11 (1332 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [SharkFM] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I'm just wondering but can you give us a test with the Chinese front and the disc rear. I think a big part of what you are feeling is the feeling of the disc stabilizing vs two deep wheels.
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Gentlemen: We can rebuild him. We have the technology.

SharkFM

Jul 29, 12 13:30

Post #7 of 11 (1153 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [Sweeney] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

It's all front wheel related issues. Obvious to me. When wind hits the rear disc the whole bike gets a push, which is controllable & actually feels pretty cool (like windsurfing).

I rode today and the way I can attack corners on the 808 is the way it should be.

So for the moment my Zipp 808 and 900 Disc are a daily driver? Unless I get yet another set of wheels, as I will not be putting the Chinese carbons back on the Tri bike. And I don't like riding clinchers hmm...what to do.

http://www.jagersport.com/

tolik

Jul 29, 12 14:26

Post #8 of 11 (1119 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [giorgitd] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have a set of bladeX. 50/60. Rode a couple of rides on them ( 150 miles ). Definitly improved speed over old mavic. Smoothness and rolling is obvious. Rode over some rough road, and a felt a lot smoother. Not sure about brand name carbon wheels, but these where an improvement for me.

giorgitd

Aug 8, 12 17:40

Post #9 of 11 (900 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [tolik] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

OK, I went with Far sports. I bought a 38/60 set in their mid weight rim. Went with shallower profiles since my bike handling is just OK and I'm 130 #. The entire transaction was perfect, from communication, payment and delivery. Just opened the package tonight. Well protected box, wheels in bubble wrap, includes skewers and blue pads. Was $505 plus about $70 shipping and some PayPay fee. Near, but under $600 delivered. They look, spin fantastic. Spoke tensions (by ear) seem fine - certainly not low. Spin nicely, round, true. Lots of pawls in the Bitex hub (by sound).

Here's the big news...front wheel = 565 g, rear wheel = 817 g, total = 1382 g. Skewers were 24 + 26 g = 50 g.

Pictures after my cassette arrives and the wheels are on the bike...

Kmyle

Aug 8, 12 19:44

Post #10 of 11 (860 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [giorgitd] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Are these clincher or tubular? Their website is confusing, can you provide a link to the ones you got?

giorgitd

Aug 8, 12 19:54

Post #11 of 11 (840 views)

Re: Carbon wheel comparison/advice? [Kmyle] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I'm not sure that they have the 38/60 pair on the alibaba website. I worked with Smart at sales@farsports.cn

I'd suggest that you email him directly. He offered all of the options - finishes, spokes, colors, etc. Pretty easy to work with.