Best climbing wheels for a road bike?

Jul 30, 15 19:49

Post #1 of 32 (7586 views)

I am doing a bunch of mountain road races this year and plan on doing the same next year so toying with the idea of going with a lighter wheel set... I currently have a set of Hed Belgiums (24 front and 28 spokes) with a PT that come in at 1,700 grams roughly so thinking something lighter might be worth it and if I really need a power meter on a road bike (Im on a cycling team). Been looking at the Dura Ace C24s which look decent and of course Enve (so expensive). Curious to see if anyone has any opinions on some good light wheels and how durable they are, stiffness, etc.

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 20:29

Post #2 of 32 (7547 views)

Zipp 202s come in at 1395g with a 200g rear hub. Changing that to a PT G3 would add 125g and bring you to 1520g with power. Is that good enough?

The difference we're talking here is like 7 ounces. Is that enough for you? Can you lose half a pound or more? Serious question from a guy who is overweight and loves to buy new bike things. I used to care about weight but now I look at the scale and can't justify buying anything for weight savings.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [soobrex1] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 20:47

Post #3 of 32 (7533 views)

I hear you on weight- unfort. I am on the light side for me... im more curious to how much rotational mass on wheels matters as well...

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 20:58

Post #4 of 32 (7516 views)

Well then you have the right focus here. What's the desired weight and budget? Obviously as light as possible for as little as possible but indulge me and throw somethingn out there. Give us the weight you're shooting for and the amount you're trying to stay under.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [soobrex1] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:08

Post #5 of 32 (7509 views)

the lighter the better but still stiff. I am open to tubulars for the roadie. Ideally under 1,400 grams. I saw a set of dura ace C24 that were at 1,100 which looked good for weight but not sure on the durability and stiffness.

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:15

Post #6 of 32 (7503 views)

AX Lightness come to mind. Well under 1000g and support 100kg. http://ax-lightness.de/...aeder-rennrad/s-24t/

Last edited by: soobrex1: Jul 30, 15 21:15

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:16

Post #7 of 32 (7500 views)

10 speed tubulars are your friend. 202/303/enve 45/7800 c24. Pick your poison.

I have enve 45s and DA7800 c24s. Both tubular 10s. Street value <$800.

There are plenty of great options available in the ST classifieds.

/kj

http://kjmcawesome.tumblr.com/

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [kjmcawesome] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:18

Post #8 of 32 (7496 views)

which do you like better the enves or the DAs

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:19

Post #9 of 32 (7495 views)

If you are defending in these races too you really ought to prioritise braking performance and heat management in parallel with mass.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [shadwell] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:30

Post #10 of 32 (7481 views)

I agree. That is why the DA wheels are apealing with the alloy brake track and I've heard enve is supposed to be good

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:38

Post #11 of 32 (7461 views)

Enves stop better. And are theoretically more aero. And lighter. And prettier.

/kj

http://kjmcawesome.tumblr.com/

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 21:39

Post #12 of 32 (7459 views)

I hear you on weight- unfort. I am on the light side for me... im more curious to how much rotational mass on wheels matters as well...

It makes the handling lighter. That's about it. Else it's just weight. How much do you weight and how much does your bike weigh? How much do you have to spend?

If you want an optimized light racing set, then carbon tubulars are it.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 22:07

Post #13 of 32 (7431 views)

andy515 wrote:

the lighter the better but still stiff. I am open to tubulars for the roadie. Ideally under 1,400 grams. I saw a set of dura ace C24 that were at 1,100 which looked good for weight but not sure on the durability and stiffness.

I own the C24s and they are aces on durability and stiffness. Highly recommended.

Don't think they're 1,100 though. More like 1,300

[edit] sorry I thought you meant the clinchers. That's what I own. Can't speak to the tubular. But Shimano wheels are generally really good [/edit]

Last edited by: JoeO: Jul 30, 15 22:09

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 30, 15 22:50

Post #14 of 32 (7391 views)

https://lightweight.info/en/en/

???

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [Schulbub] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 2:54

Post #15 of 32 (7298 views)

You're not going to do better than the 9000 C24's. They are suitably lightweight and extremely robust. The rims in particular are light at about 380 grams. And their hubs are the best in the business. With Aluminum brake tracks they are perfect mountain wheels. In fact they are near perfect about everywhere.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [NealH] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 4:59

Post #16 of 32 (7220 views)

You might also look into the new Boyd Altamont Lite wheels. 1430 grams, tubeless compatible, 24mm wide.

https://www.facebook.com/...osts/977774775616821

Last edited by: mstyer: Jul 31, 15 4:59

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [shadwell] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 6:30

Post #17 of 32 (7151 views)

shadwell wrote:

If you are defending in these races too you really ought to prioritise braking performance and heat management in parallel with mass.

Lightweight racers descending quickly isn't a demanding application for brakes. Heavyweight riders afraid of high speeds is another matter.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 7:18

Post #18 of 32 (7066 views)

andy515 wrote:

I hear you on weight- unfort. I am on the light side for me... im more curious to how much rotational mass on wheels matters as well...

Rotational mass is very small factor. Really do the actual math and not just pretend to based on a vague memory of high school physics.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [chaparral] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 7:48

Post #19 of 32 (7046 views)

The HED Ardennes SL may not be the lightest/fastest/best option, but they sure are a joy to ride...

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 8:30

Post #20 of 32 (7021 views)

How much vertical and how technical are the descents?
I find that for longer climbs with grades above 6% aero wheels matter very little.
And if descents are technical and require a of braking I would rather have a fairly shallow aluminum rim.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [bootsie_cat] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 8:35

Post #21 of 32 (7006 views)

Next race is an average grade if 7% with switchbacks hitting 10%. I already have a set of aero wheels my wife and I share- just wondering if I will gain anything from going to a1,400ish gram wheelset from a 1,700. Starting to think it won't make that much of a difference since a big chunk of the weight difference is in the powertap hub

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 8:41

Post #22 of 32 (6991 views)

http://enve.com/products/ses-2-2/

1225g and I would bet that it out brakes an aluminum box wheel.

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 9:49

Post #23 of 32 (6906 views)

http://intheknowcycling.com/...climbing-descending/

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [andy515] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 10:06

Post #24 of 32 (2059 views)

Define mountain.

7% is pretty steep, but there's a big difference in how overall weight affects you on a one mile hill versus Alpe D'Huez. A 500 gram difference on Whiteface would be about 30 seconds. A one-mile climb of the same grade, more like 1 to 2 seconds.

If you are doing Everest Challenge I'd say go as light as possible (I did EC in 2012 with a set of 303 tubulars, total bike weight was around 14.5 lbs.)

Re: Best climbing wheels for a road bike? [gmt] [ In reply to ]

Jul 31, 15 10:17

Post #25 of 32 (2048 views)

Pikes peak which is 12.5 miles and Evans next year which is 27 miles long.

Andy Mullen
Team Zoot

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