I have decided I need an after-season project. I’m going to build up a set of race wheels and I’m soliciting opinions about which rims to get. I really don’t need another set of wheels but I like tinkering. I already have a disc (2 actually) and a tri-spoke and an additional set of spoked race wheels (the first wheels I ever built.) The hubs of those wheels will be the basis for this new set and I’ll be using bladed spokes, probably CX-Rays. I’m looking at either an 88mm carbon rim or a 100mm carbon rim, both from RTS. So ST’ers, please weigh in with your opinions.
what are they for?
road racing? training? time trials?
assuming I was stuck with the choice of an RTS rim and whatever shape they use
I would go 100mm rear 88mm front.
1000mm
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what are they for?
road racing? training? time trials?
assuming I was stuck with the choice of an RTS rim and whatever shape they use
I would go 100mm rear 88mm front.
They would be event only; bike leg of tri’s/du’s and TT’s. I’m not stuck with RTS, but their prices are quite reasonable.
Keep the opinions coming!
Please also inculde your reasons for whatever opinion you may have. Thanks!
I know ya’ll have some opinions. I want to hear them.
err, RTS is just badged OEM wheels??? U could save a bunch and just go with the cheapest OEM wheelset…
Can’t speak for the 88mm, but I have a set of the 100mm rims, and they’re definitely a different design than the normal open mold rims. Fairly similar shape, but different carbon layup and finish. Higher quality and lighter.
Whats the finish of the 100mm?? U can get the OEM in all finishes ie 3k, 12k, ud, matte, marble etc…
I feel stupid, because I don’t know what this particular weave is called; I’m familiar with the 3k, 12k, UD weave, and it’s not any of those. You know the fancy german carbon parts (Clavicula cranks, Xentis aerobars) that have what I always thought of as “the German weave”? It’s that. It has a matte finish too.
Is it stronger? Heck if I know. It’s pretty though. And it’s a darn near perfect quality finish; as nice as my Zipps.
Can’t speak for the 88mm, but I have a set of the 100mm rims, and they’re definitely a different design than the normal open mold rims. Fairly similar shape, but different carbon layup and finish. Higher quality and lighter.
Do you have RTS’s wheel with the 100mm rim or did you have wheels built with their rim? How do you like it?
I bought the rim and built it myself.
It’s great! SUPER stiff. Pretty light considering it’s a 100mm depth (don’t have an accurate scale though so can’t tell you the exact weight). My butt-based wind tunnel says they’re pretty fast too.
I am away for work for a couple weeks, but can post pictures when I get back.
The only “catch” with building them is that you either have to use straight gauge round spokes, or Sapim CX rays. No one else makes spokes short enough in a double-butted or bladed spoke. Not really a big deal though, as I’m a believer that any race wheelset worth its salt is made with CX-rays.
I bought the rim and built it myself.
It’s great! SUPER stiff. Pretty light considering it’s a 100mm depth (don’t have an accurate scale though so can’t tell you the exact weight). My butt-based wind tunnel says they’re pretty fast too.
I am away for work for a couple weeks, but can post pictures when I get back.
The only “catch” with building them is that you either have to use straight gauge round spokes, or Sapim CX rays. No one else makes spokes short enough in a double-butted or bladed spoke. Not really a big deal though, as I’m a believer that any race wheelset worth its salt is made with CX-rays.
Pictures would be great, when you get a chance. My plan was to use CX-Rays so that works out. I have a message to RTS asking about special hole drilling but I haven’t heard back yet (it’s been 3 days.) Their website lists two 100mm rims, one (T800) that weighs 560g and another (T1000) that weighs 445g. Do you know which you have?
Their website lists two 100mm rims, one (T800) that weighs 560g and another (T1000) that weighs 445g. Do you know which you have?
Not sure actually; either they didn’t have that option when I bought them, or I have poor attention to detail and never noticed or thought to ask. I would guess probably the T1000, based on the total weight of the wheel after being built, but that’s just a guess.
I have some random 88mm carbon wheels and i love them. Grab a disc cover and your good. I couldn’t imagine being on 100mm with wind.
I have some random 88mm carbon wheels and i love them. Grab a disc cover and your good. I couldn’t imagine being on 100mm with wind.
I had thought about the wind aspect. My original wheels were used for extremely windy and hilly conditions (they were built on Matrix ISO rims, hi-tech at the time.) And that’s what the intended use for these new ones would be. I have two disc wheels already so I wouldn’t need a cover. I used to run the original wheels with a cover (remember the old Lightning covers?) before I got a dedicated disc wheel. Looking back at that experience, I wasn’t too pleased with the cover compared to the disc. I suppose fitment issues have improved over the years. How do your 88’s handle in the wind? Would 12mm extra depth (all the way around) make that much difference? I am honestly asking b/c I have no idea.
I have some random 88mm carbon wheels and i love them. Grab a disc cover and your good. I couldn’t imagine being on 100mm with wind.
I had thought about the wind aspect. My original wheels were used for extremely windy and hilly conditions (they were built on Matrix ISO rims, hi-tech at the time.) And that’s what the intended use for these new ones would be. I have two disc wheels already so I wouldn’t need a cover. I used to run the original wheels with a cover (remember the old Lightning covers?) before I got a dedicated disc wheel. Looking back at that experience, I wasn’t too pleased with the cover compared to the disc. I suppose fitment issues have improved over the years. How do your 88’s handle in the wind? Would 12mm extra depth (all the way around) make that much difference? I am honestly asking b/c I have no idea.
Ive had a zipp 900 dimpled disc and i can honestly say that disc cover felt the same. Then again i dont have any baseline to say it was. (its a wheelbuilder)
Im pretty used to being in the wind. I had that zipp 900/planet x 101 front combo i ran before this so i was ready for cross winds pushing me. the 88mm to me would be the max id want to run in any windy conditions. I had the disc cover on and 88mm in the front and was getting pushed around a good bit on a windy day and it made for a crazy ride. I must say, my zipp/px combo got pushed around alot less for some reason…Dimples? I dunno. the 12mm would be a judgement call. Maybe factor up what % 12mm is out of 88mm and use that percentage to figure out how much surface area that would cover…Other than that, trial and error lol 
I’d go with Gigantex’s new wide rims. They have a 50mm carbon clincher and 60mm tubular. I have no idea where to get them yet but it might be worth waiting for.
Thanks for everyone’s input. Unfortunately RTS cannot do 28 hole drilling. I’ve got a line on some 88mm which can be drilled 28 so I’ll be going that route.