Planet X Vs Flo 60's

Triathlon Forum
1

So I’m going to be in the market soon for a set of new wheels. I want something that I can train and race in with just adding a wheelbuilder cover for race day. So i’m thinking a 60mm sidewall with alum brake track wheel. Oh. and I’m on a budget.

The two that stand out to me is Flo and Planet X. The new PX 60’s seem nice, and at $599 (on sale now for $499) a set you cannot beat the price. For about $300-400 more I can get the Flo 60’s and are very nice as well, but are they $300 nicer?

Both are 60mm, both are carbon fairing, both are clincher, both are alum brake track. So are the Flo wheels worth the extra cash?

Looking for honest opinions on both wheels and why I should go with either one. Or do you have a better suggestion?

Thanks

2

Unless the Planet X wheels have changed recently (and their website doesn’t give enough info to tell, so I’m guessing not) the Flo’s are better designed aerodynamically and that’s the whole reason to get wheels like this.
If you dig around the Flo site you’ll see their explanation of the shape’s benefits. You can see similar explanations from Zipp and Hed on their recent wide rim shapes. Basically it has to do with 2 things: 1) the tire-rim junction - you don’t want the tire bulging out from the rim so you make the rim wider (see this: http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011/08/gear-tech/ask-aaron-the-aerodynamics-of-wide-rims_36923) , and 2) on the leading edge of the wheel the tire is the front and the rim is the back, but on the trailing edge of the wheel the rim is in front and the tire is in back. You have to consider both of those shapes to make the most aerodynamic rim shape.

I think it’s worth it to save up for the Flos.

3

Looks to me like the Planet X are a deep V style vice Flo which uses a wide torrodial shape. Both will be faster than a stock non aero wheel, but Flo will likely be faster of the two. I will say Flo has phenomenal customer service, and I personally would choose their “build” over Planet X. They are using good bearings (I’d say better than planet x but don’t know what bearings they are using) and better spokes. Which for an everyday trainer is the most important factor. Personally I’d avoid any wheel built with unbranded spokes. In that case you do get what you pay for.

4

I’d guess that Planet X uses Pillar branded spokes.

5

Maybe but even if they do it doesn’t increase my confidence. Call me a spoke snob but wheels made with quality spokes (wheelsmith, DT or Sapim) last longer. I’d guess that Planet X uses Pillar branded spokes.

6

As the other two people pointed out, deep-v type rims are just not as fast as wheels like Flo(wide and blunt).

Obviously no one has data on these two exact wheels, but I’d put 50:1 odds on the Flos being faster from about 2.5-15 degrees of yaw.

If you are going to upgrade anyways, I’d go Flo. They use Sapim CX Ray spokes, wide rim for better aero and cornering feel, CFD designed rim shapes.

7

Been looking at wind tunnel data a lot lately. The flo’s are pretty incredible. Definitely worth the extra money for the aerodynamics alone. With better hubs and spokes, it’s a no-brainer. Only problem now is being patient enough to wait for a set…

8

Also worth noting the wider rim width. It really does make a noticeable difference in ride quality.

Disclaimer - I ride FLO 60/90s right now and LOVE them. I’ve sold my other wheels and ride them all the time -

9

I can’t really say anything about the PXs, but I can say if you want wheels that can be used for both training & racing the Flo’s are an excellent choice. Given the type of construction (conventional aluminum rimmed wheel w/ a carbon fairing) they should hold up for the long haul. I have about 1.5K miles on mine and have hit a couple of really bad New England potholes and they haven’t budged. Build quality seems high, very true, round, and even spoke tension, better than a well-known high-zoot wheel I owned a while back. Seem fast to me, only downsides are they aren’t light (can’t have everything for a budget price) and the black brake track wears off quickly especially if you ever ride them when it’s wet. Customer service is top notch.

10

Thanks for the replies guys. Sort of what I expected to hear but I wanted to confirm what i thought I knew.

11

So I’m going to be in the market soon for a set of new wheels. I want something that I can train and race in with just adding a wheelbuilder cover for race day. So i’m thinking a 60mm sidewall with alum brake track wheel. Oh. and I’m on a budget.

The two that stand out to me is Flo and Planet X. The new PX 60’s seem nice, and at $599 (on sale now for $499) a set you cannot beat the price. For about $300-400 more I can get the Flo 60’s and are very nice as well, but are they $300 nicer?

Both are 60mm, both are carbon fairing, both are clincher, both are alum brake track. So are the Flo wheels worth the extra cash?

Looking for honest opinions on both wheels and why I should go with either one. Or do you have a better suggestion?

Thanks

Thanks for considering us either way. There was a question about what type of bearings we use above. We use Japanese EZO bearings in our “stainless steel bearing” wheels and we use TPI bearings in our “ceramic bearing” wheels. We feel both are great bearings and we had excellent feedback from our customers. We’ve written about our bearings and other components in great detail on our blog under our “Component Series”.

Feel free to ask any additional questions should you have them.

Take care,

12

I’ve been riding the PX 82’s and have honestly been really impressed. I’m 6’4" 200lbs(ish) and have absolutely hammered these wheels and I haven’t needed to true them once. They feel solid, stiff, and smooth. An altogether great wheel. The Flo’s are probably a few seconds faster over a 40k TT but don’t get the impression the PX’s are bad wheels. Anything you buy is going to seem a lot faster than what you’re currently riding.