Carbon wheels

[alexi_k]

Howzit guys

I am new to the Hub and not clued up on this, but I am looking at purchasing carbon wheels for my road bike. What are the things I should look for?

What is the difference between tubular and clincher? Obviously it is all price dependant but what is a good make of wheel? Would one need to change brakes, skewers, etc, in order to fit carbon wheels? I currently have a Giant TCR Composite road bike with the standard wheels but looking at upgrading.

 

Thanks and hopefully one can assist.

 

Regards

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Clincher uses normal beaded / folding tyres, whereas tubular you have to glue the tubbies on (mission!)

[splat]

Full carbon wheels usually need specific brake pads.

If you switch wheels between your normal alu wheels and your carbon wheels, you have to switch brake pads.

 

Unless you use Swiss Stop Yellow (anyone care to elaborate ?)

 

Be careful with this will affect warantee with some manufacturers.

[TNT1]

whereas tubular you have to glue the tubbies on (mission!)

 

It is not a mission.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Meh. I'm just in a lazy mode today. Plus, I've heard it can be a mission, so THERE!

[TNT1]

Meh. I'm just in a lazy mode today. Plus, I've heard it can be a mission, so THERE!

 

Ah, right. Never used tubbies, have you?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ah, right. Never used tubbies, have you?

 

Nope. Unless you count those things that ice cream come in.

[The Drongo]

Ah, right. Never used tubbies, have you?

 

 

Nope. Unless you count those things that ice cream come in.

 

You fit those to the rim how ? !

[TNT1]

You fit those to the rim how ? !

 

See, now that I'd call a mission.

[The Drongo]

See, now that I'd call a mission.

 

There you go. Typical Hub topic. Circular argument.

 

[gummibear]

Depends on what you want but Chris Wilemse cycles have the Mavic Cosmics on special at the moment.Very good wheels or you could pay double and the Zipp that weigh 100 grams less.

Go have a chat to Wayne or Roger and i am sure they will help you.

[Spinnekop]

OK.....lets do this:

 

3 types of "Carbon Wheels"

 

Full Carbon Tubbie

• The rims do not have a lip thus the tyre gets glued on. And yes it IS a mission if you are not trained at it
  
• Tubbies (Tyres) are expensive. R500-R900 each. You puncture you buy a new tubbie
  
• You can repair a tubbie if you know how to cut it open, patch the latex tube inside and sow it back together again. NOT WORTH IT! Please pay R500-R900
  
• You can pump tubbies up to 11bar.
  
• Riding quality is AWESOME!!
  
• Carbon tubbies are lighter than clinchers in general. Typical weight 1200g
  
• You need special brake pads for the carbon surface
  
• R8 000-R40 000
  

 

Full Carbon Clincher

• Very expensive and limited to only a few manufacturers ±R15 000 per set
  
• Brake surface is carbon and needs special brake pads
  
• Easy to replace tube or repair the tube if you get a puncture
  
• Typical weight is 1500g
  

 

Carbon Clinchers

• You will spot them easy. They have a carbon deep section but an aluminium brake surface
  
• Punctures as per normal
  
• Typical weight 1.5-1.8kg
  
• Fairly cheap - R5 000 up to R12 000
  

 

All three looks awesome on a bike!!

Choose your poison and save up to what you want. You only buy one or two sets in your lifetime (Average Joe-slow) so make it count!!!

[Lucky Luke.]

Ah, right. Never used tubbies, have you?

 

I've used them and it's a huge mission. First time you glue a tubbie you will finish up looking like a japanese porn star covered in the baby batter of 500 co-stars

[Lucky Luke.]

They go fast though, so suck it up as they say.

[Spinnekop]

What are the things I should look for?

 

If you buy second hand, have a look at cracks and use of brake surface.

 

 

What is the difference between tubular and clincher? Obviously it is all price dependant but what is a good make of wheel?

 

Zipp, Mavic, Campagnolo, Easton, Fulcrum, FFWD,

 

Would one need to change brakes, skewers, etc, in order to fit carbon wheels?

 

Only the brakes.

Skewers should be fine.

[alexi_k]

Hi Spinnekop

 

Thanks a mil for your sound advice! Really appreciate it.

For sizing, would I just need to check what size my current wheels are and get the same?

 

Not too sure if this is worthwhile but I see you get Carbon blanks? Is that a worth while proposition? I would suspect that these are not full carbon?

 

Would you also need to put some sort of specific tyre on? I currently have the standard Michelin Dynamic Sport - could I purchase the same or would I upgrade?

 

Thanks.