Carbon / Alloy 29er wheelset

[BrendonHumphreys]

After an unfortunate accident, I am facing the decision to replace my current wheelset for my Cannondale Scalpel 29er. I have read that carbon wheels give better performance and are lighter but are expensive, and less hardy whereas the alloys take hammering better and are significantly cheaper.

 

Any suggestions ?

 

[Skylark]

If you have money to burn go carbon if you want bullet proof and affordable go alu.

The new Hope hubs plus ZTR rims for the win.

[Kuys]

I run a set of Enve's on my Tallboy LTc and ZTR Crests on my Cotic Solaris..

 

To be honest, there is not a massive difference in feel, but so far the Enve's have been the stronger of the 2...

 

Alu rims are definitely not bullet proof, they are just cheaper to replace..

 

But the Enve wheelset cost R25k vs R7k for the ZTR Crest + Hope hubs

 

I've done my homework before I bought the Enve;s and wont ride any other carbon rim...

 

Also look at the new Ricthey Trail wheelset, very good..

[kennyg]

I ride cheap carbons.

 

They are about 500g lighter in the whole wheelset than the alloy version. It seems like a lot and is over the performance stretch. On a very hilly ride you can improve your ave. speed 2km/h.

 

But they dont last, I wont race them on Rocky races, although I have and they survived.

 

They do dent, but they can be repaired. R300 a shot.

 

The price for the wheel set complete comes in around R16k, on the same bike you can feel the difference, generally a little more harsh. (stiffer), less vibration, climbs easier.