Deep section wheels

[Funny Carp]

Hi Garreth,

 

I weigh 68kg and have been riding 50mm clinchers in the Cape for approx three years, most recently the DH wheel set.

 

Like all handling skills, getting comfortable with the wheel set is simply a matter of acclimatisation, so stick with the set and pick progressively windier conditions until your confidence grow. As it does, you will relax more and the issue will resolve itself.

 

Cape based experience has taught me that the deep sections don't get blown about very much more than my Easton EA90 wheels and if really, really gusty conditions become a safety issue, then I simply transfer my weight onto the front wheel by riding in the drops. This position both reduces your 'wind-profile' and improves front-end stability.

 

(If riding in a group, we also give one another more room to squirrel around, but will still keep our lines predictable.)

 

Those omni-directional Cape Town wind gusts will still catch your body and shunt you around a little, but not dangerously so because you will have better front-end control.

 

I know it can sometimes feel like the Cape Doctor is trying to tear you off the bike, especially on the Chappies/ Llundudno descents, but rest assured that neither I, nor any of my riding partners have ever been blown over in windy conditions.

 

Good luck and stay safe.

 

P.S. keep a listening-watch for buses and trucks that sneak up from behind, draw level with you and suddenly make

the cross-wind disappear. It makes for interesting corrections if you happen to be leaning into a steady cross wind :-)

[Capcha]

Hi Garreth. Just a question for you. Are you riding the correct size frame? Sometimes if a person rides a frame that is too big or too small or the bike is not setup properly it could feel like you are not in control of it. I ride 50mm and 38 in heavy wind sometimes and never felt unsteady. Yes, I do get pushed around but always feel in control. If your setup is fine thenI would say give it a bit more time but being stiff in the shoulders never helps and worrying about falling while out training should not be the focus. If your setup is correct, try moving your position of your grip around till you feel comfortable like top bar, drops or on the hoods. Hope you overcome this soonest

[G...]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm 163cm and have never battled with my setup feel great on my bike almost like I could ride a DC every time on it. Ill put the wheels back on and just try a few different riding positions and see what's feels best.

['Dale]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm 163cm and have never battled with my setup feel great on my bike almost like I could ride a DC every time on it. Ill put the wheels back on and just try a few different riding positions and see what's feels best.

 

Breezy today with light gusts

Hmmm get your courage on

Good luck

 

 

Edited December 30, 2013 by ' Dale

[Reg Lizard]

I role with a set of mavic cosmic carbon Sl's in the windy Cape...but then again I am a dikgat- so that helps

 

You'll get use to riding with them in the wind and then you will start to see the difference

[Bianchisti]

2012 and 2013 have been relative wind-friendly to even 80mm hoops.

 

Hmmm, let's see what the Cape Doctor has in mind.

 

So those travelling to Argus come prepared.

[LOOK695]

I wonder how the answers would have differed if the OP was using 808's. The general consensus is that 80mm is too deep for roadbikes and should be used for TT only, but above arguments could be applied to those wheels as well. Ride them more to get used to them.

[Let's Ride]

Shouldn't be a problem. I am 82kg's and I ride the zipp 50/60 combo.

 

When it's windy get low down. Apply power and the wind doesn't really make any difference.

[Carbon Junky]

Gareth just for curiosity on your wheels and how a wider profile benefits in the wind. Go check out Eastons Phanton wheel video that boasts the wider rim. I had a long debate when it came to the deep sections and how the wind was going to affect me as I am 171cm and weigh 63kg. After a lot of research on the topic I decided to buy the Concept wheels instead of the Darkhorse wheels for 2 main reasons: it has better control in cross winds as due to the wider rim, has a lot more stiffness. It is a little heavier, but being that my bike is already on the weight limit of 6.8kg, weight was brought into account. I'd say ask someone who has a wider rim deep secion wheelset for a test drive in the wind and see if it feels better for yourself

[SurferChild]

I'm in the market myself for some carbon wheels and have my eyes on the 38mm Dark Horse wheels. I hate riding in the wind at the best of times, so those ones should be perfect for me.

I borrowed a set of 50mm some while back from a friend, and although the ride wasn't all bad... i could still feel the wheels drifting in the wind... I'll be much more comfortable on the 38's

['Dale]

Admittedly, the Darkhorse brand is of the lower cost wheelsets and questions can be asked about its performance in the Cape gusts

[G...]

I agree the wheels are not the top of the range carbon wheel. But value for money they not bad. I like the wheels they roll well, and I seem to climb better on them. But seem to get blown around quiet badly on them. I'd recommend the 38mm wheels. A guy I cycle with has a set of the american classics 58mm area they wider to give a try, I know they a little deep but not sure about the width?

[Wannabe]

Recently bought myself a set of 38mm Deepsections (fairly top of the range) and went out on one or two windy / gusty days, and it did not feel that much different to my normal 25mm wheels. Seems that 38's is better suited to the Cape conditions.

Just my 2c worth.

[Tankman]

I have been racing 50mm tubbies in just about any extreme condition for years without any issues and I am in the same weigh class 87kg.

 

Keep your hands lightly on the bar and most of all, keep pedalling, your balance and control is so much better when pedalling.

[Tightfitt]

I race with zipp 808's, race weight 88kgs at 189cm. The finish at the Amashova last yr, down from Tollgate Bridge was hectic, otherwise love them and race with them most of the time. Thought about selling them, but then when u race them.... BIG SMILE!

[Garfield2010]

Wait for a day when the wind is 55km an hour. Go for a three hour ride at a place like kayalami (wide safe roads) or alternatively go ride on a landing strip at an airport.

 

You will never have issues again riding in a 30km wind