Carbon wheels that won't rattle me bones

[DuncanDoughnuts]

A few years back I bough a beautiful set of Ibis 35 Carbon wheels (the first gen).

They were absolutely beautiful, and I could stare at them all day,  but I hated them. Coming from a set of Flow's they were so uncomfortable and harsh, I could never get my HDR to feel good. 

I would constantly swap them with the flows just to check if I was not imagining it. But no.... These carbons did change the bike, and not I a good way.  They were fine for a few DH runs in Tokai, but anything over 25K I would be so fatigued no matter how I tried to set up my suspension. vs all day adventures on the flows.

Now I'm no expert when it comes to this as some of you are, so my question

Have the new generation of carbon wheels changed? Are they more forgiving and usable? I see the new trend is shallow (18m) like the new Stans and Ibis rims?  

Or am I just being a total wuss and should just stick to Alloy. (very possible) 

Edited August 26, 2022 by DuncanDoughnuts
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[Headshot]

Zipp make moto style carbon rims that are supposed to be more forgiving as they allow a bit of rim float at the nipples. Expensive and earlier ones were prone to breaking I believe. That said, I suspect that most "normal" carbon rims are a bit more forgiving than those Ibis ones.

[LazyTrailRider]

Hmmm, interesting.

I've had Roval Traverse SLs and now the "normal" Roval Traverse carbons and I can't say that either has felt harsher than the alloy versions. In fact, my perception is that they're ever-so-slightly better at damping high-frequency stuff.

Anecdotally, it sounds like it might be an Ibis thing...

[Furbz]

1 hour ago, Headshot said:

Zipp make moto style carbon rims that are supposed to be more forgiving as they allow a bit of rim float at the nipples. Expensive and earlier ones were prone to breaking I believe. That said, I suspect that most "normal" carbon rims are a bit more forgiving than those Ibis ones.

those are apparently incredible - but i hear are crazy expensive

[Furbz]

what type of riding are you doing?

[guidodg]

the trend for new carbon rims is to go wide and low profile for more compliance vertically compared to previous generations that were higher profile and super stiff

[BaGearA]

Been riding carbon rims on and off since 2014 and haven't heard someone complaining that they are to harsh, stiffer definitely and more trail feedback but not harsh

 

Perhaps its the gen of those rims of yours or maybe its just a testament to how good value flow rims really are.

 

Try a modern set , roval , bontrager , reserve and south's have all been very comfortable to me in recent years 

[cadenceblur]

Have to agree. I'm on a set of the Pyga Trail wides (when they were still making them) and cannot say I've experienced what is being described.

Super stiff and bloody strong but no harshness that I could discern.

[Steady Spin]

No harshness. Sounds like a lack of cement in your diet to me.