Best Value for money Carbon Wheelsets?

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Argon Man,

A super-ultrastiff-bombproff-AEROsquare wheel set for ya. Oh, you'll have to build yer own road to use 'em.

 

[cody251]

I've been riding Zipp 404s and Mavic carbones for the last few years. I took a chance on a smaller company called Williams and bought a set of carbon clinchers for $999 USD and their 30X for $489 USD. I've put a few hundred miles on each and they are great wheels (to my surprise). I've intentionally "beat them up" a bit and they remain true as can be. Here's their URL: http://www.williamscycling.com/index.html

I run the 19's and the 30's and know others that run their wheels. Nothing but good so far. I've got 3k+ in the 19's and around 1500 on the 30's. Still true and great prices.

 

[fiftyfour eleven]

Without doubt the best performance & value race wheel is the Dura Ace C50's, they are close to being the lightest and still manage to use a proper ball bearing hub plus they are made in Japan. Enough said.

 

[Pietro]

Without doubt the best performance & value race wheel is the Dura Ace C50's, they are close to being the lightest and still manage to use a proper ball bearing hub plus they are made in Japan. Enough said.

Lessee here. $2300, about 1500 grams.

DT hubs, Velocity rims, DT spokes-1500 grams and.....$750.

 

[hotsocks3]

this might sound silly but is Tubular/Clincher wheels?

also the depth of the carbon wheels, what is the advantage with them if they are heavier, (aero v's momentim move energy to make roll)?

thanks

 

[Pietro]

this might sound silly but is Tubular/Clincher wheels?

also the depth of the carbon wheels, what is the advantage with them if they are heavier, (aero v's momentim move energy to make roll)?

thanks

More than one test has been done to measure differences in energy to spin up a heavy rim vs a light rim and altho there is a difference, it is teeny, tiny. Like .1 of 1% difference by doubling the weight of the rim.

Aero-ness makes a difference but only significant at higher speeds. I just read a post about MTB carbon wheels being more aero..yikes, on a mountain bike, one of the least aero bicycles there is.

 

[TrapperJohn]

If you're riding local crits, you're playing roulette anyway. Do you really want to bust your budget and then have some newbie lunch them for you?

Best deal? I got a set of Zipp 404's in tubie, somewhat used but in good shape, on ebay for $700. Just wanted to try them out, figured I could sell them in the spring for what I paid, but ended up keeping them because they rode soooo smoothly.

Everyday wheelset are Campy Zondas. The Zipps seem to be a bit faster on downhills, where the speed rises. On the flats, there isn't much difference, if any.

Glueing tubies isn't hard. Repairing a puncture can take some time.

 

[AusMatty]

I've been riding Zipp 404s and Mavic carbones for the last few years. I took a chance on a smaller company called Williams and bought a set of carbon clinchers for $999 USD and their 30X for $489 USD. I've put a few hundred miles on each and they are great wheels (to my surprise). I've intentionally "beat them up" a bit and they remain true as can be. Here's their URL: http://www.williamscycling.com/index.html

Williams don't ship to Oz. With out a doubt go Bouwmeester. Mello knows what he is on about, and if it is light, quality & price you want (I know - impossible in the cycling world) they will not disappoint.
Check their Yellow Dot 50mm out at the moment - Giro special $1799.00 AUD and 1335 grams for a 50mm carbon rim with ceramic bearings.
Bouwmeester 50mm

 

[Vegan Dave]

Anyone have any experience with the Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 ACC?

I'm looking specifically at the front (PT rear), and want a clincher with alloy rim, and aero. (I'm no hill climber, more crit and TT riding.)

Deep carbon (50mm), low spoke count (16), wider rim as well (less turbulance on tires) and relatively light weight (784g). Cost for me will be about $650CA.

Anyone have any comments on these? I'd love a HED, but my shop isn't connected. : \

Best bang for the buck i'd say is Easton's EA90 AERO. Great weight for the price, i used for CX last year, and they've been fantastic. Make sure it's the AERO version, not the other EA90's.

 

[urace4me2]

Take a look at Neuvation.

$600 for a pair of Carbon 50mm deep tubies?
I weight 190 and race crits on them. No problems what so ever.
Best wheel "value" choice out there.