Carbon Wheels Absorb Hits?

[AnythingButKestrel]

How much do carbon wheels smooth out the ride? I'm not worried about the vibration on chipseal roads as much as smoothing out the hits from big frost heaves and such (the ones I don't see hiding in the shade).

Any major differences in vibration absorption between the major manufs? Newer wheels significantly better than stuff from a couple of years ago?

Would going to a 25mm wide tire accomplish the same thing for less dough? I don't want to drop the tire pressure too much b/c I still want to be able to keep up with my friends - who ride pretty fast for geezers.

Thx!

 

[PDXWheels]

Clincher or tubular?

Carbon clinchers may diminish road buzz, not necessarily eliminate it. Will probably feel about the same if you hit something big. 25mm wide tires will probably help your cause more than carbon rims.

Tubulars feel much better all the way around.

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

I was looking at a set of tubulars, both for ride quality and safety for high-speed flats. I just don't know if these are improvements that I'll really notice in actual riding or internet talking points that I can ignore.

Thx!

 

[brianf7]

Why do most Pro Tour teams use tubulars they are more expencive they ride better and they have always will be better than clinchers.
they are lighter because the rims are much lighter and that is where you need to loose waight not in the Bottom Bracket

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

Yes, I fully understand that the tubular is the pro tire of choice, but I'm not a pro. I'm Joe-Average rider. I don't really know if the difference is going to be 1%, 10%, or 50% better. I don't want to drop $1500-2500 on a 1% solution. 50% might pique my interest a bit.

 

[PDXWheels]

Your best option might be some low profile aluminum rim tubulars. Deep carbon are not particularly smooth riding.

Problem is, your goal is totally subjective. It's to minimize what you perceive as a harsh ride. Only you will know if a new wheelset will achieve the goal. Nobody can quantify this for you as a percent.

Yes tubulars feel great. A killer aluminum rimmed tubular set up could be had for <$600. PM me if you want more specifics.

 

[redtreviso]

Why do most Pro Tour teams use tubulars they are more expencive they ride better and they have always will be better than clinchers.
they are lighter because the rims are much lighter and that is where you need to loose waight not in the Bottom Bracket

and when they have a flat they just put one hand in the air and someone rolls up and changes the wheel..

 

[Black Dog]

Pros race on tubulars (not all teams) and train on clinchers. The differences are small but the time on money to run tubulars is large. The 23mm wide rims roll as nicely as tubulars. Deep section rims Carbon or Aluminum ride harsh and any big bump will feel big.