Carbon Clinchers or Aluminium

[SquareDaff]

Been looking at new wheelsets and rreally like the look of the Fulcrum 0's. My question is would they be a good purchase or would I be better off buying some carbon clinchers around the same price range?

I'm more of a high speed cruiser than an out and out sprinter - I just want something that'll roll well but that isn't too harsh a ride.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Go for the lightest wheelset within your budget. Ride quality is largely down to tyre choice/pressure anyway.

 

[SquareDaff]

That would seem to be the Zero's then. Quoted weights are around 1450g. Carbon equivalents appear to be around 1750g. What mystifies me is why people choose carbon if aluminium is lighter? I know if can be stiffer and in 50mm-85mm rim depths more aerodynamic but would those differences overcome the additional rotational weight unless you were on a particularly hilly course?

 

[Dusty Bin]

That would seem to be the Zero's then. Quoted weights are around 1450g. Carbon equivalents appear to be around 1750g. What mystifies me is why people choose carbon if aluminium is lighter? I know if can be stiffer and in 50mm-85mm rim depths more aerodynamic but would those differences overcome the additional rotational weight unless you were on a particularly hilly course?

Why people choose carbon clinchers for anything is a mystery to me, tbh. There is a small (and I mean 'tiny') aero benefit for deep sections in general, but ironically most clincher deep sections are so heavy that the weight penalty probably outweighs the aero advantage on anything other than a completely flat road.

 

[jowwy]

That would seem to be the Zero's then. Quoted weights are around 1450g. Carbon equivalents appear to be around 1750g. What mystifies me is why people choose carbon if aluminium is lighter? I know if can be stiffer and in 50mm-85mm rim depths more aerodynamic but would those differences overcome the additional rotational weight unless you were on a particularly hilly course?

my carbon clinchers weigh in at 1350grammes and are awesome. whats the budget????

 

[SquareDaff]

my carbon clinchers weigh in at 1350grammes and are awesome. whats the budget????

Up to £700 ish

 

[jowwy]

Up to £700 ish

Why not get a good set of handbuilts made up - probably get a real good lightweight set done for that kind of money

 

[jowwy]

Why people choose carbon clinchers for anything is a mystery to me, tbh. There is a small (and I mean 'tiny') aero benefit for deep sections in general, but ironically most clincher deep sections are so heavy that the weight penalty probably outweighs the aero advantage on anything other than a completely flat road.

the same reason as why somebody would buy a ferrari when the british speed limit is 70mph - and you can do that easily enough in a skoda/astra/meriva

 

[mattobrien]

I have got the Fulcrum Racing Zero's on my bike. They are nice wheels and I like them. I run Michelin Pro 4 Comps on them and together they roll very smoothly.

That said, I am in the process of changing to some carbon clinchers, but not in the same price range as the Fulcrums, so not a direct comparison.

If I had £700 to spend on wheels, personally I would go with the Fulcrums over similarly priced carbon wheels. You pays your money, you takes your choice, as one of my lecturers would say (many years ago).

 

[Dusty Bin]

the same reason as why somebody would buy a ferrari when the british speed limit is 70mph - and you can do that easily enough in a skoda/astra/meriva

So you're saying that carbon clinchers are 'high performance' wheels? How so?

 

[jowwy]

So you're saying that carbon clinchers are 'high performance' wheels? How so?

no - i'm saying, people buy them cause thats what they want

 

[Dusty Bin]

no - i'm saying, people buy them cause thats what they want

True enough - but that doesn't make them a wise choice.

 

[Rob3rt]

So you're saying that carbon clinchers are 'high performance' wheels? How so?

Some of them are, some of them aren't!

 

[jowwy]

True enough - but that doesn't make them a wise choice.

i never said it was - you asked why people buy them - i gave you an answer - end of conversation

 

[jowwy]

I have got the Fulcrum Racing Zero's on my bike. They are nice wheels and I like them. I run Michelin Pro 4 Comps on them and together they roll very smoothly.

That said, I am in the process of changing to some carbon clinchers, but not in the same price range as the Fulcrums, so not a direct comparison.

If I had £700 to spend on wheels, personally I would go with the Fulcrums over similarly priced carbon wheels. You pays your money, you takes your choice, as one of my lecturers would say (many years ago).

what carbons are you looking to buy matty??