When do you notice the benefit of aero wheels?
Discussion
Let's clarify two things first.
1. I'm not thinking of buying a set (yet)
2. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't justify the price (for now)
I love the look of a Zipp aero wheel, so much so that I enquired after a set in my LBS (to be told they were £2200!) but I'm curious as to when they start to add a benefit? I think they look great, but when does the expense become worthwhile? I'm guessing it's more about the looks for the amateur rider.
1. I'm not thinking of buying a set (yet)
2. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't justify the price (for now)
I love the look of a Zipp aero wheel, so much so that I enquired after a set in my LBS (to be told they were £2200!) but I'm curious as to when they start to add a benefit? I think they look great, but when does the expense become worthwhile? I'm guessing it's more about the looks for the amateur rider.
They become more effective at 25mph+ but you do feel the effect between 20-25mph, when not racing the reduction in wattage required makes them feel a little more relaxing to maintain higher cruising speeds on the flat.
There are some c£500/1,600g 50mm clincher options direct from China - Deng Fu, Carbon Zone, ebay etc. + others:
http://www.fuertebici.com/shop/50mm-carbon-clinche...
Personally I think 50mm are a good weight/aero compromise & thicker gauge round spokes (as used by Cav) can offer greater lateral rigidity for all-round use than some thin bladed spokes specced for pure TTing - especially for bigger riders.
There are some c£500/1,600g 50mm clincher options direct from China - Deng Fu, Carbon Zone, ebay etc. + others:
http://www.fuertebici.com/shop/50mm-carbon-clinche...
Personally I think 50mm are a good weight/aero compromise & thicker gauge round spokes (as used by Cav) can offer greater lateral rigidity for all-round use than some thin bladed spokes specced for pure TTing - especially for bigger riders.
When going very fast in a straight line, to answer your question.
When do you feel the disadvantages? Accelerating, and riding in a cross wind can be seriously hairy - especially in town where buildings shield you from the wind which shoots up the streets. Can be extremely unpleasant at cross roads especially!
Also tend to give quite a harsh ride, although that depends on the wheel in question.
When do you feel the disadvantages? Accelerating, and riding in a cross wind can be seriously hairy - especially in town where buildings shield you from the wind which shoots up the streets. Can be extremely unpleasant at cross roads especially!
Also tend to give quite a harsh ride, although that depends on the wheel in question.
Over 20 mph.
80mm+ rims and discs also tend to emphasise the effect of cross/tail winds, but 50mm is a good compromise for general riding - anything deeper looks a bit weird on a road bike and they don't compromise climbing, at least, not if you're already as slow as I am.
You can pay as much as you like: I have Planet-X tubulars, because they came with the bike, and they're £400 a pair, but if I were starting again I'd probably go for HED clinchers: relatively good value and more practical.
Having learned to live with tubs I quite fancy a set of 82mm front/101mm rear from Planet-X, but the bling budget is a little depleted at the moment.
80mm+ rims and discs also tend to emphasise the effect of cross/tail winds, but 50mm is a good compromise for general riding - anything deeper looks a bit weird on a road bike and they don't compromise climbing, at least, not if you're already as slow as I am.
You can pay as much as you like: I have Planet-X tubulars, because they came with the bike, and they're £400 a pair, but if I were starting again I'd probably go for HED clinchers: relatively good value and more practical.
Having learned to live with tubs I quite fancy a set of 82mm front/101mm rear from Planet-X, but the bling budget is a little depleted at the moment.
20-25mph when on the flat is about the right speed to notice the difference ( i hope... ). Just ordered a 50mm carbon pair for the compromises demanded by lots of hills and a seemingly consistent wind that most of my local rides consist of. Would have a deeper pair if the locality made it practical. Whilst not expecting a massive difference - i am somewhat cynical of the marketeers - am fairly sure that they will be a little quicker, as well as nicely bling!
Current wheelset is a pair of Campag Shamals which are supposedly fairly aero to begin with - at least for aluminium clinchers - but looking forward to finding out either way.
Current wheelset is a pair of Campag Shamals which are supposedly fairly aero to begin with - at least for aluminium clinchers - but looking forward to finding out either way.
Yep, I've just nabbed a pair of American Classic Carbon 58s and notice a big difference over the semi-aero Eastons I had on previously. If you spend much time at 25mph+, then I'd say they were essential. They do come with a weight penalty, but for me, the increase in stiffness over my previous wheels means that I even prefer climbing on these! Now to just wait until the day I can afford some Lightweights and have the best of both worlds...
Theorhetically any constant riding of 18mph and above you will gain an advantage with aero wheels (30mm+ deep)on fairly flat terrain. Personally I wouldn't consider buying these type of wheels for general riding, especially hilly terrain. The wind and traffic air wake being the main reasons, less strength and no gain in light weight being the others.
Do bear in mind that wind resistance is supposed to be 80% rider 20% wheels, and to get to that 20% you'll have to be going faster than I would imagine you are (judging from previous posts) and tbh most riders you see day to day. There's not many people that are making full use of their deep rims I doubt.
A guy I ride with has said he won't look at zipps or whatever else untill he can maintain at least 23 mph on the flat at all times. Makes sense to me.
I'd also buy the chinese ones tbh I cannot see that Zipps are £2000 better than them, but if you've got the money to burn (as some on here have jusding by their bikes
However the noise they make is pretty awesome, and they look the b
ks.
A guy I ride with has said he won't look at zipps or whatever else untill he can maintain at least 23 mph on the flat at all times. Makes sense to me.
I'd also buy the chinese ones tbh I cannot see that Zipps are £2000 better than them, but if you've got the money to burn (as some on here have jusding by their bikes
However the noise they make is pretty awesome, and they look the b
ks.thiscocks said:
Theorhetically any constant riding of 18mph and above you will gain an advantage with aero wheels (30mm+ deep)on fairly flat terrain. Personally I wouldn't consider buying these type of wheels for general riding, especially hilly terrain. The wind and traffic air wake being the main reasons, less strength and no gain in light weight being the others.
Interesting thread... I've been wondering what my next upgrade should be! My solo riding is typically a bit faster than the point where I should get a benefit (probably 20-22mph - I'm a runner not a cyclist!), usually on busy but freeflowing A and B roads, complete with a few potholes, and the odd country lane (at slower speed!). Typically ride for 1 - 2 hours at a time max with the odd 4 hour bash.What wheels would the experts recommend? Sensible and silly budget options?
Current steed is a 2010 Boardman Pro Carbon with Vision TT bars (prefer the riding position, bike is otherwise standard).
My experience:
I recently bought a second hand pair of cosmic carbone sl's. I typically cycle 30 -50 miles at a time in the chilterns, so flatish routes with a few climbs.
My first reaction: they look the business
My second reaction: no noticeable riding benefits, rather it was harder work.
On the flats I am cycling between 23 and 27 mph, no improvement.
On the hills it's harder work.
Conclusion: I will keep them because my bike looks better with them than without them.
Moral: do not be ashamed of vanity over substance
On the assumption that no one who posts on the cycling forum of a car site is going to be a superstar cyclist, I doubt anyone will be able to tell the difference. Buy them because they look nice, not because you think they are the only thing that separates you from Lance Armstrong.
I recently bought a second hand pair of cosmic carbone sl's. I typically cycle 30 -50 miles at a time in the chilterns, so flatish routes with a few climbs.
My first reaction: they look the business
My second reaction: no noticeable riding benefits, rather it was harder work.
On the flats I am cycling between 23 and 27 mph, no improvement.
On the hills it's harder work.
Conclusion: I will keep them because my bike looks better with them than without them.
Moral: do not be ashamed of vanity over substance
On the assumption that no one who posts on the cycling forum of a car site is going to be a superstar cyclist, I doubt anyone will be able to tell the difference. Buy them because they look nice, not because you think they are the only thing that separates you from Lance Armstrong.
Rob_T said:
Conclusion: I will keep them because my bike looks better with them than without them.
Moral: do not be ashamed of vanity over substance
Buy them because they look nice, not because you think they are the only thing that separates you from Lance Armstrong.
An expensive way of looking nice Moral: do not be ashamed of vanity over substance
Buy them because they look nice, not because you think they are the only thing that separates you from Lance Armstrong.
Makes you wonder why people have them unless they live in Norfolk because surely everyone who rides has a mix of flats and hills? 
I shall be buying a set when I can afford them
UpTheIron said:
nteresting thread... I've been wondering what my next upgrade should be! My solo riding is typically a bit faster than the point where I should get a benefit (probably 20-22mph - I'm a runner not a cyclist!), usually on busy but freeflowing A and B roads, complete with a few potholes, and the odd country lane (at slower speed!). Typically ride for 1 - 2 hours at a time max with the odd 4 hour bash.
What wheels would the experts recommend? Sensible and silly budget options?
Current steed is a 2010 Boardman Pro Carbon with Vision TT bars (prefer the riding position, bike is otherwise standard).
For the type of riding you describe I would say some nice handbuilt wheels on normal low profile rims. I have some ambrosio evolution rims built onto ambrosio hubs and they have been bomb proof. I would not bother with high profile rims unless you are competing in time trials (what they are designed for).What wheels would the experts recommend? Sensible and silly budget options?
Current steed is a 2010 Boardman Pro Carbon with Vision TT bars (prefer the riding position, bike is otherwise standard).
I would recommend some ambrosio evolution or slightly lighter excellence rims built by a decent wheel builder. Do a search for 'wheelsmith' , Derek there builds wheels to order. Hand built wheels will generally be stronger and last longer than the factory built stuff too. Saying that you can't go far wrong with mavic wheels like the kyrisium either.
Edited by thiscocks on Friday 27th May 20:40
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