Carbon wheelsets

Asprilla

Asprilla

Asprilla

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Joined
7 Oct 2014
Posts
556
OK, I'm taking up sprint triathlons again; extension bars ordered, pointy hat ordered, swimming and running programme underway.

That's the basics, now I just need some bling wheels to save me 3s over 20km.

So, I'll be going second hand and I'm looking at some different options but PX 82/101 tubs can be picked up for about £300. Anyone using them and can provide feedback?

What other options are there (Chinese blanks obviously, but there are so many options).

Cheers.
 
The hadrons are nice, and they have the advantage of alu breaking surfaces and clinchers, but they are still £800 for the ones I would want compared to £300 for a pair of s/h 82/101s from planet-x.

Cheers for the links Supercow, I'll have a look.
 
Not looking at a disk yet, I'd probably just get a generic cover first (although PX also have some Vision Metron discs for £599).

I was thinking about 60-80mm. I'm 72kg at my heaviest and 65kg at my lightest (currently near the heaviest but it's dropping again) so cross winds could be an issue.

Not bothered about branding. The alternative will be my Archetypes so I guess anything over 25mm deep will offer an advantage (regardless of whether it's V-shaped or torroidal).
 
Of the nipple goes through the carbon then it's fairing on a separate rim. This isn't necessarily bad as it's the only way you can make disc wheels.
 
The PX ones I'm looking currently are the CT45s which are also toroidal profiles (although that doesn't necessarily mean better). There are some new ones on eBay for £350 down from £500.

Where did you get your Chinese ones from?
 
Thinking about it I'll probably go for the clinchers.

I've got latex tubes and loads of spare clinchers that are very good (Vittoria Open Corsas 320tpi) so I just think it will be easier and more cost effective.

My tri bike is going to be my S1 id the seat post reversed and clip in extensions.
 
There is a bloke in Norwich selling a pair of HED3Cs on pick-up only and they are currently going for £100. Would be worth the petrol.

I'm trying to keep costs down. Going the clincher route will save me £150 for three tubs as I've got tyres and tubes for clinchers already. I want something with reasonable heft as I'm a diesel anyway; I build speed slowly and these will be for flat track triathlons. Conservation of momentum will work in my favour.
 
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Well Sky aren't sponsored by HED and yet both Brad and Froome use tri spokes on TTs. Apparently there isn't much better than a tri spoke apart from a disc but they have control issues; every time the spoke goes behind the fork it blocks a third of the surface area presented to a side wind.

Apparently.

Given the speed it happens I'm not sure it would make that much difference but what do I know.
 
Race day only. Apart from the occasional blast up and down the main road on a 6x3.5km route on a nice wide main road between Walton and Hampton Court.

I normally use Open Corsas on the good bike and find them to be excellent.

Do you use sealant in your tubs?
 
JeffyB said:
Unless you're going consistently 20+mph with no side winds dishes seem pointless. Light weight or C24, Ksyrium, Fulcum low number 0,1,3 seem to be best to me. What I'm heading towards next anyway.
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These are for Triathlon bike leg so should fit the bill. Generally, aero temps weight, especially somewhere like the south east where the longest climb is about 8 minutes rather than an hour and a quarter.

Krysiums and Fulcrums use proprietary parts and they aren't easy to get hold of. I had to wait 12 weeks to repair my Racing 0s. Also, they are machine built so the out of the box spoke tensions can be a mess.

If you want lightweight then go custom built. Using Stans Alpha alloy rims you can get to 1.4kg without compromising spoke count too much and if you want really light then some thin carbon tub rims should put you below 1.2kg.
 
I recon these are going to be used for around 1% of my miles. I used to have some 50mm Reynolds, but like you I just didn't feel them and they were so stiff that you could feel the crap road surfaces straight through your wrists.

For most situations a wide alloy rim with decent spokes (and a decent spoke count) is perfect.
 
Good stuff.

I've tried an everyday wheelset and it didn't work for me either. These ones are for a very specific job so I'm hoping it will be different.

Anyhow, last question; carbon brake pads. Who uses what?

I used to use Swisssssssssstop Yellow but they don't last long. I heard Reynolds Cryo Blue Power are where it's at these days. Of course the wheels will come with a full set but I'm expecting them the be made from a mixture of butter and death.
 
Right, valve extensions.

I've got Vittoria tyres and the red Vittoria extenders, but it appears that these extenders are only for tyres when the whole valve removes, not just the core.

So any recommendations for valve extenders for removable valve cores? PX have some for 99p each.

Edit; just thought of something - I may have been doing it wrong.........
 
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I've not tried fitting yet as my wheels have only just been shipped.

I've ordered some cheap extenders from ebay and I've read that using plumbers tape around the join helps with any leaks.
 
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