Hi All-
I’m looking for a new set of wheels and though I’ve read many posts about all sorts of aero wheels I’m not finding the info I, think, I need.
I’m wary of going full carbon as I’m 6’3" 190lbs. Good braking is a must. So, I’m looking at the following sets:
Bontrager Aura 5 TLR 1720grams
Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS 1695grams
Zipp 60 1820grams
Shimano RS81-C50 1908grams
I’m leaning toward the Mavics, but through my shop I can get a pretty sweet deal on the Bontragers. The Zipps are essentially the old 404s, with a lesser quality hub. The Shimanos seem to get great reviews, but are heavy.
One other curiosity, are the Cosmic Carbone SLS wheels the same as the Ksyrium SLS, with a fairing added?
I bought the Shimanos last month on sale from ChainReaction (UK) free shipping and $750. The rim is the SAME rim as the DuraAce C50 rim, the hubs are different ( a bit heavier). The hubs on these wheels are a thing of beauty and will not fail. I will get years out of these wheels. Very happy with my purchase and I can race and train in them. I’m MOP IM, didn’t feel the need to spend $2K on the same wheels the pros use. If you are trying to get to Kona and 1 minutue matters, that is probably a different story!
Thanks - Kona is not in my near future, but being a bigger guy hauling an extra half pound around the course does play into the decision. I believe the hub is comparable to Ultegra, which is good. I think the Cosmics have a better hub by comparison.
Given the lower quality hub, and the higher price, I think the Zipps are out.
I’ve had Zipp 60’s on my road bike for a year and they have been excellent. I got them 1 year old on ebay for $750. Funny thing is that I had just sold my 13 year old Zipp 404’s on ebay for $725
I researched everything to death. I guess it depends on how long you want something to last and still feel new. I’m still racing my 2004 Cervelo. The Shimano components are working like I bought the bike yesterday. The Japanese make their stuff last forever!
Aaron, I’m the same size as you. I went with some Planet X carbon clinchers. Aluminum track, carbon fairing. 52mm, 1796g. With all this gear to buy, I’m pretty budget driven. The freehub is super loud. It sounds awesome. I don’t think they make the 52’s anymore. Looks like it jumps from 50 to 60 now. Good luck. Have fun.
HED Jet and Flo both have metal brake tracks and high spoke count builds available. Both are excellent wheels.
I would pass on the Mavic Cosmic Carbone, it is about two generations old aero wise, and instead look at the Mavic CXR60. Not only does it have a metal brake track (don’t let the black color fool you), it has a specially engineered one that is reaaaaly good. A stout wheel as well.
and don’t worry about weight =)
Hi All-
I’m looking for a new set of wheels and though I’ve read many posts about all sorts of aero wheels I’m not finding the info I, think, I need.
I’m wary of going full carbon as I’m 6’3" 190lbs. Good braking is a must. So, I’m looking at the following sets:
Bontrager Aura 5 TLR 1720grams
Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS 1695grams
Zipp 60 1820grams
Shimano RS81-C50 1908grams
I’m leaning toward the Mavics, but through my shop I can get a pretty sweet deal on the Bontragers. The Zipps are essentially the old 404s, with a lesser quality hub. The Shimanos seem to get great reviews, but are heavy.
One other curiosity, are the Cosmic Carbone SLS wheels the same as the Ksyrium SLS, with a fairing added?
The XCR60’s are pretty pricey, so I should amend my parameters to stay under ~$1500. I agree that the FLO’s are a good option, given that they feature a wider rim, similar to the Firecrest. I prefer to work with a LBS, so ordering online means more hassle if I have an issue.
For durability, the Shimano’s get great reviews and have a 1 year warranty. Mavic has a no questions asked 2 year warranty. Bontrager has a similar warranty. I believe all three of these have the same shape as the old toroidal Zipp wheels- 404, etc.
The XCR60’s are pretty pricey, so I should amend my parameters to stay under ~$1500. I agree that the FLO’s are a good option, given that they feature a wider rim, similar to the Firecrest. I prefer to work with a LBS, so ordering online means more hassle if I have an issue.
For durability, the Shimano’s get great reviews and have a 1 year warranty. Mavic has a no questions asked 2 year warranty. Bontrager has a similar warranty. I believe all three of these have the same shape as the old toroidal Zipp wheels- 404, etc.
The FLO guys go out of their way to keep their customers happy. I wouldn’t worry about having hassles with FLO.
+1 on not worrying about weight. If your a bigger guys, it’s all about durability, and aero. Weight means little in a TT unless it’s insanely hilly… but being a bigger guys as you describe, your screwed anyway on that type of course.
You may want the wider rims of the flow or HED so you can run a wider 25mm tire without much of a aero penalty. It will be more comfortable and probably more durable for you.
Don’t bother thinking about or posting weights, because it doesn’t matter. Get the Flos unless you just have money falling out of your pockets. You won’t have any issues with wheels that your LBS can’t fix.
I just bought wheels. You may not want to go the route I went, but thought I’d share…
I bought Chinese Carbon alloy clinchers. 80mm deep, 25mm wide, U shaped. Bought rims only. Bought them with a custom spoke count. Got a great deal on a set of 11speed Chris King hubs. Wheels are 24F, 32R. Building them with Red hubs, black DTswiss aerolite bladed spokes and red nipples. I’m just over 200lb, so wanted extra spoke count. 28 was ideal, but it’s only 8 more spokes. Cost less than $1k
The XCR60’s are pretty pricey, so I should amend my parameters to stay under ~$1500. I agree that the FLO’s are a good option, given that they feature a wider rim, similar to the Firecrest. I prefer to work with a LBS, so ordering online means more hassle if I have an issue.
For durability, the Shimano’s get great reviews and have a 1 year warranty. Mavic has a no questions asked 2 year warranty. Bontrager has a similar warranty. I believe all three of these have the same shape as the old toroidal Zipp wheels- 404, etc.
There are only about 3 options to consider at <1600$. Flo, HED Jet express and Bontrager A-something 5s. These options are aero, wide and stable. HEDs probably handle the best and are the highest overall quality.
There are a lot of sub-standard options that cost nearly as much or more. Wheels like the Zipp 60 and Cosmic Carbone and kinda turds by today’s standards
I have a set of the Farsports 50mm carbon alloy wheels. Novatec hubs, CX Ray spokes. They came in at 1540g. I have over three thousand miles on them with no issues. $600 shipped. They brake better than my alloy Shimano wheels
The Shimano components are working like I bought the bike yesterday. The Japanese make their stuff last forever!