Flo Cycling Wheels (Page 11)

Well, not exactly (according to my understanding anyway).  The bead area can be designed to transition better to the brake track, but that would be completely independent of tire and rim width.

Putting a wide tire on a narrow rim would cause a problem, but there are 19mm tires out there and they interface beautifully with 19mm rims.

I believe the trend toward wider tires has been a perceived reduction in rolling resistance, but at an aerodynamic cost (at least at zero yaw).  I don't believe anyone really knows where the ideal compromise is between aero and resistance.  I am not even sure how definitive it is that wider tires have lower rolling resistance.

Given the latest info, I'm thinking FLO 60/Disc combo.

Now a question: Is there a time that you would NOT use a disc?  If it's really windy (30+ MPH winds), would it be unstable to have a disc?  Keep in mind I'm a heavier rider.

That's what I've heard also, but I don't understand why anyone would want to buy just a regular deep wheel for the back if that's the case. 

Thanks for the thoughts!

They are not legal in Kona.  If you are going there it is a concern  Also, so people buy a deep rear wheel and then a wheel cover so they can have the best of both worlds.  If you also race crits or road races it makes sense to have the deep rear vs. a disc.

Hope that helps,

Discs aren't legal at Kona?  Learn something new everyday.

I have no Kona or crit plans in the near future so a disc it is. 

If he doesn't want it, I'll gladly take it. lol

http://ironmanworldchampionship.com/athletes/faq/
Are disk wheels allowed?
No, disk wheels are NOT allowed at the Ford Ironman World Championship.

We will glady take it during the pre-order  We are doing our best to make this happen as quickly as possible.

Take care and thanks for the support,

Sounds like a plan!  Thanks for the support!

chris, when are you guys planning on launching?

i will have a road race july 31st would like to get the f60/r60....i only have h3 + pt w/cover so i will need something new.

Chris, thanks for answering.

That is indeed a nice interface, but couldn't just as nice an interface be achieved with a 19mm rim and 19mm tire?  It's a simple matter of matching widths (and is helped if the tire manufacturer designs for a cleaner interface).

Your answer only makes sense if all tires are wide and a rim had to be designed to work well with tires.

In the end, did you just choose a wide rim because that's where the industry (and customer interest) is going?  Or was it because of better rolling resistance? 

Not bad... if the test conditions are for the most part identical (30mph, etc), the FLO 60 appears to perform better overall than both the Zipp 808 and the Jet 90. The FLO disk also appears to perform better than the Hed Jet disk. This at less than 1/2 the cost of the Hed's and 1/3 the cost of the Zipps. I hope you guys are getting ready because you're going to have a LOT of wheels to build!

I know I'll be buying a set for sure. Really, who wouldn't?

Wider tires ride better, offer lower rolling resistance, and handle better. Wider rims flex less. 19-21mm tires ride rougher than hell and I'm certainly happy to see wheel manufacturers go to the 22-23mm rim.

Honest question...I'm not being sarcastic or anything like that...

But has there been testing to draw the line at 22-23mm for best rolling resistance, handling, ride quality?

What's preventing us from moving to 25, 28, or even 38mm wide wheels if wider is better?

We are scheduling a trip to China in early June for a pre-production run.  The goal is to sort out any kinks (if any).  If all goes as planned we hope to open the pre-order shortly after our return.  Wheel will unfortunately not be available by July 31st.  

I'm sorry to tell you this as I'm sure it's not the news you wanted to hear. 

Take care,

That's a good question.  There is more to the equation than just the interface.  A wider rim means that we can have a wider fairing.  A wider fairing means that the fairings length to width ratio is different than length to width ratio of a narrower fairing.  Part of the aero benefit is the length to width ratio of our fairings. 

So yes, the same interface could be made with a narrower wheel but it would not be as aero.  Additionally, as you said, it improves the rolling resistance.  

In the end we did not choose a wide rim because we were following a trend but instead because it make a more aero, better performing wheel.

All the best, 

Thank you for the support!

Good question.  The problem becomes interference.  The width of a bikes chains stays only allow a certain width tire.  27.2mm seems to be the safe maximum width of any part of a wheel (particularly the fairing width).

Take care,

I agree.  I think it's good that we are confined to one thread here.