General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Buying Carbon wheels - questions Rss Feed  
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2014-03-12 11:13 PM


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Subject: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Well I'm fairly ignorant about bike wheels, so apologies for the stupid questions. I've got a 2013 Cervelo P2 with the standard Shimano R501 wheels. I want to upgrade to a carbon wheelset, but I'm a bit confused as to what to get or what benefits I will get from them. I will be only using them for triathlons, mainly OD & 70.3s & 1 X IM a year. The courses are predominantly flat. I'm not sure what size to get e.g 80mm, 60mm or do I get a single disk or double disk or rear disk with 50mm front... I'm very confused!! Thanks in advance for any tips/advice. I'm also looking at going down the Chinese route i.e Hongfu, Yishun etc so any advice re them would also be great.

Edited by zedzded 2014-03-12 11:33 PM


2014-03-13 8:45 AM
in reply to: zedzded


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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
This article does a pretty good job at listing the pro and cons
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2012/08/where-is-the-value-in-a-carbon-wh...

One think I would look into with the off brands is what type of bearings are you getting. Nice rims with cheap bearings are not going to be great
2014-03-13 9:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions


Edited by boomer2it 2014-03-13 9:17 AM
2014-03-13 9:12 AM
in reply to: zedzded

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Go Flo Wheels
carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set
2014-03-13 9:16 AM
in reply to: boomer2it

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions

Originally posted by boomer2it Go Flo Wheels carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set

Strangely enough when I go to their website and click buy for a wheelset, I get a notice that I can order at some time in mid March and race others trying to buy the same wheelset.

Flo Wheels are solid wheels, but I hate their business model.

2014-03-13 9:51 AM
in reply to: msteiner

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions

Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by boomer2it Go Flo Wheels carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set

Strangely enough when I go to their website and click buy for a wheelset, I get a notice that I can order at some time in mid March and race others trying to buy the same wheelset.

Flo Wheels are solid wheels, but I hate their business model.

If you read their history and blog you will find they are working toward having inventory on hand so you can just order and get wheels. They had lots of issues finding a manufacturer for their wheels that was up to their standard. Also demand has been crazy for these wheels. An order of 800 wheels will sell out in 45 minutes. Supply and demand has caused them to use the "pre-order" style for now. I suppose they could raise prices to reduce demand, but then that defeats their whole purpose as a company.

All that said, the wheels do ship pretty quickly after the order day, but you have to be fast on the trigger to get wheels. 

Their site also provides some good info for you OP on what size to get. Their conclusions are that the deeper the wheel, the faster it is. So 90 front and disc rear would be the fastest. However many people don't like the handling of such a deep front. A popular combo is 60 front 90 rear. Or 404 front and 808 rear in Zipps. You can always add a disc cover from WheelBuilder to your rear wheel. 

I was planning on going with Flo's, either 90/90 or 60/90. But my LBS is willing to cut me a good deal on some zipp wheels so I may go with that just to support the local shop.



2014-03-13 9:55 AM
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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
You'll feel faster even if you're not (but you will be...).

The size is predominantly a factor in cross wind strength, as the deeper wheels tend to be better aerodynamically but suffer more stability in some wind condition. This is partially offset by going fast, because going fast creates stability not the least of which is derived from angular momentum (and they have more by definition).

If you're a big person (over 150 lbs) you can probably get away with the biggest non-dish wheels in x-winds around 20 mph or higher. My zipp full carbon clinchers tend to auto-correct for cross wind action (this is documented by product testers). But it doesn't mean it will be the funnest of rides,especially above 25 mph x-wind factor (meaning the wind component coming at you at 90 degrees). You can always switch out to your "old" wheels if you hit unfavorable conditions prior to a race.

Today's wheels are generally solid enough for training too.

Make/brand partially depends on budget, and cost is proportional to the firm's R&D and use of higher end carbon technology.

Edited by FranzZemen 2014-03-13 9:55 AM
2014-03-13 10:15 AM
in reply to: boomer2it

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Originally posted by boomer2it

Go Flo Wheels
carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set


x2. Bets bang for your buck, specially for flat races (they weight a little bit more than more expensive wheels, but unless there is a lot of climbing, this is not a factor)

I got a 60/90 set up. Pretty standard for triathlon, I guess. Although 60/60 and 90/90 are also other popular set ups.
2014-03-13 10:27 AM
in reply to: Aarondb4

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions

Originally posted by Aarondb4

Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by boomer2it Go Flo Wheels carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set

Strangely enough when I go to their website and click buy for a wheelset, I get a notice that I can order at some time in mid March and race others trying to buy the same wheelset.

Flo Wheels are solid wheels, but I hate their business model.

If you read their history and blog you will find they are working toward having inventory on hand so you can just order and get wheels. They had lots of issues finding a manufacturer for their wheels that was up to their standard. Also demand has been crazy for these wheels. An order of 800 wheels will sell out in 45 minutes. Supply and demand has caused them to use the "pre-order" style for now. I suppose they could raise prices to reduce demand, but then that defeats their whole purpose as a company.

All that said, the wheels do ship pretty quickly after the order day, but you have to be fast on the trigger to get wheels. 

I'm aware of why handle orders the way they do, but it irritates me when people suggest's Flo like it's readily available when it's not.

To answer the OP

Originally posted by zedzded  I'm also looking at going down the Chinese route i.e Hongfu, Yishun etc so any advice re them would also be great.

I ride a Chinese 88mm front with a covered training wheel for the rear.  It's a very cheap option that gives most of the benefit of even the fastest race setup.   

2014-03-13 11:17 AM
in reply to: msteiner

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions

Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by Aarondb4

Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by boomer2it Go Flo Wheels carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set

Strangely enough when I go to their website and click buy for a wheelset, I get a notice that I can order at some time in mid March and race others trying to buy the same wheelset.

Flo Wheels are solid wheels, but I hate their business model.

If you read their history and blog you will find they are working toward having inventory on hand so you can just order and get wheels. They had lots of issues finding a manufacturer for their wheels that was up to their standard. Also demand has been crazy for these wheels. An order of 800 wheels will sell out in 45 minutes. Supply and demand has caused them to use the "pre-order" style for now. I suppose they could raise prices to reduce demand, but then that defeats their whole purpose as a company.

All that said, the wheels do ship pretty quickly after the order day, but you have to be fast on the trigger to get wheels. 

I'm aware of why handle orders the way they do, but it irritates me when people suggest's Flo like it's readily available when it's not.

To answer the OP

Originally posted by zedzded  I'm also looking at going down the Chinese route i.e Hongfu, Yishun etc so any advice re them would also be great.

I ride a Chinese 88mm front with a covered training wheel for the rear.  It's a very cheap option that gives most of the benefit of even the fastest race setup.   

Gotcha, just wanted to point out for the OP why they are a bit harder to get ahold of than some.

The pre-orders do seem to be picking up in frequency from what I can tell. I seem to be getting tempting emails from them on a more frequent basis. 

2014-03-13 2:09 PM
in reply to: Sidney Porter

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Cool link! I bookmarked it.
Here is another I like to play around with: http://www.cyclingpowerlab.com/componentaerodynamics.aspx


2014-03-13 2:26 PM
in reply to: msteiner

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by Aarondb4

Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by boomer2it Go Flo Wheels carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set

Strangely enough when I go to their website and click buy for a wheelset, I get a notice that I can order at some time in mid March and race others trying to buy the same wheelset.

Flo Wheels are solid wheels, but I hate their business model.

If you read their history and blog you will find they are working toward having inventory on hand so you can just order and get wheels. They had lots of issues finding a manufacturer for their wheels that was up to their standard. Also demand has been crazy for these wheels. An order of 800 wheels will sell out in 45 minutes. Supply and demand has caused them to use the "pre-order" style for now. I suppose they could raise prices to reduce demand, but then that defeats their whole purpose as a company.

All that said, the wheels do ship pretty quickly after the order day, but you have to be fast on the trigger to get wheels. 

I'm aware of why handle orders the way they do, but it irritates me when people suggest's Flo like it's readily available when it's not.



So someone (myself) suggests to look into Flo wheels as an option to the OP, that irritates you? Where did I mention or "imply" that you can order them directly?
You don't like the Flo business model, that's fine you're the consumer, your choice?
Personally I would rather support an American company that is doing what they can to keep costs to the consumer as aggressive as possible until they get up and running, plus their customer service is amazing.

2014-03-13 8:44 PM
in reply to: msteiner


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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Originally posted by msteiner

I'm aware of why handle orders the way they do, but it irritates me when people suggest's Flo like it's readily available when it's not.

To answer the OP



Yeah I read good things about Flo wheels, but as soon as I heard there was a big waiting list/you had to fight others to get them and you could only place orders at certain times etc etc I was turned off. Not saying that their business model is wrong or they aren't following this process for rational reasons, but I'm not going to purchase something from a company that operates that way. At least not in relation to bikes. I've emailed other companies and they've told me I can have their product in a week or so. The quality might not be as good, but I don't want to have to go through the rigmarole of waiting to place an order and then hoping that I'm lucky...
2014-03-13 8:46 PM
in reply to: FranzZemen


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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Originally posted by FranzZemen

You'll feel faster even if you're not (but you will be...).

The size is predominantly a factor in cross wind strength, as the deeper wheels tend to be better aerodynamically but suffer more stability in some wind condition. This is partially offset by going fast, because going fast creates stability not the least of which is derived from angular momentum (and they have more by definition).

If you're a big person (over 150 lbs) you can probably get away with the biggest non-dish wheels in x-winds around 20 mph or higher. My zipp full carbon clinchers tend to auto-correct for cross wind action (this is documented by product testers). But it doesn't mean it will be the funnest of rides,especially above 25 mph x-wind factor (meaning the wind component coming at you at 90 degrees). You can always switch out to your "old" wheels if you hit unfavorable conditions prior to a race.

Today's wheels are generally solid enough for training too.

Make/brand partially depends on budget, and cost is proportional to the firm's R&D and use of higher end carbon technology.


I'm 175 lbs.

When you say biggest non dish wheels, I assume you mean 80mm? Is that the largest?
2014-03-13 9:59 PM
in reply to: zedzded

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions

Originally posted by zedzded
Originally posted by msteiner I'm aware of why handle orders the way they do, but it irritates me when people suggest's Flo like it's readily available when it's not. To answer the OP
Yeah I read good things about Flo wheels, but as soon as I heard there was a big waiting list/you had to fight others to get them and you could only place orders at certain times etc etc I was turned off. Not saying that their business model is wrong or they aren't following this process for rational reasons, but I'm not going to purchase something from a company that operates that way. At least not in relation to bikes. I've emailed other companies and they've told me I can have their product in a week or so. The quality might not be as good, but I don't want to have to go through the rigmarole of waiting to place an order and then hoping that I'm lucky...

You hang out on ST classifies and they come around every so often.  Sometimes a set, sometimes a front, sometimes a rear, sometimes a disk. A set of 60's was just listed for $900 with shipping included. A FLO 90 listed this week for $350 shipped.

2014-03-13 10:27 PM
in reply to: Donto


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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Originally posted by Donto

Originally posted by zedzded
Originally posted by msteiner I'm aware of why handle orders the way they do, but it irritates me when people suggest's Flo like it's readily available when it's not. To answer the OP
Yeah I read good things about Flo wheels, but as soon as I heard there was a big waiting list/you had to fight others to get them and you could only place orders at certain times etc etc I was turned off. Not saying that their business model is wrong or they aren't following this process for rational reasons, but I'm not going to purchase something from a company that operates that way. At least not in relation to bikes. I've emailed other companies and they've told me I can have their product in a week or so. The quality might not be as good, but I don't want to have to go through the rigmarole of waiting to place an order and then hoping that I'm lucky...

You hang out on ST classifies and they come around every so often.  Sometimes a set, sometimes a front, sometimes a rear, sometimes a disk. A set of 60's was just listed for $900 with shipping included. A FLO 90 listed this week for $350 shipped.




Hey mate I'm in Australia, so probably not a lot of Flo wheels going around here.


2014-03-14 10:55 AM
in reply to: msteiner

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Subject: RE: Buying Carbon wheels - questions
Originally posted by msteiner

Originally posted by boomer2it Go Flo Wheels carbon fairing, aluminum wheels/brake surface, bullet proof, train and race with one set

Strangely enough when I go to their website and click buy for a wheelset, I get a notice that I can order at some time in mid March and race others trying to buy the same wheelset.

Flo Wheels are solid wheels, but I hate their business model.




Agreed. A lot easier to find a set of HED wheels.
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