Versatile wheels that can be used for climbing
Moderator: robbosmans
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The spirit of this board is to compile and organize wheels and tires related discussions.
If a new wheel tech is released, (say for example, TPU tubes, a brand new tire, or a new rim standard), feel free to start the discussion in the popular "Road". Your topic will eventually be moved here!
The spirit of this board is to compile and organize wheels and tires related discussions.
If a new wheel tech is released, (say for example, TPU tubes, a brand new tire, or a new rim standard), feel free to start the discussion in the popular "Road". Your topic will eventually be moved here!
I need a light wheelset that can be used for climbing two or three weeks per year.
As I will use the wheelset in my (flat) home country the remaining part of the roadbiking season, I am not interested in pure climbing wheels (Enve 2.3, Roval Alpinist, etc.).
I have thought about wheels such as:
- Enve 3.4
- Princeton Carbonworks Peak Evolution
- Shimano Dura Ace 40
- Zipp 353
- the new Scope wheels
The most easy thing for me would be to go for the Enve 3.4 as I can buy them at my LBS for a decent price. However, after having read various reviews, I am in doubt as to whether the Enve 3.4 is more an allroad/gravel wheel than a road wheel.
I like the look and specs of the Princeton wheels but can't find any reviews. Would they be worth the price premium?
Any recommendations?
As I will use the wheelset in my (flat) home country the remaining part of the roadbiking season, I am not interested in pure climbing wheels (Enve 2.3, Roval Alpinist, etc.).
I have thought about wheels such as:
- Enve 3.4
- Princeton Carbonworks Peak Evolution
- Shimano Dura Ace 40
- Zipp 353
- the new Scope wheels
The most easy thing for me would be to go for the Enve 3.4 as I can buy them at my LBS for a decent price. However, after having read various reviews, I am in doubt as to whether the Enve 3.4 is more an allroad/gravel wheel than a road wheel.
I like the look and specs of the Princeton wheels but can't find any reviews. Would they be worth the price premium?
Any recommendations?
Cannondale Lab71 (2023)
S-Works Tarmac SL8 (2023)
Trek Domane Koppenberg (2014)
Specialized S-Works Crux (2021)
S-Works Tarmac SL8 (2023)
Trek Domane Koppenberg (2014)
Specialized S-Works Crux (2021)
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My Cannondale is gone.
I have the Roval Rapide CLX 2 on my Tarmac. While they are in many ways fine for climbing, I prefer something less deep for windy days.
I will use the new wheels on a Pinarello bike that I am building right now (and on the Tarmac that I will continue to bring for "climbing" holidays).
I have the Roval Rapide CLX 2 on my Tarmac. While they are in many ways fine for climbing, I prefer something less deep for windy days.
I will use the new wheels on a Pinarello bike that I am building right now (and on the Tarmac that I will continue to bring for "climbing" holidays).
Cannondale Lab71 (2023)
S-Works Tarmac SL8 (2023)
Trek Domane Koppenberg (2014)
Specialized S-Works Crux (2021)
S-Works Tarmac SL8 (2023)
Trek Domane Koppenberg (2014)
Specialized S-Works Crux (2021)
So many reviews out on the Enve SES 3.4. The Allroad version used to have AR in the name.
If you need climbing wheels and only use them when traveling outside of your local routes, maybe get a Light Bicycle wheelset that can match the weights if not less than the big brands you mention.
If you need climbing wheels and only use them when traveling outside of your local routes, maybe get a Light Bicycle wheelset that can match the weights if not less than the big brands you mention.
- Factor Ostro VAM Disc
- Factor LS Disc
- Specialized Aethos Disc
- Sturdy Ti Allroad Disc
- Guru Praemio R Disc
- Factor LS Disc
- Specialized Aethos Disc
- Sturdy Ti Allroad Disc
- Guru Praemio R Disc
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They aren't.
I mean they're pretty good, at 80kg I'm reasonably comfortable throwing my bike down descents at 80km/h in 50-70km/h winds. But in similar conditions my 353s barely move at all.
For the OP. I went for 353 for this exact purpose. I wanted an all-rounder that I could use for really windy days, add a bit of comfort for big days and save a bit of weight for big climbs.
I might not have chosen them for weight alone, however. Minimum 30mm tyre, which will measure 32.5mm might be a deal breaker for some.
There didn't seem to be any competition unless you're comfortable with Chinese wheels.
Nitpick: wheels make very little difference for climbing. Uphill, extra grams on the wheels make as little difference as grams on the frame, or on the rider. If you are bound by a 6.8 limit there would even be a tiny marginal gain in transferring mass from frame to rim, because while climbing that extra intertia helps more than it harms (I know this is a a little counterintuitive, and certainly very far on the "marginal" end of the gains spectrum).
It's the descending where you don't want deep rims in treacherous mountain winds, and where you don't want heavy rims that eat more energy when slamming the brakes until decelerated to whatever speed you consider sufficiently safe-ish for that upcoming turn.
It's the descending where you don't want deep rims in treacherous mountain winds, and where you don't want heavy rims that eat more energy when slamming the brakes until decelerated to whatever speed you consider sufficiently safe-ish for that upcoming turn.
Having various wheels (including 2.2 and 4.5), C40 are probably my favorites. Not as light, but strong and reliable. Good with crosswinds.
Quite surprised at descending at 80 km/h with 70 km/h wind though; that is not something I would ddo.
Quite surprised at descending at 80 km/h with 70 km/h wind though; that is not something I would ddo.
Last edited by DHG01 on Mon Apr 01, 2024 8:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Not sure why transferring weight from wheel to frame would help uphill (versus being neutral; beyond the one off acceleration).usr wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 2:16 pmNitpick: wheels make very little difference for climbing. Uphill, extra grams on the wheels make as little difference as grams on the frame, or on the rider. If you are bound by a 6.8 limit there would even be a tiny marginal gain in transferring mass from frame to rim, because while climbing that extra intertia helps more than it harms (I know this is a a little counterintuitive, and certainly very far on the "marginal" end of the gains spectrum).
It's the descending where you don't want deep rims in treacherous mountain winds, and where you don't want heavy rims that eat more energy when slamming the brakes until decelerated to whatever speed you consider sufficiently safe-ish for that upcoming turn.
Spot on in regards to biggest benefit for lighter wheels being downhill, where braking, and subsequent acceleration, plays a role.
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