Swapping Alloy Wheels for Carbon on XC Bike - Will I notice a difference?
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- čas přidán 19. 08. 2023
- I've ridden my 2023 Niner RKT9 for a few months with allow wheels. Now I put on a pair of Stan's Podium carbon wheels and talk about the difference in ride quality.
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About 2 years ago, I built carbon rims from Light Bicycle brand. I did not want to spend a lot of money on a brand name at first. I have put about 1500 miles on them so far in the woods and rode it on my YetiSB5.5. I would never go back to aluminum. Absolutely stunning and it only cost me a fraction of a brand rims. Also equipped with Cushcore inserts; really worth it!!!
YUP! I've had the same experience with DIY rims... they probably come out of the same factory, and I'm thrilled!
I had a friend build a pair of Light Bicycle rims for my Spur. 3000+ miles later, nothing but praise. These rims have traveled all over the country and I am not a finesse rider. I am impressed with how much abuse they have handled without issue. No more aluminum wheels now that carbon quality and prices are better.
Now that is a pure XC weapon of a bike. Probably a lot of fun on twisty, punchy trails.
I am in that same place as you...experimenting with a new carbon gravel wheel set after being disappointed in the ride quality of previous carbon wheels, and then comparing that to alloy. We shall see. It seems like you and I might be the only folks on CZcams that even care about mentioning this. Good info...thanks.
One thing no one mentions, you also decelerate a lot quicker. Where I ride, there's patches of loose, deep sand. My first ride on Roval Control wheelset, I nearly went over the handlebars. Once the alloy wheels get up to speed, they have more of a tendency to stay at that speed.
I agree completely!! I just switched from WTB alloy rims and took a chance on some cheap DIY chinese carbon rims. For $470 bucks for both (rims) I was expecting the worst... To my surprise, they are fantastic! I did lace them up with Sapim D-light spokes, to my set of Onyx Vesper hubs, and I am experiencing everything you mentioned. They are much faster, better steering, and more comfortable, even out in our rocky desert.
Cheers from Arizona!!
Great video. Short and to the point.
Yesterday I put on some Carbon EliteWheels pro 36 on my Stumpjumper for 550 Euro (SALE) with replacement spokes and a water bottle.
😁
I just got the same wheels - haven't ridden them yet but can't wait. 15% discount codes are easy to find for these right now (on YT).
Good lord they're expensive. A wheels set is more expensive than my 2 trail bikes setup for xc. Jamis komodo 27.5+ $1000 and salsa rangefinder 27.5+ $600. I enjoyed the review!
I recently installed a set of Roval Control Carbon wheels on my trail bike (Giant Trance X). I was running the Industry 9 Enduro s alloy with 1/1 hubs before.
The difference is night and day. Quicker, lighter, more compliant, but stiffer while cornering. The only downside is now I want carbon wheels on my Stumpy EVO 😂
Buy some Elite-Wheels pro 36 for the stumpy. I have those on my Stumpjumper (regular) and they are amazing. 550 bucks.
loveMTB for 15% off
Yeah, switching to carbon hoops on my transition sentinel was like steepening the head angle on the bike. Much more responsive, super stable in the rough. But alas, you do feel the trail a bit more.
I went from Stans Flow S1's to WAO Factions and love them so far. The Flows were good but these are definitely a step up in ride quality and responsiveness
As always, depends is the answer... manufacturer, layup tech, spokes, with all other things equal you should mostly notice/measure the difference in weight (not noticeable to a rider) but you should notice the feel.....
However, to really know you should do a blind test....
Enjoy. Stress less, ride more.
In general faster acceleration and quicker climbing with carbon wheels. Alloy usually more comfortable.
Awesome show Many thanks Clint, carbon wheels yeah for me..
Agree. I’m not a racer but love xc bikes. Would love to see you test and ride the new trek supercaliber. Would love your opinion on it.
Even better would be a comparison test between the new Supercal and the new Specialized Epic.
Interesting, but actual results may vary. I just switched out carbon wheels to high quality aluminum wheels. Huge upgrade going to aluminum. I live in the Rocky Mountains and the Al wheels are way more vibration damping and not noticeably less stiff, but they probably are. This is on a 120/115 modern xc bike that I use as a trail bike. For xc racing, I would run carbon wheels. My experience is consistent with many trail and dh riders, who prefer Al wheels for rocky terrain and trail riding.
(*Note - vibration damping. Dampen means to make wet.)
Try the Berd wheels, would love to see what your thoughts are.!
Good to know your experience with carbon wheels!
I have a Ripley AF, 6 months ago I got the NOX Farlow’s and what a difference in the riding ! I use them with cushcore but the bike feels totally different comparing with aluminum
Good to hear I'm thinking about getting a ripley af and would want to pep it up with carbon wheels.
Of course are carbon MTB wheels a huge step up. I ride the Enve M5 on my Sworks Epic HT. Changed them from the standard alloy from Roval.
when I switched from Al to carbon, I dropped approx 1.75 pounds. doesn't sound like a lot....but felt like holt. especially coming out of corners or turns and wen you accelerate.
too narrow in my opinion but I agree that Stan's makes some great carbon rims. I really like that they keep the bead lock tech on the carbon. It's better than other carbon hoops for setting up tubeless.
I'm guessing the fresh sealant accounts for the .25 lb that you didn't save on the wheel swap.
Please test some Berd wheelsets.
Carbon Wheels are Light, Quick Responsive, Faster. But Not Reliable on some Deep Potholes😔 Aluminum Alloys are Much Stronger and Comfortable👍🏾
Not for xc. Once you push the weight down with alloy xc wheels you need to get familiar with a spoke key.
5 years ago yes. They've gotten so much better.
Aluminum does not come close to the strength of carbon. And they make plenty of carbon wheels for trail, enduro and DH riding. Just get better informed.
@@tombeck129
It's just a Matter of Choice. All have their Pros and Cons. Everyone has their Own Experience to share. So Don't try to Act too Smart😤
@@user-hm9wn2fx3g I wasn’t trying to act smart. I was stating facts and pointing out the CF wheels can take a lot more than some potholes.
Holy smokes that thing is light
I remember hearing on a video somewhere that it’s generally a good idea to match wheel material to the frame material for best performance.
Have you ever heard of or experienced that?
No, but I would probably choose alloy frame and carbon wheels if it was one or the other
I love my carbon wheels, but with 2.4 tires and sub 25 psi I dont think I would notice in a blind test. Maybe on my roadbike where I run 60+ psi in 32 mms.
I really hope that your bike did not "broke" quicker.
I am riding on daily basis, and I don't trust carbon wheels at all, I trust in alloy DT Swiss wheels and hubs only. Full stop. Reliable, resonably prices, and lasting. Swiss quality. Al carbon wheels are harsh to ride, both road and trail. Maybbe on MTB it is more pronaunced than on road bike. This is the reason why road bikes are have more and wide tire clearance 30-32mm to have more compliance on tarmac.
Hi Clint,
Great video, thank you.
do you want to sell the alloy wheels?
Possibly. But there is another project I may use them for. I won’t really know for another month or two.
Where you get these wheels
Directly from Stan’s
Are You on Strava?
Yes
If durability is equal, the only noticeable difference between carbon and aluminum rims "might be" weight. And I've found that most carbon rims don't really weigh that much less than aluminum. (Sometimes they are the heavier option). My current "wheel brand of choice" is Spinergy. You can get a set of gravel or mtb wheels for under $1,000 - and they weigh less than 1,500 grams. By comparison, most carbon wheelsets weigh the same, but cost 2-4 times more money. Unless you are getting paid to race, there is no reason to spend the extra money.
Carbon wheels for the win
@@deanemberley2333 not really, they are just way more expensive..
@@deanemberley2333 especially when you crack a rim out on the trial. All marketing spiel.
Actually a poor idiot who can’t afford Carbon wheels. 😂