Carbon wheels with aluminium rims?

[vosadrian]

My first bike was a lower end carbon bike with mavic aksiums. I then added C24s to that. I then got a specialized venge (>1kg lighter) with some 45mm clinchers, and also run my C24s on that bike.

For long climbing at constant speed, I cannot notice much difference regardless of wheelset or frame. I seem to do similar times up 5% 10 minute climbs regardless of my setup. What I can notice is acceleration. If I could do a blind test of C24s vs either of the other wheelsets I could pick them on acceleration. Also, the Venge is stiffer, and that translates to noticeable acceleration benefits. I had been using my older bike with C24s in a local crit where I had podiumed B grade several times but never got a win (bunch sprint normally). First race on my venge with the 45mm wheels and I noticed out of every corner I was putting in less effort to accelerate on the wheel in front of me. It took me a few laps to stop using the brakes from going too hard out of the corners. I then punched hard for the sprint and took the win and was able to accelerate the rider off my wheel.

I think higher end bikes and wheels biggest benefit is acceleration in crits. It does not take much of a difference in acceleration to be the difference between 1st and second in a competitive bunch sprint. I love the feel of the C24s (better ride and feel more agile), but for normal riding at constant speed, they offer no real performance benefit I can quantify.

[zill]

Ok so I've decided to go for the C24s but what tyres would you recommend for my purposes (i.e. mainly used for training but for some races as well in bad weather)?

[MREJ]

Lots of good tyres around. They are high-end wheels - buy tyres that do them justice. You can get heavy duty tyres which last longer, but don't feel as good on the road. I think you'd be defeating the purpose if you did that. I'd be looking at quality rubber from Shwalbe, Michelin or Continental, and there are no doubt others.

[toolonglegs]

Get some good training tyres and some good racing ones ... bit of a pain but in reality only takes 5 minutes max to swap over tyres... nice to have good race tyres in good condition instead of all cut up from training on glass strewn roads. PITA paying for a race and puncturing out because of old tyres.
Run latex tubes in your race tyres.

[zill]

I'm really bad with fiddling around with bike hardware. How about the Shwalbe Durano for an all purpose tyre?

[Derny Driver]

I'm really bad with fiddling around with bike hardware. How about the Shwalbe Durano for an all purpose tyre?

Yep. Perfect

[toolonglegs]

Schwalbe Durano even ... yeah great tyre... get 25's.

[jacks1071]

I have a set of prolite gardas (aluminum) and a set of RS81 c35 (carbon/aluminum) Both run gp4000s tyres, same pressure.
I dont care what anyone says, Speaking from first hand experience, the shimanos ARE a much smoother ride than the prolites.

You're comparing a set of $179 Pro-Lite Garda's to a set of $800 Shimano RS81 C35's - You'd want to hope the Shimano's would be nicer!!

Compare the RS81's to a set of Bracciano A27's which are still about half the price and you'll have a much better comparison.

[toppity]

Schwalbe Durano even ... yeah great tyre... get 25's.

Bingo. 25mm is the way to go. fwiiw i have a set of RS80's and love them. Best all round wheels I've owned.

[zill]

Just got the c24s with continental GPS4000 tyres in 25 width. Seriously smooth!

[ironhanglider]

Just got the c24s with continental GPS4000 tyres in 25 width. Seriously smooth!

Cheers,

Cameron

[ItsDank]

My Carbon clinchers came with the bike and they aren't at all bad but for $1200 a set you're probably better off taking some of the other suggestions in the thread.

[GTPilot]

I have a set of prolite gardas (aluminum) and a set of RS81 c35 (carbon/aluminum) Both run gp4000s tyres, same pressure.
I dont care what anyone says, Speaking from first hand experience, the shimanos ARE a much smoother ride than the prolites.

You're comparing a set of $179 Pro-Lite Garda's to a set of $800 Shimano RS81 C35's - You'd want to hope the Shimano's would be nicer!!

Compare the RS81's to a set of Bracciano A27's which are still about half the price and you'll have a much better comparison.

Of course - and if I still rated them better you'd find some other excuse to promote the wheels you sell. But comparing an $800 wheel set to a $179 wheel set was not my point. Comparing carbon/aluminum (ALWAYS DEARER) to straight aluminum for the sake of OPs question was.
Go get defensive elsewhere.

[CXCommuter]

Tyres- I am giving Veloflex Masters/Corsa a go ATM, man they are nice, really nice

[macca33]

I was wary in the past of people saying how good deep carbon wheels performed and in all honesty, am not interested in tubs, so did a lot of reading / speaking to people about carbon / aluminium clinchers.

I bought some Fast Forward F4R-C (45mm) just prior to Christmas - on special at Wiggle and have mounted Veloflex Master 25mm clinchers on them. I am loving the feel of the tyres on the road - very grippy and the wheels spin up well - hubs have just freed up nicely. I definitely feel a performance improvement - quicker to get up to speed and hold a speed, particlarly in a bunch.

There are some good choices out there and pricing is fairly reasonable if you do a bit of looking around.

cheers

[jacks1071]

I have a set of prolite gardas (aluminum) and a set of RS81 c35 (carbon/aluminum) Both run gp4000s tyres, same pressure.
I dont care what anyone says, Speaking from first hand experience, the shimanos ARE a much smoother ride than the prolites.

You're comparing a set of $179 Pro-Lite Garda's to a set of $800 Shimano RS81 C35's - You'd want to hope the Shimano's would be nicer!!

Compare the RS81's to a set of Bracciano A27's which are still about half the price and you'll have a much better comparison.

Of course - and if I still rated them better you'd find some other excuse to promote the wheels you sell. But comparing an $800 wheel set to a $179 wheel set was not my point. Comparing carbon/aluminum (ALWAYS DEARER) to straight aluminum for the sake of OPs question was.
Go get defensive elsewhere.

I'd rate the RS81's better than the Garda's as well - and they'd want to be better at more than 4x the price. I'm not sure what your point was but you failed to get it across.

[Strydz]

Tyres- I am giving Veloflex Masters/Corsa a go ATM, man they are nice, really nice

I looked at those and they caught my interest. Currently running a set of Panaracer type D 25's, only picked them up as they were cheap on eBay but glad I did, roll well and take punishment

[rodneycc]

I was wary in the past of people saying how good deep carbon wheels performed and in all honesty, am not interested in tubs, so did a lot of reading / speaking to people about carbon / aluminium clinchers.

I bought some Fast Forward F4R-C (45mm) just prior to Christmas - on special at Wiggle and have mounted Veloflex Master 25mm clinchers on them. I am loving the feel of the tyres on the road - very grippy and the wheels spin up well - hubs have just freed up nicely. I definitely feel a performance improvement - quicker to get up to speed and hold a speed, particlarly in a bunch.

There are some good choices out there and pricing is fairly reasonable if you do a bit of looking around.

cheers

Hey Macca, how much were the Veloflex masters and where did you get them from. I've heard a lot about those (mostly the veloflex tubs) and were thinking about trying them out.

Cheers.

Might even go the skin walls for the Ti build to give it a retro look.

[Dezza]

Cheapest Masters I have seen, other than one off specials, are on Wiggle. ATM they are $50. Have seen prices around $45 but the AUD is sinking.

[macca33]

Yep, Wiggle for mine also.

Geez they grip & roll well - but, alas, I raced Saturday on some of our less than spectacular roads and hit a sizeable rock - which has damaged the sidewall. It hasn't split it fully, but will in all likelihood, lead to the premature demise of the tyre. When that happens, I'll have to weigh up putting one back on, or sticking with a tried and tested GP4000s.

cheers

[dbf]

Currently using Shimano C24. Very happy and would not hesitate to buy again, especially if Shimano decide to increase the rim width.