Nearly half price carbon wheels from carbonzone.
Discussion
Andy OH said:
The carbon tubular wheels I ordered via eBay from China arrived yeasterday after being held up in customs for two weeks. I had to pay an additional charge of £26 for them after customs and Parcelforce ahd added there charges, £13 each.
Anyway to the wheels. They are incredible value for money and they weighed 40 grams less each wheel, that's 1380 grams for both wheels when they were advertised at 1460 grams. The build quality is excellent, the Novatec hubs are: front A291SB-SL and the rear F482SB-SL, these are the lighter weight hubs. I have showed them to a few colleagues and people who race and they have asked for the sellers deatils so they can order a set. They roll very well and for the money are excellent, I really cannot fault them. They cost me £326 including the customs/Parcelforce charge.
Are they crazy? Have they seen their spelling and punctuation??? Anyway to the wheels. They are incredible value for money and they weighed 40 grams less each wheel, that's 1380 grams for both wheels when they were advertised at 1460 grams. The build quality is excellent, the Novatec hubs are: front A291SB-SL and the rear F482SB-SL, these are the lighter weight hubs. I have showed them to a few colleagues and people who race and they have asked for the sellers deatils so they can order a set. They roll very well and for the money are excellent, I really cannot fault them. They cost me £326 including the customs/Parcelforce charge.
A mate bought them before the price reduction so I'm hoping to stick them on my bike this weekend and go for a spin but that's the only thing stopping me pulling the trigger! Ok, so tubs will add another £120 but if I keep them as nice wheels, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Tub tape or glue?
Tub tape or glue?
TonyHetherington said:
I have an admission; I don't quite understand the difference between tubs and clinchers.
Tubs are one piece tyres, right? that are glued in place? So I couldn't use current clincher tyres on these carbon wheels spoken of here.
Tubs (tublar) are, "tube"-like tyres wherein the inner-tube is sewn into the tyre, and the usually "open" tyre woven together. The tyre is glued to the rim. And you're correct, you couldn't use your current tyres.Tubs are one piece tyres, right? that are glued in place? So I couldn't use current clincher tyres on these carbon wheels spoken of here.
I've been looking at carbon wheels, but the amount of regular punctures I get, I think I'd have to stick with clinchers. - But from the last time I looked carbon clinchers were a:heavier than a decent ali rim, and b:questionable quality/robustness. I'm guessing that is still the case and if you want to get carbon wheels then tubulars are the only option?
(TBH I'm only interested in carbon wheels because a: they look awesome, and b: they have to be lighter than my current ally wheels)
(TBH I'm only interested in carbon wheels because a: they look awesome, and b: they have to be lighter than my current ally wheels)
Jimbo. said:
Tubs (tublar) are, "tube"-like tyres wherein the inner-tube is sewn into the tyre, and the usually "open" tyre woven together. The tyre is glued to the rim. And you're correct, you couldn't use your current tyres.
To further the learning - what's the benefit of tubs? Racing / weight? I presume a puncture on a tub could not be easily resolved at the roadside?Dizeee said:
To further the learning - what's the benefit of tubs? Racing / weight? I presume a puncture on a tub could not be easily resolved at the roadside?
Lighter wheels and tyres (no bead/"hook" to the rim), supposedly better rolling resistance, better pinch-flat resistance (no tube!). If you get a flat you can ride on it if you wish (if glued correctly it won't roll off the rim like a clincher can). Punctures necessitate the use of some repair goo/inflator (Vittoria Pit Stop) or removing the tub and sticking another on one. Mounting them - be it at home or at the roadside requires carefully-applied glue or tape (the debate rages!). When replacing a punctured tub at the roadside, you can re-use the glue/tape on the rim.
EDIT: Note that some pros still use clinchers e.g. Tony Martin, and some smaller teams for the Spring Classics. Martin's success/luck with them has been so-so, although I suspect that's more to the ultra-thin clinchers Specialized supply for him than clinchers as a whole.
EDIT 2: Tubs are generally more expensive, and repairing them properly requires unstitching them. Although note that a good tub comes in at what, £50-80? A good clincher and latex inner tube will come in at £60ish, easy.
Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 23 May 20:48
Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 23 May 20:50
Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 23 May 20:52
AyBee said:
TonyHetherington said:
Thanks very much - I've learnt something there 
So why do most go for clinchers, is it the ease of carrying tubes for punctures I guess!?
So why do most go for clinchers, is it the ease of carrying tubes for punctures I guess!?
Much rather spend a few quid on a tube and have a quick change than £50 on a tub and 3 days gluing IN51GHT said:
WTF do you do if you puncture a tubular?
I'm wishing I hadn't seen this thread by the way, itchy trigger finger
Grab another wheel from the support car I'm wishing I hadn't seen this thread by the way, itchy trigger finger
As above, it's possible to use tub tape and replace the tub fairly quickly although I'm not sure I'd be pushing it through corners. Or you jump on the nearest train back home
This is why most people only tend to race on them.
pablo said:
Incidentally, they are Novatec hubs and Gigantex rims, the exact same spec same used by a few UK wheelbuilders and a pair from them will cost you £700.
Not necessarily.This is an article on Chinese carbon wheels from the blog of a very reputable wheel builder on BikeRadar. Some of you may know of him. Suffice it to say, I think you get what you pay for with these things.
http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/content/chines...
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