Nearly half price carbon wheels from carbonzone.

[AyBee]

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?

[TonyHetherington]

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.

[Jimbo.]

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.

[Brother D]

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)

[Jimbo.]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

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

[TonyHetherington]

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!?

[Jimbo.]

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!?

Lower cost, ease of installation, ease of replacement

[AyBee]

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!?

Much rather spend a few quid on a tube and have a quick change than £50 on a tub and 3 days gluing

[Andy OH]

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!?

Much rather spend a few quid on a tube and have a quick change than £50 on a tub and 3 days gluing

You don't necessarily need to glue tubs. I sat down tonight and used tub tape to adhere the tyres to the tubular wheels. It took about half an hour to do the front and rear wheels but you can then use the wheels immediately. My son then went out and tested the wheels and tyres with no problems at all. I will add that he will only use these carbon wheels and tubular tyres for racing only and he has a set of Mavic Ksyrium SL's with clincher tyres for training and club runs.

[IN51GHT]

WTF do you do if you puncture a tubular?

I'm wishing I hadn't seen this thread by the way, itchy trigger finger

[AyBee]

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

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.

[TonyHetherington]

Ah I see - thanks again chaps.

The very good value of these carbon wheels made me itchy; I knew there'd be a down side (for the way I ride...I don't race).

[Westy Pre-Lit]

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

Learn to sew

[S6PNJ]

Andy OH, anything further to add now that your son has had these wheels for a while? What's the braking surface, Carbon or aluminium?

[KeithR]

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...

[shouldbworking]

KeithR said:

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...

I'd hardly call that a damning report. So, wheels rebuilt.. costing what? £40 each maybe, and now fine. How much of a saving does that leave?

[KeithR]

I know it's not damning, but it goes some way to illustrate why they are so cheap. Poor build quality. At the very least, I think it's relevant information for this thread and anyone looking to make an informed decision on whether to take the plunge. For me personally, no.

[Birzzles]

I bought carbon wheels from light-bicycle.com in china. The rear developed a crack parallel to the rim on the second outing. It was during descent of a hill in Devon. I weigh 70kg, and braking was gradual with releasing to allow cooling, as I was being careful. Cork pads in use. Here are some photos

HTTPS://plus.google.com/photos/1083658993069031357...

[HowMuchLonger]

Birzzles said:

I bought carbon wheels from light-bicycle.com in china. The rear developed a crack parallel to the rim on the second outing. It was during descent of a hill in Devon. I weigh 70kg, and braking was gradual with releasing to allow cooling, as I was being careful. Cork pads in use. Here are some photos

HTTPS://plus.google.com/photos/1083658993069031357...

Have they offered to replace them, as the failure is only part of the story. Just as important is the customer service/warranty.

[duff]

I would guess they'll want the damaged one back first so you've got the hassle and cost (£40+) of posting it back - of course this would be the same as a UK based order but you've got much longer transit times and less chance of getting your shipping charges refunded. Even if they do send you a replacement, the delivery is likely to be 14+ days with customs clearance and possible import charges on top. So that's probably 6-8 weeks to get it sorted.