When to replace worn out carbon wheels
Discussion
I've got a lovely set of Enve 65's that I've been running for nearly 3.5 years now, and they've probably done at least 20,000 miles at a guess with quite a lot of mountains/hilly stuff and winter riding.
They've got a brake track indicator strip which is a small notch that runs all the way around the track, and the front has got to the point where you can just about see where the indicator used to be but you can't feel it any more. The track is mainly still nice and smooth but there are a few small pitted areas starting to appear.
My question is, when do I replace them, and are they going to explode next time I'm riding down a hill? Given their cost I'd quite like to run them as long as I can before replacing!
They've got a brake track indicator strip which is a small notch that runs all the way around the track, and the front has got to the point where you can just about see where the indicator used to be but you can't feel it any more. The track is mainly still nice and smooth but there are a few small pitted areas starting to appear.
My question is, when do I replace them, and are they going to explode next time I'm riding down a hill? Given their cost I'd quite like to run them as long as I can before replacing!
BMWBen said:
I've got a lovely set of Enve 65's that I've been running for nearly 3.5 years now, and they've probably done at least 20,000 miles at a guess with quite a lot of mountains/hilly stuff and winter riding.
They've got a brake track indicator strip which is a small notch that runs all the way around the track, and the front has got to the point where you can just about see where the indicator used to be but you can't feel it any more. The track is mainly still nice and smooth but there are a few small pitted areas starting to appear.
My question is, when do I replace them, and are they going to explode next time I'm riding down a hill? Given their cost I'd quite like to run them as long as I can before replacing!
Got any photos?They've got a brake track indicator strip which is a small notch that runs all the way around the track, and the front has got to the point where you can just about see where the indicator used to be but you can't feel it any more. The track is mainly still nice and smooth but there are a few small pitted areas starting to appear.
My question is, when do I replace them, and are they going to explode next time I'm riding down a hill? Given their cost I'd quite like to run them as long as I can before replacing!
Found this:
Enve Composites
“Essentially brake-track wear on a carbon rim is not dissimilar from an alloy rim. It is important to keep your brake pads free of abrasive debris, which will ensure a very long wear life on ENVE’s carbon brake tracks. A brake track would be considered worn out if you can feel obvious cupping or deep grooves in the brake track. I’ve seen a few CX racers wear out brake tracks where dirt, mud, and sand are constantly present in the braking scenario. Another indicator is if you can see through several layers or plies of carbon over long sections of the rim. Finally, if upon inspection of your brake track you feel any other forms of deformation: waves, bulges, chips, etc. These abnormalities should be inspected by a local bike shop and/or manufacturer customer service should be contacted. For ENVE, we expect the majority of our customers to get 5 years or more out of their rim’s brake track. If the brake track is worn out due to extreme use, say in CX, we offer our Lifetime Crash Replacement.” –Jake Pantone, director of marketing
I'd say yours are done.
Enve Composites
“Essentially brake-track wear on a carbon rim is not dissimilar from an alloy rim. It is important to keep your brake pads free of abrasive debris, which will ensure a very long wear life on ENVE’s carbon brake tracks. A brake track would be considered worn out if you can feel obvious cupping or deep grooves in the brake track. I’ve seen a few CX racers wear out brake tracks where dirt, mud, and sand are constantly present in the braking scenario. Another indicator is if you can see through several layers or plies of carbon over long sections of the rim. Finally, if upon inspection of your brake track you feel any other forms of deformation: waves, bulges, chips, etc. These abnormalities should be inspected by a local bike shop and/or manufacturer customer service should be contacted. For ENVE, we expect the majority of our customers to get 5 years or more out of their rim’s brake track. If the brake track is worn out due to extreme use, say in CX, we offer our Lifetime Crash Replacement.” –Jake Pantone, director of marketing
I'd say yours are done.
Matt_N said:
Found this:
Enve Composites
“Essentially brake-track wear on a carbon rim is not dissimilar from an alloy rim. It is important to keep your brake pads free of abrasive debris, which will ensure a very long wear life on ENVE’s carbon brake tracks. A brake track would be considered worn out if you can feel obvious cupping or deep grooves in the brake track. I’ve seen a few CX racers wear out brake tracks where dirt, mud, and sand are constantly present in the braking scenario. Another indicator is if you can see through several layers or plies of carbon over long sections of the rim. Finally, if upon inspection of your brake track you feel any other forms of deformation: waves, bulges, chips, etc. These abnormalities should be inspected by a local bike shop and/or manufacturer customer service should be contacted. For ENVE, we expect the majority of our customers to get 5 years or more out of their rim’s brake track. If the brake track is worn out due to extreme use, say in CX, we offer our Lifetime Crash Replacement.” –Jake Pantone, director of marketing
I'd say yours are done.
I expect 5 years means a MAMIL 5 years rather than the absolute battering I've given the poor things! Buy em to ride em comes home to roost!Enve Composites
“Essentially brake-track wear on a carbon rim is not dissimilar from an alloy rim. It is important to keep your brake pads free of abrasive debris, which will ensure a very long wear life on ENVE’s carbon brake tracks. A brake track would be considered worn out if you can feel obvious cupping or deep grooves in the brake track. I’ve seen a few CX racers wear out brake tracks where dirt, mud, and sand are constantly present in the braking scenario. Another indicator is if you can see through several layers or plies of carbon over long sections of the rim. Finally, if upon inspection of your brake track you feel any other forms of deformation: waves, bulges, chips, etc. These abnormalities should be inspected by a local bike shop and/or manufacturer customer service should be contacted. For ENVE, we expect the majority of our customers to get 5 years or more out of their rim’s brake track. If the brake track is worn out due to extreme use, say in CX, we offer our Lifetime Crash Replacement.” –Jake Pantone, director of marketing
I'd say yours are done.
BMWBen said:
JEA1K said:
Matt_N said:
Found this:
Jake Pantone, director of marketing
The cynic in me would rather hear from their technical director than director of marketing (sales!) Jake Pantone, director of marketing
Yeah it looks like I might be able to contact their support team... should give that a crack I suppose!Concave track, wear through the layup etc.
Matt_N said:
BMWBen said:
JEA1K said:
Matt_N said:
Found this:
Jake Pantone, director of marketing
The cynic in me would rather hear from their technical director than director of marketing (sales!) Jake Pantone, director of marketing
Yeah it looks like I might be able to contact their support team... should give that a crack I suppose!Concave track, wear through the layup etc.
Enve have got back to me - they should be good to ride on until I start feeling roughness or pulsing under braking, but they are getting pretty worn so they expect that won't be too long in the future.
So I've got time to plan what rims to replace them with thankfully
Given how much I've loved these wheels it will probably be another set from Enve I suspect! They've taken an absolute battering (winter riding, mountains, racing, crashes) without missing a beat while I've got friends with deep sections from other (premium) manufacturers that have delaminated, split etc.
So I've got time to plan what rims to replace them with thankfully
Given how much I've loved these wheels it will probably be another set from Enve I suspect! They've taken an absolute battering (winter riding, mountains, racing, crashes) without missing a beat while I've got friends with deep sections from other (premium) manufacturers that have delaminated, split etc.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff