Cheap Chinese Carbon Wheels

[Collaudatore]

Hi PH,


Should I buy these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/700C-50mm-Ceramic-Hub-C...

They're fairly light for 50mm deep wheels, apparently come with ceramic bearings in the hubs and with the amazing aero effect of 50mm deep rims I am sure to be whizzing along like Pete Sagan, right?

Or are they going to explode at the merest hint of braking?

Is this a case of "you get what you pay for" or "rip-off Britain"?

[gazza285]

I have a similar set, although tubular, that I use for cyclocross. The only thing I have changed is the nipples, I've swapped the aluminium ones for brass, other than that I've had no issues in two years of racing. I'm sure I've seen them cheaper though, I bought mine second hand for £160, and that was with a pair of nearly new £120 tyres on.

[Some Gump]

I have farsports cheap Chinese with basalt etc. Done me find so far.

Just be aware you need some carbon pads (i got said stop black Prince without packaging from wiggle for not much), and if you buy from overseas, there's a fair chance you'll get hit with import duty.

[Barchettaman]

I have a set of 82mm carbon clinchers, they seem fast, I was hit with import duty in DE and the supllied brake pads are woeful. I don't use them very much, they're on my BP Stealth TT rig.

There are many 1000s of people whizzing around on self-imported Chinese wheelsets (and frames, for that matter), in fact there's a whole forum for them.

Why do you want them? For a recreational cyclist in the UK (weather, road conditions) one could argue that a locally-bought hand-built set with slightly wider rubber could perhaps be a more sensible choice.

[millen]

I've ridden 6,000 mls so far on a pair of carbonspeedcycle 23 x 38mm clinchers with no problems at all. They're not the lightest, being technically 'cyclocross' wheels which is all they sold for disc brakes. Slightly heavier than equivalent rim brake wheels as 24x24 spokes but seem strong enough - I've survived a couple of huge potholes.

Previously I ran a pair of ICAN carbon rim brake clinchers, basalt surfaces and 20x24 spokes. These were lighter and ICAN were a very helpful company. Sadly the bike was stolen with only 1,000 mls on the wheels so can't comment on durability.

As others have said, it's hard not to be stung for c £40 import duty and Parcelforce 'handling fee'.

[JEA1K]

Probably fine. I've had Farsports delaminate on me and I've had a number of issues with freehubs on Novatec wheels but they're cheap to replace. You get what you pay for and I know some who've had zero issues with wheels from Farsports etc. I think itf i was to buy again, I'd pay for DT swiss hubs or similar.

[Collaudatore]

Thanks all for the (surprisingly) mostly positive feedback. Certainly making me continue considering it.

Barchettaman said:

Why do you want them? For a recreational cyclist in the UK (weather, road conditions) one could argue that a locally-bought hand-built set with slightly wider rubber could perhaps be a more sensible choice.

I would love to give some sensible answer to this...but I can't. I replaced my standard wheels with 35 deep rims 2 years ago and they're worn out and LBS guys said they'd probably not be worth rebuilding, given hubs are of little value and rims are goosed. I remember the sensation of feeling "much" faster when i first put them on and fancied cranking it up a notch to the 50mm deep rims next (this) time.

I'd call them my summer wheels, I have a cheapy set which can be replaced for winter...though I currently have not. I intend to stick michelin power comps on, come spring, so I can get to and from work really fast...and maybe even improve on my Strava segment PBs (the all important crux of the matter)

Also, they look quite pretty

I didn't want anything heavier than I currently have as I enjoy up hills, these are saving about 100 grams I think and they're 50mm, which, based on what I have seen, I'm not going to be getting anything similarly light and with 50mm deep rims and branded from an Evans/Wiggle/CRC etc within budget

I had read positive review of Hunt wheels, which I was strongly considering, but would remove the aero aspect, or cost more that I am currently willing to pay on wheels. I also started looking at buying hubs and rims myself and getting them assembled elsewhere, but me, being me, ended up staring at Chris King R45s and cursing aforementioned budget.

[IroningMan]

I have a pair of 60mm clinchers on unbranded hubs from an eBay seller called 2013cycling2013. They'll be three years old in the spring and have done 7,000 miles or more. They're not especially light and the hubs spin well but not as well as those on the old Planet-X 50mm carbon tubulars that I have.

The front brake track now has some pitting and the rear hub isn't very well sealed, which means it needs more attention than the Mavic and Shimano hubs I have in other wheelsets, but I think I paid £360 including delivery and duty - the latter based on them being 'samples' - so I don't have a problem with them not being fit-and-forget. They work well with Swisstop yellow brake blocks, although sometimes these leave yellow streaks on the brake tracks, and the rear has survived a pothole that split the tyre.

I took a punt on them on the recommendation of a couple of PHers who already had sets - not 'because aero' but 'because cheaper than replacing the Ksyrium Elites I've worn out'.

I'd have a serious look at the Selcof branded stuff that Planet-X are selling if I wanted another set now.

[Barchettaman]

Those Selcof 58mm wheels look bloody excellent. All the newest rim tech, sensible price, UK seller, dealer support, guarantee etc.