There are three types of tyres for road bikes and each type needs a specific rim. Available for either disc or rim brakes, the Prologue wheels are 44mm deep with a 27mm external/19mm internal rim with the same profile as the brands premium Podium wheels. Weight for the Vision SC55 came out at 1,566g, which is competitive. Below, you can find the best road bike wheels in 2022, as rated and reviewed by our expert testers. We rated their stable yet speedy and smooth ride, while the light weight means they climb really easily, and their aerodynamics and stability make them fast on the downhill side too. This is because the material used to create a rim that can withstand the high internal pressure of a clincher or tubeless tyre adds significant weight. A custom, handbuilt wheelset where replacement spokes and rims are relatively cheap and easy to source is a good choice (see below for more on these). They usually consist of an inner tube sewn into a fully enclosed tyre casing, which then has to be glued or taped onto a compatible rim. Some brands will spec a 650b wheel on smaller frame sizes to improve their geometry and 650b is an important option for gravel bikes, but the vast majority of modern road bikes use a 700c wheelset. Shimano-compatible 11-speed wheels usually include a spacer for use with 8-, 9- or 10-speed cassettes. Sign up here for exclusive discount offers. It will help you with what to look for in wheels, understanding the various features and what commonly used terms mean. Weight is felt most when ascending, so a wheel suited to climbing is usually designed with low weight in mind. The big wheel brands dominate this space due to their research, development and marketing through sponsored teams. If you look closely enough at your road bike tyre, youll likely see numbers such as 23-622 or 25-622. The wheels are supplied with tubeless tape and we fitted 25mm Schwalbe Pro One tyres with no fuss. Weight is a claimed 1,520g. For those racing, wider rims have been shown to be more aerodynamic too, as the rim can integrate with the tyre more smoothly. Zipps price has come down too and you now get a lifetime warranty, while Zipp publishes a list of tyres its tested for compatibility. When Campagnolo went 12-speed it simply reduced the width of the 12-speed chains and cassettes to fit on existing 11-speed Campagnolo compatible freehubs. Theyre easy to set up tubeless, although the supplied rim tape is fragile and we needed to replace it. Generally, wheels with higher spoke counts are stronger and more durable, but this comes with a weight and slight aero penalty. Also included are disc-brake rotor lockrings and the rims come taped for tubeless installation. Even with only 35mm-deep rims, these wheels offer an aerodynamic performance advantage without being affected by side winds. SUMMER SALE | Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for 5 + Get a pair of Lusso cycling socks! The XDR freehub is slightly wider than XD, so you can run an MTB cassette on an XDR body (with a spacer), but not vice versa. gt350r 19x11 Centrelock is a splined system originally from Shimano, which is more-or-less standard on road bike wheels. They look smart too. Theres a fast ride feel thats unaffected by gusts. Many aftermarket wheel brands will sell freehub bodies as a replacement part so its possible to switch a Campagnolo wheel to Shimano and vice-versa (Shimano-branded wheels being a key exception here). When it starts disappearing, its time to get your rim or wheel replaced. Measuring 37mm deep, 25.2mm wide internally and a whopping 32.6mm wide externally, Bontragers Aeolus Pro 3V TLR wheels are right on the cutting edge of road bike wheel design. Value is impressive too. The wheels have a high build quality. kuosac c38c brompton wheelset Many road bike wheels are still designed for use with rim brakes, which means the rim must offer a consistent braking surface. Zipp says that the wavy profile of the 45mm-deep rim gives it the aerodynamics of a deeper wheelset, with the variable-sized, clustered dimples helping with crosswind stability. Weighing 1,527g on our scales, these deep-section wheels arent a disadvantage on climbs. The carbon rim is significantly wider than the previous version, internally and externally. Hunts 4 Season Aero wheelset is a dependable, relatively affordable and unfussy alloy rim brake wheelset that is great for all-season use. VeloElite provides these wheels with a range of different hubs, including Industry Nine and Chris King. It can also be used with six-bolt rotorswith the use of an adaptor. When it comes to a quality wheel build, correct spoke tension is critical. Just as with a bike, the actual use and repair history of the wheels is crucially important when buying used. tarmac rim sl6 brake specialized 56cm frameset works At 1,585g, theyre reasonably lightweight and come with differential 35mm front and 40mm rear rim depths to add firepower without sacrificing steering agility. Handbuilt wheels are commonly kept for training, long-distance and everyday uses. The carbon wheels can be set up with clincher or tubeless road bike tyres and we found this to be hassle-free in testing. Knowing what type of rider you are and what you want out of your wheel upgrade will simplify and narrow your choices. As usual with Giant, these carbon wheels are reliable and solid without being too flashy. The wheelset is easily serviceable and is supplied with a wheel bag, which is a nice extra. The merits of factory vs. handbuilt wheels are often argued. Disc brakes add another element to the decision-making process. As a person of little physical talent, he has a keen interest in any tech which can help him ride faster and is obsessed with the tiniest details. The only downside is the price, but if you find yourself shopping in this price bracket you wont go wrong with these. However, the introduction of disc brakes greatly confused this and for a while there were multiple standards for bikes with disc brakes, most of which were thru-axle designs borrowed from mountain biking. The advantage of tubular tyres largely lies in the fact that a tubular wheelset can be made relatively lighter. Swiss Sides wind tunnel tested 62.5mm deep section wheelset isnt too heavy for its depth, coming in at 1,687g taped up. The aero-tested rims are 42mm deep and the width is 23mm external/19.4mm internal. The hubs are Rovals own, but have DT Swiss Ratchet EXP hub internals, which should be readily serviceable. Simon writes reviews and features on power meters, smart trainers, aerodynamic bikes and kit, and nerdy topics like chain lubricants, tyres and pro bike tech. Although we tested the rim-brake version, both the 55mm-depth and the 40mm-depth SC wheels are available with disc brakes too at the same price. They wont set any wind tunnel tests alight, but as all-rounders for everyday use these are some of the best road bike wheels for the money. Theyre 21mm wide internally, quick to set up tubeless and come with easy-to-service, super-smooth cup and cone bearings, which can cope with plenty of abuse. Riders who race on deep aerodynamic wheels will often own a set of training wheels for use outside of racing. We loved the build quality and taut, responsive handling, although they are a bit twitchy in stronger crosswinds. Typical values are between 24 and 48, but some hub designs go much higher. Just like with road bike frames, carbon fibre has become the standard material for performance race wheels, where stiffness, weight and aerodynamics are the priorities. Recently there has been a trend towards wider rims because they offer greater tyre volume and a stiffer wheel, which in turn provides a more comfortable ride, improved bike control, lower rolling resistance and potentially fewer pinch flats. The Enve 65 wheels weighed 1,640g, which is only 160g heavier than the SES wheels and the hub internals are the same, just with steel bearings in place of ceramic ones. Weve got a separate guide to road bike axle standards, but heres a quick run-down. Get a Snycros iS Couple bottle cage when you subscribe to Mountain Biking UK today! This latest version weighs just 1,409g with valves, tape and rotor lockrings. The wheels are suitable for riding on rough roads and light gravel and can be set up tubeless. The 25mm-deep, 22mm internal/26mm external alloy rim works well with wider tyres. Hunts own-brand hubs are fairly loud, but the noise does seem to have been toned down compared to the brands older wheels. Confusingly, factory wheels are, in fact, commonly built at least partly by hand. Aluminium is typically found in any wheel below 800 / $1,200 / AU$1,500, with carbon wheels generally being priced above that (although we are starting to see brands offer carbon wheels below that mark). At 1,745g, theyre not light but feel more lively than that, with enough give to be comfortable without dulling the ride. The result of 12 months of development, including wind-tunnel testing, the Strade wheels have different front and rear rim profiles because Parcours research showed that front and rear wheels experience different average wind yaw angles. The deep rims mean the wheelset is tangibly fast on the flat while still being controllable in blustery conditions. Unlike the SES wheels, the Enve 65s 21mm internal/28mm external width rims are identical front to rear. The wheelset uses HEDs own hubs. Carbon rims typically dont perform as well when braking, especially in the wet or in extreme conditions such as descending long, steep mountains and need specialist pads. Luckily, our expert testers put dozens of wheels through their paces every year so you dont have to. DT Swiss says the wheels are more stable in crosswinds than before and, anecdotally, they feel faster than other wheels in this depth. While disc brakes are becoming increasingly common on road bikes, further down the list we have the best rim brake road bike wheels. The 49mm-deep, 32mm-wide front wheel has a more U-shaped profile, while the 54mm-deep, 30mm-wide rear is more V-shaped to compensate for this. However, we didnt experience any problems with handling. While speed, low friction and low weight are a priority for racing wheels, training or everyday wheels must be durable and able to take a beating. Despite being wide and with relatively deep 45mm rims, the wheelset weighs a sensible 1,558g. Rather like tubeless tyres and disc brakes, this tech began life on mountain bikes before eventually making its way over to road wheels with the introduction of SRAMs AXS groupsets. Theyre typically made of carbon, although there are alloy options available too and the majority are designed for disc brakes. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Simon von Bromley is a senior technical writer for BikeRadar.com. Wider rims support wide road and gravel tyres a lot better and improve aerodynamics by smoothing the interface between the tyre and the rim. At 54mm deep, you do have to be a bit more careful on windy days, should a gust catch your front wheel. 46. The confusing part is that some brands quote external rim width, while others internal. Campagnolo makes an extender that fits on the N3W freehub, so that it will also accept its road cassettes. The hookless rim can make finding compatible tubeless tyres difficult. These are claimed to improve performance but some will question whether they are worth it. The key distinction however is that factory wheels are built to an exact specification and you buy them as an off-the-shelf item, often with proprietary spoke and rim designs. Rim-brake performance has had an upgrade too, with progressive action. For more details, read our explainer on the differences between tubes, tubeless and tubular. Look for a small dimple or groove on the surface of your rim this is a wear indicator. Already have an account with us? Before joining BikeRadar, Simon was a freelance writer and photographer, with work published on BikeRadar.com, Cyclingnews.com and in CyclingPlus magazine. These ERC 1100 wheels are 500 more than the ERC 1400 wheels, with the main difference being the ceramic bearings. Despite the depth of the wheels, the stiffness of the wheels doesnt quite match the performance elsewhere. Something went wrong. Theyre also lightweight (1,450g for the set), tubeless-ready and braking is great too, with the supplied SwissStop Black Prince brake pads combining with the rim for powerful and consistent braking. Some brands quote points of engagement, while others tell you their hubs engagement angle, which is 360 degrees divided by the number of points of engagement. For more info on road tubeless technology, check out our podcast episode where some of our most knowledgeable writers sat down to discuss the what, why and how of road tubeless tyres. You can follow Simon on Twitter or Instagram. an airtight tubular with no inner tube), but these are relatively uncommon. DT Swiss describes the CR1400 as an all-road wheelset. Handbuilt wheels take a more classical approach, where the hubs, spokes, nipples and rims can be bought separately and chosen to best suit a riders individual needs. The HED Ardennes RA Pro is a high-value alloy wheelset, suitable for less-than-perfect tarmac, cyclocross and all-road riding. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time, Carbon Fiber 700C Bicycle Wheels & Wheetsets, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}. Light. Campags first carbon gravel wheelset, the Shamal comes with the N3W freehub body, so it will work with the Ekar groupset, and there are also Shimano/SRAM and XDR options. Tubeless tubulars do exist (i.e. Just as road bikes are now increasingly being designated according to their use (race, endurance, aero, gravel and so on), wheels also fit into similar categories. We rated the ride feel, it had no lateral flex under load and not too much rigidity for a comfortable ride. DT Swiss updated its ERC wheels in 2022 and this version tops the new range. The hookless design also leads to a weight of just 1,304g a set. The flip side is that rims on disc brake wheels can be made lighter and more aerodynamic because they arent also required to act as a braking surface. The ride feels fast and they handle well for their depth, being relatively unaffected by crosswinds. Join Our FreeVIP Club to ReceiveAdditional Discounts, Earn Credit RebatesToward your Next Order. Most wheelsets seem to have that all-black, carbon look these days, so these polished alloy wheels from Hunt really stand out from the crowd. This not only improves grip and smooths out the ride, but also apparently optimises the aerodynamic performance of the wheel/tyre combination. However, there are of course examples where the opposites are true. Built with a sensibly high spoke count, up-specced winter-proof bearings and a wide-ish rim, the wheels presented no issues in testing. The 404s have a hookless rim with an internal width of 23mm. The wheels are designed to work with 25mm or 28mm tubeless tyres, and Cadex sells tyres to match. Theyre built up on DT Swiss 240 EXP hubs with extra-sturdy DT aero spokes for durability, but still weigh a respectable 1,525g. A feature thats commonly overlooked in a hub is the ratchet speed, also expressed as points of engagement or the angle of uptake. Pre Order the Official Tour De France Race Guide 2022, From 10.99 including free delivery to any UK address*, *Offer is available for UK residents only, Get a Syncros iS Coupe bottle cage when you subscribe. This shows the wheels are at the leading edge of aerodynamics and ensures the tyre will form part of the aero profile. If only they could do the same for bottom bracket standards. Also, check for any hop within the height of the rim nobody wants an egg-shaped wheel. The slight flex in the rim pays dividends on rougher terrain and fast descents: you are able to take on bumps with greater confidence than with rigid carbon wheels. There is a slightly vague feeling to the wheels when accelerating out of the saddle, but this doesnt impact cornering. Where a wheelset is below 1,500g and doesnt claim to be aerodynamic, it can often be put into the climbing category. *Orders received before 3:00PM Pacific time are shipped the same day (Mon-Fri). They feel super-fast and come with a 7.5-degree engagement freehub for fast pick-up and noisy freewheeling. Their retro looks hide a thoroughly modern rim (18.5mm internal width, 24mm external width), which is 30mm deep for a small aerodynamic benefit and tubeless-ready so you can run the latest tyres. Tubeless setup is easy, with a secure seal to the rim, and the 1,746g a pair weight is good for a wide alloy rim. The 303S is aimed squarely at those wanting to go fast, but the wide 22.7mm internal width and recommended low tyre pressure bring gravel riding and cyclocross within the wheelsets remit. These numbers are the international tyre sizing standard, with the first numbers referring to the tyre width (23mm, 25mm) and the second series of numbers, in this case 622, referring to the bead seat diameter (BSD) of the tyre designed to fit a 700c rim. And while there are some phenomenally expensive wheels in this list, weve also included a few top-rated cheaper options that come perilously close to finally proving Mr Bontrager wrong. Theyre pretty lightweight at 1,463g (including rim tape and tubeless valves) and have a respectably modern rim laced to high-quality DT Swiss 360 hubs. Disc brake wheels feature a hub with a mount for the disc rotor. That said, it looks like the industry has finally settled on one unifying standard for disc brake road bikes: 12mm thru-axles with 100mm spacing in the front dropouts and 142mm spacing at the rear. The increasing popularity of 1 and the advent of 12-speed drivetrains (and the subsequent desire for cogs smaller than 11t) has thrown a spanner in the cross-compatibility charts. Generally, where tyre type isnt mentioned, its safe to assume its a clincher. The wheelset feels fast and responsive out on the road. mavic ksyrium The Swiss Side Hadron Ultimate 500 Disc is a reliable, fast and all-conditions wheelset. The tubeless-ready rims, with their 21mm internal width, offer a great tyre profile with the recommended 28mm rubber. Rapid direction changes feel smooth and composed. View cart for details. The relatively high price is likely to be a stumbling block for some, but our tester felt the 202 NSWs excellent performance lived up to the billing. The freehub diameter and splines of Campagnolo freehubs are very different to that of Shimano/SRAM. If you have Campagnolo gearing, ensure that the freehub body is matched. Theyre tubeless-ready and laced with J-bend spokes to hubs with a 10-degree engagement freehub. There was some buffeting once the wind got up, but ride comfort is good, particularly for such deep wheels. The VeloElite Carbon Wide 350-50 wheelset is a great choice if youre looking for your first set of deep-section wheels or on a budget and you dont want to shell out for a big-name brand. The 1,562g weight is impressive for tubeless-ready disc brake wheels at this price, and the wide, rounded rims offer an excellent tyre profile for grip and stability. The Zipp 404 Firecrest wheelset is a superb wheelset for fast road cycling, offering low weight and a great ride feel that belies the 58mm-deep rims. vision wheelset clincher carbon sc condition Aerodynamic wheels have quickly become a popular choice for adding some free speed and creating that pro look. Want to save on all your Bike Tires Direct purchases? SRAM 11-speed cassettes use Shimanos spline system, so are cross-compatible. SRAMs solution is the XD driver for off-road and the XDR driver for road use, which are essentially just new freehub standards that enable the use of cassette cogs down to a tiny 9t. Furthermore, the switch to tubeless tyres and disc brakes has also shaken up the market substantially, with new designs pushing the boundaries of what was previously possible on road bikes. Theyre also reasonably light at just 1,520g a pair, so its very hard to find anything to moan about at this price. Some higher-end wheels may use spokes made from aluminium, carbon fibre or even titanium. Theyre 21mm wide internally, quick to set up tubeless and come with easy-to-service, super-smooth cup and cone bearings, which can cope with plenty of abuse. Too tight and theres an increased risk of the rim cracking at the spoke attachment point or a nipple failing. Try us today to see why so many of our customers come back again and again. Its worth noting that fitting disc brakes to a road bike isnt as simple as swapping out the wheels; both the frame and fork must be designed to accept disc brakes too. Theres a 28mm-deep disc brake version available too. Orders over $50are shipped free (USA only, excluding AK and HI). But the carbon wheels do come with an impressive price tag, costing 1,958. However, the additional depth can cause problems if riding in high crosswinds and often adds weight, which is why mid-depth wheels have become a popular compromise outside of time trials and fast sprint courses. Tubeless setup was pleasingly easy and braking is good in the dry too, though it does suffer in the wet somewhat (as often with carbon wheels). They roll on Zipps Cognition V2 hubs with a magnet-engaged freehub. Keep this in mind if youre considering a carbon wheel for everyday use or are swapping between carbon and alloy rims, as youll need to swap the pads too. Other options are budget wheels from major brands, which can be well built and have parts that arent too expensive to replace. Aluminium still sets the benchmark for braking performance on rim brake wheels, especially in wet conditions. For this type of usage, expect a wheelset weight of 1,500 to 1,800g for something that is well priced. DT Swiss specs the wheels with hybrid ceramic bearings, meaning ceramic balls in metal races. For all-round riding, these wheels are an ideal blend of aero and efficiency with enough stiffness for sprinting and short, sharp climbs. Narrow internal rim widths give tyres a lightbulb cross-section which can narrow the contact patch and reduce grip, whereas wider internal rim widths cause the contact patch to flatten out and increase in size. This uses a freehub body thats shorter and compatible with the Ekar gravel groupset. At 1,630g, these arent the lightest wheels in their category, but you neednt be afraid of a few extra grams because they are well spent on this wheelset. Its perfectly possible to use an 11-speed Campagnolo cassette with a Shimano or SRAM 11-speed drivetrain (and vice versa) though, so you might not need to switch the freehub at all in that instance. Give it a spin and ensure its not buckled. Instead, sealant and tubeless-ready rims are used to create what is essentially an airtight clincher system. We baulked at the 2,200 price tag though, when Roval makes significantly less expensive wheels with a similar spec but a little heavier and theres significantly cheaper competition. The latest Campagnolo wheels use a new standard called N3W. Pick-up from the standard pawl system is a little slow, but this is splitting hairs on a wheelset at this price point. Priced at just 335 (and often found cheaper online), DT Swisss P-1800 Spline wheels have a lot going for them. Paired with a rear hub that offers a solid 10 degrees of engagement, this helps the 303S achieve a snappy and direct ride with no obvious power loss on climbs or when sprinting. Below the best list is our extensive buyers guide to road wheels, too. For road and gravel, were generally talking about 700c wheelsets and to make things easier, weve split them up into disc brake and rim brake options, but take a look at our round-up of best gravel wheels for some 650b options. Improvements can include improved ride quality, faster average speeds or just a lower weight something that helps with both acceleration and deceleration. Too loose and the spokes can unwind, and the constant flex will eventually lead to broken spokes or cracked rims. Six-bolt hubs can only fit six-bolt rotors. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Theyre 20mm wide internally and built up on DT Swiss 180 Dicut hubs with SINC ceramic bearings. Simon also makes regular appearances on the BikeRadar Podcast and BikeRadars YouTube channel. We really rated the ride quality, which is firm without flex, and the 66 engagement points on the freehub. Over time, braking in gritty conditions will not just wear down the brake pads, but the rims too. Wheels can be expensive and second-hand items are commonly available for sale. , and there are also Shimano/SRAM and XDR options. Its for these reasons, and tradition, that tubular tyres and wheels are still dominant in the professional peloton (where riders dont have to fix their own punctures or pay for new tyres) and hill climb events, though this is beginning to change, albeit slowly. You can also upgrade from the standard steel bearings to ceramic and specify other custom options. Despite the depth of the carbon rims, the wheelset has plenty of vertical compliance, making it comfortable to ride. At 1,630g, they wont weigh you down and the 17.5mm internal rim width is wide enough to provide a nice round tyre profile with 23 to 28mm tyres. Thanks! At 50mm deep, the wheels offer an aerodynamic advantage but are still versatile enough for a range of riding. So if the advantages of these bearings are equivocal we reckon most riders will be just as having with the marginally heavier 1400s. Because rims on rim brake bikes wear out over time with braking, particularly if youre riding through winter, having a cheaper set of wheels for training can extend the life of your race wheels. But as mentioned above, disc braking, a technology proven with cars, motorbikes and mountain bikes, is rapidly taking over for road cyclists. Hubs typically dont have fewer than 18 points of engagement per 360-degree revolution, but hubs that offer more can provide the feeling of faster acceleration and pick-up out of corners. Manufacturers claim that removing the inner tube can decrease rolling resistance, banish the risk of pinch flats at lower inflation pressures and that the sealant can seal small punctures while riding. Some exceptions apply. A budget wheelset is likely to weigh 1,900g or more. With a maximum width of 30.1mm, the rim on these wheels is one of the widest currently available. Simon joined BikeRadar in 2020, but has been riding bikes all his life, and racing road and time trial bikes for over a decade. Although most 11-speed designs are now backwards compatible, you must be careful to match the freehub to your drivetrain brand. As the name suggests, tubeless tyres dont require an inner tube just like a car tyre. Our tester found this wheelset to have excellent rigidity, meaning they accelerate and climb brilliantly.

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