Carbon or AL?
Home Up Carbon or AL? Clincher or Tubular?

 

74 Main Street Middlebury Vermont (802) 388-6666

 

Test the carbon/kevlar spoke alloy clinchers, Topolino CX2.0 1350gm/pair, made in Connecticut, $1,200. 

Which is better, carbon or aluminum?

Carbon rules in triathlon and time-trials, where the superior aerodynamics of deep-rim carbon wheels give the rider a competitive edge.  Check out the Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 and 6.5.  

Another area where carbon excels is climbing, because it's possible to make very strong carbon rims that are also exceptionally light.  Is carbon worth the extra cost for the regular road rider?  

First we suggest you check out the Topolino CX2.0, a carbon-spoke alloy clincher wheel set that weighs 1350gm/pair.  It's stiff but forgiving, thanks to the spoke design, a new customer favorite for $1,200. 

Here's our take on carbon: 

bulletWeight:  The Bontrager XXX Lite carbon clincher rim weighs in at 380 grams.  It's one of the strongest, lightest clincher rims on the market, with no rider weight limit.  A very strong tubular tire rim that weighs under 300 grams can be built from carbon, while very few alloy rims, clincher or tubular, have gone below 400 grams without compromising strength, especially for a rear wheel.  The lighter carbon rim can offer you a real performance advantage while climbing, especially when accelerating.  
bulletBraking in general:  Carbon rims burn up brake blocks at a much faster rate than aluminum, especially during fast, technical descents.  Why?  Because carbon doesn't dissipate heat the way aluminum does, so carbon rims get extremely hot while braking.  
bulletBraking when wet:  Carbon does not respond to braking as well as aluminum does in the rain.  Carbon-specific brake blocks are helping to correct this problem, but aren't always suitable for alloy rims.  So far, Bontrager has produced the best all-weather carbon rim/brake block combination.
bulletWhat about carbon rim wheels with aluminum braking surfaces?  If your main concern is aerodynamics, go for it.  If you're a climber, these rims aren't any lighter than good aluminum designs.  If you're descending at speed on a deep-rim wheel, crosswinds can have a negative effect on steering.
bulletCost:  The base price for a good set of carbon-rim wheels for tubular tires is over $1,500.  After that, the sky is the limit.  Carbon clinchers are more difficult to build, so they cost more.  But if you're looking for an edge in your local group ride or the Mount Washington Hill Climb, carbon is fast becoming the way to go.