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11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Go Head-to-Head (Part 1)

by Martin 11 Dec 2024
11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Go Head-to-Head (Part 1)

11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Face Off (Part 2)

Carbon fiber aerodynamic wheelsets are the ultimate upgrade for many road cyclists, but are they really worth the price? To answer this question, a media outlet tested 11 high-performance wheelsets through wind tunnel experiments and real-world riding, aiming to identify the key factors that truly impact performance.

Wheelsets significantly enhance the overall cycling experience, but they’re also among the most expensive upgrades. Take the lightweight Obermayer EVO, for example—it comes with a staggering price tag of €7,000, far from an easy purchase for most riders. Even the more “affordable” options range from €2,000 to €3,000. In fact, the average price of the wheelsets in this test reached €3,194, making it clear these are high-end products.

So, which wheelset is the right choice for you? How big are the differences between them? Does a higher price always mean better performance? The media outlet conducted tests covering everything from commuting to climbing, and to ensure these costly upgrades are worth it, they also brought the wheelsets to Germany's most advanced wind tunnel. This way, when you’re ready to spend a significant amount on an upgrade, you’ll have solid data to back your decision rather than relying solely on subjective impressions.

 

Aerodynamic Wheelset Test Ground

The test by the foreign media included the biggest and most important brands. From Lightweight, the pioneer of lightweight carbon fiber, to classics like Mavic and DT Swiss, to well-established in-house brands from major companies, and even emerging players in the high-end wheelset market, they were all part of the lineup. This wasn’t just a simple performance comparison. The media selected some highly coveted and almost mythical products, as well as options that strike a perfect balance between weight and performance. All of these were backed by concrete facts and data to help distinguish between the wheelsets and guide you toward the right choice.

This was an all-round test of high-performance wheelsets, focusing on aerodynamic qualities without overlooking weight. These wheelsets excel in both fast flat terrains and mountainous roads, unlike the 80mm deep-section wheels designed for flat-out speed or the ultra-lightweight climbing specialists. Therefore, the test limited the rim depth to 45-65mm to focus on versatile performers.

All tested wheelsets were required to accommodate modern wide tires, with a preference for tubeless compatibility. While not all models fully met these criteria, the test wouldn’t have been complete without the legendary Lightweight Obermayer EVO. Considering the ongoing debate about hookless rims, the media also included both hookless and hooked options in the test. Here’s a little spoiler: some hookless models delivered outstanding results.

In the end, the media assembled an exciting yet somewhat controversial test. They examined the lightest, fastest, and most popular products, spanning a wide price range. However, one thing is clear: there were no budget options here. When the Lightweight Obermayer EVO costs a staggering €7,000, spending €2,000 on a premium carbon fiber wheelset suddenly feels much more reasonable.

Test Methods

Wheelsets are far from just another component on a bike—they have an impact on ride quality and handling that no other part can match. That’s exactly why the media didn’t limit their testing to the wind tunnel. They rode these wheelsets every day in real-world conditions. Through relentless testing, they mounted and dismounted tubeless tires until their hands were raw and bloody. They also swapped out various cassettes so many times that by the end, they joked they could compete with a Formula 1 pit crew in a repair station.

Real-World Testing

To truly feel the differences in handling and ride quality, the media tested the wheelsets under a variety of conditions: they faced the strongest crosswinds in southern Sweden, climbed the iconic Mont Ventoux in Provence, and explored local trails around the Black Forest. They tackled the steepest hills they could find, rolled over undulating terrain, braved stormy low-altitude routes, navigated bumpy asphalt, and sped along freshly paved roads, flying down the fastest and most stunning descents.

To ensure a fair comparison, the media conducted back-to-back tests for all the wheelsets in a short time frame, on the same track, and under similar weather conditions. Each wheelset was fitted with a pair of 28mm Continental GP5000 STR tubeless tires to keep variables consistent. They also adjusted tire pressure based on the rider's weight and the measured tire width to minimize the impact of unknown factors.

The media focused on the following criteria during the wheelset testing:

Compliance
The compliance of a wheelset largely determines its ideal use case. All-round and endurance wheelsets tend to offer better compliance compared to race-oriented ones, making them more comfortable.

Stiffness

Stiffness doesn’t necessarily correlate directly with compliance. High-stiffness wheelsets are responsive, offering quick and precise handling with minimal energy loss during power transfer. Stiffness depends on the entire system, meaning the rim, spokes, and hub must work in harmony and be designed accordingly.

Handling
Handling is a combination of compliance and stiffness, but it also heavily depends on personal preference. The stiffer the wheelset, the more precise the handling, though it can sometimes come at the expense of overall ride quality.

Aerodynamics
While aerodynamics might not be as precise or objective as wind tunnel data suggests, it can still be observed and evaluated under real-world conditions, particularly when it comes to the effects of sail-like crosswinds.

Susceptibility to Crosswinds

The higher the rim profile, the more susceptible it is to crosswinds, right? At least, that’s the general rule of thumb. However, some wheelsets use special designs to counteract this effect. If a wheelset becomes hard to control in crosswinds, it takes all the fun out of cycling.

Speed

How quickly does the wheelset accelerate, and how easily does it maintain speed?

Climbing Performance

All-round wheelsets should also excel at climbing, so the media conducted extensive tests in mountainous terrain. In this context, the weight and acceleration of the wheelsets played a critical role.

Wind Tunnel

The media brought the wheelsets to Germany's latest cycling-specific wind tunnel. Experts from Aerrow and HYSYS, based in Bad Wörishofen, were fully involved in the process and assisted with the testing. This gave the media the privilege of testing these wheelsets in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel that only opened in early 2024.

All wheelsets were tested at a wind speed of 45 km/h while spinning and mounted on the same bicycle model. The bike used was the Canyon Ultimate CFR, a benchmark for modern road bikes. The wheelsets were paired with 28mm Continental GP5000 STR tires with inner tubes, making them easier to swap. They were inflated to 5 bars. A total of 21 measurement points were determined within a yaw angle range of -20° to +20°.

Test Results

Initially, the media didn’t expect to find significant differences between the wheelsets. However, the testing quickly proved otherwise. Despite some wheelsets looking very similar, their performance varied greatly. For example, the ultra-lightweight Lightweight Obermayer EVO stood out as the ultimate climbing king. Thanks to its incredibly stiff and lightweight construction, it excelled in mountainous terrain, outperforming all other wheelsets in this aspect.

On the other hand, the DT Swiss ERC 1100 proved to be extremely well-balanced. It never behaved unpredictably and consistently delivered exactly what you wanted and needed it to do. This makes it ideal for endurance or leisure rides but less suited for high-performance segments or riders seeking thrills on downhill routes.

Wheelsets with carbon fiber spokes, such as those on the 50mm HUNT and CADEX models, also offered a unique riding experience. The high tensile strength of the spokes made the wheelsets exceptionally stiff. Combined with modern rims and top-notch aerodynamic performance, these wheelsets are perfect for urban criterium races, delivering an impressive performance.

Aerodynamic Testing

Wind Tunnel Testing

The wind tunnel data not only revealed the actual speed of the wheelsets but also shed light on the credibility of marketing claims. To achieve this, the media focused on two key metrics.

The first was the CdA value, which represents an object’s aerodynamic drag. In this case, it referred to the entire bicycle system. Since the drag of the Canyon Ultimate CFR used in the test remained constant, any differences in CdA were attributed solely to the wheelsets' performance. While these values are interesting, they cannot be directly compared to other tests.

The second metric was power output, a favorite among cyclists. Using the CdA value, the power required to move the system at 45 km/h was calculated. The media averaged these two values across the measured yaw angles, enabling them to compare the performance of different wheelsets. Although this approach may overlook certain specific design features, it provides a solid representation of real-world performance.

Additionally, the media examined yaw angles. Yaw angle refers to the angle at which airflow hits the object. In real-world conditions, the relevance of different yaw angles depends on many factors, and even experts often debate this topic. However, one thing is clear: the faster you ride, the smaller the yaw angles you encounter. In this test, the media measured a range of -20° to +20°, taking measurements every 2.5°.

In the chart below, the y-axis represents the yaw angle, and the x-axis shows the CdA value. The resulting curves illustrate the aerodynamic performance of the wheelsets across the measured angles. Simply put, the lower the CdA value, the better the aerodynamic performance, and the less power required to maintain a speed of 45 km/h.

All the tested wheelsets performed well in terms of aerodynamics. To provide a clearer comparison, the media also tested an entry-level aluminum wheelset in the wind tunnel as a baseline. The results showed that performance-oriented aerodynamic wheelsets were, on average, more than 12 watts more efficient. However, there were still notable differences among the aerodynamic wheelsets themselves.

Wheelsets with lower rim profiles, such as those from Mavic and Lightweight, generally showed weaker aerodynamic performance. However, the DT Swiss ERC surprised everyone. Despite having only a 45mm rim height, its performance was on par with competitors like the 50mm wide-section wheels from HUNT and CADEX.

Wheelsets with mismatched front and rear rim heights also performed well, such as those from Roval and Reserve. By using a lower-profile front wheel and a higher-profile rear wheel, they minimized the effects of crosswinds while enhancing efficiency and creating a more pronounced sail effect. The data supports this design: the lower-profile Rovals and Reserves outperformed even the 60mm Vision Metron SL. The only wheelset to edge them out slightly was the Syncros Capital SL Aero, and even then, it was by less than 1 watt.

Another surprise was the impressive performance of the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR. Despite its somewhat outdated rim design, its aerodynamic performance was noticeably better than competitors with similar dimensions. This result is even more remarkable given the absence of wide rims and bladed spokes. It’s speculated that the Bontrager development team optimized the rim by keeping it relatively narrow, aiming for maximum performance at small yaw angles and reducing frontal surface area. Under these conditions, it performed nearly on par with the test winner, Syncros.

Test Winner: Syncros Capital SL Aero

The Syncros Capital SL Aero wheelset emerged as the top performer across all aspects of the test. As the most modern wheelset in the lineup, it features an integrated design, innovative aerodynamic tire pairings (although these were not used in the media's testing), and a 60mm rim depth, effortlessly meeting all performance expectations. In addition to its outstanding aerodynamic qualities, it delivers a lightweight and perfectly balanced riding experience. Designed with racing and high-speed riding in mind, it allows riders to achieve these goals with ease.

With exceptional handling, superb balance of compliance and stiffness, and top-tier aerodynamic performance, the Syncros Capital SL Aero wheelset was the undisputed winner of the media's 2024 large-scale aerodynamic wheelset test.

Best Value for Money: Reserve 52|63

In terms of value for money, the Reserve 52 the 63 wheelset is the undisputed champion. With its classic hooked rim design, surprisingly good aerodynamic performance, and excellent handling, this wheelset delivers reliable and well-balanced performance in nearly every situation. While its weight of 1,455 grams is slightly above average, it remains impressively light for a wheelset with such a high rim profile. At a price of €2,000, it’s an outstanding option and a smart choice for riders seeking the best value.

After reviewing all the data and combining it with subjective feedback from test rides, a few new insights emerged. Alongside some surprisingly positive aspects, there were also elements the media felt should not carry over to the next generation of products. Below is a summary of these points:

Carbon Fiber Spokes

Carbon fiber spokes make wheelsets stiff, resulting in quick responsiveness and agile handling, but often at the expense of compliance. They are a great choice for racing but can feel a bit too harsh for casual riding. That said, if your frame has enough tire clearance, you could use wider tires to add a bit of extra cushioning.

Tubeless Tape-Free Design

Tubeless setups can be even simpler! The tape-free, no-hole design found on Syncros, Lightweight, and Mavic wheelsets significantly streamlines the process. All you need to do is install the valve, and you’re good to go, with no risk of slow air leaks.

Sail Effect

Yes, bikes can "sail," and it makes a noticeable difference. In simple terms, the deeper the rim profile and the wider the spokes, the larger the surface area, making your "sail" more effective. So, if the wind is in your favor, you can gain extra speed for (almost) free.

Tire Width Matters

The controversial topic of tire width also plays a role here. While narrower tires are faster in the wind tunnel, wider tires ultimately achieve higher speeds in real-world riding! With lower tire pressures, wider tires provide better grip and flexibility, making long rides less tiring and more enjoyable. Additionally, some wheelsets are specifically designed for wider tires and perform best when paired with them.

Hookless Rims

Hookless rims remain a controversial topic for now, but the media encountered no issues during testing. In fact, hookless wheelsets occasionally even outperformed their hooked counterparts. That said, the limited tire options and specific pressure requirements can make them somewhat complicated.

Ceramic Bearings

Ceramic Bearings
 Ceramic bearings promise maximum efficiency and greater durability, but during the tests, the media couldn't distinctly perceive these benefits. Instead, they were most noticeable in the price, making ceramic bearings less appealing than expected from a cost perspective.

Warranty Policies
 Almost all manufacturers offer extended warranties and crash replacement services that exceed EU legal requirements. However, most still fall short compared to HUNT's H_CARE program.

Human Wind Tunnel
 The continuous testing revealed subtle differences in efficiency. Surprisingly, the wind tunnel data closely aligned with the subjective impressions of the test riders.

Wheelsets Are Expensive
 More specifically, good wheelsets are expensive. The best wheelsets in the test cost over €4,000, which likely exceeds the budget of most riders—a regrettable reality.

Conclusion

There were significant differences among the wheelsets in this test, but everyone agreed that the Syncros Capital SL Aero was the undisputed winner. Of course, that doesn’t mean the other wheelsets didn’t have their merits. Each product brought plenty of clever designs, innovative features, and creative solutions to the table. The media noted that it had been a long time since they participated in such an exciting group test. If you’re looking for a new wheelset and have a generous budget, you’ll certainly have plenty of great options to choose from!

Individual review results for each wheelset from the comparison test will be updated soon. Stay tuned!

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