A complete guide about carbon road wheels
Wheels made from carbon fiber are the typical cyclist's dream component because of their numerous advantages. It would help if you had great wheelsets to enjoy a smooth ride and more extraordinary performance, whether for leisure or competitive cycling. Moreover, carbon fiber is the bike industry's most popular and sorted material. It can be used in several other components of a bike.
However, your choice is between a carbon road wheel or an alloy wheel when it comes to quality wheels for bikes. Both can offer outstanding performance, but carbon road wheels are superior. This does not render alloy wheels useless; you might find them appropriately meant for other purposes.
But this guide discusses carbon road wheels, and it seeks to inform readers about what carbon road wheels are and provide substantial knowledge to help you make decisions. This article will be the best guide to teach you how to choose carbon road wheels! You will know everything about carbon wheels.
What are carbon road wheels?
Carbon road wheels are bike wheels assembled from carbon fiber, composed of carbon rim, spokes, hubs, and quick release. Carbon road wheels are the most popular riding component for racers now. We can't ignore it. If we understand carbon road wheels better, you won't have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a carbon road wheel.
As racers all know, many options are available for road bike wheels. Just looking through all the options can be a highly confusing task, and once you put a marketing spin on it, it just worsens.
That is why we've put together the wheels buyers guide. Once we've broken down the terminology, you'll find it easier to decide and buy the road wheels that best suit you.
You don't need to be here if you are a pro cyclist. This is a phase of knowledge you must have been through. You can do well to share with amateur cyclists. Wheels are undoubtedly one of the most essential components of a bike. Once you have secured a good frame, you want to ensure the part that comes in contact with the ground is super quality and complements other parts. Carbon road wheels are the standard for quality wheels for bikes.
Should you buy carbon road wheels
Carbon road wheels will consistently outperform any other wheel you use. As a long-time rider, I know how significant bike components can affect the performance of a bike. Two bike parts with the same price can perform with a vast difference. Carbon road wheels are the components you want to have on your bike. I'll list the features that make carbon road wheels better and why you should choose them:
Weight: Carbon road wheels offer the lightest weight for bikes despite newer technologies seeking to make aluminum wheels lighter. Carbon fiber is the most lightweight material used in producing bicycle components and serves the purpose of helping the bike maintain a constant speed.
Aerodynamics: This is one of the most important things to consider in cycling. Carbon wheels are exceptionally aerodynamic as they help you maneuver air resistance and drag pressure. They ensure that you reach higher speed with less effort regardless of the road terrain you are riding.
Impact Absorption: To have a smooth and comfortable ride, impact absorption is a very important factor, and you may want to go for carbon wheels for that reason. The impact absorption capabilities of a bike mean that the rider does not feel the impact from landing from small heights, rough terrains, etc. Carbon fiber is the perfect material to absorb the impact of cycling.
Other features include efficiency, versatility, and design. Carbon road wheels generally offer the best features you could get out of bike wheels, and there's hardly a substitute for it.
Carbon fiber road wheels are becoming a trend
Carbon road wheels are common with professional road riders. Amateur racers, sportive cyclists, and regular bike people are upgrading as they learn more about bike components and weigh their options. In the pro circuit, aluminum rims do not have a stand, and they haven't won a race, except it's a traditional race for aluminum wheels.
However, everyone uses carbon road wheels, and their widespread dominance of other choices can be attributed to the growing preference in the bike industry and the availability of more affordable options. Carbon road wheels are the choice for many riders because the weight and stiffness improve the bike's handling and acceleration. In addition, carbon fiber is versatile and allows for wheels to be constructed into more high-tech aerodynamic shapes to help riders gain an advantage in specific races.
With competitive racing, you'd hardly see anything other than a carbon road wheel, which means it's the go-to option for pro riders. And that decision influences several other people who happen to ride and need better wheels.
How do I choose the road wheels rightly？
Those info you should know before bought the wheels：
Part 1 – How do you ride?
Part 2 – The Anatomy of carbon wheels
Part 3 – Wheel braking systems
Part 4 – Rim shapes
Part 5 – Tire types
Part 6 – What to use bike wheels for
Part 7 - How pick carbon bike wheels well?
Part 8 - What is the reasonable price for carbon wheels
How do you ride
Before reading the article, ask yourself a few questions first. Understanding how you ride will help guide you toward the best carbon wheelsets. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer to these questions.
Do you ride somewhere hilly/mountainous?
Is it windy where you live?
How would you describe your riding?
Do you plan on racing, and if so, what type of racing?
Do you put a lot of miles in?
Where do you want to take your riding?
These questions and answers will all help frame what carbon wheel style suits you.
The anatomy of carbon road wheels
Now that you know how you ride, it’s time to choose a carbon wheel that suits you. We often feel that choosing a suitable carbon wheel is so difficult.
But once you understand the anatomy of carbon road wheels, it will help a lot. We remember it: The best components, the best wheels.
But considering the budget, we usually consider the balance between components.
Once you understand the anatomy of carbon road wheels, you will understand how to choose carbon wheelsets well. Use the right accessories and choose the right carbon frame according to your height, and you can ride on the road.
What are the parts of a complete carbon wheel? What is the structure? We will describe them separately.
Carbon road wheels mainly contain the following components: carbon rims, bike hubs, bike spokes, braking systems and other components like freehub, valve etc.
The main components of carbon road wheels
At this point in the article, it has been established that carbon road wheels are the best for bikes. However, the components that make carbon wheels top-tier need to be understood. A typical carbon wheel consists of a carbon rim, bike spokes, bike hubs, braking system, valve, freehub, etc.
The carbon rim is a hoop where the spokes go into. In some cases, it houses a tube, and it's the mainframe of the tire. The spoke goes into a deep section in the middle of the rim. It makes the rim form a U-shape. The rim must be sturdy to ensure that the pedal stroke reaches it and the road without deflecting any side.
The hub is the center of any wheel and comes in pairs. It is connected directly to the rim via the spokes and to the bike frame via an axle that runs down to its center. The axle passes through some bearings and the freehub on the rear hub.
The freehub is meant to seat the cassette. It depends on many criteria, and it's essential to know the axle style of the bike as it determines what to use for the road hub. They come in different bearings, primarily to help reduce friction between the hub's shell and the axle.
Bike spokes are slender pieces of metal that run from the hubs to the rims. They have three primary purposes; if they don't serve one well, you have a terrible wheelset.
- They reinforce the rim
- They transfer power from the hub to the tire
- And they support the weight of the rider
Braking systems have been discussed enough in this article, and they majorly reduce speed.
Carbon rim
Rims are hoops your spokes go into and hold your tire and, in some cases, a tube. Your rim will have a deep section in the middle, where the spokes enter, and will be shallow at the edges, giving your rim a U shape. Your rim will need to be stiff to help the power of your pedal stroke reach the tire and the road and not be deflected to the side. It is not easy to produce the carbon rim.
To know how to manufacture carbon rim
Hubs
At the heart of every set of wheels is a pair of hubs. The hub is connected to your wheel rim by spokes and your bike frame or fork by an axle that runs through its center. The axle will pass through some bearings as it goes through your hub, and on the rear hub, it’ll also pass through a free hub.
- Freehub
A free hub is where your cassette will sit. You’ll need to know whether your cassette will need a standard Shimano freehub, an SRAM XDR driver, or a Campagnolo Ultra Drive. As well as needing to know this, you’ll need to know the axle style for your road hub.
- Hub bearings
The bearings in your wheels and freehub help lower friction between your hub’s shell and axle. There are 2 main types of bearing found in your hubs.
- Sealed, sometimes called cartridge.
- Unsealed, sometimes called cup and cone or loose.
You’ll tend to find unsealed bearings on cheaper hubs and sealed bearings on mid-level to high-end hubs. We search out and use sealed bearing hubs on our cost-effective and affordable hubs. We want you to benefit from the inherent qualities of sealed beings regardless of your budget.
- Hub offerings
We offer some of the most advanced ones available on the market. Many high-end wheels, especially DT Hub Disc Wheels, feature DT Swiss hubs. DT Swiss hubs are simple to service and offer almost instantaneous connection when you pedal, thanks to their Star Ratchet system.
- Ceramic bearings
Standard bearings will be constructed from steel. Now, you’ll also see ceramic bearings constructed from ceramic silicon nitride (Si2N4). The main advantage of ceramic bearings is that they offer lower rolling resistance. The less friction you have in your hubs, the faster you’ll go.
Bike spokes
Spokes, or to give them their full name, tension spokes, are the thin pieces of metal wire that hold your hubs to your rims. Spokes have 3 main tasks. If they don’t do 1 of them well, you will have a bad wheelset.
- Reinforce your wheel’s rim.
- Transfer your power from the hub to the rim and tire.
- Support your weight.
Spoke nipples
A spoke nipple will attach a spoke to your wheel rim. It is a threaded cylinder through which the spoke can be threaded. It can then be used to raise or lower tension in the spoke.
Braking systems
For qualified road bikes, Bike Wheel braking systems are very important braking safety systems, showing the bicycle's quality and production level.
Road bike wheels are designed to allow braking by one of the two main braking systems used for road bikes. You will find your bike either has rim brakes or is fitted with disc brakes. Both systems have their pros and cons. See the difference between rim brake wheels and disc brake wheels.
Rim brakes, as the name may give away, are brakes that use friction against your rim to slow you down. The pro to them is that they are very easy to set up and maintain. They will also be lighter than using disc brakes. The cons are that they will slowly eat through your rim and lose their stopping power in the wet.
- Disc brakes
Disc brakes are bolted to your hub and then slowed down by a caliper clamping them. The pros are that you’ll get great braking power, regardless of the weather, and you won’t get your rim eaten away. The cons are that they are heavier than rim brakes, and some people are slightly intimidated to work on the hydraulic version.
This brings us to the fact that disc brakes come in 2 varieties. You get mechanical disc brakes, and you get hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical disc brakes have the caliper controlled by a cable, and hydraulic disc brakes have their caliper controlled by oil pressure.
As well as 2 varieties of disc brakes, there are 2 ways your rotor can attach to your hub. They are Center Lock and 6 bolt. A 6-bolt rotor attaches to your hub using 6 bolts. Center Lock rotors use a splined connection to attach to your hub. More info about the difference between Center Lock and 6 bolt.
Rims profile
Based on the difference of the rim profile, Carbon road wheels can be divided into Shallow Section wheels, Mid section wheels, and Deep section wheels.
Aluminum rims tend to be a standard box shape, but carbon fiber rims come in many designs and styles. They can, though, be generally split into 3 categories. Those are shallow, mid, and deep section rims. These descriptions describe how big the rim is; they all excel in different areas.
- Shallow section rim
Shallow rims are great if you want to climb, as they are the lightest style you can get. They look the most like a traditional road bike wheel rim. You’ll find that they give you less of an aero advantage compared to other rim depths. A good carbon fiber rim will be much stiffer than an aluminum rim, which should help save you watts as you climb over mountains.
- Mid section rim
Mid-depth carbon rims are rims that are 30mm to 50mm deep. These rims will be light but bring an aero advantage, provided the rim is designed correctly. These rims will suit a rider who wants to ride everything and do it fast. They will be light enough for climbing and fast enough on that flat to let you easily keep up with everyone. They will also be less susceptible to the wind than deep-section rims, and the deeper rim will make your wheel stiffer.
- Deep section rim
When wheels get above 55mm deep, they become deep-section wheels. At this point, the wheels become a little heavier and much stiffer. You’ll prefer to use them on a flatter course, such as a crit or time trial. You’ll also feel like you’ve added a motor to your bike when using a deep section rim. They will cut through the air, making it easier to maintain high speeds. They will not be wheels you’ll want to take out on windy days.
Types of tire
- Clincher
Clincher tires are the most common choice for bikes. It will be the style of tire fitted to most complete bikes. Clincher tires are constructed with a bead that will clinch into the hook on your wheel rim. To get the tire to clinch, you will need to use a tube inside of it and fill it with air.
The pros of clincher tires are that they are easy to source and very easy to fit. They will also be cheaper than the other styles of tires. The main con is that they will be the heaviest form of tire.- Tubeless
Tubeless tires have been around for a while in the mountain bike world and are now starting to take over the road world. Tubeless tires are similar to clincher tires, but as you might have guessed, they don’t need a tube. They create an airtight bond between rim and tire and, as such, need a special rim tested to ensure it is airtight and can deal with the stresses of tubeless tires. Most people will also add a little sealant inside the tire so that if you puncture, it will almost always seal immediately.
The advantages of tubeless are that it is harder to get flats, and because of this, you can run lower pressures, which allows you to be more comfortable on the bike. As well as comfort, lower pressure will increase your grip, and you’ll find that they feel more supple than clinchers.
The con is that they are a bit harder to set up. Once you get past the setup and get sealant in, you’ll have fewer problems than other systems.
- Tubular
A tubular tire, or a tub or sew-on, is a 1 piece tire. As the tire is 1 piece, you need a special rim with no hook. The wheel rim will look like a smooth concave at the top. You then have to glue or tape your tubular tire to the rim.
Your big pro is that a tubular tire and rim will be lighter than those used for the other 2 systems. The lightness makes them feel smoother as you accelerate or climb. You can also run lower or higher pressures with the 1 tire, so racers like the ability to fine-tune their pressures.
The main problem is that they are harder to set up; the glue can get messy everywhere. The tires are also expensive, and you’ll generally have to send them away to get them fixed.
What to use bike wheels for
As mentioned in the wheel section, different wheels have different uses. You should pick the wheels that suit most of your riding unless you fancy treating yourself. We'll look at the different areas and discuss what wheels work best for that area.
Climbing wheels
The main thing you want from a climbing wheelset is lightweight construction. If you drag yourself and heavy wheels up a mountain, the suffering can make you hate the climb. A nice set of lightweight wheels will help you accelerate quickly out of hairpins and feel more responsive as you climb.
As you want to favor lightweight, you'll want to look for shallow to mid-section wheels. The more undulating the terrain, the more you'll want to move to mid-section wheels to gain an aero advantage. If you have a day of climbing, you want to look at shallow carbon wheels. A good set of carbon mid-section carbon wheels weighs less than aluminum box-section wheels.
Alpha 35 Disc Pro offers an unbeatable combination of affordability and climbing performance. Featuring a 6-pawl freehub for reliable engagement, as well as ceramic bearings for enhanced durability, it offers unbeatable value for your money.
Alpha 40 Pro (rim brake wheelset) is a wallet-friendly wheels designed for comfort and performance. Its most popular depth makes it a perfect choice for long rides.
AERO 40 Disc is our top-of-the-line tubeless-ready wheelset ideal for performance-oriented riders. We designed it in a way that balances aerodynamics, stiffness, and weight in an affordable package.
AERO 40S is an advanced road wheelset featuring 40mm rim brake wheelset. The lightweight carbon rims offer superior aerodynamic performance and fast-rolling characteristics, making it a perfect choice for high-speed racing. With the AERO 40S wheelset, you get the best of both worlds - ultimate aerodynamics and superior braking power.
Aerodynamic wheels
If you want to go as fast as possible or dominate your local Strava sections, you’ll want a set of aerodynamic wheels. These wheels will be mid to deep-section rims. You’ll want to look for a more blunt profile to the wheel rim. The older V-shaped rims have been proven not to be as fast as blunt rims. Ideally, the rim will also be a little wider to allow the air to flow over your tire easily and straight over the rim.
Alpha 50 Disc Pro is an affordable road bike wheel with a 6-pawl freehub and 72 engagements for a lightning-fast response. Boasting a 25mm external width and 18.35mm internal width for superior strength and performance, it also comes with the option of ceramic bearings for a smooth ride.
Alpha 50 Pro (rim brake wheelset) is a wallet-friendly wheels designed for comfort and performance. It is constructed with Toray T700 and T800 carbon fiber, making it incredibly light without compromising rigidity. It's equipped with a durable Novatec hub, ensuring smooth, reliable operation.
Aero 50 Disc brake wheelset is ideal for performance-oriented riders. We designed it in a way that balances aerodynamics, stiffness, and weight in an affordable package.The Aero 50 disc brake hub might be one of the best, and lightest, carbon disc brake wheels on the market just now. A 50mm deep section wheel that will help you cut through the air.
AERO 50 (rim brake wheelset) provides the aerodynamic efficiency for maximum performance. The broad design of the wheelset provides stability and safety to the rider at high speeds.
Training wheels
If you don’t want to wear out your good wheels, you’ll want a set of training wheels. Training wheels will generally be cheaper than your good wheels. They will be wheels you don’t mind running through the worst of winter weather, and ideally, they will be cheap to service.
Alpha 35 Disc Pro offers unbeatable value for your money. It is also an unbeatable combination of affordability and climbing performance.
Alpha 40 Pro (rim brake wheelset) is a wallet-friendly wheelset designed for comfort and performance.
Adventure wheels
Adventure wheels will be between a shallow and mid-section. You’ll not want to go too deep as you never know when to fight against the wind. They will need to be tougher than your standard road wheels; generally, this will make them a little heavier. They should also have a wider internal width, allowing you to fit wider tires. Wider tires will bring you more traction and comfort when you’re outdoors.
ICAN Gravel wheels (G22 Lightest Gravel Wheels、700C G24 Gravel Wheels、 700C G25 gravel wheels) are engineered to handle any terrain you encounter on your adventures, from smooth gravel roads to rough and rocky trails. They feature a lightweight and durable carbon fiber construction, paired with a wider rim profile for improved stability and traction. These wheels offer maximum versatility and performance. Whether you're racing, touring, or just exploring the great outdoors, the TrailBlaze Series gravel wheels will help you blaze your own trail with confidence and speed.
Now you have understood the anatomy of carbon road bike wheels. So how, choosing the right carbon road bike Wheelsets for you is not conclusive. But what is certain is that if the components of your wheels are all from a brand manufacturer, they are very big. The quality of carbon road bike wheels will probably not be too bad.
How do you pick carbon bike wheels well?
- Performance. Being lighter and more technologically advanced than other wheel materials, carbon wheels bring you a performance advantage.
- Comfortable. Carbon wheelsets have a ride quality you don’t get from other materials.
- Quality. Carbon fiber manufacturing is constantly evolving, so you can be sure that carbon wheels are always high quality.
- Design. Carbon wheels allow engineers to fine-tune how they perform and feel; as such, designs are constantly moving forward to ensure you always get the best performance.
- Lightweight. If you want lightweight wheels, no other material will allow us to design you a lighter wheelset.
- As we specialize in carbon manufacturing, we can work to make carbon wheels affordable.
The factors you should consider when buying carbon road wheels
This article has provided a guide to help you understand carbon road wheels to the point where you can explain them to someone else. However, buying one is different as you are exposed to various options, so you will be confused about which one to go for. There are multiple types and designs, so a simple difference in design could mean that the wheel is most appropriate for a specific purpose, which may not be what you intend it to be for.
However, the main factors to consider before choosing to buy carbon road wheels are:Intended Usage: Carbon wheelsets may have different capabilities depending on how you intend to use them. You cannot compare a carbon road wheel for competitive racing to one for casual cycling. You'll need different rim profiles for various purposes, so it's worth considering.
Wheel Type: We have tubular, clincher, and tubeless wheels. They are all best for different specific reasons. Tubular wheels are the best for racing, and clincher wheels can serve all purposes. Tubeless wheels don't have tubes and rely on an airtight seal. However, tubeless rims can host other wheels.
Brand Compatibility: If you're buying wheels for competitive purposes, it's important to note that some wheels work best when you buy their complementary components. It's rare, but you also want to remember that compatibility is a thing with carbon road wheels.
Cost: This has to do with your budget. Budget is always something to consider in every purchase decision. Will you need to save more, or you don't need something so expensive that you could easily buy it at that instance.
How much is it reasonable to spend on a carbon road wheel?
There is a big difference in price between different bands of carbon road wheels in the market. Some carbon wheels cost a few thousand dollars, and some only cost a few hundred dollars.
China is currently the largest country to manufacture carbon road wheels in the world！ Many famous brand carbon wheels suppliers find the foundry here. which means you can buy carbon wheels in China to enjoy the high quality of a famous brand of wheels.
Generally speaking, 500$-1000$ is reasonable for a pair of carbon wheels. If you have specific customization needs, 1500$ -2000$ is enough. 
The best carbon road bike wheels in 2024 under 500$
If you want the best carbon road wheels 2024 under 500$, Alpha Pro series wheels will be your best choice.
Alpha 50 Disc Pro is an affordable road bike wheel with a 6-pawl freehub and 72 engagements for a lightning-fast response. Boasting a 25mm external width and 18.35mm internal width for superior strength and performance, it also comes with the option of ceramic bearings for a smooth ride. The Alpha 50 Disc Pro is the comprehensive best choice for your cycling needs.
The best carbon road bike wheels 2024 under 1000$
As we all know, the price of carbon road wheels with DTswiss Hub on the market will not be less than 1,000$, but at ICAN Cycling, you can buy the best wheels with DT Swiss Hub for less than 1,000$.
We reduced the product cost because we did not invest too much in marketing expenses. You can buy the best carbon road wheels for under 1000$. Choose the carbon wheels according to your budget at ICAN.
Most anticipated wheelsets in 2024
Pie Series disc wheelset is the newest wheelset from ICAN. Built with a ceramic bearing hub and carbon spoke, this series of wheelsets is lighter and stiffer. Supporting wider tires for offering a much more comfortable riding experience.
Conclusion
Carbon road wheels are undoubtedly the best for your bike until novel technologies introduce another option. They provide everything a rider needs for a smooth, convenient ride. They have recently become popular because more affordable options are available than before. If you're not using your bike for racing, look at alternatives like aluminum. But why do that when you can use premium options used by professionals?
You can find carbon wheels for sale at great prices on ICAN Cycling, and you can then go on to enjoy a premium riding experience.
