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Of all the options that you have at your disposal to increase the quality of your ride, the choice of your wheel sets will have the single most effect. There are many forces involved in wheels i.e. weight, rotational force, rim aero dynamics, spoke aero dynamics, materials used, bearing quality, and the very tires that you choose to ride on. A well designed and well-built wheel is a work of art, and all by itself, can be the deciding factor in reaching your riding goals.
Rims. Aluminum is again a very prominent material on the market. Aluminum is a fair choice, because it is strong, but also a bit heavy, often lacking good aero dynamics. Many people choose aluminum rims for mountain biking. Because a great, aerodynamic rim has a fair amount of surface area, more material is used to create the shape. Thus the over all weight is of high concern and aluminum is too heavy to build a truly aerodynamic wheel. The use of carbon fiber is the best choice at this time. With carbon fiber, very technical, well-engineered shapes can be made with minimal weight penalties. The cavity of the rim is hollow, often filled with a foam type material to reduce road vibration, creating a very comfortable ride. Even though carbon fiber is such a lightweight material, it is incredibly rigid, and strong. Aerodynamic wheels, such as those made by Zipp, are very fast, and take measurably less effort (watts) to spin. By virtue of their shape technology, they cut through the air rather then pushing an air wall, like the lesser wheels in the market. You will literally expend less energy to accomplish the same distance than if you were riding an inferior wheel. Speaking from experience, this is a great feeling. I can’t say enough about the importance of rim aerodynamics.
Spokes. While you are riding, the rims cut a path through the air in the same direction you are traveling. The spokes also have to make their way through the air in their own sphere. The thickness, and quantity of spokes determine the amount of drag added to this action. The best-made and engineered spoke that I have found is the Sapim cx-ray. This spoke is very light, aerodynamic, strong, and is designed for high-tension lacing; that means the wheel set will be very firm, and responsive. Another positive is that the Sapim cx-ray is designed for road, or mountain bike wheels. The bottom line is always your safety and a lot is depending on the quality of your wheel set. These are the spokes with the very best reviews in the biking world, and we recommend them very highly.
Hubs. At the center of the wheel is the hub. The hub has to be strong enough to handle all the forces acting on it; high tension spokes pulling in all directions, the compression of the skewer, the weight of you and your bike, the repetitive force of all the bumps you will hit. The hub is the point where a spinning wheel makes solid contact with the fork. The hub contains and protects the bearings from the environment. With all this to think about, bikers also demand that the hub weigh as little as possible. To manufacture a well-engineered hub, made with high quality materials, with tight tolerances, and reproducible manufacturing standards is a huge challenge few companies can accomplish. Again the biking reviews, and experience dictate the choice of manufacturers. We will only use the best.
Tires. Most experienced riders are adamant about the brand and style of tire they will ride on. For those who are still searching for the right tire, we consider the terrain you will ride on, and the environment you live in. For example, slicks would not be recommended to a customer riding in a part of the country with a lot of rain, and sand on the roads. The tpi count, rubber compound, sidewall strength, width, and weight are all important in this decision. We will help you to find a tire that will perform well in your environment, for the application you desire.