Chinese carbon frame and wheels thread

[jacks1071]

Round spokes

nothing wrong with that, Sapim Race spokes, DT competition are quality spokes (note that this wheel uses "house-brand" spokes... they look like Pillar's to me, I've personally had good experiences with their spokes)

shallow box section rim

ala Mavic Ksyrium (yes that is apples to pears a bit...)

hubs and bearings of unknown quality

I might just be lucky, but the cheap hubs I've bought are pretty nice for the price (Bitex and Novatec) Nothing like Alchemy's or Tune hubs but they work. Not sure how lucky you'll get with those hubs though...

Don't think a 70kg rider won't break/buckle a flimsy wheel

FWIW: 75kg rider, same rim, 24/28 CX-Rays on Dati hubs, finds it flexy and is often popping spokes. into

For the record, I'm not trying to pick apart your post Jacks1071, just offering another viewpoint

Your not seriously comparing the rim in those photos to a Mavic? Other than the rim depth and maybe the hole count I can't see any similarities.

To make a 24mm rim into a strong wheel you need either really wide hub flanges, or lots of spokes, or re-enforcing on the rim like Shimano and Mavic use.

Any performance wheelset should have at a bare minimum bladed spokes.

[usernameforme]

Your not seriously comparing the rim in those photos to a Mavic? Other than the rim depth and maybe the hole count I can't see any similarities.

To make a 24mm rim into a strong wheel you need either really wide hub flanges, or lots of spokes, or re-enforcing on the rim like Shimano and Mavic use.

Any performance wheelset should have at a bare minimum bladed spokes.

No, I'm just saying that box section rims can work, given what you've just posted. I don't agree with the statement about bladed spokes though

[jacks1071]

Your not seriously comparing the rim in those photos to a Mavic? Other than the rim depth and maybe the hole count I can't see any similarities.

To make a 24mm rim into a strong wheel you need either really wide hub flanges, or lots of spokes, or re-enforcing on the rim like Shimano and Mavic use.

Any performance wheelset should have at a bare minimum bladed spokes.

No, I'm just saying that box section rims can work, given what you've just posted. I don't agree with the statement about bladed spokes though

Name one "performance" factory wheelset that uses round spokes.

[usernameforme]

Reynolds Attack, Assualt, Solitude & Strike, or would you not call these "performance" wheels?

I see what you mean about bladed spokes being not so common amongst factory wheels though... I can't think of any others

EDIT: Does oval count as round? I can think of plenty of performance wheels built with oval spokes...

[southeastD]

I went out on Sunday with a pair of Mavic Akysium Equipe. There was big head and cross winds, so strong it blew me off balance - I really thought I was going to hit the deck a couple of times. Against the cross winds, I could hear whistling noise coming from the wheels, wonder if this has something to do with the bladed spokes?

[toppity]

you tend to get what you pay for I reckon (to some degree), even relatively speaking when talking about Chinese componentry. I'd be buggered if I'd put a set of $249 wheels under me.

Well my Aksiums were $200 new but they're just very heavy, if anything a lot more sturdy than a set of light wheels. So I guess the comment should be buggered if I'd put a set of $249 wheels that weigh under 1800 grams under me

you are spot on.

[usernameforme]

I went out on Sunday with a pair of Mavic Akysium Equipe. There was big head and cross winds, so strong it blew me off balance - I really thought I was going to hit the deck a couple of times. Against the cross winds, I could hear whistling noise coming from the wheels, wonder if this has something to do with the bladed spokes?

I've also noticed a whistling noise from bladed spokes. Not sure why that is though...

In regards to being pushed around in the wind, bladed spokes have a larger surface area than a round spoke when the wind is coming from the side. So its likely that they are more effected by cross-winds than oval or round.

[Crawf]

This seller has a couple of the newer frames, wonder how the BMC copy rides?
Also a very close looking Venge.

[MichaelB]

This seller has a couple of the newer frames, wonder how the BMC copy rides?
Also a very close looking Venge.

Now if only the BMC one had disc tabs, I'd be in like Flynn ....

Can't wait for other road disc bikes to start coming out.

The trickle hasn't started yet, and I'm waiting on my frame. Still.

[usernameforme]

Love the "Costelo" name...

[jacks1071]

Reynolds Attack, Assualt, Solitude & Strike, or would you not call these "performance" wheels?

I see what you mean about bladed spokes being not so common amongst factory wheels though... I can't think of any others

EDIT: Does oval count as round? I can think of plenty of performance wheels built with oval spokes...

If I was buying some non Pro-Lite wheels, Reynolds wouldn't be on my list - good spotting though. They are a double butted spoke so quite thin in the middle.

I'm pretty sure everyone else went to bladed spokes sometime ago.

[usernameforme]

If I was buying some non Pro-Lite wheels, Reynolds wouldn't be on my list - good spotting though. They are a double butted spoke so quite thin in the middle.

may I ask why? Or do you mean you won't buy them because of the double butted spoke?

I'm pretty sure everyone else went to bladed spokes sometime ago.

true some custom builds still use them though

[biker jk]

Has anyone done a di2 build on a FM066 frame? I would also look to hear any reviews of this frame (I've seen the one on YouTube).

[kylefoo]

ED(ceramic), Bitex hub 2:1ratio hubs are available.

[toolonglegs]

Just pulled the pin on a set of 58/88 wheels... high end Novatech hubs ( know nothing about them )... I suppose they are Novatech rims as well. Local wheel builder who is a good friend of an ex team mate and has built wheels for a couple of other team mates I know who are very happy with them.He was quoting 1325 grams for 50/50 combo... but I said I wasn't too worried about weight at the start of the season as the races are flat and windy and I want to win in breakaways ... hence 58/88. 24/28 spoke count... 500€.
Happy with that especially with him being local.
If they are good I will order a set of 38/38 climbing wheels pretty soon after to get me over the big hills which start for me in May .
Fingers crossed!.

[BRLVR.v2]

Anyone had any experience with these?? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300668150774 ... 4714wt_906

Not sure if they are Knock off of a 3T Funda or the contracted manufacturer clearing old(legit) stock.
Thoughts on whether they are trustworthy?

[Yoda junior]

Hi,

For the FSC50-CM wheels, what colour Park Spoke Wrench is needed for the nipples? I assume it is Black? 0.127"?



Thanks

[Crawf]

Hi,

For the FSC50-CM wheels, what colour Park Spoke Wrench is needed for the nipples? I assume it is Black? 0.127"?



Thanks

3.25mm is most commonly used for 'modern' builds. If you'd go by the different colors manufacturers used then you'd be confused.

[Crawf]

Anyone had any experience with these?? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300668150774 ... 4714wt_906

Not sure if they are Knock off of a 3T Funda or the contracted manufacturer clearing old(legit) stock.
Thoughts on whether they are trustworthy?

If they weren't knock offs they'd be triple the price - simples.

[BRLVR.v2]

Anyone had any experience with these?? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300668150774 ... 4714wt_906

Not sure if they are Knock off of a 3T Funda or the contracted manufacturer clearing old(legit) stock.
Thoughts on whether they are trustworthy?

If they weren't knock offs they'd be triple the price - simples.

that was my thinking too, but thought I'd fish to see if anyone else had been tempted to try them .

[Crawf]

I've been rolling around on various China carbon wheels for a while now and have always used the cork pads, as I had purchased a bulk qty.
I could never bring myself to spend $30+ on swisstop pads. But on the weekend I thrown on some of these and wow, the difference was like chalk and cheese.
Do yourself a favor and ditch the cork pads for these if you have them.

[winstonw]

Do yourself a favor and ditch the cork pads for these if you have them.

These look the same as Farsport wheels ship with.

[Crawf]

Do yourself a favor and ditch the cork pads for these if you have them.

These look the same as Farsport wheels ship with.

Maybe they are, but I only ever got the crappy cork ones :/

[steve-waters]

Swiss stop yellow - I will commute 60km five days a week sun or thunder storm and they are miles better than the cork especially in the rain.

[twizzle]

But cork won't heat up as badly - so unless you know what expoxy is in your rim, don't experiment. SwissStop yellow's are not compatible with all rims.

Not sure what the issue is, anyway. Cork pulls up fine for me even at my weight. If I had to brake harder, I suspect it's because I cocked something up badly, ie. didn't plan ahead. Although a mate of mine did manage to get his cork ones smoking. Then again, I lost 50% of the front set of Koolstop carbon specific pads with two hard stops in a race.