Carbon Fiber Wheels Under 1K… So Hot Right Now

by Robb Hampton, Features Editor

I love me some wheels. For anybody that knows me, I like to throw on the deepest carbon wheel that I can get away with without getting blown all over the place. Carbon is fast. It sounds cool and it looks good!
 
Yet only a few years ago a bike racer only had a few options for carbon fiber wheels. The Zipp 404s and Mavic Carbones set the standard for fast. Campy and Shimano quickly followed and the big boys continued to set the bar high in terms of research and product placement on ProTour teams, both big reasons why the mark-up of these wheelsets were often over $2,000. Yikes!
 
As with any technology, other companies started catching up. New companies emerged and started to release their own carbon wheelsets. Many companies developed wheels with the same type of carbon and build style. Some developed nearly exact replicas. An added bonus of all this development has been the price point of these wheelsets often reaching below the $1,000 mark.
 
I get a feeling that there were wheel builders all over the world scoffing at the prices of high-end wheelsets and declared they could make a comparable or even better wheel for less money and actually make some money doing it; capitalism at its finest.
 
Now, it should be noted that I don’t have any of the following wheelsets and I haven’t even ridden them. All I know is that they are less expensive than what I’m used to and many make similar claims for aero benefits and weight. I am hoping that I can get my mitts on a few pairs of these during the summer and really take them to task but for now, all I have to go on are claims these companies have made on their websites.
 
PSIMET Custom Bicycle Wheel – You want custom wheels? This is your place. PSIMET has done all the research for you as far as getting the best bang for your buck. They use the same carbon rims as some of the large companies but they can lace them to whatever you want, including a Powertap hub. When asked what sets PSIMET apart from other companies, PSIMET Owner, Rob Curtis told me “our key value is that we nail down the specification based on each rider and what they need. I don't build to a spec that is meant to look good in a catalog. I build to a spec that works for each rider.” Sounds good to me.

Williams Cycling - If your last name is Williams, you are in luck. Your competition will have absolutely no doubt who you are or what kind of wheels these are when you roll to the line. Yes, the logos are huge, but Williams offers several depth sectioned wheelsets right at $999 including a 58mm and 38mm version. Again, the carbon is claimed to be world class but the weight is slightly more than the best in show although not by a lot.
 

Boyd Bikes is a little known company started in 2009 by Boyd Johnson, a professional cyclist and well known cycling coach. Boyd Bikes offers various carbon and alloy wheelsets at very affordable prices. The most expensive wheels offered are the ‘badass’ 88mm tubular carbon wheelset at $850.00. Boyd also offers five different depths of carbon wheelsets starting at 20mm for only $750. All carbon wheels are built with Sapim CX Ray spokes. In addition to wheelsets, Boyd Bikes also offers a road frame, a time trial frame, and several components all for sale at relatively low prices.

Neuvation – Maybe the first wheel company that I became familiar with that boasted a great value for carbon wheels, Neuvation also offers several alloy wheels at a great cost. Wheels can also be purchased individually as well as in pairs, all well under the $1,000 price point. The Neuvation website also offers a wealth of knowledge for any aspiring wheel builder or consumer.

 
The Revolution Wheelworks homepage welcomes you with a message that states "Unless you're lighting cigars with twenty dollar bills these babies are hard to beat...” Since I haven’t lit any stogies with currency recently, this immediately got my attention. Click click. Revolution Wheelworks offers 50mm carbon wheelsets weighing in at a claimed 1360grams for only $960. Not too shabby. You can get these in tubular or clincher variety and even request a Powertap if you are willing you pony up the extra dough. Revolution has other wheelsets you can choose from. Jonathan Kahler, owner and operator of Revolution Wheelworks states that "one key difference is that most wheels at similar price range are built in Asia and shipped over fully built.  We import each piece and I build them here, pretty much to order. As the owner of the business, I have more of an incentive to build a perfect wheel than someone who's employed by a contractor to build for multiple brands and has no connection to the end user."

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Besides being the judge of hotness for GamJams, Robb Hampton is a husband, father, avid cyclist with a certifiably average VO2Max. Robb races for the Cat 3 Bike Doctor Racing Team. 

Comments

[Bdcheung]

Chalk one vote for the Soul C4.0 all-carbon clinchers.

$930 for the set.
http://bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=15

[tommy2tone]

when i worked at a bike store, trade magazines would come every month and in them there would be these ads from chinese knock off places selling wheels hubs cranks etc. they always had tag lines like 'face the wind together for fastest ride" or "eagle never doubts chi shen sookie hub"
somehow soul bike or bike soul kinda gives me that impression. mostly because their website is loaded with dumb lines like those and their hubs look like complete crap. japanese stainless steel bearings? huh? and look at that cassette body. soft is the only word to describe it. i dont care how many paws it has. anyhow, id be interested to know how those end up working out for you.

[Lance]

I have a set of the Revolution 50 tubies. They are pretty aero and pretty light. They are very stiff and pretty reliable. They don't hold a candle to my Edge 1.68s, but, but for $800 (they have gone up since I bought them) they are pretty nice crit wheels.

[hfang]

The Neuvation C50 Tubulars are currently on closeout for $600 for the set! What a deal!! Get them while you can.

[Mike May]

@BD or anyone else - do you have experience with the Soul or other inexpensive (ie, not Reynolds or Edge) full carbon clinchers? The Soul C4.0s for example are a great looking wheel on paper - deep enough, plenty light, not so expensive that you're afraid to ride them. But stiffness, durability? Also the claim that carbon clinchers are more dangerous at high braking since they can cause blowouts - anybody have perspective there to add?

[Brian Cheung]

I own two sets of Soul wheels and have zero complaints. Not only are the wheels themselves great, but Sean Wai (the owner) skyped me when I bought the wheels to find out exactly what kind of riding I would be doing and worked with me to customize the build (nipple colors, spokes, bearings, etc.) at no additional cost.

But I appreciate tommy2tone's speculation.