In the last 10 years, carbon technology has matured. Though not perfect, modern carbon wheels are more reliable than ever. More mountain bike manufacturers are including carbon wheels as standard equipment. And the industry has made a huge push to introduce generous carbon wheel warranties. Out on the trail, it’s obvious that carbon wheels are becoming popular.
Carbon mountain bike wheels offer a lot of performance advantages, but many riders worry about reliability. Is carbon the best option or is aluminum better? Are carbon wheels durable? Are they good for downhill and enduro? So many riders will ask these question when they are consider to buy a carbon mountain bike.
carbon mountain bike wheels are worth it？
29er carbon mountain bike rims are without doubt one of the pinnacles of bicycle engineering achievement - they're strong, light and stiff, usually with a great big price tag to match. Carbon fiber possesses a very high strength-to-weight ratio. It has almost half the density of aluminum; it’s more than five times less dense than steel, but it is stronger than either metal. This is especially important for bicycle wheels. Wheels (and tires) make up rotating weight on your bike. Increased rotating weight increases inertia and wheel inertia matters in cycling because the rider has to use energy to overcome it and accelerate. Heavier wheels require more energy and lighter wheels require less.
Carbon mountain bike wheels will be more light.
Lightweight carbon wheels make a bike feel snappy and easier to get up to speed. They can help you climb faster and save energy on long rides. Naturally, carbon wheels enjoy widespread use in high-level XC racing where riders are focused on saving weight to maximize performance.wheels are a key place to cut weight. Many riders, even novices, can actually feel the difference when riding lighter wheels. Reducing an equivalent amount of weight elsewhere on the bike is much less noticeable.
In cycling, anything over half a pound is significant, especially when the weight is located at the rim. When you’re pedaling and spinning a wheel thousands of times in a single ride, it will add up. If you’re looking to maximize your performance on climbs, a lighter carbon wheel is the best option.
Cost for carbon mountain bike wheel VS Aluminum
Aluminum rims are extruded and then welded into a circular shape. Aluminum manufacturing has been refined over decades, and it can be largely automated so China bike manufacturers can produce thousands of rims in a single day. Add in the lower cost of raw materials and aluminum rims are unbeatable on price.
Carbon rim manufacturing, on the other hand, is more labor-intensive, and the tooling and raw materials are more expensive. Creating any carbon cycling component requires molds. The molds themselves are costly, and carbon sheets need to be laid into the molds by hand in a specific order. This requires skilled labor and it means production numbers are much lower. All this needs to be done in a climate-controlled environment, adding even more to the cost.
Final thoughts
People will love the feel of stiff and light carbon wheels. As a rider with less than stellar fitness, they like to use technology like carbon wheels to get every advantage possible. And Carbon wheels can be extremely reliable. some professional rider only cracked three wheels in their now 10-year cycling career.
When you are ready to commit to getting better for your own sake or for the sake of your competition, you will have to admit that riding a carbon wheelset, although very expensive, is going to help you get better. Maybe not infinitely better but definitely measurably better.
It will be more comfortable and faster than any alloy wheel you ride. Do not let the price deter you as although it is a lot, engineers and designers are making carbon wheels that are stronger and last longer than ever before. At any level it really should be something that riders consider seriously.
After interviewing a few friends, colleagues, and even some amateurs in the college racing scene, I am here to inform you that yes, every single one of them said carbon is faster, more responsive, and better in every way compared to alloy rims.
Post time: Jun-16-2022