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1 Flow Images race Deep-section wheels all but guarantee you shave time off your bike split. Nik Cook puts 10 of the liveliest sets through their paces wheels Most of the time when you buy an off-the-peg bike, even if it s a fully-fledged super-bike, the manufacturer will have scrimped a few pennies by speccing a less-than-impressive wheelset. It s not surprising then that one of the first upgrades people often make is a set of go-faster race wheels. Better wheels will improve the performance of your bike, but be prepared to spend significant money and make some tough decisions. BrAking Surface Cheaper deep-section offerings Where the brake can be fast in a straight line, but pads contact the rim. their profile is often simpler, Carbon can generate overheating problems meaning potentially sketchier on long descents, while handling in crosswinds. They ll alloy tends to be heavier. also tend to be heavier than their pricier rivals, can lack quality hubs and not have had the wind-tunnel time to confirm their performance. Tubulars or clinchers is probably your next call to make and, with pros and cons to both, it s largely a personal choice. If your wheels are likely to be ridden solely on race day, we d probably still go for the weight saving and enhanced ride of tubs but clinchers are getting better and better. You then need to consider braking surfaces, balance of rim depth to weight for the courses you like to compete on and even what looks best on your bike. Decisions, decisions. Hopefully we can help How we tested We left the windtunnel testing up to the manufacturers and conducted our test where it matters most on the road. First up, we confirmed the manufacturers claimed weight by putting the rims (without quick-release skewers and cassettes) on the 220 scales and then, with the wheels shod in suitable rubber, we headed out to put some miles in. The Peak District test loop contained fast and flat sections, steep rises, a long, slow grind and some tight turns. With it still being comparatively early in the year, there were serious winds and plenty of gaps in walls and hedges to catch us and the wheels out. As well as comparing splits, we assessed overall performance, handling and stiffness. Rim All carbon in this test. It s what makes the wheels aero and able to cut through the air. Hub Holds the bearings for the wheel axle and supports the spokes at the centre of the wheel. The rear incorporates the free-hub, which holds the cassette and allows you to freewheel. Spokes Will be bladed to slice the air and, as the deep rims have inherent strength, there will be fewer, causing less turbulence and drag than on a standard wheel. Jargon buster Tubulars (tubs) Glued or taped to the rim. In general, they re lighter than clinchers. Clinchers Hook onto the rim and inflated with an inner tube. Easier to maintain but tend to be heavier. Profile The shape the wheel presents to the wind. At its simplest, a tapering V; more complex designs purport to optimise performance at different wind angles. QR Skewers Cam lock devices that clamp the wheels to the forks of your bike. April 2013 I I 133

test centre Vision Metron 81 1,499.95 www.windwave.co.uk Looking through the spec sheet on the Vision Metrons, they certainly appear to have plenty going for them.

In addition, ceramic cartridge bearings should ensure silky smooth running, while, weight-wise, 1,590g for 81mm section tubular rims is more than acceptable.

Spin-up speed is impressively brisk for such a deep rim and, once you re sitting on a big gear and hammering along a flat stretch of road, they re so easy.

Stability is also good and, despite some scarily squally sidewinds, the Metrons only occasionally misbehaved. ed s choice Enve SES 8.9 Tubular 2,300.00 www.saddleback.co.

With a 95mm section rear wheel and an 85mm front, the 1,545g weight is impressive.

that are stable in all weather conditions. Pick-up is fast and once you re rolling, you could be forgiven for thinking that they re pushing you along.

Stability is staggeringly good for such deep-section wheels and, even in severe and unpredictable gusts, you can stay low and concentrate on putting the power down. VO2 V:Race 88 999.99 www.

2 test centre Vision Metron 81 1, Looking through the spec sheet on the Vision Metrons, they certainly appear to have plenty going for them. For starters, they re hand-built and come with pads, valve extenders, decent QR skewers and wheel bags. In addition, ceramic cartridge bearings should ensure silky smooth running, while, weight-wise, 1,590g for 81mm section tubular rims is more than acceptable. All this comes in at five pence under 1,500. Most importantly, they also do the business out on the road. Spin-up speed is impressively brisk for such a deep rim and, once you re sitting on a big gear and hammering along a flat stretch of road, they re so easy. Hit a climb and there s no stalling and certainly no noticeable flex or brake rubbing, even when riding hard out of the saddle. Stability is also good and, despite some scarily squally sidewinds, the Metrons only occasionally misbehaved. ed s choice Enve SES 8.9 Tubular 2, Combine the knowledge of ex-formula One aero expert Simon Smart and the carbonfibre trickery of Utah-based Enve wheels and you know you ll be getting something special. With a 95mm section rear wheel and an 85mm front, the 1,545g weight is impressive. Enve has made it their mission to combine speed with exquisite handling and, by prioritising transient aerodynamics (taking into account changes in bike position and wind angle), they produce wheels that are stable in all weather conditions. Pick-up is fast and once you re rolling, you could be forgiven for thinking that they re pushing you along. The fashionably aero 26mm wide front wheel carves through the air with the narrower 24mm rear following behind. Stability is staggeringly good for such deep-section wheels and, even in severe and unpredictable gusts, you can stay low and concentrate on putting the power down. VO2 V:Race best buy The only wheelset to come in at under 1,000, these are the budget option of the test. Weighing in at 1,900g, you could be forgiven for thinking that these 88mm carbon clinchers would ride heavy but, on the road, that s far from the case. Hand-built by a small British company, there s a genuine sense of life to them as they willingly transfer your efforts onto the tarmac. Acceleration for a deep-section wheel is genuinely impressive and, once rolling, although lacking some of the aerodynamic bells and whistles of other wheels on test, punch through the air and hold speed well. There are no stiffness issues and the 3K carbon refuses to yield even under hard out-of-thesaddle efforts. You do get the occasional skip and flutter in strong sidewinds, but nothing unexpected. Titanium skewers and the option to customise the decals to match your frame seal a very attractive deal. Truly impressive performance from a great-value tubular wheelset 90 % Fast, light, stable and dripping with aero know-how, but with a hefty price tag 91 % Ride lighter than they weigh and come at a price that won t leave you destitute 87 % 134 I I April 2013

Features include hidden spoke nipples (nut that joins the spoke to the rim), for which you re supplied a special spoke tool, along with pads and spare spokes, nipples and valve extenders.

Acceleration is a little laboured, but there are no stiffness issues and certainly no brake rub. At cruising speed they roll along with the best.

i-ride.co.uk The Fulcrums are the most expensive wheelset on test by 200. It s also the only one with aluminium braking surfaces, which carries both advantages and disadvantages.

Additionally, as you re likely to be running alloy wheels for training, there s no fiddling with swapping brake pads.

It s getting them up to speed that s a slight concern. They re erring on sluggish, lack a certain spring and, although beautiful hand-built wheels, they just fail to genuinely excite.

3 Profile Design Altair 80 1, Known for their aerobars and other windcheating accessories, Profile Design threw their hat into the aero wheelset ring a few years ago. These 80.5mm section carbon clincher wheels are competitively priced and, although simple with a flat and fairly narrow profile, are well worth a look. Features include hidden spoke nipples (nut that joins the spoke to the rim), for which you re supplied a special spoke tool, along with pads and spare spokes, nipples and valve extenders. Their 1,895g weight, despite probably ruling out Alpine epics, isn t too bad for deep sections and they put in a solid performance. Acceleration is a little laboured, but there are no stiffness issues and certainly no brake rub. At cruising speed they roll along with the best. The sealed cartridge bearings are smooth and, despite a couple of heartfluttering sidewind swerves in blustery conditions, the overall ride is impressive. Fulcrum Redwind 80 XLR CULT 2, The Fulcrums are the most expensive wheelset on test by 200. It s also the only one with aluminium braking surfaces, which carries both advantages and disadvantages. It can add weight but, for 80mm deep clinchers, their 1,770g is impressive. There s no doubt that braking is enhanced and, without the worry of overheating, you can really let go downhill. Additionally, as you re likely to be running alloy wheels for training, there s no fiddling with swapping brake pads. On the road, the overwhelming sensations of these wheels are smoothness and stability. Maintaining speed feels almost effortless, and even with gusty sidewinds they plough an arrowstraight furrow. It s getting them up to speed that s a slight concern. They re erring on sluggish, lack a certain spring and, although beautiful hand-built wheels, they just fail to genuinely excite. Don t Lose your Gains You ve spent your hard-earned money on a pair of super-fast wheels. Just make sure you don t fritter away those gains Tyres These constitute a significant percentage of the profile of a wheel, so choosing the right set is crucial. Many manufacturers recommend a particular tyre to enhance their wheels; alternatively, check online forums for threads and data on the best set-ups. Once you find the fastest combination, always check and run the optimal pressure. Position There s no point having a super-expensive bike and wheels if you can t hold your aero position. If you re having to ride up on the bullhorns when not climbing, you need to reassess. Clutter Keep the front of your bike super-clean and clutter-free. Look at a pro s bike and you won t see massive bento boxes. Despite this, many age-groupers insist on riding with the aero equivalent of a wicker basket. Flapping Clothing should be tight and zips done up. Make sure your race number isn t flapping in the breeze behind you and, if you re wearing a long-tailed aero helmet, don t drop or bob your head. Pop and hiss Have a tried-andtested plan for punctures and make sure you ve practised it to check it works in training. Consider sealant in tubs and, if you ve ever attempted to use a combined sealant/inflation system through long valve extenders, you ll know it s far from a 100% reliable system. Renowned aerodynamic brand delivering a decent set of affordable race-day wheels 82 % Versatile, stable and silky smooth, but lacking that race-day beaming factor 80 %

test centre 4ZA CIRRUS PRO T100 1,599.99 www.todayscyclist.co.uk With their 100mm carbon rims, the Cirrus Pro T100 wheels are the deepest in this test.

Being so deep means they carry extra bulk compared to the other tubular wheels under scrutiny and tip the scales at 1,810g.

They provide a satisfactory ride even with those wide, flat sides but as you d expect, it does make them susceptible to the wind.

Sadly, when it comes to turns, they re occasionally a little reluctant to change direction. Reynolds 72 Aero 2,099.99 www.upgradebikes.co.uk At 1,680g, these wheels are comfortably the lightest clinchers on test and, although costing over two grand, aren t the most expensive.

2mm width puts them wider than the other clinchers on test and in line with current aero thinking.

And in direct comparison to their clincher brethren, acceleration and climbing performance is on another level.

The DT Swiss hubs are predictably smooth and the supplied Cryo-Blue pads give the best carbon braking surface performance here. Zipp 808 Firecrest 2,100.00 www.zipp.

4 test centre 4ZA CIRRUS PRO T100 1, With their 100mm carbon rims, the Cirrus Pro T100 wheels are the deepest in this test. Their straight, flat sides seem fairly crude compared to the profiles gracing some of the fancier wheelsets here, but they hold momentum well once you ve built up some speed. Being so deep means they carry extra bulk compared to the other tubular wheels under scrutiny and tip the scales at 1,810g. While this doesn t exactly make them heavyweights, the weight is enough to make them a bit sluggish off the blocks by comparison. They provide a satisfactory ride even with those wide, flat sides but as you d expect, it does make them susceptible to the wind. They re by no means a handful to control, but expect some swaying and buffeting when you re riding in crosswinds. On straights, they re excellent. Sadly, when it comes to turns, they re occasionally a little reluctant to change direction. Reynolds 72 Aero 2, At 1,680g, these wheels are comfortably the lightest clinchers on test and, although costing over two grand, aren t the most expensive. Part of that weight saving is down to a slightly shallower 72mm rim depth, but as you d expect from a serious player, the wind-tunnel data is impressive. Their 26.2mm width puts them wider than the other clinchers on test and in line with current aero thinking. On an extremely windy winter s day, they re noticeably more stable in a sidewind than the majority of its competitors. And in direct comparison to their clincher brethren, acceleration and climbing performance is on another level. They re no slouches on the flat, either, punching well into various wind directions and tenaciously holding onto speed. The DT Swiss hubs are predictably smooth and the supplied Cryo-Blue pads give the best carbon braking surface performance here. Zipp 808 Firecrest 2, best on test There s no disputing the pedigree of these wheels and, with Pete Jacobs piloting a set to his 2012 Kona victory, they clearly perform at the highest level. With the 808 Firecrests, the most obvious feature is the chunky 27.5mm width, which doesn t dramatically taper down towards the spoke bed. In extensive tunnel testing, this ticks the three boxes of aerodynamics, stability and strength. There s undoubtedly a placebo effect to riding Zipps. You know the data, you know the wins they ve accumulated and that confidence boost makes you ride fast. Rider psychology aside, though, they re blisteringly quick themselves. In the very toughest conditions of our test period, they still posted some of the fastest splits. You can feel and hear them working for you, their 1,565g weight accelerates effortlessly and their handling in adverse wind conditions is 100% confidence-inspiring. A good price and great on the straights but their depth causes slight wind and weight issues 81 % Fast, light and suitable for a wide range of course profiles and wind conditions 89 % Over two-grand but if you want something special for race day, don t look any further 95 % 136 I I April 2013

Miche Supertype 558 1,481.99 www.chickencycles.co.

With a 58mm rim depth, they re also the shallowest, but also contributing to their low weight are their carbon-fibre hubs.

They exhibit an impressive amount of stiffness and give mountain-goat performance on the climbs without any hint of flex or brake rub.

heart-stopping swerving. While these attributes are all great for highly technical hilly courses, they just don t slice through the air or roll like a true deep section. Shimano Dura Ace C75 2,499.

uk The most expensive tubular wheelset on test and, considering the reputation of the brands they re charging significantly more than, these wheels from components giant Shimano had better deliver.

Other top features include a 100% titanium freehub body that saves weight and should be less prone to sprockets cutting into it than an alloy alternative.

Although wonderfully smooth and efficient, they just fail to give the added excitement you d want at this price.

5 Miche Supertype 558 1, Coming with a decent set of QR skewers, a bling red anodised lock ring and a pair of wheel bags, these 1,296g tubular wheels are the lightest on test. With a 58mm rim depth, they re also the shallowest, but also contributing to their low weight are their carbon-fibre hubs. Not surprisingly, compared to the deeper competition, they spin up to speed very well and are a joy to sprint out of a corner on. They exhibit an impressive amount of stiffness and give mountain-goat performance on the climbs without any hint of flex or brake rub. Another advantage of a shallower section is far more predictable handling and, even descending at high speeds and hitting unpredictable crosswinds due to gaps in walls and hedges, there s no heart-stopping swerving. While these attributes are all great for highly technical hilly courses, they just don t slice through the air or roll like a true deep section. Shimano Dura Ace C75 2, The most expensive tubular wheelset on test and, considering the reputation of the brands they re charging significantly more than, these wheels from components giant Shimano had better deliver. On spec they look reasonably competitive. 75mm is a rim depth that should strike a good compromise between handling and aerodynamics, while their 1,545g weight goes toe to toe with the competition. Other top features include a 100% titanium freehub body that saves weight and should be less prone to sprockets cutting into it than an alloy alternative. On the open road, their performance is extremely solid easy to accelerate and extremely stable. The problem is that they re not noticeably better than the serious players that come in cheaper. Although wonderfully smooth and efficient, they just fail to give the added excitement you d want at this price. overall From race-day winners to everyday workhorses, the final decision comes down to cash The first fact to point out is that all of these wheels will make you faster compared to a standard wheelset. Over our 30km test loop, and ridden at a consistent heart rate, gains were in the 2-4mins range. Second, they re all decent wheelsets and, with the lowest mark coming in at 80%, there are no losers on show. Third, our leaning towards tubular wheelsets for race day was confirmed but, if you do prefer the idea of clinchers, the Reynolds are excellent if you ve got the cash and, for an affordable option, the VO2s are certainly worth considering. Onto the tubs and, if we were putting an emphasis on value for money, the Visions would steal the show. But this test has to come down to out-and-out speed and performance. This boils down to two wheelsets, the Zipps and the Enves. Splits were consistently similar and there s nothing to choose between them in terms of handling. Both also have impressive amounts of aerodynamic know-how and experience to back them up. The 200 price difference tips the scales in favour of the Zipps and, with their triumph in Kona last October still fresh in our minds, they just about get the nod. Light, versatile, and affordable, but more suited to road racing than triathlon 85 % Won t let you down, but just too expensive compared to its rivals 80 % April 2013 I I 137

Prime Race Road Alloy Wheelset

Prime Race Road Alloy Wheelset by Mat Brett September 22 2016 9 Comments Verdict: Lightweight alloy clincher wheelset that's hardwearing and tubeless-ready out of the box Weight: 1,530g Contact: primebikecomponents.com