Chinese Carbon Wheels

cavan4sam

Am I crazy even thinking about these ...

Max budget around €400 for a new set of wheels not racing but just want to upgrade from bog standard wheel set that came with bike

Was looking at campagnolo zondas too as have heard great reviews but for same price I could have carbon set from China

Not the most knowledgeable in this field so all help appreciated

Sarz91

cavan4sam wrote: »

Am I crazy even thinking about these ...

Max budget around €400 for a new set of wheels not racing but just want to upgrade from bog standard wheel set that came with bike

Was looking at campagnolo zondas too as have heard great reviews but for same price I could have carbon set from China

Not the most knowledgeable in this field so all help appreciated

Not so sure of the price as they don't seem to have it listed but if you're going down this road I'd really only look at the more reputable sellers like farsports. I've heard good things about them and they offer an 18 month warranty on most of their products.

You may also get stung with customs which is something that should also be considered.

borris4

Zondas are great, you don't need anything lighter or more aero.
Campagnolo make great wheels, easily repaired and come with a warranty. Will have resale value too.
Not sure Wong Tong Industries will provide that on their Ninja 5000FX Carbon Clinchees.

seanin4711

Yeoleo

Cionn

I have been thinking of buying some from Aliexpress , they are about $300 per set, I would imagine another €100 should be considered for vat/duty.
It seems to be a risk but if it works out, it is pretty cheap. It's not like 90% of the wheels are made elsewhere.

Tenzor07

Cionn wrote: »

I have been thinking of buying some from Aliexpress , they are about $300 per set, I would imagine another ?100 should be considered for vat/duty.
It seems to be a risk but if it works out, it is pretty cheap. It's not like 90% of the wheels are made elsewhere.

You expect to get a fully built up set of carbon wheels for like E270?

gman2k

I have to say, these hoops from Deng Fu look very tasty!

Weepsie

gman2k wrote: »

I have to say, these hoops from Deng Fu look very tasty!

The picture of the inside of the rim looks like it has a crack on one of them

Cee-Jay-Cee

borris4 wrote: »

Not sure Wong Tong Industries will provide that on their Ninja 5000FX Carbon Clinchees.

The Ninja 5000FX has been superseded by the Shinobi 6000FZ...great wheel, 17mm wide, 50mm deep and 1150g for the pair.

lismuse

I bought a set of 24mm carbon tubular wheels a number of years (5 I think)ago. They weigh 1100g and we're by far the most noticeable change I ever made to a bike. They transformed a Trek Madone that had standard Bontrager wheels at the time. They covered 5k the first year and 10k the second year without a problem. I have lost count of what they have done since as they are used as my everyday wheels. In all that time I have replaced one rear spoke , (supplied with wheel) which I did myself. I think they cost 300 - 330 euro delivered. Without doubt my best cycling purchase .

Cionn

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You expect to get a fully built up set of carbon wheels for like E270?

I was think €300 plus duty/vat €100 so 400 all in.

Something like this https://m.aliexpress.com/s/item/1698320292.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail&productId=1698320292&productSubject=High-performance-38mm-tubular-carbon-bike-road-wheelset-700c-carbon-fiber-road-bike-racing-wheelset&spm=2114.01010208.3.10.sYBkoi&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10068_5010013_10136_10137_10157_10060_10138_10155_10062_10156_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100030_100031_10099_100029_10103_100028_10102_10096_10147_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10171_5190014_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10183_10182_10185_10078_10079_10073_10123_142,searchweb201603_16,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=0b88f551-35ce-4e2b-b272-9b76abdcdc9f&algo_expid=4be6ca4a-aa2e-424b-bc9b-022ab181ed63-1&algo_pvid=4be6ca4a-aa2e-424b-bc9b-022ab181ed63#autostay

seanin4711

close to price range and uk warranty

http://www.zuus.co.uk/ex-shop-display-reduced-to-clear-sale-clearance-zuus-carbon-aero-xcr-50-clincher-road-wheelset-pair-front-and-rear-japanese-toray-carbon-1-year-warranty/

gman2k

Cionn wrote: »

I was think ?300 plus duty/vat ?100 so 400 all in.

Something like this https://m.aliexpress.com/s/item/1698320292.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail&productId=1698320292&productSubject=High-performance-38mm-tubular-carbon-bike-road-wheelset-700c-carbon-fiber-road-bike-racing-wheelset&spm=2114.01010208.3.10.sYBkoi&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10068_5010013_10136_10137_10157_10060_10138_10155_10062_10156_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100030_100031_10099_100029_10103_100028_10102_10096_10147_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10171_5190014_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10183_10182_10185_10078_10079_10073_10123_142,searchweb201603_16,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=0b88f551-35ce-4e2b-b272-9b76abdcdc9f&algo_expid=4be6ca4a-aa2e-424b-bc9b-022ab181ed63-1&algo_pvid=4be6ca4a-aa2e-424b-bc9b-022ab181ed63#autostay

I would stay clear from Aliexpress and stick to the likes of branded sellers like Hongfu, Dengfu etc.

cavan4sam

Thanks for the input just wondering would a carbon wheel set make much difference in km\h or am I just trying to find the easy way out 😂

Daniel son

Huge difference. Best off all they look the part. Put 10000+ km on 2 sets.

Old Perry

Also interested in this topic. Keep us updated on how the order goes.

Quick newbie question. What does one need to be aware of when buying wheels in terms of current bike setup.

Daniel son

how wide they are relative to your forks, seat stays. bog standard now is 25mm wheel. groupset manufacturer campg, sram, shimano etc. 10speed or 11 speed.

68 lost souls

Cionn wrote: »

I was think €300 plus duty/vat €100 so 400 all in.

Something like this https://m.aliexpress.com/s/item/1698320292.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail&productId=1698320292&productSubject=High-performance-38mm-tubular-carbon-bike-road-wheelset-700c-carbon-fiber-road-bike-racing-wheelset&spm=2114.01010208.3.10.sYBkoi&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10068_5010013_10136_10137_10157_10060_10138_10155_10062_10156_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100030_100031_10099_100029_10103_100028_10102_10096_10147_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10171_5190014_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10183_10182_10185_10078_10079_10073_10123_142,searchweb201603_16,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=0b88f551-35ce-4e2b-b272-9b76abdcdc9f&algo_expid=4be6ca4a-aa2e-424b-bc9b-022ab181ed63-1&algo_pvid=4be6ca4a-aa2e-424b-bc9b-022ab181ed63#autostay

Don't forget the shipping charge and vat is paid on price including shipping.

Yoleo and hungfu would be the more reputable brands from my knowledge. Been thinking about a pair myself for a long time but nervous enough of it

Thud

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You expect to get a fully built up set of carbon wheels for like E270?

I'd say the mark up on branded wheels is huge. Raw materials are essentially the same, molds are reusable, hubs are all made over there too. Testing, reputation/warranty and piece of mind is what you are paying up for...worth more to some

thekooman

Ive a set of Zondas and the rear hub isn't great in them... Mavics are much better in my opinion.
I bought a set of 50mm carbon clinchers handbuilt off the spokesmanwheels.co.uk last year and they are great. have been on some bad roads and take the abuse so far. built on Novatech hubs and weigh about 1500g. all delivered for 670 euro. they are a Chinese (everything is!) Carbonal carbon rim. No customs and 20£ delivery from the UK.

thekooman

thekooman wrote: »

Ive a set of Zondas and the rear hub isn't great in them... Mavics are much better in my opinion.
I bought a set of 50mm carbon clinchers handbuilt off the spokesmanwheels.co.uk last year and they are great. have been on some bad roads and take the abuse so far. built on Novatech hubs and weigh about 1500g. all delivered for 670 euro. they are a Chinese (everything is!) Carbonal carbon rim. No customs and 20£ delivery from the UK.

btw, these are 25mm wide rims so you need to check if your bike can take them. super comfortable on 25mm GP 4000s

DirkVoodoo

Shameless plug: But I have a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites for sale if you are interested.

I wouldn't buy cheap carbon anything, you really don't know what you are getting and if you plan to take these anywhere near a mountain, you'd really want that peace of mind when descending at speed.

Do you know what testing has been done on these wheels for braking performance under high load (high heat)?

Have a read of these guys at FLO wheels and the testing they carried out: http://flocycling.blogspot.ie/2016/04/flo-cycling-carbon-clincher-brake-track.html

If you really feel that saving a few hundred euro is worth that potential failure, without any kind of guarantee as to the scrutiny these wheels were placed under, then buy them.

DirkVoodoo

Thud wrote: »

I'd say the mark up on branded wheels is huge. Raw materials are essentially the same, molds are reusable, hubs are all made over there too. Testing, reputation/warranty and piece of mind is what you are paying up for...worth more to some

A friend of mine works in carbon composites and would say that this is really not true. Saying that they are all the same is like saying that a dunnes stores suit is the same as a designer suit because they both use wool and have pockets...it completely neglects material, expertise, finish, detail, etc.

Tenzor07

Thud wrote: »

I'd say the mark up on branded wheels is huge. Raw materials are essentially the same, molds are reusable, hubs are all made over there too. Testing, reputation/warranty and piece of mind is what you are paying up for...worth more to some

I'd say you're completely wrong there, ok so they can use open molds from older designs that anyone can buy online, and can cheaply manufacture them if you ignore safety standards and have a very poor quality control department.
The machine precision that goes into making a good hub requires the highest standards, skilled engineers to design and test the hubs also, to ensure long life, durability and lightweight and strength, all of which can be cut back on to save money....

While the quality of chinese carbon bicycle parts is improving and you can find good cheap parts online, i'd rather pay a bit extra to know I will have the wheels and frames etc for a long time and without a higher risk of failures...

Thud

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I'd say you're completely wrong there, ok so they can use open molds from older designs that anyone can buy online, and can cheaply manufacture them if you ignore safety standards and have a very poor quality control department.
The machine precision that goes into making a good hub requires the highest standards, skilled engineers to design and test the hubs also, to ensure long life, durability and lightweight and strength, all of which can be cut back on to save money....

While the quality of chinese carbon bicycle parts is improving and you can find good cheap parts online, i'd rather pay a bit extra to know I will have the wheels and frames etc for a long time and without a higher risk of failures...

ok agreed and I wouldn't buy Chinese wheels but the mark up on brand name wheels is huge, I'd say raw materials are maybe 2 or 3 times more than Dengfu but not 10 or 20 times as much (and yes they do need to cover research and testing too). The fear of catastrophic failure enables them to keep the price that high...I'm sure there's a name for that type of good from economics class that I cant remember

Tenzor07

Good few new companies producing cheaper carbon wheels now, such as Hunt: https://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-rim-brake-wheels

Though if I was the OP on a very limited budget, i'd be looking at a decent set of alloy rims...

lennymc

my cx race bike has a set of cheapo carbon rims, no problems with them for last three years. they have taken a right hammering, and I am not a featherweight. I guess if i crash due to them, it's probably not going to be a fast one, and I will land in mud

jntsnk

You are putting yourself and others at risk with cheap Chinese wheels. Why consider money over safety ? Do you want a guilt trip. There are always accidents on the road but at least have the piece of mind that the equipment you are riding is up to standard.
Go with brands that have plenty reviews written about them not you tube, blogs etc ..... reviews though.

lennymc

do your research - some chinese wheels appear to be better than others. Don't forget, some top end wheels also fail spectacularly (remember sky's TT recently?)

iwillhtfu

jntsnk wrote: »

You are putting yourself and others at risk with cheap Chinese wheels. Why consider money over safety ? Do you want a guilt trip. There are always accidents on the road but at least have the piece of mind that the equipment you are riding is up to standard.
Go with brands that have plenty reviews written about them not you tube, blogs etc ..... reviews though.

Or maybe not :rolleyes:

Cionn

jntsnk wrote: »

You are putting yourself and others at risk with cheap Chinese wheels. Why consider money over safety ? Do you want a guilt trip. There are always accidents on the road but at least have the piece of mind that the equipment you are riding is up to standard.
Go with brands that have plenty reviews written about them not you tube, blogs etc ..... reviews though.

Tbh I think that type of argument is over the top. Medicines (a different industry for sure, but subject to a higher regulation threshold ) generic medicine is the same as the branded ones but significantly cheaper.

With a bit of research and common sense you should be able to limit the risk, cheaper price for non branded product.