As cycling’s popularity continues to skyrocket, so do cyclists’ options for wheels. With advantages and disadvantages to every type, it’s important to understand the basics about what makes a wheel great before changing up your ride.
Wheels generally fall into two categories: training wheels and race wheels. Training wheels (not the extra ones you put on the back as a kid) tend to be more durable than race wheels, with higher spoke counts, heavier weights, shallower rim depths, nonaerodynamic designs, and aluminum rims. Riders who want to put hundreds of miles on a pair of wheels for recreational riding or race training should look at options on this side of the spectrum.
Race wheels, on the other hand, are designed with speed in mind. These help cyclists lower race times through improved aerodynamics, deeper rim depths, and lighter weights — usually thanks to a partial, or full, carbon fiber build.
Within each category, wheels differ in several aspects. The three most prominent aspects are aerodynamics, crosswind stability, and ride characteristics.
Wheel designers continue to make adjustments to their wheels in search of the perfect aerodynamics. Aerodynamic drag is one of the biggest slowdown factors when riding, so minimal drag is extremely important on the racecourse where a few seconds make the difference between a championship and a middle-of-the-pack finish.
As rim depths increase, wheels become harder to control in strong wind conditions. Early aerodynamic wheels helped riders go faster, but they suffered greatly when the wind would pick up. As aerodynamic technology has improved across the board, wheel designers have shifted their focus toward creating a more stable ride for both racers and recreational riders.
No one likes a bumpy ride in the car, and cyclists are no different. In the past, manufacturers observed standard 19 millimeter-wide brake tracks, but lately, designers have begun to increase overall rim widths to improve rolling resistance, cornering, and stability. Fortunately, these wider rims make bikes more aerodynamic as well so riders don’t lose speed for the sake of comfort.
So, as you set out to buy your new set of wheels, how do you translate all of this information? It depends on what you want, but smart shopping and patience can help you get the right wheels at the right price.
First, determine what you need from your wheels. If you only ride recreationally, it doesn’t make much sense to purchase a $6,000 set of racing wheels. Casual riders should look for wheels that borrow technology from race wheels but come in a cost-effective, durable model. On the other side, racers should purchase the best wheel within budget. If the choice comes down to aerodynamics over weight, choose the more aerodynamic wheel for faster times.
Don’t assume the more expensive wheel is the better wheel. As more manufacturers skip middlemen to sell directly to consumers, options are more varied than ever in both price and quality. After determining which kind of wheel you want, see if the manufacturer sells directly to the public. Depending on what you want, you could save thousands.
However, be cautious. As great new technologies sprout up, so do copycat, insubstantial technologies driven more by marketing hype than usefulness. Research the data of any marketer’s claim before settling on a new set.
Most wheels today come with a manufacturer’s warranty. If you intend to use your wheels for long-term training, make sure to protect your purchase with an excellent warranty. Do your due diligence by comparing the customer service reviews of different companies; a business with a great warranty on paper that gives you the runaround when you need to use it can prove more troublesome than secure.
Your wheels should reflect how you want to ride. Do you want to fly or just know your wheels can withstand a year’s worth of leisurely cruises around town? No matter how you like to ride, it pays to shop around and do your research to ensure smooth cycling ahead.
Chris Thornham is a co-founder of FLO Cycling, which engineers aerodynamic cycling wheels. The company uses computational fluid dynamics software to develop its wheels and verifies its results in a wind tunnel. Less than three years after launching, the company has sold 10,000 wheels to customers in 51 countries. Chris enjoys learning, triathlon training, skiing, hiking with his dog, and spending time with family.